Windy Nights

It's been very windy here in Mid-Michigan lately. Howling winds, dark nights... reminds me of my favorite poem by Robert Louis Stevenson called

"Windy Nights."

Whenever the moon and stars are set,

Whenever the wind is high,

All night long in the dark and wet,

A man goes riding by.

Late in the night when the fires are out,

Why does he gallop and gallop about?

Whenever the trees are crying aloud,

And ships are tossed at sea,

By, on the highway, low and loud,

By at the gallop goes he.

By at the gallop he goes, and then

By he comes back at the gallop again.

I made this quilt in 1987 in honor of Mr. Stevenson.

It's not very large: 30 x 34 inches.

But it was a lot of fun to make, and I experimented with hand dyes for the mottled background.

Soldiers, Sailors and a Rhodi

The last Dear Jane block I finished from earlier in the week. Not too bad... applique and piecing. It's called C-11 Soldiers and Sailors Monument. Much better looking than the block I am fighting with right now, C-7 Megan's Mountain Laurel. What a struggle that block is! I'm at the point where I'm about ready to put it on my rotary board and run over it about 20 times with my rotary cutter. Do you ever feel that way? ARGH! But it's the last block I need to do for row c, and I want to get it done and move on to row d. Geesh!

The phrase of the day at work today seemed to be "Calm down, go to your happy place." So ahhhh, now I'm at home and my rhododendron is in bloom. Isn't the color fantastic?! I love these flowers, but this poor plant won't seem to grow very much, and its losing its lower leaves. I've had it now for about six or seven years. I need a rhodi expert to give me some suggestions. Any takers?

Jake and Sammy are coming tomorrow to spend the night while their mommy and daddy go see Tom Petty. I think I will have more fun than they will!!! Really looking forward to their visit. Jake just turned four last week. Time to bring out the floor-size dinosaur puzzle I have hidden away!

Have a great weekend - I know I will!

Memorial Day Sewing

We don't go up north or usually plan anything special for the long Memorial Day weekend. It's a nice weekend to hang around the house, do whatever we want to, play in the yard with the flowers, and for me, do some sewing. This first little block is C-12 Family Reunion. I know some families plan reunions for the Memorial Day weekend. We don't.

Memorial Day is a day that was set aside to honor all the patriots who lost their lives serving and protecting the United States and her people. This block, C-10, is called Patriot's Lantern. Quite fitting for today, don't you think?

The last little block in the cute orange print is C-9, Jane's Tears. I would imagine Jane shed quite a few tears when making her quilt in the time of the Civil War.

Richard Trevithick lost his life in the war in Iraq. Both he and his wife, Kristen, were former students at Gaines Elementary in Michigan, a school where I used to teach. I knew both Rich and his wife, who were both wonderful students from great families. Please click on Richard's name and read about him and consider making a donation to the scholarship fund his family has created in his memory. Missing you, Richard.

Chinese Coins, 1986

Back in the 80's I hand dyed a lot of fabric. I haven't done that in quite awhile, but I think this summer I'll give it another go. This quilt, Chinese Coins, was made to show those fabrics. Everything here was hand dyed except the black.

Chinese Coins, 1986

Close-up of hand quilting

What I Did On My Day Off

I took yesterday off from work, thus extending my long weekend. It was a sewing day, and I had a blast. I started turning this

into this

As you can see, still in progress.

I got up early this morning to do more work before I go get my haircut at 9:00. Stormie decided to watch me drink my coffee from her perch on the chair (on a string-pieced quilt from the 80's).



Hope you have a great day!

Brookside Creations: A New Venture

I've wanted my own quilting business for a very long time. That time is now. I'm starting small and will be growing bit by bit. I'm happy to announce that Brookside Creations was launched earlier this month. While I will be adding supplies for quilters and embroiderers gradually, I will also be creating and selling quilts. I've been impressed with the fiber art an quilts at The Artful Home, and am working toward quilts of this nature.

