This pie looks fabulous. We’ve got tomatoes coming out of our ears (a good thing) so I’m going to try this immediately. Thank you. We have sweet 100’s on a bowl on the counter (the one’s that don’t get eaten right off the vine) and I think they’re so much better than cherry tomatoes. Different strokes and all that but when it says sweet it means sweet.

This is my first year gardening in many years. My corn and beans got eaten by local critters but my tomatoes did not disappoint. I can pick my cherry tomatoes twice a day! I’ve had enough to share with my friends! I too keep a bowl of cherry tomatoes on my counter as a quick snack throughout the day.

*seize the moment! I know it was just the best!♥️ And oh goodness, I could totally live in a place like that!!

I live in Denver and don’t recognize this place. If it’s a rental I’d love to know where it is and how to contact the owners.

I love what you said about running faster by getting some who runs faster than you!….I’ll have to keep that in mind!..

Thank you for all your inspiration to those of us who need extra motivation. Aging takes a
lot of energy these days, but there is still so much to do and accomplish. Your joy and sharing that joy makes me want to “get ‘er done”! Thanks for helping me to refocus and keep going. Stay safe and productive!

Thank you for sharing! Love the projects you completed and way to go on the running. I have given myself a fitness goal and hearing others achieve theirs really is motivation for me. Looking forward to your next post. 🙂

Hi Dori,

I love the tissue box cover–those are beautiful. I would love to buy a couple of those. Do you have them on the website? Also kudos on the beautiful guest room quilt. I have mostly reds and navys in the quilts I have, yet I love the bright girly floral fabrics you used–I am inspired. Thanks so much for sharing that.

Best–newbie, Beth

I really enjoyed your blog. A crafter and do all my own cooking I did a lot over the past three months. You gave me more inspiration. We live on more than an acre but I would love to live in the mountain area instead of flat Florida. But we have been blessed and not have to live in a big city. We grow a small garden and have our two little Yorkers. So life is good. We have a 2,000 sq ft barb that I do painting on things and l do a lot of art work. When in the house I do crocheting or knitting. I also make jewelry and with all the things I make I give it all away. I love making people smile. I have missed being out among friends but I read and like you I can’t sit still for long. I have my youngest granddaughter coming to visit me and grandpa tomorrow for a couple of weeks. You gave me some ideas to entertain her while she is here with what you did with your grand kids. Grandchildren are wonderful and you so lucky to have yours so close. I have three, two girls and a boy. My oldest granddaughter is in the Army in Texas, my middle one is a boy and he is 15, my youngest granddaughter is 10. They are spread out in ages but they are wonderful to have. Glad you and your family have done well thru this trying time. Keep up the good work and God bless you and your family. You are making people like me smile.

Stay in touch; we love it.

Dori, I really enjoyed reading about your activities during this time of the shutdown, and you’ve inspired me to do more creative projects with my time. Thank you for the beautiful photographs and for sharing!

Made my day!

Your house is beautiful. Are you ever lucky to have your family with you. Love your projects you post. You are indeed an inspiration.

I also am spending much time in my ‘Lower Level’ Quilt Studio (ie basement).So thank you for the patterns. I am looking forward to making them.

Love your card idea. I’m thinking of making a bunch for gifts for friends. I haven’t done that in awhile, a n.v d they always love them. Thanks for sharing.
Be safe.

What a wonderful idea! I send one card a week to an Aunt who recently went into assisted living in Arkansas and they of course went on lockdown. So I send her a card since she likes to write letters, she would really appreciate receiving one if these!!
,
Xoxo,
Kim

Love this idea!!!
Making some today!!

Oh, Dori…I wish I had your energy and gumption! Yes, I do write ~ long or short newsy notes in birthday, Cmas, Easter and Thanksgiving cards as well as thank you cards and get well cards. Sometimes in sympathy cards too.

I taught my children who are 30 and 33 that if they received a gift and the gift giver wasn’t there to see them open it they had to send a thank you note. My daughter writes the most beautiful and special thank you notes. She’s become a real gem. My son, not so much, however I did learn from other family members he will call and thank them.

