signs of support

Ok ladies (and gents...)  I came home from work the other day and this sign was on the fridge. I stood there for a second watching the illusion of my wonderful life fade away.  My youngest son Sam had left me a note that indicated he was worried.  Worried that something he should take for granted, a thing like clean clothes when he wants them, was in jeopardy. The irony of the magnet was not lost...tired of waiting for services?

It was one of those moments...you know them I am sure, when you think that perhaps falling in a heap of despair would really help matters.  Instead of giving in to defeat I turned on my heels and got the laundry started thinking, thanks for the reminder.  And that, my many curious friends, is how things get done in my life.  The support of others in so many ways makes it all happen.

Here are a few others that help make things happen.  Grace, Bundle and Sally!  Their contributions in the shop are nothing short of amazing.  They appear to be in control most days despite constant interruptions (caused by me), constant moments of panic (caused by me) and a state of perpetual change  (also caused by me).  I regularly think, where is that? and before I can finish the thought Bundle is handing it to me...or Sally is just pointing to it while doing something else.  It's pretty funny really.  I go home thanking heavens for their involvement in my life and the shop and they must go home thinking...what  a NUT job! 

Anyway, it was Sally's birthday so we had a little party to celebrate with her.  There's more to celebrate with Sally is she is having her fourth baby!!!!  We are all thrilled for her, of course, while imagining another sweet blonde boy that she will capably take in stride!  Happy birthday and Congratulations! 

Time for some quilt photos...How gorgeous are these houses, all in a row reminding us of community spirit.  Fran from Wendy's class made them for her husband.  I think I am brewing a house quilt soon, just quietly.

Now have any of you seen this on the cover of the newest Down Under Quilts?  We showed Wendy a Creative Grid Dresden Plate ruler and about 45 minutes later she returned with this stunner of a quilt which immediately got taken to the magazine for everyone to see!  Fun color combinations, great imagination and lots of well balanced design inspiration!

Check out the November issue of Down Under which features quilts that twist tradition.  It starts with Wendy's and also includes my Kaffe Fanfare which uses an old favorite pattern with new favorite contemporary fabrics, our favorite theme.

On that note, an editor of one of our magazines recently said she doesn't get much feedback from readers.  Have you got any comments on that?  Which magazines do you like to read?  Do you see what you want to see?  Is there something you'd like to see more of?  I am curious so if you drop me an email on this subject I might be able to come up with some sort of prize...I guess that is how it's done.

Now I better go wake up Sam before I forget...just kidding.  He is up and the lunch is made and we are about to walk the dog and him to the station.  Enjoy! kathy

Comments

[cardygirl]

Where would we be without our support people...thankful for them every day! Remember though that they support you as you also love & support them...you must be one special lady! Love the quilts as always...have a great day!

[Leah]

I think I'd be making a sign of my own "This is how YOU can do the washing". But lovely to see your supportive staff :)

[Vicki Hines]

Wow Kathy - I admire your self-control. My response would be to leave a note of my own - DO IT YOURSELF!!
Vicki

[DianeY]

My kids were taught to use the washer at the age of about 10 or 11! We had a few mishaps of color running, but it was worth it. And my daughter-in-law & son-in-law thank me even today!
Beautiful quilts!

[lyn lindsay]

Love your quilt Kath, that background fabric is gorgeous its always about green for me, ah Kathy your life sounds very normal for you how does one grade normal, whatever is working for you is normal.
I admire your ability to keep it together and then on top of that there is always another quilt, you're amazing, GO GIRL! you doing great.
Thanks for giving me something interesting to view and read, as I have said before if i lived in Sydney I'd be a class attender ALL the time.
Lyn
PS Am forwarding a show off photo of my latest grandchild Xavier, he's gorgeous too, he lives in Ballarat, am about to make his cot quilt, navy's, reds and stoney beige is what is requested by Mum, he's getting stars to sleep under.

[jen]

i get notes like that also....i often wonder of i wrote them the same note and left it on their desk would they turn on their heels and head to the laundry...ha ha as if..

[Mary]

Thank goodness for YOU!!!! Isn't it amazing how much we are needed?

Magazines??? I get a fair share of them and love them. I would like to have more ideas on the actual quilting. I hate it when they say "Quilt as desired".

[Anne]

Seems to me if he's old enough to leave a snarky note he's old enough to operate a freakin' washing machine. Time for a lesson in self-sufficiency.

[SewLindaAnn]

The magazine publication needs to work on getting them to the states more quickly. Something that just comes out doesn't get here until a couple of months later. I can't wait to see this edition, that quilt is gorgeous. Maybe in the new year!!

[Melissa Moore]

It is wonderful to have such gorgeous help so close at hand. However, I really think it is time those boys of yours found out what the machines in the laundry are for, and how to use them !!!! Boy are they lucky to have you.
Melissa x

[Tricia]

You are one busy woman! I think my head would have exploded if I came home from working so hard and found that note! I definitely think you deserve some time off from doing laundry!
Thank you for taking the time to blog and for keeping all of our creative juices flowing out here in Blogland...I would do your laundry AND make you dinner if I could!
Tricia

[Jessica]

I must have picked up an old edition yesterday, it didn't have that beautiful quilt on the cover. I get a couple of different mags, there is just not enough time in the day. What with all the washing, etc that comes with kids! Ha Ha kids, can't live with them, wouldn't want to live without them! Jess

[Susan]

Teach your kids to do the laundry - they will be grateful in the long run. I have 3 sons - all were well trained to use the washing machine and tumble drier from an early age.

The bad news is that they are not so good at emptying pockets and hopeless at hanging washing outside to dry!

[Annie]

Some gorgeous quilts on today's post! Who would have thought the simplicity of "house on a hill" could be so striking with the right fabrics, I just love it.

I'm with the others of teaching your guys to run the machines.

: )

[Liz]

All those offering comments on your boys probably have meek, compliant kids who are frightened of the consequences. Maybe you can teach the boys to wash their own clothes but next time the note will read "no milk" or something just as irritating. I am sooo impressed at how much you manage to achieve while I just imagine what I would like to do.
Keep it up. You know what they say, "want something done, ask a busy person".

[Kylie]

I love the colours and shapes in Wendy's quilt. I have a subscription to DUQ, and can't wait to get to the post office to see my copy. I do love that it features Aussie talent and showcases what we here can produce. I also subscribe to other mags - I like to dream of what I COULD create! DUQ is probably my favourite - fewer "traditional" colours and lots of brights and some art quilts (and artist's profies). Re the washing note - I'm in the "do-it-yourself" camp!

[Candy Grisham]

Kathy
Where can one find info about the Creative Dresden plate block? They just make my heart happy.
BTW I have boys - let them do their own laundry and dishes and co9k. Their wives will thank you one day. Or at least just pile the clean laundry into separate baskets and let them deal with it from then on.
Candy

[Cathie]

hi there Kathy. as it is now Tuesday and there is no new blog entry to read, I just hope you are not trapped in the laundry, and have managed to enjoy our beautiful sunny spring weather -particularly today!
inspirational - all those wonderful bright colours of nature! and just the right balance of shapes and contrasts!-done without scissors and "design walls"
Have a happy wednesday - the day is just beginning