Brookside Creations will have a regular web page, not just a blog, but as I'm currently working on a new quilt and putting all my time into that, the website may be a month or so down the road. Please check out the blog page at http://brooksidecreations.blogspot.com/ and bookmark it so you can come back and visit again.

The blog you are reading, "Michigan Quilts," will continue to stay current, so please don't abandon it!

I Need a Sewing Machine!

I've been using a Bernina Nova since I bought it new in 1978. It's about time to get a new one, but there are SO many different kinds on the market, I don't know what to buy. I want to be able to machine quilt, do embroidery and piecing. I'd like a longer-than-usual arm, and good space under it for rolling a quilt. Help me out! What do YOU use, and why do you like it? Please vote on the left side of the screen, and leave me a comment and tell me what you like and don't like about your sewing machine.

I need help, friends. This is a major decision!

Trilliums and House Tour, Continued

I hope you had a great weekend! I spent some time with my father on Saturday morning planting flowers on my grandparent's graves. It is such a pretty cemetary in Davison, Michigan. Huge pine trees line the narrow dirt paths (some so narrow I didn't think I'd be able to get my car through), and the cemetary is very, very old. My father's cousin Burton was in the war with him. Unfortunately, Burton didn't come back. His aircraft went down in the ocean. His grave and those of my grandparents and many other relatives are all resting near each other. Rest in peace, Cousin Burton!

View Larger Map



Does it seem strange to post photos of a grave on a blog? I don't think so! I rather enjoy walking through cemetaries, especially old ones. These are people from all walks of life, and they had families and people who loved them. While dad planted flowers Saturday, I picked up sticks and wiped off headstones that appeared to never be visited. Years of dirt and pine needles covered many of them. It's a peaceful time to reflect and say a quiet prayer for those who went before me. Tombstones also have some interesting artwork that can be an inspiration for quilting!




I promised the rest of my house tour. Today: the dining room! One wall of our house is painted terracotta orange. Just the south wall! Hubby Dean made the table. The photos should enlarge if you click on them. See the grill getting heated up for dinner? It should be on the table in 30 minutes, so hurry!





You can see into the living room from the kitchen and dining area. Cat toys all over the place... Stormie has been busy!




One last picture... a white and purple terillium in my dad's back yard. I didn't think they came in purple!!! How pretty! They are a protected plant in Michigan.

Patriot's Lantern

Last night I paper pieced block C-10 Patriot's Lantern for my Dear Jane quilt. Seems fitting, as Memorial Day is coming next week. Looks kind of squirrely here, but in person everything lines up just fine. I hate my scanner. Why can't it scan a square so it LOOKS like a square? Geesh!

I'm off to work this morning, then tomorrow hoping for sunshine so Dad and I can go plant flowers on my grandparent's graves. It's too far for him to go alone, and it will be my responsibility far too soon, I'm afraid.

Have a GREAT DAY!

Redwork

Thanks to my Blogland and Dear Jane friends for sharing their redwork patterns that include owls. I've loved owls since I was a little girl and heard them at camp. From way up in the trees, they called to me, and I would search and search for their little faces. Now, as Dean and I drive the roads of Michigan, I watch the treetops for owls. I get SO excited when I spot one! This is my first owl block; I added the words at the bottom. Curious little guys, aren't they?

A blogger friend asked me to show a photo of my granddaughter Samantha. I can't show her in her christening gown yet, because that isn't until June 8th. Be patient, friends! This is Sammy when she was at our house 3 weeks ago. Now she smiles and coos!

I watched American Idol tonight with Dean. We both vote for David Cook. I like David Archuleta, but I think David Cook has more versatility. I think the girl is on her way out this week. Mark my words! :) LOL There was a time in high school when I would have wanted to be on that stage. I was a vocal music major with high aspirations, but I guess musicals and operettas will have to be the highlight of my career as a singer. Ahhh, youth! Now, you couldn't push me on that stage!!!

Tic Tac Toe, Anyone?

