Abe's Birthday at the David Davis Mansion

 The David Davis Mansion was built in 1872 for U.S. Supreme Court Justice David Davis. Davis who also served in the U.S. Senate was a friend and political ally of Abraham Lincoln.  His influence on Abraham Lincoln's legal and political career was crucial to President Lincoln's success.  His wife Sarah's influence on her husband shaped his political career and their lives.

My daughter and I celebrated Abraham Lincoln's birthday at the home of his friend, David Davis.  After cake and punch, Abe regaled us with stories of his life as a circuit judge in Illinois.  Then we were given a tour of Judge David and Sarah's home.  I took some pictures of the quilts she had on their beds so I could share with you.

This bed was covered in a lace top, not a quilt.  But check out the sewing machine sitting by the bed.  The sewing machine was invented around 1830.  1880's they sold for about $100.00, that would be about $2000.00 today.

This room was their daughter, Sally's.  The quilt is appliqued.  The room was roped off so I couldn't get closer to take the picture.

The Churn Dash is a very old 9-Patch quilt block pattern, originating between 1800 and 1849. Its name is a result of the resemblance of the triangle and rectangle perimeter of the block to a butter churn and the center square to the stick (or “dash”) of the butter churn.

This one is Aunt Eliza Star with sawtooth borders. Beautiful!

I love the hand quilting.  I hope you enjoyed the tour. 
Until next time,

A bed without a quilt is like a sky without stars.

The Purge is Done!

I'm so excited to announce that step one of reclaiming my space is done.  All fabrics have been gone thru twice.  The first  time was an easy sort.  The second was a little bit harder.  I didn't want to give up ANY piece of fabric, but I decided I couldn't keep it all.  So I asked myself these questions…

• Do I like it?
• Do I love it?
• Will I use it in the next 2 years?
• Is it big enough for a project?
• Why am I keeping it?
• Can someone else use it?

I ended up purging about 1/3 of my fashion fabrics, which was easier than my quilting cottons.  I only purged about 1/8 of my those fabrics.  As I organize what is left, I'll probably be able to let go of some more.  My goal is to know what I have and make room for more of what I will actually use.

I'll be sending some of the fabrics to a group that make quilts for charity and the rest will go to the Idea Store.

Now onto step two, getting it all organized!  I've been scouring Pinterest for ideas and will report back to you what works and doesn't work.

 Until then, 

The best kind of sleep beneath heaven above

Is a under a quilt, handmade with love.

Prayer for the Anointing of Bezalel

Lord, I ask for wisdom and skill, intelligence and understanding, and knowledge in skilled craft of quilting. Guide my heart and hands that I may preform this work with excellence. As the opportunity to teach others comes, I ask for the ability to teach with clarity, patience, and compassion. 

30 Then Moses said to the Israelites, “See, the Lord called by name Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah; 31 and He has filled him with the Spirit of God, with wisdom and skill, with intelligence and understanding, and with knowledge in all [areas of] craftsmanship, 32 to devise artistic designs to work in gold, silver, and bronze, 33 and in the cutting of stones for setting and in the carving of wood, for work in every skilled craft. 34 He has also put in Bezalel’s heart [the willingness] to teach [others the same skills], both he and Oholiab, son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan. 35 He has filled them with skill to do the work of an engraver, of a designer, and of an embroiderer, in blue, purple, and scarlet fabric, and in fine linen, and of a weaver; makers of every work and embroiderers of [excellent] designs.

Atelier 54

 I am so blessed to have a space for a craft/sewing/?? studio.  I have named it Atelier 54.

Atelier is a word that means artistic workshop or studio. 

In biblical numbers, the number 5 is for Grace, the number 4 is Creative Works.  5 plus 4 equals 9 with is the number for completion.

Therefore, Atelier 54 is my artistic workshop where there is grace for creative works to be completed for God's plan and purpose.

In this blog, I'll share the projects that come from there, tips and tricks I learn along the way, and whatever i feel God is leading me to do.

I hope you will join me on this new journey!