Sunday, August 15, 2010

Last 2 African Blocks and ...

I’ll start off with the “and ...” in my title.

This weekend I really scored at an estate sale.  And it was about two blocks from my house.  I spent the day today washing and ironing linens (tablecloths, tea towels, hankies, vintage bedsheets).  Tomorrow I’ll photograph them and the other goodies I got.  I’m still on Cloud 9.   And I made friends with the two older women who were doing it - both in their seventies - trying to set up by themselves. (some of the stuff belonged to one woman’s mother who was in her nineties).  I ended up staying an extra 45 minutes to help them move things from their garage and house onto the driveway and yard.  I moved furniture, dog houses, glass tabletops for them, and helped un-bury other things from their garage.   They were asking me how to price things and how to best display them.    Tonight when DH & I go out for our evening walk, we plan to stop by and see how they did.

Anyway, I hope to post about that tomorrow.
For today, here are the final two blocks of my Images of Africa Quilt.

Block 11

I really wanted to use the tree and zebra fabric in a block, and it worked out great here.  The right and left areas on either side of it were strip pieced.  A few buttons, stitches, yadda yadda.

The real story on this block is the stumpwork lion.  I must give credit where credit is due, and the design is that of a dear friend of mine, Debra Coon.  For several years we were in a group of women (about 10 of us across the country) who did recurring round robins.  Debra had designed this lion for a purse she made.  She actually did several stunning purses, and one of them was in the first issue of Haute Handbags (page 51, I think....).  Anyway, I’ve been thinking of Debra alot lately, as she is dealing with breast cancer and the resulting treatment.  She is one of the most beautiful (inside and out) women I’ve ever known.  Sending love and hugs to you, Dear One!

Block 12

And the final block.  What is special to me about this one is that the African woman was fussy-cut from a piece of fabric that Willa Fuller gave to me at the John Campbell School back in 2006.  So, I always think of Willa when I look at this block!

Until next time,
Cathy maroon

4 comments:

  1. Woo hoo, well done! Just goes to show that helping people pays off in more ways than one. It is great that you were able to purchase all those linens, and I bet the ladies were pleased that you got them, after what you did to help. Looking forward to seeing the photos! Cathy, do you actually collect linens yourself, or do you buy them to sell them on?
    I've just written a post on my blog about my own linen collection, and am asking for responses from readers who share my passion.

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  2. I love those two blocks! So colorful and you can really feel the spirit of Africa!

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  3. Cathy,
    I am so anxious to see the finished quilt. Isn't it nice when each block of a quilt holds pleasant memories--to me that is what a beautiful quilt is all about.
    I can't wait to see pics of your linen treasures from this week. How nice you were to help out your neighbors. Holding a garage sale is hard work. Been there, done that.
    Debbie

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  4. Oh can't wait to see! I am on an estate sale email list - but those that are "professional" aren't usually as good as rel down-home estate sales. Next time you hear of one, give me a shout :-) Your blocks are beautiful - such talent!!

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