There is nothing so pleasureable as playing tic tac toe in school when you're a kid. Sneaking in a game when the teacher isn't watching is something ALL kids do. This little block is C-4 Tic Tac Toe of my Dear Jane quilt.

Grandson Jacob gave me pictures for Mother's Day. He sure can pose for pictures, can't he? He's a virtual ham! He turns four this month. Very hard to believe it's been that long! When we were getting ready to leave the buffet on Mother's Day, I was helping the kids get ready to leave. Jake looked at me very seriously as I was fussing over Samantha, and said, "You know Grammy, she's MY baby!" I asked if I could love on her from time to time, and he said "Yes, but you have to ask!" Too precious!

More Dear Jane

I've been slowing down on my Dear Jane blocks while finishing Samantha's gown. Here are three more I just completed:E-4, Buffalo Tree Hopper, C-8 Hani's Crown, and the first triangle in the bottom row (an easy paper piece!)

Off to water the new grass and wander around the yard.

A Happy Mother's Day to all!!!

This, That, and a House Tour

I regularly read the blog "Quilting With Karen." She's been doing a house tour featuring photos of her house. What a great idea! So today is day one of Caron's House Tour, starting with the living room. If I were still in real estate I could give you a virtual tour - a 360 view, but I'm not, so these will have to suffice.

My leather chair was a gift from Dean several years ago. It's my favorite place to curl up and hand quilt with my hoop. I can see the TV from there, the fireplace keeps me warm in winter, I can see the kitchen, and out the back window into the woods. The living room and dining room are open to each other, and to the kitchen. The area has a vaulted ceiling that I love. It makes it seem so open!

I have to share with you a quilter I met via her blog this week. Her name is Wendy Sheppard, and her quilting is out of this world! I am always drawn to quilts that have lots of intricate quilting on them. I think hers are the most impressive I've ever seen. She has a quilt in the “Quilting & Embroidery” Summer Issue presented by Quiltmaker. The quilt is blue and white, and is called Ivory Spring (which is also the name of her blog.) I don't want to put a full photo of her quilt here without asking her, so please click on her blog and scoll down to the May 8, 2008 post. Tell her Caron sent you! If you can find more beautiful quilting than that, I'll eat my stash. Here is a cropped glimpse of her quilt to entice you to check out her blog.

I also want to mention another blog I happened upon yesterday... Annie's Quilting Stash. She has a podcast that is worth downloading to your computer or ipod. I have listened to several of them so far, and they are fantastic. Check it out!

Thank you to everyone who has either commented on my post or emailed me about finishing Samantha's christening gown. Your comments are cherished and much appreciated. I have removed the christening gown from my list of To Do's. On to finish another project. Oh, and start two more. I owe some people some "Pay it Forward" items, and I owe my dear friend Cheryl something special for helping me sell my condo in the Grand Rapids, Michigan area. Everyone needs a friend like her. If you need a good Realtor in the West Michigan area, please contact Cheryl Moberly.

Samantha's Christening Gown

I'm so proud to say... Grammy has finished Samantha's christening gown, slip and bonnet! This was so fun to make (though at times I wished my mom was still alive to help with the hard parts). I love how it looks, and am so excited to see Sammy in this.
My favorite part is the lace on the hem of the gown.
The little slip has just a hint of pale pink, and the lace on the bottom is also on the bodice of the gown.

I mentioned above that through the difficult parts of this gown, I wished my mom were here. Mom was a great seamstress and sewed most of my clothes when I was young. I know mom would be very pleased with this; I know she'll be with us on June 8th for the christening. She would be so thrilled to have a baby girl in the family.

Samantha's Bonnet

This was a little tricky to make...

the bonnet to go with Samantha's christening gown. I've never sewn a bonnet before, and this uses the basic design of the pattern I'm following, but I added lace and redesigned as I went along. The circle at the crown is lace from my wedding dress, the lace on the top part of the bonnet is from Samantha's other Grandma Karen's wedding dress. The little lace applique where the ribbon to tie it connects to the bonnet is a part of the lace from the hem of her dress. I couldn't find the right place to photograph this... hard to get a good shot of white on white! Tonight I will be finishing her little slip and then show the whole thing. Stay tuned!

