Monday, April 2, 2012

Visiting Grandies, Fabric and Spring

Last week I was in Kansas City for five days, where I helped take care of two of our little grandsons. The weather was glorious for lots of outdoor play time.

Aesa, 16 months


I brought with me our daughter's old doll bed and high chair that Tay found entertaining. That crib doesn't meet new safety regulations since it has a drop-down side. Ha! Are dolly cribs being recalled too?
Tay,  29 months
Celina's keeping busy with school, track, volleyball, Arabic lessons and cheer, so I didn't get to see quite so much of her.
Celina, 13 years
At Marmalade Fabrics, I picked up these pieces. On the right are some of the Kona solids for the QuiltCon block challenge. Our Des Moines Modern Quilt Guild will be participating as a group. 

On the left are Kaufman Stockholm prints in a great hexagon design.

In the center and above are white and sand Essex quilter's linen. I've been wanting to quilt with linen for some time. 

Since I'm totally a pre-washing gal, I wonder if anyone has experience with washing quilter's linen. Is that okay? Will it shrink quite a bit, and if so, is that a good thing?

And my! Isn't spring in bloom?! 

In front of the house is our show-stopper, a white-flowering crabapple tree that we call our popcorn tree. Typically it blooms in mid-May, and here it was on April 1st!

Our yard hasn't looked better, with all this glorious color! Lilacs are blooming too, and smelling so wonderful. A lilac bouquet with its scented goodness was a lovely addition to the kitchen table at yesterday's open house - our fourth open house. Our house has been listed 31 days now. Nothing's happening. In respect of Easter, we won't have an open house next Sunday. 

"For in Him we live and move and have our being." (Acts 17:28) I'm fairly sure I've interpreted "move" too literally, but this verse gives me something to lean on. Linda

9 comments:

  1. The grands are growing so fast!

    I've heard the linen shrinks quite a bit. I don't have personal experience but did read that recently.

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  2. Those gorgeous children are growing up so fast! I know just how you feel about spending as much time with them as possible. Your garden is certainly spectacular right now, and should be a bonus in upcoming open house days.

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  3. bet you had heaps of fun with the grandies :) and even got some fabric shopping in as well - great work. Those trees look gorgeous - sure to bring in some buyers - fingers crossed :)

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  4. Love the fabrics. Pink Chalk blog just did a post about washing Essex. I've used it, love it, some shrinkage but it's gorgeous fabric.

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  5. The boys are getting so big - and your granddaughter is growing up. Enjoy your lilacs - that's one of the things I miss the most about living in Florida!

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  6. The boys and Celina are all so beautiful. I love the bright Kona solids. I've worked with a linen before and prewashed it. Not sure if it's the same kind you are using, but it did shrink quite a bit. Better before than after.

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  7. I'm not sure if what you have is Essex linen, but I came across this blog post about prewashing Essex linen and it was about 1" on all sides.
    http://pinkchalkstudio.com/blog/2012/03/26/how-much-does-essex-linen-shrink/

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  8. I just noticed that you said it was Essex linen. So I guess you have your answer.

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  9. Beautiful trees. Beautiful grandchildren!

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