Yes, letter writing has gone by the wayside, but especially for the elderly I try to send occasional notes because they probably miss “snail mail” the most. I sure don’t mind a newsy email from friends now and then!

Thank you for reminding us all how much a simple letter or note card can change the day of someone special.

Nanette

PS you are special too!

These are absolutely adorable! Thanks for sharing such a sweet and simple idea! KB

Thank you Dori. I really like your idea for the cards, and if I received one of these, it would make my day, and many others to come.
I also loved the story of the quilt. Thank you for the idea.
The story was definitely a tear jerker!
Very heart warming.

I was just thinking yesterday that I could make a Mother’s Day card for my Mom this year instead of going out. Love this idea. I have blank cards on hand and plenty of small scraps from making face masks.

Great idea Dori. You have the best ideas and this one certainly is appropriate for right now.

Wow! You said it in the first paragraph! We can “trust in our MASTER enough that we have no worries or fears of the day”! Christians can learn from our doggies

I have also learned from our Cocker Spaniel, Piper, that one secret to contentment/happiness is Do Not Compare. He has some skin problems that cause itching & soreness & at age 15 is deaf, but he goes thru life contented because he is not comparing his situation with other dogs & saying , why me? – life is not fair”!

Enjoy your posts! Sharon ( a new Farmgirl Sister)

Your dog is beautiful. I’ve learned from our shi tzu that sticking your face in mud is not a bad thing.

You have a gorgeous dog Dori. Glad to see that you are still running and keeping well through these difficult times.

Dori, Your posts are always so uplifting, colorful and visually beautiful! They are a monthly lift to our spirit and during these Crazy COVID days, we all need that. Animals
and babies always give me hope. Thank you for such a fun post about your dog.
I have owned many different breeds over the years (beagle, german shepherd mix, labs both brown & black). They are such great companions and friends. My son’s dog Emma moved out with him a couple of years ago. I love the cat but she is so independent so I have been thinking of getting a dog. This quarantine and your post have convinced me. I am really excited about this; so nice to have a fun/positive goal during these difficult times. Pamela

God and dogs will always be there when the others have left..

I keep a spiral notebook handy to jot down notes or ideas of projects. I also keep a running list in another notebook of materials and items I wish/want to purchase. Then when I find the item and only “on sale” will I purchase it. And then there’s notes about what people like or what I want to make for a specific person in another notebook. Makes “playing” and “projecting” so much easier and fun, and ultimately gets done! I’ve been doing this since 1980 and am now on my 3rd notebook of projects I’ve given away as gifts. Helps the brain right along. Another easy thing I did 2 years ago was to put project materials and patterns/whatever I need in a 2 gallon ziplock bag. They are then put into a small basket–easy to get at when I’m in need of a project to start working on.

It sure is fun to hear how others create and keep that flow going! I also have to have “order” in my space otherwise I just get dizzy and run away’ LOL.
I truly enjoy your inspirations and plan on “weeding” out my IG page!! It become very overwhelming
Xo, Kim

I keep pictures on my phone of things I have seen which I would like to either expand on, tweak or recreate in different media or colors. I use these pictures as a starting place. Round Top flea market in Texas is my absolute favorite place to gather wonderful ideas that I can “steal”.

Being a caregiver for my husband this post’s has inspired me so much to continue to create with my fabric stash. I have been in a sewing/creating slump. But now after seeing all your projects and sewing room I now want to change things to be more productive in the sewing world. I thank you. You are just what was ordered for me. Many blessings, Winnie Jackson

I belong to a quilt guild & a stitcher’s guild; seeing other peoples’ creativity challenges me to try something new!

I am lucky enough to have a great group of friends who inspire me with their creativity. We get together to sew frequently. It helps to keep me inspired.

I love looking at new fabric collections, then I get ideas for all my family. The beach, horses and puppies are a few I’ve used lately. Thanks for all your ideas !

