Sentimental Stitches

Palm Sunday is celebrated today in many religions. It's the beginning of
Holy Week and for me it brings a flood of memories I will treasure all my life. While growing up this time always brought new white patent leather mary jane shoes, a Polly Flinders dress, and a Easter bonnet to wear. Palms were handed to everyone as they entered church and we clutched them as if they were gold, waiting with excitement for the time to come when we would wave our palms to signify Jesus' entrance to the city of Jerusalem.

In childlike anticipation I knew the coming week would bring fun times dyeing colorful eggs, getting my little basket ready for the Easter Bunny, our house smelling of lilies, hyacinths and daffodils and music.

Oh the music! I was blessed to have been born in a family where music always filled our house. The music of the church played a significant role in molding me into the person I am today. I may not always be able to tell you the exact scripture and verse to fit a situation but I can quote a hymn written to celebrate the scripture. I started piano lessons when I was 5 years old. I always fell for the offer of practicing my piano lesson instead of doing the dishes after dinner. I think my Mom just liked to hear me play while she cleaned things up. In later years it was me playing and Daddy singing while she did the dishes. Daddy was an award winning soloist blessed with an unbelievable baritone voice very much requested in churches and retirement homes especially during holiday times. We visited two retirement homes in the evenings during the week and two church services on Sunday where he sang. I usually accompanied him on the piano. I don't know who was prouder, me of his singing or him having his daughter there with him. He was extremely generous in sharing his musical gifts whenever asked. More on Daddy and his music later in the week.

Today's motif is from my very first quilt. Quilting was as important in our house as music was and when I said I wanted to make a quilt Daddy pulled out a set of antique bunny blocks, embroidery floss and thought they were a good place for me to start. I smile whenever I see those bunnies. They became my first finished quilt even if it was just tied. I published a pattern many years later and if you'd like to make the bunny quilt too you can purchase the pattern in the online store.

March 16 Motif
Block 16 will be in the online store in a few days

I'd like to leave you with a final thought for today. It's the hymn "Now Thank We All Our God" traditionally sung on Palm Sunday. (Click on the title to hear the music.)

Now thank we all our God,
with heart and hands and voices,
who wondrous things has done,
in whom this world rejoices;
who from our mothers' arms
has blessed us on our way
with countless gifts of love,
and still is ours today.

O may this bounteous God
through all our life be near us,
with ever joyful hearts
and blessed peace to cheer us;
and keep us still in grace,
and guide us when perplexed;
and free us from all ills,
in this world and the next.

All praise and thanks to God
the Father now be given;
the Son, and him who reigns
with them in highest heaven;
the one eternal God,
whom earth and heaven adore;
for thus it was, is now,
and shall be evermore.

Isn't it wonderful to have a special day devoted just to quilters? There are activities taking place all around the country to celebrate the art. I've always been proud to say "I'm a quilter" and even though I'm working in the store today I hope to take a stitch or two in quiet moments.

I hope you have a wonderful day and spend some time cutting, sewing or dreaming about your next quilt.

Why is it that when you run to the grocery store in your pajama top because you ran out of chocolate chips in the middle of baking that someone you haven't seen in years will walk right up to you and say "Hello"?

Yesterday at 5:00 PM, I didn't expect for two nice looking young men to walk in the store and ask me if I minded answering a couple of questions for a story they were working on for Fox News 33 and Channel 9&10 News. Sure I said. We talked for a few minutes and I thought that would be it. I almost choked when one of them then asked if I'd mind talking with them on camera. It's amazing how many panic thoughts can flash through your mind while you're trying to decide if you should say yes or no and not take too long to think about it. My mouth said "yes" before my brain fully processed the fact that, I'd been working all day moving stock, changing window displays, dragging extra stock to the basement, hauling trash to the dumpster and left the house in the morning knowing I was having a bad hair day and a hormonal breakout was developing right on the end of my nose! They were out the door to get their equipment and I looked at Clutch and asked "What have I done"?

I put my 'ladies' jacket back on, found some gold earrings to wear (it's supposed to enhance your skin color) and went for my Bare Escentuals Mineral Veil and Buxom Lip Gloss. They were back so quickly and setting up that combing my hair missed my list. They clipped on the microphone, asked Clutch to join the interview and we were off and taping.

They stayed about 45 minutes and all in all it was nice getting the store's name in the news. I didn't expect to be the lead story that night but we were. We also appeared on their sister station later that night. Don't know if they'll run the story again today but you can see us in action right on the web.

Play the video for the story on the recession and there we are!