I'll explain this drawing in a second, but first let me explain. I went away for a few days over the 4th of July weekend. That was, what, a week ago? I haven't been able to catch up on anything since: the garden, the house, work, you name it. And every day when I thought I'd take five minutes and read blogs, I'd see a daunting number. Numbers in the 200s. The 300s. Unread blog posts were multiplying faster than the weeds in my blackberry patch, and I had no choice.
I cleared out the blog reader. Yes, I declared blog reader bankruptcy. I emptied the cache and started anew, but I feel a certain amount of guilt. I apologize. It had to be done, if I ever wanted to read blogs again. And I do. What I would really like to do is redesign my blog, and clear out all the dormant blogs from my reader, and subscribe to some new blogs, and ... please. Tell me. When did blogging become another obligation? Do you feel that way sometimes?
Heaven knows there's been no time to go to sales, not that any have looked all that enticing, and not that it matters all that much, because honestly I meant it when I said I bought enough at that auction a while back to last me all summer. Did I mention I have to go out of town again this weekend? Would you like me to stop chattering and tell you what these pictures show?
Quilt kits. When I saw them, I thought my heart might beat out of my chest. I've never seen them before. A pattern, and all the fabric you need for a quilt. Who knew such wonderfulness existed? This one is especially lovely. The pattern is called "White House," and it calls for flowers in a rainbow of colors to be appliqued on a white oval, then placed on a pink backing and quilted.
Here's what the fabric in the quilt kits looks like: stamped with pieces to be cut out and appliqued, and where needed, embroidered. I got three kits, all of them still folded up and complete, as if they'd never been touched. The patterns are Rose of Sharon (shown in the first picture), the aforementioned White House, and Dogwood.
The directions for the Dogwood quilt and some of the materials that came with the kit.
There were unused apron kits, too, polished cotton to be embroidered. I'd say there's a one in 20 chance I might make an apron. I'd say the chances I'd make one of those quilts is one in 20,000,000.
I recently went and cleaned out my blog reader too! I was overwhelmed by the amount of unread posts! I organized by type and even had a folder for "newbies" and "iffies" along with ones like "favorites." I can't tell you how much this has revolutionized my reading! I can actually keep up. And by having newbies and iffies, I can read for a bit and decide if I want to keep reading and then move them to another folder in my reader. Does that make sense? And I am planning a blog redo at the end of the summer. You are not alone!
Posted by: Amy | July 13, 2011 at 06:23 PM
Wow on the neat quilt kits! I love those old needlework mail in things..I have some from eBay but they are just patterns. It must have been fun for women to look forward to the next newspaper and see what was offered.
Posted by: tammyCA | July 13, 2011 at 08:09 PM
I thought you were trying to explain why you would be MIA for awhile, because you were going to be off somewhere doing nothing but making quilts and aprons!
Yes, blogging feels like a big fat dumb chore sometimes! But I need to know exactly what it is that YOU and the hundred other people I follow are doing every day! No, seriously, I'd love to go back to the days when I only read your blog and Magpie Ethel and a couple of others. Maybe then my house would be cleaner.....
Posted by: Carol @ Old Glory Cottage | July 13, 2011 at 08:12 PM
I sure am curious to see what that dogwood quilt would look like all finished. Just sayin.'
Until blogging pays all my bills, buys me a new car and makes me thinner, I feel no obligation other than to enjoy what I can, when I can. I'm random like that.
Posted by: Into Vintage | July 13, 2011 at 10:39 PM
I LOVE all your finds! You and I seem to have the same tastes, except I DO quilt! I would love to take some of those fabrics and patterns off your hands! Do you sell on Ebay or where? Sorry to take up your time reading this! On my blog, only the most recent comments are at the top of my list, as YOU are! It's not quite so hard to keep up with the posts that way.
Posted by: Brenda Weed | July 13, 2011 at 11:52 PM
Sorry to bug ya again!
Thought I knew my blog address, but guess I didn't enter it quite right. Grrr.
Posted by: Brenda Weed | July 13, 2011 at 11:56 PM
I don't think I can say much because I am feeling a bit faint at seeing those gorgeous, untouched quilt kits. They really are the best I've ever seen (and the aprons are pretty great as well). You're going to do amazingly well on ebay.
Posted by: Martha | July 14, 2011 at 12:15 AM
You are a brave woman, clearly not afflicted with FOMS (fear of missing something). I only panic when it hits 500. Even then, I'll purge a few "iffies", but not go whole hog! Kudos to you.
Posted by: Sue | July 14, 2011 at 12:30 AM
Outstanding finds, Barbara! Those dogwoods!!!
Posted by: Tina | July 14, 2011 at 06:59 AM
Remarkable finds! I have never seen one either and had no idea. I just always assumed (we know what that means!) that vintage quilting was all about using scraps and repurposing. I thought buying brand new color-coordinated fat quarters was a bi-product of no longer wearing 100% cotton clothes. Thanks for sharing!
Posted by: Kathy | July 14, 2011 at 03:30 PM
I've never used a blog reader, but I do understand that feeling of being overwhelmed by blogging sometimes. A long time ago, I had a little melt down caused in part from feeling the pressure of so many blog expectations, so I made a real effort to keep a lower profile, after that. I think, I hurt some feelings, and that made me feel terrible, and now, I only have a few readers. It is hard to find a balance, I think. Especially if you want to be sincere with everyone, answer emails and all the rest. At some point, it will take over, if you let it.
I love these kits. I bet the dogwood quilt is lovely when it is finished. I don't recall ever seeing that one made up. My stepmom and my grandma once were into kits like that, and they each made a couple. My stepmom has one unfinished one, called Tree of Life. It is quite beautiful, but it makes me sad to think she won't ever finish it now.
You find the absolute best things!
xo
Posted by: Lena | July 17, 2011 at 02:44 PM
I always love to see what you are doing and what new treasures you have. Yes it is an obligation at times. Yes I've changed the way I read/respond to blogs. I can't keep up with replying to comments. And I know I should. But I just can't. My reader is always fat. Sometimes I flush. It is not possible to sometimes take a breath. I wish I could add new blogs and revamp. I should. Maybe you've given me some punch in the arm to do it.
Posted by: nanette | July 18, 2011 at 10:50 AM
Yeah, my blog reader regularly gets to around 700 and then I have no choice but to mark them all as read. I really need to go through and clean up the list so that I'm only following my favorites. I'm at 724 today and I do think it's time to delete some blogs that I never read!!
Posted by: My Vintage Whimsy | July 20, 2011 at 10:36 AM