I am a farmer-rancher artist newly moved back to Blaine Road in Moscow. Nice job on your inspiration!-Joan

I like to wander through yarn shops, fabric shops & even through Hobby Lobby or Joanns for ideas of something I can make myself. My yarn stash & idea books is on my list for organizing!

I agree with you about getting “lost” on Pinterest. Also feel a big waste of time in other social media avenues. I spend a lot of time looking through special magazines, cutting out ideas and placing them in a special “Ideas” folder I keep in a easily accessible place.
I also do lot of “communing” with Nature spirits and others, take my request to bed, and wake up with “thoughts” graced to me by the Universe. Always be open and receiving to positive thoughts. Be Aware.

When I can read posts from other women that inspires me and keeps me creative.

I’ve never thought of myself as being creative until one day, years ago, I was bemoaning my haphazard way of planting flowers in the front yard and wishing aloud that I had my mother’s creative genes. My neighbor looked at me rather stunned – which surprised me in itself – and said, “Are you kidding? Your gardens are so beautiful!”. I think that’s when I started looking at things differently and getting my inspiration from other people’s enthusiasm for whatever makes them happy. It’s like they are little reminders to stop trying so hard – relax and enjoy – the creativity will flow like the unseen breeze and you will only see it when it moves something (or someone).

I am inspired by my love for sewing.

Much of my inspiration comes from Instagram, magazines and I just got one from you for the pin cushion. Also they just pop into my head when I want to change things around.

I love having my cell phone to take pictures of possible projects when I see them or when I think of an idea I use the Notes app to write down my inspirations.
Would you share your Pinterest account name so I could follow along? I love your creativity and would like to follow you. Thank you for the giveaway.

Walking with our pups on our property and forgetting about life’s pressures opens the door for my mind to wander and ideas to come in – even on the bad weather or stressful days. The girls are always my best mojo. When I get home, I journal my ideas with basic details for another day. Like you, avoid pinterist and most social media because of the rabbit hole you described. When I read your posts it is uncanny how much we are alike. Always look forward to your posts. They are real and thoughtful. Thank you, Jeanne

Hi Dori, Thanks for your inspiring writings! I am not a quilter but my mom is. I create with paint, or pen or marker or … ! Growing up my mom always had her music playing while she was sewing. We lived in the Southwest -it was usually a country song with a good two-steppin’ beat! So I continue that creative inspiration by always having some of my favorite music playing while I paint and create!!

Like you, I like to keep some type of project (usually knitting!) next to my chair so I can work on it at night. It keeps my hands busy and calms me down after a long day.

Dori I really enjoyed reading your column. Your craft room is an inspiration and made me realize I need to become more organized. I like to leaf through quilting magazines in the evening for tips, ideas and color combinations.

I’m just catching up on blogs –after reading about the quilts made out of the shirts -here’s another with the tears falling and then I can’t breathe, cause my head is all stuffy! I lost my husband 35 years ago when I was 47 with all 4 kids still at home. We had a year after the colon surgery. Wishing now that I had had this inspiration! If only–we could see into the coming days, to just “know”. I have a problem with being able to “create” -just taking the time to DO! Same thing here–I have to have the things out, visible and handy that I really want to do. Though all too often,that doesn’t help! Some of that (in my opinion!!) is age!! I have a room to sew-but oh my gosh it is such a mess, it keeps me from going in there. So bad of me to envy your beautiful, organized space!!! Happy Creative Days ahead for you!! Enjoy reading about all of those special things.

I belong to groups that meet regularly to inspire one another. And I try to do one large or small creative project every day, even if it’s just posting a photo on Instagram!

Looking at flowers or trees in the woods make me creative! In the time just before Spring I look at the flowers in the grocery stores, to add color to a home, and it makes me anticipate Spring coming soon! But then when the flowers begin popping up I use that energy to re-decorate my home, look at fabrics to add color for items I want to make such as cushions (I used to have little dresses to sew but not in a while), and clean out the no longer used items for someone else to love! It even affects relationships as I share the energy and excitement of what I am creating!