Flushing Sesquicentennial Quilt

Flushing Sesquicentennial Quilt

Quilt Top By: Mosey, Caron Lee

Quilted By: Mosey, Caron Lee

Period: 1976-1999

Date: August 1983

Location Made: Flushing, Michigan (MI)

Project Name: Michigan Quilt Project

Institution: Michigan State University Museum

Fabrics: Cotton

Hand Piecing, Hand Applique, Embroidery

Purpose or Function: Fundraising

Inscription: Caron L Mosey, She gathered signatures on the quilt as a donation for the Society, raising over $1,200.00 in the process.Other Notes: The center portion of the quilt features buildings and scenes from Flushing's past, including the old High School (now the Junior High), the old bridge, the Mill, West Side School, First Presbyterian Church (now the community center) and of course, the depot., Caron had an exhibit of her quilts at the Citizens Bank Gallery, Flint, MI; February 16-March 13, 1987. Author of Contemporary Quilts from Traditional Designs, copyright 1987, P.F. Dutton. Presented with the Third Orrin Hart Award for Historical Preservation by the Flushing Area Historical Society, December 1984, for The Flushing Sesquicentennial Quilt.

Jack's Beanstalk

I was surprised to find some of my quilts on the Quilt Index this morning!

Jack's Beanstalk, Pictorial

Top By: Mosey, Caron Lee

Quilted By: Mosey, Caron Lee

Period: 1976-1999

Date: 1983

Location Made: Flushing, Michigan (MI)

Project Name: Michigan Quilt Project

Institution: Michigan State University Museum

Fabrics: Cotton Construction: Hand Applique, Embroidery

Quilting Techniques: Hand quilting

Purpose or Function: Gift or presentation

Inscription: Caron L. Mosey

Other Notes: Caron had an exhibit of her quilts at the Citizens Bank Gallery, Flint, MI; February 16-March 13, 1987. Author of Contemporary Quilts from Traditional Designs, copyright 1987, P.F. Dutton. Presented with the Third Orrin Hart Award for Historical Preservation by the Flushing Area Historical Society, December 1984, for The Flushing Sesquicentennial Quilt.
See full recordFind all images of this quilt

This quilt was made for my son Loren when he was a toddler. He loved the book Jack and the Beanstalk!

Our Favorite Quilts

On April 19, 2008 I posted a photo of my favorite quilt, Ocean Waves. I invited other quilters to post or email photos of their own favorite quilts. There are some pretty talented quilters who read my blog, and I’m happy to share their talent!





My favorite quilt is "Ode to the bears" from the book "Little Quilts book All Through The House" by Alice Berg, Mary Ellen Von Holt and Sylvia Johnson. I like it because it has a scrappy look using lots of different fabrics and some cute little blocks. Also it is one of my first quilts I made and I was happy how it turned out.



Elly Dunbar from Scotland

I have made a lot of quilts over the years so it was really hard to pick out a favorite. I ended up deciding that Jess’s graduation quilt (Jess’s Freedom Quilt ) was my favorite. Not for the color of design but for all the memories I had of him growing up while I was making it. It was a pure joy and I look forward to doing it again next year when my next child earns his freedom.

Laura Hahn from Indiana, USA

My favorite quilt that I've made so far is my Purple Magic Tiles that I made for my folks for Christmas last year. I just love the colors... it was very difficult to part with that quilt, as Purple is my favorite, but my folks love it, so that makes me thrilled to know it has a good home.

If I get to pick a second favorite quilt, it would be Stitch and Flip that I made several years ago. It still makes me happy to see hanging in my living room, as it contains many fabrics that went into other quilts, or projects that I've made.

Michele Foster from Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.

I love seeing other quilters favorite quilts. You can still share yours… I’ll be happy to post as I receive them. You can email them to me at caron mosey at gmail dot com or add a comment to this post with the information.
Keep stitching!