I cannot pass up a good quilt. Well, ok….I COULD pass up a good quilt. And sometimes I CAN pass up a good quilt, but yesterday was not that day. Oh, this one is so pretty! I love two color quilts and this is beautifully hand-pieced and hand-quilted with remarkable feathered wreath medallions in the white squares. It’s a double, it only has a couple of tiny stains along one edge and no wear. AND…I got it for $75! Oh, I love a good quilt, and a good auction, and a good bargain!
When I was a little girl, my grandma had a quilt frame and I remember her and some neighbor women sitting around it here in the dining room, quilting and talking, and laughing. That must have been such a luxury to the farm women of those days…to sit together and stitch awhile and talk. Grandma would make me wash my hands and would thread the needle for me and guide my little hands to make the stitches. She used to tell me as an adult that she couldn’t stitch a straight line and she finally gave up and tied all of her quilts. I don’t know that there are any of hers left as her quilts were utilitarian and made to be used till they fell apart. I do have one blanket that’s on my bed in the trailer that she sewed a binding onto pre-quilted fabric and gave to me. I have the apron she made for me when I was little and would help her make lunch for the workers when the strawberries were being picked for market. I also have two pillow covers she made. I left her treadle sewing machine in Denver for my daughter to leave to her daughters. I love the circle of life. The continuity of stories, skills, family.
My uncle and aunt came yesterday. He is patching the roof and installing a gas heating stove for us. I bought a small barrel shaped coin bank at the auction yesterday and he was enamored with it. It presented the same puzzle to him as it did to me which prompted me to buy it. It was a giveaway from Union National Bank of Sistersville, WV. And…it is locked. And…there is no key. It’s full of coins. And there’s folding money that you can see through the coin slot. But we can’t get into it. He tried to make a key but didn’t have the proper tools here so he’s going to make a key at home and send it to me. I love a mystery! There could be really great coins and a hundred dollar bill in it. Or there could be a dollar bill and a couple bucks in change. The only difference is the story! And you know me well….the only thing I love more than a mystery is a really great story! <3