quiltersmuse.com Blog

Today, there was a package in the mail and it was a book I’d ordered on Sunday called, The Magic Vine Quilt by Eleanor Burns. I don’t know why, but the quilt on the cover reminds me of the story, “Jack and the Beanstalk.”

With blooms that trail, one into another, as they climb upwards, the colors are pastel and very reminiscent of spring. Just glancing through the book, I’m so glad I bought it. What I had in mind was the hope that more would be revealed about “Nancy Page” (Florence LaGanke Harris), a newspaper columnist who, among other accomplishments, designed a flower a week for her readers, in the 1930s. These flowers were intended for a “Magic Vine Quilt.”

Alas, no birth or death date for Mrs. Harris is given. As one turns to each section, a copy from the actual newspaper column can be seen. It’s a treat to see the actual ephemera. Eleanor Burns has added suggestions for various layouts and she provides examples of finished quilts, much to the delight of the reader.

What a nice book!

Patricia Cummings, http://www.quiltersmuse.com

The snowblower is put away for the season, the van has been cleaned, inside and out, the daffodils are blooming, and a new coat of white paint brightens our wooden fence around the left upper yard. It’s spring, and a time of new beginnings.

If you are a quilter, you’ve probably already set aside your heavy flannel or wool fabrics and have turned to lighter, cotton weights and hues for your quilting activities. For at least a short while, we will all turn to quicker projects, avoiding others that are involved and take a lot of time.

Spring engenders a sense of hope. The days are brighter, the sun stronger, and our environs are less dreary when painted in green and pastel colors. Already the periwinkle are trailing around the yard with their light violet blooms. A patch of pansies came back from last year, although it sprouted in a different location! The ground phlox are beginning to show color, and the mint green leaves are coming back to the lilac bushes.

As each flower blooms in turn, I always think that I should capture the moment, for when the blossoms have passed, I want to remember exactly how beautiful they were, and all of the intricacies of them. Drawing a flower causes an artist to engage with it, on a deep, intimate level. We can glance at a rose, but until we see it as a composite of separate units, we don’t see it at all.

Be keenly aware of flowers this spring. They are here a short time, affording you a limited window that can be a period of study, and while you are busy looking at them, don’t forget to enjoy the terrific fragrance. Lily of the Valley is my favorite Spring flower. What’s yours?

Patricia Cummings

“Keep on the Sunny Side,” played and sung by my son, James.

Five words can say it all. “Keep on the Sunny Side,” is a song made famous by June Carter. The words seem to tell us that we always have a choice to either dwell on the negatives in our lives, or to adopt a positive attitude, knowing that “our Savior” cares for us. As you can see, the song takes a bit of a religious twist at the end, and therefore, has also been adopted by the Christian musicians.

We could all feel happier if we felt we could take take charge of our lives by walking on the sunny side. There will always be losses. When you are very young, no one tells you about those. People concentrate on encouraging a person about their “bright future,” which may or may not materialize, and at any rate, if blessings come, they may not last forever. There is no solution to the ongoing realities we must all face, but we must celebrate the good things and the good people who remain with us, in the face of life’s ups and downs.

Always try to “keep on the sunny side,” if not for you, personally, then for those around you.

Have a great week!

Patricia Cummings

In honor of reaching three quarters of a century of being an organization, The New Hampshire League of Craftsmen has published a detailed history DVD of their activities, as well as a book about people and events during that time and up to the present. The group has certainly been a pivotal entity in the Arts and Crafts Scene of New Hampshire.

From May 9 – August 13, Gallery 205 at 205 North Main St., Concord, NH 03301, presents “The Permanent Collection: 75 Pieces for 75 Years. This is a multi-media exhibition featuring newly acquired pieced for the League’s Permanent Collection. The public reception is from May 9 – 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. (This reception is part of ART Concord, www.concordnhchamber.com)

Gallery Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Saturday – 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

If you love to support the arts, you might enjoy becoming a member of this long standing organization. The popular Craftmen’s Fair will be held at Mount Sunapee Resort, Newbury, NH from August 2-10, 2008, 10 a.m.- 5 p.m. (rain or shine)

On August 7, there will be a Special 75th Birthday Bash, with a dinner, a Tom Rush concert, and fireworks. For more information, call (603) 224-3375, or visit www.nhcrafts.org

Patricia Cummings, pat@quiltersmuse.com

When I first saw this quilt on eBay, I thought how unusual it is! As you can see, the quilt is composed of hexagon shapes. That took some planning! The size is 60″ x 74″ – much larger than it seems in the photo here, and almost a twin size. This quilt is currently for sale on eBay – #300176405551 – by “french72.” The reason for mentioning it is that this is the third mosaic quilt we have featured here, within just a short time. It’s odd not to see any, and then boom, three in a row, so to speak.

Hope you are having a lovely day today. If you’d like to see some beautiful covered bridges in New Hampshire, they are as far away as a click onto our website: http://www.quiltersmuse.com/covered_bridges_nh.htm
Patricia