Saturday, September 13, 2008

Bead Books, Blocks and Doily

Thanks for all the well wishes on the new grandbaby. I haven't spoken with my son since I got home. Hopefully I'll see them tomorrow for football and I can get all the pertinent details.

Previously I was looking for a pattern for the beaded mats my grandma used to make. As luck would have it, I went on E-Bay and started typing various search phrases. Finally I found a listing on these two books. These are the exact books my grandma had! I couldn't believe it. Of course I had to have them and was the only bidder.
Here are the photos in the book of the beaded mats grandma made. I have made the two on the left. These were lost in our move from Florida to New York. The mats are made with 8 mm beads. I wonder how they would look made with smaller beads.
Here is a photo of the blocks in my mom's Shoo Fly quilt. The pattern is from More Nickel Quilts by Pat Speth. The white paw print fabric and the black polka fabric are the constants in the quilt. The other half of the HSTs are made from assorted nickels my mom chose from my nickel stash. While visiting her I was able to finish 40 blocks and the HSTs for the remaining blocks are done.
There is an 82 year old woman who is a client in the care facility where my dad lives who makes these gorgeous crocheted doilies. My mom bought me one as an early birthday gift. The quilt is about 18 inches in diameter. Isn't it gorgeous?
Here is a close up of the doily. She says she crochets to keep her mind active. I hope when I'm her age I can do work as lovely as she does.
I had planned to spend today sewing to get caught up on my challenges and swaps. However, my body seemed to have other plans. It told me to rest today. That's what I did. Rested and napped and rested some more. I hope I feel better tomorrow as I have two deadlines on Monday.

Happy Sunday!
Sweet P

8 comments:

Linda said...

Love the Shoo Fly Blocks! I adore paw print fabric - it goes with the cat hair my cats put on the quilts! lol
The doiley is beautiful! Wonderful work - great birthday gift!
So glad you got a chance to rest today! Always try to listen to your body :)
Linda

Teresa said...

Isn't Shoo Fly a cute name for a quilt block - has always been one of my favorites. I think the quilt is going to be really very pretty and so traditional looking.

I used to crochet doilies and thread ornaments and enjoyed doing it very much. My mom crochets and tats and I have some of her lovely pieces as well. The one you have is very lovely and I know you will cherish it for a long time to come.

Lurline said...

Congratulations on your new wee grandson! You will have lots of fun together.

Hope you are rested up - I spent yesterday afternoon in bed and that is just NOT me!

Hugs - Lurline.

Brenda said...

Glad you found the books, have fun making all the projects. The doilies instantly made me think of my grandmother; she made the most beautiful intricate ones all without patterns. I treasure the ones she gave to me.

Brenda said...

Glad you found the books, have fun making all the projects. The doilies instantly made me think of my grandmother; she made the most beautiful intricate ones all without patterns. I treasure the ones she gave to me.

lifewithquads said...

Beautiful work....quilts and doilies!!

Lori in South Dakota said...

enjoy planning for the new grandson! the shoofly blocks are really going to be special. And the doilies--ahh--does she take orders?? I would love a couple to put on my antique sewing machine cabinets! And for gifts. And because they're beautiful.

DebMc said...

I love the Shoo Fly quilt. It will be striking when complete. And those doilies...lovely. We spent time in Belgium where they have a heritage of making bobbin lace. I've never been a lace gal until I lived there. Now, I can appreciate the skill that the woman in the care facility puts into her work. Creating keeps your mind young...great, isn't it?