I SO agree with your comments re Pinterest! A little bit of that goes a very long way for me, and I find I work and create much better without a lot of extra distractions (especially when they’re visual — ack! “rabbit hole” describes this syndrome so well)
I’m still working on organizing my small space and your photos and ideas will definitely inspire me. Thanks!

All things vintage!

Reading magazines , number one MJF ,helps me get ideas for things I’d like to do. Instagram and YouTube help as well as I follow creative people there. Journaling is another creative thing I do.

What an absolute beautiful project, post and friend you are. I just love this so much!

I had already seen some of these shots as you know, and now I’m sitting waiting for my manicure appointment and the tears are falling AGAIN . Happy tears, for the two friends who came together at a very hard time to console and share something so special for the kids. Something they will share with generations after. Jerry is smiling I am sure!
Thanks for sharing so much Dori
Xo,
Kim

Oh Dori ~ no words except thank you, my dear sweet friend. Great big heart-felt everything, Kathleen

OMG – sitting at work reading this post crying! I am so sorry for her loss. My husband died almost 4 years ago from a heart condition, along with a brain tumor that they found. In 3 weeks after being diagnosed he went to heaven. Her children are going to love and use these quilts forever. What a beautiful gift to give them. thanks for this lovely post. Diane

I loved, loved these pictures of your quilts. I do wish I would have done this with my Daddy’s shirts. But a young mother with a 2 year old and a baby, there wasn’t even time to think of it. I do wish……
You did a wonderful job. I love the square with the tag to hang the shirt with that you included. Maybe yellow. Well you have seen it many times I’m sure. There was 2 lucky kids there!

Thank you for sharing .
Dee Carter

Tears welling, heart overflowing!

What a beautiful story, thank you for sharing with us all…. the quilts are gorgeous and so are you two ladies! I will be going to Road to California’s 25th show next week; I guarantee there will be no lovelier quilts at this show than those you two have created!

Sincerely,
Edith

Oh my, you weren’t kidding about the Kleenex. These are the most beautiful quilts in the world. I have never seen one where the seams, pockets and tags were kept as part of the blocks; that you kept the paint, too, well, I like this method very, very much. Apparently Jerry loves it, too, and he was kind enough to stop by to let you know. This… this beautiful coming together as friends for a purpose, is why we quilt.

Well I wasn’t going to cry but dang girl. That was beautiful. Thanks.

Oh my Dori! What timing with this wonderful post. Just before reading it I ordered backing for a shirt quilt for my daughter of my husband’s shirts. It took us almost 1 1/2 years to start the cutting process but it’s done and so is the top. Now to get the backing and get it quilted. It is a journey that you are on as you sew, remembering. There were days when I just could not bring myself to sew; the memories brought tears.
I wish I had made larger bllocks (they are 6″ finished squares and 9 patches) as it would have gone faster, I think.
You’re a wonderful friend to have helped with this project!

Now I have tears in my eyes after reading this. What a wonderful gift you gave to your friend in waiting for her to be ready for this project. I may steal your idea and pics for inspiration. Someday will come, and those pics will be my inspiration! Thank you and condolences on the passing of such a close friend. Your farm girl at heart friend, Nanette

You, my friend are a gift to so many. A shining star in the storm, and a huge ray of sunshine on sunny days too. I can’t even formulate an articulate response right now. Just know my heart was deeply touched.
Sending love and hugs from the beach!
Deb

What an absolutely beautiful tribute to Jerry and such a blessing to have these unique heartfelt quilts to remember their dad and husband. Hugs and tears back atcha.

Ok, you got me. The tears are rolling down my cheeks. How blessed we are with the talent to make such treasures.

I recently received a quilt top made with feed sacks and something that looks like gauze, possibly curtain lining? Some of the colors of the cornerstones have bled into adjoining fabrics and the workmanship is the best she could do with the materials on hand. I feel it deserves to be completed and plan to name it “my many blessings quilt.” The maker wanted to make something beautiful and warm for her family. I have all the supplies to get it done and am honored to finally finish it.

Quilting truly makes us all family.

Big Warm Hugs!

