For Mother's Day -

Those of you who have been with me all of this time - (It will be 20 years next June that this blog started...really. 20 years!) will remember when I shared a previous visit to Idaho in 2014 and my post entitled Like Daughter, Like Mother.

I had started my mom on a hexie project of her own vision - she had picked up English Paper piecing while watching me as we sat in a dentist's office a couple of years earlier while waiting for my aunt.

If you want to know where my busy hands come from - this is it.

On our ride up from Boise to Garden Valley the day after my arrival, I happened to ask mom whatever happened to her hexie top.

"It got out of control!" She said.

And I begged her to pull it out and show me.

It's done up to the borders!

All that was left was to put the borders on...

Here she is showing me just how they go.  

Then she told me that it has sat for the past 5 years borderless because she just didn't like it.  "Too much beige!" She said.

I think it is unique.  And beautiful just as it is.

Colors come and go - that's the whole motus operandi of the home dec industry.  They want us to think that colors are "outdated" so that we will chase after everything new.

I find that ALL colors are worthy - it's just how you use them, and she used them just right in this magnificent masterpiece of words - all of her favorite things captured in hexagons.

It's everything - all the things she loves.

She is an awesome listener.

She grew up loving to sake - both roller and ice.  Her mom, my grandma, made many skating costumes for her.  I have that sewing machine. She is still in touch with many of the childhood friends that she skated with.

Popcorn, always popcorn.

And mom makes it best.

I love her so much.  I'm so glad I got the time to spend with her.

She spreads joy like confetti wherever she goes.

We have so much fun when we are together.

So many giggles and laughs.

Her faith in me has buoyed me up beyond measure.

The woman's got spunk in spades - let me tell ya!

At 83 she is still plugging along in her garden, her yard is the envy of Garden Valley, Idaho.  And she will be quick to offer you up starts if you so much as say you like something in her yard.

She is my mom, but I am blessed to have her as my friend.

8 kids.  I don't know how she did it.
As the eldest of the bunch, I can honestly say that I am the luckiest because I got to know each one from the day they were born.
The hard part is getting us all together in one place at the same time.
And of course, we all miss Mark who has passed on.

Borders are going on!

Hubster Dave is heading out to visit his side of the family and attend a friend's celebration of life at the end of June.

The plan is for Dave to pick up the quilt top and bring it home to me where I will machine quilt and bind it, and bring it back with me next May - finished.

It needs to be finished.  It deserves to be finished. It will be finished. 

My first post about this quilt was 10 years ago. Some projects just take that long as life gets in the way and things get set aside.

I will finish it.  And it will go home to her.

I was going to write more in this post - share things that are going on at the inn - but there is Monday for that.

Northern Lights over Quiltville Inn!

It might have photographed better if all the lights in the house weren't on.  LOL!

This photo was sent to me by Lisa as I was home and out cold by 11pm.

Just cool.  So very cool!

It's our annual Mother's Day Weekend Digital Pattern sale!

Good through Sunday 5/12/24:  

All digital patterns in the Quiltville Store are 30% off using coupon code Digital30 at checkout. 

Code MUST be used for discount to apply.

Where to find the spot to type in your code in the Quiltville Store Shopping Cart:

Click REDEEM YOUR COUPON beneath the total in the Quiltville Store shopping cart. Enter the coupon code in the box that opens up. Click enter.

Must put in the coupon code BEFORE you click to your payment method.

If there are patterns you've been wanting but have been holding back - this is the largest discount opportunity you'll have until November. 

And because you've been asking if there is going to be another opportunity for SewPad - yes!

What is a SewPad?

SewPad™ is filled with a thick cushion of proprietary viscoelastic polymer gel– the same stuff used in surgical mats and wheelchair pads.

Unlike foam (memory foam or otherwise) gel doesn’t bottom-out and it provides comfort and support by diffusing and distributing pressure.

Upholstered in a plush layer of AirFlex™ fabric, SewPad™ helps your backside stay cool while the no-slip bottom keeps it from sliding around in your chair. 

SewPad™ was designed for quilters and crafters, but we think you’ll find other uses as well.

Church. Stadium seats, in the car and anywhere else that you might expect to be sitting for a good while.

Being comfortable is a wonderful thing!

Use coupon code HAPPYMOM at checkout on the  SewPad website and receive free priority shipping within the USA. Sale good through MONDAY 5/13/24.

Mother's Day is for celebrating ALL who have mothered, including those children of others who have benefited from your care.

One doesn't need to give birth to be a wonderful mother. It goes way beyond biology.

As we celebrate Mother's Day this weekend, I hope remembrances of mothers who have passed on are kind to your heart.

If your personal relationship with your mother is/was a tough and complicated one, I hope you also find time to be gentle with yourself and with your feelings.  

Mother's Day can be hard for so many.

And for those of us who are mothers in the traditional sense (even if that is a human-made construct) are feeling less than perfect, you are NOT a failure at motherhood. 

You have done the best you could with what you knew at the time. Enjoy your day of rest and reflection.  You earned it.

Mothering and motherhood is truly the hardest job in all of the world, and you have done it to the best of your ability.

We learn as we go.  We learn as we grow.

Much love to you all!

Quiltville Quote of the Day -

Miracles are everywhere.

⁣

You just have to stop, pay attention, and not overlook the little things.

Have a wonderful weekend, everyone!