Time for a new mailbox

About a week ago I was driving down my street and was surprised to see our rural mail box laying by the side of the road. I guess it finally fell off the board that was precariously attached to a longer board holding the other boxes. This is not the first time our old box has had problems. Last year the metal clip holding the door closed fell off and to close it we really have to manipulate it into place. The screws holding it to the base board have loosed and the box has been listing to the left for some time, now.

I felt that the box had seen better days when we moved into this home 10 years ago. Our home is over 60 years old; I can imagine that the box has been used for most of those years. Although there was something charming about the way the rust and the peeling numbers spoke to years of happy use, I have wanted to replace it for some time now. This last problem with rotting boards may be the sign I have been waiting for.

Replacing a mail box is no easy task if you want to do it right. First you have to buy a post that can be driven into the ground to hold the box. Then, there are so many boxes to choose from. Do we want a security box with a lock so no one steals our mail? Do we want a box that looks like a firetruck or a tractor? Do we want red, black, white or gray? So many selections!

While we were making these serious decisions, our mail was not delivered. Then a pile of mail was left on the porch with a note that we need to replace our mail box. In response to that note Jim returned the rusted and broken mailbox to the line of mailboxes. There was a little space where someone else removed their box and our little box nestled into its temporary home. #135 felt very comfortable between #107 and #103. Did anyone ask after #105? I know that I'm curious....did it fall to the ground due to rotting boards and loose screws, too? Did some thoughtless person toss it away while opting for a box at the local post office? We'll never know. I think #105 might have belonged to a neightbor that has passed on to a place where mail is not as important. A new note from the mail lady reminded us that our box was out of sequence and while this was a clever solution, it was only a temporary fix. We have until the 30th re make everything right.

The pressure is on. A new box was purchsed today. It is white and very clean looking, almost too clean. It reminded me of a new artist's canvas. I couldn't help myself. After painting crisp new address numbers, I painted a colorful dragonfly that streatches across the side and over the top of the box. After the paint cures and it is sprayed with an acrylic sealer, the box will be ready to place on it's new post. I'm a little sad for the older box that has served so faithfully all these years. I will have a little retirement ceremony for it. I think a little paint and some glitter might be in order. I think I have a place for it in my garden to hold gloves and small garden tools out of the rain.

Catching up

Today was a day for sewing and thinking. The signature quilt started last February calls out to be completed soon. Again, pieces of fabric waiting for an inspired moment. Vibrant color and movement that will draw the viewer in. It deserves to be more than a pile of scraps sitting in a discarded shoebox.
Last year when I was chosen as the featured quilter for the quilt show, I wanted something to mark this special occasion. I thought having visitors to my display sign little fabric blocks would have more meaning to me in the future than cold signatures in a "guest book". My idea was met with enthusiasm and over 400 blocks were signed. I planned to piece the blocks together into a quilt that could be displayed this year at the show. It wasn't until yesterday that the shoebox was discovered and my nearly forgotten plan re-emerged. While the show is still 2 months away I still need to be far enough along on the quilt to have the size and general picture ready for the application.
Today the top is nearly finished and I can see the end in sight. Although I will be gone for a week, I will have time to quilt it on my return. One more UFO off my list.

A week at the beach

Seven quilters and a husband to cook for us while we lounge at the beach. What more can quilters ask for? We arrived in Cayucos on Friday afternoon within minutes of each other. The beach house is a two unit afair with separate entrances. We chose our bedrooms and began to set up our sewing areas. The view of the Pacific Ocean was incredible. We each had a front row seat to surfing, dog walking, jogging and beautiful sunsets. What a location!!

Three of us worked on Kaleidoscope quilts using Ricky Tims pattern and DVD. Gigi, Sharon and I finished our tops and realized that it is easily a three day class. I'm going to be teaching this class at Cabin Fever Quilt Shoppe in the spring and I'm happy to have had a dry run through the process with all of the input of my sewing buddies. Everyone was very productive.
The weather was beautiful, nearly 80 every day with soft breezes blowing. No wonder folks love Southern California. I know we all had a fabulous time.

The Painted Ladies

I've spent the last few days working on a section of a wall hanging that I committed to do almost a year ago. Sometimes I need a little pressure to get going on things. The letter from Jeannie was just the nudge I needed. She wants to see what we all are doing and what kind of progress we are making. As of Saturday afternoon this last weekend, my progress had been looking at the backing and wool batting and rolling it back up and putting it in the bag it came in. She also wanted to make sure we understood that she wanted it finished by the end of April.

She isn't a pushy person; rather mild and meek as quilters go. I didn't want to disappoint her or the other gals working on this project. I made up my mind to spend this week putting my best effort forth.

I made my drawing a few weeks ago and posted it on my design wall. Saturday I made my FP pattern and redrew the design on muslin. I thought that was a good start. I called Jeannie to get some clarification and let her know that I'm actually working on it. I also let her know that I wouldn't be at the MAQ meeting on the 28th but I would keep in touch and call her as soon as I returned from Erin's. I sent her the photos I took in SF that showed a little more detail of the homes. I think the other girls will appreciate them. The original photo wasn't too clear.

Today I did most of the fabric work. The stairs, porch plant, sidewalk and grass are left to do. Maybe I can work on it tomorrow afternoon. After it is fused I will do the threadwork and maybe take it with me to Erin's to do the beadwork. I will add a lot of sequins and gold beads. I think Jeannie will be happy with it.