TEARS & INSPIRATION in one post!
My tears do not even begin to do justice to your beautiful story. Thank you for sharing
such a wonderful friendship and caring project. You also inspired me to take on this
shirt quilt for a 2020 project. My husband’s unexpected death from a heart issue was
a total shock 7 years ago, and each person’s grief journey is different. Sending love to
all the ladies who shared this. I will start this new journey making quilts for my three sons. It will be the best gift ever. Have wanted to quilt since the last one I made
was a baby quilt 40 years ago. Newly retired, I now have the time and you gave me the
inspiration! Blessings to you and Kathleen. Pamela

Dori,
Would you please pass this note to your friend Kathleen.
Kathleen, So sorry for the loss of your husband. After reading Dori’s blog, I wanted to
reach out and thank you. Not only did you show your love for your husband
and children by making those beautiful quilts, you also inspired another
widow (ME) to finally start this wonderful project. Thank you.
Your grief journey is filled with sadness but also LOVE and INSPIRATION.
Pamela (Massachusetts native & now Kansas farmgirl)

Oh Dori. The first time I tried to read this post, I had finished teaching a class and had errands to run, so I stopped at a local cafe for a bite as it was way past lunch time. I decided to browse a bit while sitting there by myself, and catch up on my reading. I went to read your post. I had to close up my phone because I was about to bawl my eyes out! What a wonderful, touching tribute and gift to those who have lost their loved one. The quilt is a gift, but also the fact that you made it with and for your friend and her children- that alone is another gift. I also believe that our departed loved ones can reach us through dreams, and I bet Jerry is so very grateful to you for doing what you did, and that is why you had the dream. What a touching post, and a testament to great friendship. Hugs to you. ~Nicole, Suburban Farmgirl

Thank you for this post. I too have saved the shirts of my late husband whom I lost to a brain tumor over five years ago. My intent is to make two quilts, one for our daughter & one for my son. I’ve agonized over which pattern to use, which design, would there be enough fabric once I started, etc. I’m so glad to see you kept it simple which hopefully will inspire me to do the same and just get started. When my husband was living, I often teased him if he wore a nice plaid shirt, that it would make a nice quilt block. He would say, don’t you start cutting up my shirts for your quilts. But I think he would agree it would be justifiable now.

Oh Yes, definitely needed hankies! Very heartwarming, thanks for sharing such a very personal story with all of us.
When Daddy passed I wasn’t allowed a single thing of his . If I could have had all his favorite wool plaid shirts you can bet I would have made them into a quilt.

So beautiful! It made me cry.. I lost my dad this last January.. This made me think of him…

Utterly lovely! I’m glad I was able to gift Dave’s shirts to a young man in dire need but I’m afraid if I’d thought of a quilt with his shirts, I might have wavered. As it was, his request was to use the first quilt I ever made in lieu of flowers on his casket. That’s what I did for his wake and for his graveside service, he had a flag and full military honors.
Grief takes as long as it takes; God bless you.

This is all new to me but I may have to do a little looking into it!! I love your rice bag!! And absolutely it would make a delightful gift for any occasion ( my birthday is next month j.k. ) if I search “rice bag” will I find a pattern? Also off this subject have you ever made a quilted tea cozy? I have never quilted & am quite intimidated by it but I think I would like to try a very small project. When my sis was visiting we had lunch at a tea room & they brought my tea in a small teapot covered with a cute cozy to keep it warm. I thought hm, I bet I could do that.

I love your work Dori, you are so creative. Merry Christmas.

What fun! Thanks for showing us this technique. I learned from a Japanese woman how to do this and included the how-to in the quilting classes I taught. Happy Holiday to you and your family. I’ll bet you don’t have 22 inches of snow. lol

Hey Dori,
Good morning to you from a snowy Alabama. I love sashiko, I use it a lot on my denim quilts. Wanted to share this with you since you have granddaughters. Several years back my God daughters came in dressed in The latest fashion. Jeans with rips in some rather inappropriate spots. I told them no, just no. I gave them an alternative though. We would raid my fancy scrap box and put cool scraps behind the rips. Silk, satin, lace, velvet and much more went into those jeans. When they got to school their friends loved them and wanted to know where to get some. My eldest goddaughter told them she got the jeans at an exclusive designer. You patching your jeans brought back the memories. Good times.

