Patchwork Possibilities

My children and I made these bread quilts (blogged earlier here), and we just finished up machine top-stitching them yesterday and this morning.

I chose the fabric and arrangement for these two. On the right one, I followed the squares for top-stitching. On the left, I top-stitched horizontally across the squares.

My daughter made this for someone special we will see later in the summer. She did not use a border but turned hers inside out and top-stitched around the edge.

My son made this one for his bear, Sammy. He insisted on a zig-zag top stitch. He loves zigzag stitch.

I'm dreaming up a plan to make log-cabin pillows for every room as a way to bring together the eclectic furniture and colors we have throughout the house. I also want to de-formalize the living room. Patch working different fabrics and colors will give me many possibilities!

Summer Solstice

I made a bandanna tablecloth for Father's Day, solstice, and to take us through the 4th of July. The children's gifts were on the table wrapped in Star Wars paper with fresh flowers. Appropriate. I sewed together 9 bandannas. "Easy peasy lemon squeezy," as my daughter would say. I didn't fuss about imperfections (the bandannas were slightly different sizes).

I planted 4 more sunflower seedlings to go along with one already planted.

Purple. . . in review. . .
Now, I'm going to work on that purple blanket and sit down.

Two posts in one day? Yes, well, it is a long day.

Purple : 7

From the farmer's market in downtown Jackson, some of these veggies became part of our Father's Day Eve dinner last night. The purple speckled beans were delicious sauteed in butter. The fresh yellow squash melted in our mouths to pair up with grilled salmon. Dessert was lemon buttermilk ice cream with homemade blueberry jam on top. All lovely. The okra, eggplant, peaches, and cantaloupe are waiting for another day. The wilting purple flowers from the garden need to be replaced, but that is o.k. because they are plentiful on this summer solstice day.

Market Tomatoes

Do you see the tomatoes on the windowsill in the back?

a little closer. . .

even closer. . .

closer still. . . Hey! That's not a tomato!

Purple : 6

This photo was taken at dusk. I had been taking photos of the purple ruffle basil from above, but the leaves always ended up blending in with the dirt. So, I got on the ground and aimed the camera up. Even though it isn't the best shot in the world, I do like how the perspective is off, and the basil looks like it could be a tree (with a little imagination) next to the chimney of the house.

This photo of the basil was taken at dawn, from the ground, too. Isn't it interesting how the colors change so much with the light? This basil looks like it could be at home in a coral reef with brightly colored fish swimming in and around its leaves.

Purple : 5 and 4.2.0

purple-ish Japanese maple leaves soaking up sprinkles of water during a dry, heat wave

the flowers from yesterday-- inside the garden window

Purple : 4

from the kitchen window. . . a butterfly bush