September 8, 2009

I’m working on a new appliqué book! The design work is mostly done and in a couple days I’ll be ready to start the stitching.

With any book project, there are parts that are delicious fun and other parts that, well, just need to be done. I try not to do all the fun parts first, making myself do some of the grunt work along the way. I did already indulge, however, in one of the delicious-fun parts.

Let’s just say that this new collection of designs presents opportunities for using tiny trims, buttons and bows, frills and lace, beads and embroidery, etc. I went to Beverly’s, a fabric and craft store, and walked the aisles collecting those items that caught my fancy the most. I also spent a good hour plundering my studio for anything I had squirreled away in various nooks and crannies at earlier points in my quilting career. That was jolly good fun.

trims.gif

All of it went into a project box to await its destiny. The trims are optional, and probably only a fraction of them will end up on blocks, but it was good vicarious fun for me, this rummaging and collecting and feeling excited about the possibilities.

As a kid, I was not a girly girl. My sister and I ran all over our semi-rural neighborhood and my mother would just ring the supper bell when she wanted us to come home.

fishing.gif

Momma wrote on the back of this, “Anne (near), Kay (far) fishing.” I grew up with a fishing pole in my hand. I can remember that neighborhood lake and sitting on the bank waiting for the cork to bob like it was yesterday.

lunchbox.gifLunch break!

tomboy.gifMy favorite striped tee shirt, with a plaid shirt… and… are those patches on the knees? Can you say tomboy? My dad took us to the barbershop for cereal-bowl haircuts, which may have added to the general effect.

But the following picture serves up proof that I did own a dress, and I had a doll. There’s your clue to the theme of the new design collection.

sofa.gif

Check out that groovy 50s sofa fabric. I seem to remember the swirls were orange and brown. And those great legs! What happened?

Until next time,
Kay
By Kay Mackenzie

Comments

7 Responses to “New book project!”

  1. Mary on Lake Pulaski on September 8th, 2009 8:01 pm

    New applique book with embellishments? Sounds wonderful Kay!

  2. Barb Rohrmayr on September 9th, 2009 1:37 pm

    My youth was also spent running through forests and sailing and fishing on the bay off Lake Ontario. Part of me misses those days but they sure did form who I turned out to be. Great memories. BarbR

  3. Kelly Ann on September 9th, 2009 3:56 pm

    OMG…you didn’t even mention the cute little Peter Pan shoes in the last picture…I love them!!!

  4. Susan Brubaker Knapp on September 11th, 2009 7:36 pm

    These are the most wonderful old photos! So cute. I had sneakers just like the ones in your lunch photo.

  5. Kendra on October 15th, 2009 2:12 pm

    beautiful photos, makes me nostalgic for my own fishing hole as a kid. Your site is great.

  6. Maria Peagler on March 17th, 2010 4:57 am

    I somehow missed this post until I did the interview with you and I absolutely love those black & white photos. What nostalgic times!

  7. Girls’ Day Applique! – Quilts and Creativity on March 17th, 2010 5:12 am

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