Monday, September 12, 2011

DINNER WITH OLD QUILTS

 Wherever I go around the lake, I take my camera as I never know what I shall find.

We went to our neighbours to the east of us, which we must access by boat as there is a small body of water seperating us.  We just putted over there which was about a two minute ride.

Their cottage is over a 100 yrs old, is very ecclectic in that there were additions, renovations over the years, so all cottages require personal touches to make it one's own.

But here is the quilt I saw upon entering their sunroom.  This quilt is soft from loving use, hand quilted by a Christian group that does quilting.

I photographed the labels to show the care given to the quilt.  I don't do that often.  I write the date somewhere on the quilt....if I remember.  This old quilt reminded me that I should label quilts...at least the ones that are given away.


The backing was flannel which certainly seems to have withheld the hands of time as the print is still lovely and soft after many washes.

The other quilt is an old hexigon that she didn't remember where it came from and of course there
wasn't a label on it.


 Also much love given to this soft and cosy quilt.  The backing was cotton and so soft.


We had appetizers on their veranda which was so inviting with all the charm of an old cottage.

The cottage has many antiques from years
of travelling around the country.  The cottage is also their prime residence.  They
have lived at the cottage for about 5 yrs now
but, leave the island around the end of October. Oh, that will be us too this year!

The winds do begin to howl, with dropping temperatures, uninsullated buildings we will leave around the same time as they do.

The cottage has much wood in the rooms, this dining table has seen many happy occasions for family and friends. 

Directly opposite this area is the area where life goes on in the evenings when it
cools at the lake.  That wood burning stove has probably had cords of wood put into its belly over the years.  I love this room.  It is so inviting.

The neighbours also had a visit from our friend the bear.  It raided an outside storage area  while they were away for the night.   Not a pretty picture I can tell you.

Funny though, the bear didn't eat any of the delicious veggies growing around the area.  Well we all know he is a pest, although no one has reported a sighting since last Thursday.  You think he's gone?  We don't. 

We've been sharing ideas about the great memories of bears.  They keep coming and coming....apparently like the Everready rabbit.  So, we are diligent.

I have twenty four Ohio Star blocks done.  My best work to date.  I don't know what it is about my fingers and measuring that makes my quilts always look a bit wonky to me although Helen (private teacher here) says they look amazing. 

I found a couple of tops that are going to charity donation so, till I go to Fabricland which has a sale on, I'm going to practice my "in the ditch" so the Ohio will be awesome.

We are going to get some rain.  The sun came into the bedroom window this morning with so much promise.  An hour later, we are awaiting rain, so I'm not heading to the big city of Huntsville to pick up fabric.   Oh well, I do have lots to do.

|We had the most awesome appetizer at our neighbour's the other night, so I must call her for the recipe that I can post.  She said it was super easy...my kind of recipe.


8 comments :

Anonymous said...

Hi Nanci,
Love the quilts! Great that you had a good time. Andrea brought me the Grandmother's Flower Garden quilt, (I gave it to her as a graduation gift from university in '93), so that I could show it to you. I'll bring it up this weekend. I can't believe that I hand pieced all those damn hexagons BUT she was worth it! Hugs to your Sweetie.
Helen (Your P.T.)

Nanette Merrill said...

aw I love old quilts

JoAnn ( Scene Through My Eyes) said...

Oh the old quilts are simply lovely - and congrats on getting so many blocks done. I like to put labels on the quilts that I keep also - for years from now someone might want to know more about who made the quilt. We have a quilt that Don's eccentric great-aunts made - no identification at all - we'd love to know the story. I do write interesting tidbits about the making of the quilt on the label too.

Leslie said...

those quilts are amazing

Jennifer said...

Love the quilts! I have heard about the 'Victoria's Quilts' program. Your neighbour's cottage is lovely.

Shay said...

I adore old quilts. They're soft and crinkly from years of being loved and used and I like to think about all the people who have used them before me.

That room does look inviting ..I can see myself sitting there hand stitching and relaxing!

Anonymous said...

Hi Nanci, your neighbours cabin is beautiful. The 100 years old comfiness just adds to everything. Looks like a terrific spot to hang your hat.
Barb.

Rosalyn Manesse said...

So nice that the nieghbors kept those charming old quilts.