Simply lovely Dori. I am going to try this. It looks so easy and relaxing. Making the coasters would make a wonderful gift. And the bag could be used for almost anything. Have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Thank you for introducing me to a new thing. I can see all kinds of uses for this type of sewing. I’m excited to get started on a project. I have a jacket that the dog ate a hole in it. I just purchased a decorative patch but it has not really been an improvement. Now I know what will be.

Dori, I think your rice bag is so cute and I know I would probably use it for many different things including a beach bag or even a craft bag for scraps of material or threads or yarns or to carry things from one home to another during holidays when you give gifts for stockings or under the tree. i know it is not very big but the other day I picked up about 3 little dolls and 3 packs of toy cars to donate for the children who don’t have any presents at Christmas and this bag would have been ideal for carrying them to the donation site. They were not to be wrapped so were visible to see what they were on bringing them in. I think the ‘no wrap’ thing was due to all the bad things going on today and unwrapped gifts are ‘safer’. But the rice bag is like a gift in itself also. Thanks for sharing this with all of us. Have a wonderful and Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year for all of us.

love reading about your project even if was last year

Simply lovely Dori!!!
We don’t have acorns in this neck of the woods, but we could even do this with the pinecones and greenery!
Beautiful idea for the up coming family gatherings!!
Xo,
Kim

What an adorable craft idea! I just love it! Thanks much for sharing

Thank you for sharing .I love this idea!

Love this look! Raining outside right now in E. TN, or I’d be out there gathering! Having Thanksgiving with the sister of a friend and think I’ll make a garland to take to her as a hostess gift! This is organic enough to be on display for autumn, winter, or the holidays!! Thank you for such an enjoyable craft!!

So sweet.

Oh! The possibilities! Thanks Dori!

Adorable and so pretty!

I love it. !!! Will try to make one for a fall decoration. THANKS for sharing

So lovely, thanks for sharing.

I love this post❣️❣️ And I love the power of Sisterhood ❤️ Right now most of my Sisterhood is long distance, but it’s still there & I am still here for them. Also I am making efforts to add to my Sisterhood in our new location. There are some wonderful gals around here, most 1.5+hours away from me but sisters of the heart for sure

My Sunflower girls mean the world to me. The six of us have been friends since elementary and high school ~ we’re talking 45+ years of friendship! Last year on our girls trip, we each had a “sunflower” tattooed on our forearm. (My first and I never thought I would get a tattoo — I LOVE IT!).

Sunflowers symbolize adoration, loyalty and longevity – this represents my sisterhood perfectly. Together we laugh (A LOT!), we cry, and we giggle like little girls and we treasure every minute we can carve out of our busy lives! We may live in different cities & states, lead different lives, have different careers and interests, but we are there for each other. We have each others’ backs. These ladies bring out the best version of me and I am ever so thankful, grateful and humble that I am able to share our special “sunflower” tattoo that is our permanent reminder of our adoration, loyalty and longevity.

Dori, Have never followed a blog yet got interested in the one about the Vermont Quilting retreat. Originally from Massachusetts and now a rural Kansan, by choice,
it is so encouraging to follow your blog and others on Mary Jane’s Farmgirls! Wow-
You nailed it with your description of your sisterhood. Thanks for putting it into words.
Also, such encouragement on regular fitness. I am too sporadic, but you and the other
comments are pushing me to put that as a priority. It has taken me all year to lose 12
lbs that just came on when I had knee surgery-so discouraging. I am 69 and was very involved in Scouting/outdoor sports with my sons. So now my goal is to reactivate those
Joys but look for sisters to keep me going.

As for sisters I have a set here and next week going to Mass. for my annual visit with
girls that I started First Grade with and reunited at our 40th Reunion…..so cool!
We found out as you so wonderfully stated: We are SISTERS forever!