Wednesday, February 13, 2013

Hello, Neighbor!



Marlene at Stitchin by the Lake is facilitating a get to know the neighborhood weekly post, and this week I’m on the list of featured bloggers.  Thank you for introducing me to the neighborhood, Marlene!

I live in the hill country of Central Texas.  The picture in my blog header shows Packsaddle Mountain, as seen from our property in Llano County.  My family has lived in Texas several generations and by happenstance, our property is adjacent to the original land one of my ancestors received as a land grant prior to the Civil War.  We are city folks, though, and live in a community about half an hour from there. 

 

When we receive lots of rain in October, the wildflowers turn the hill country into a place of incredible beauty in March and April.

I can’t remember when I made my first quilt, but I do know I used a magazine pattern that optimistically claimed it could be completed in a weekend (but not by me).  I used synthetic blends, wrapped the backing to the front for a binding, and failed to bury my quilting knots.  My husband hated that quilt, but we used it until it fell apart and was discarded. 

 
My second quilt was not much better.  I used a plastic milk carton to make my templates and cut the fabric with scissors.  I still didn’t have a clue about how to make a binding so I just turned the edges in and whip stitched it together.  After making that one, I stopped quilting for years.

When I retired in 2006, we returned to Texas.  I joined a quilt club and began spending Tuesdays at Sit ‘N Sew at a nearby quilt shop.  Whenever anyone asks when I began quilting, I usually say 2007.  I’ve got a lot left to learn, but am I ever enjoying the journey.

I always seem to have lots of projects going at once and you can spot some of them in recent posts.

Thank you for stopping by.  I appreciate visitors to my blog and would love to hear from you. 

8 comments:

Quilting Babcia said...

Hi Mary, What beautiful country you live in! We quilters always have something new to learn, no matter how long we've been at it, and that's what keeps us addicted to this wonderful craft!

Vroomans' Quilts said...

How lovely a visit and I adore your Jane blocks - yes, I browsed thru your posts. You have come a long way in your quilting journey!

Elizabeth said...

Hi Mary,
I love the field of lupine! It's always been one of my favorites as it grows in California too, where I'm from originally. Love your projects! I dropped in through the neighborhood visiting links.
Happy stitching!
Liz in Kansas

Belinda said...

Hi Mary! Marlene sent me over. Love your blog and your work!

Rosa said...

Hi!!
I love the visit,.Love your projects and I`m doing too Dear Jane quilt in blue fabrics and hope to do several blocks this year.

StitchinByTheLake said...

Mary those pictures are gorgeous! My quilt journey is a bit like yours but now I'm in...hook, line and sinker (as my dad would have said!). Blessings, Marlene

Catherine said...

Your header is divine! Last year there were no spring flowers in our part of the northern Arizona desert. It was a very dry winter. This year with lots of snow and rain we should have a ton of flowers.

Thanks for sharing your first quilt.

Cathy

Amy, a redeemed sheep said...

I am a newer quilter, too. =) My first quilts make me cringe when I look at them.

I have visited the lovely state of Texas once and I would love to go back. I loved it there!!