http://www.jeanakimballquilter.com/journal Jeana's Journal Wed, 27 Aug 2008 19:12:13 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en   Since we moved here a few years ago my reference library of quilt books has been stored in boxes in the basement. My old bookcases were in very bad shape from having been moved twice and, frankly, they were functional at best. The old bookcases would have looked out of place ... http://www.jeanakimballquilter.com/journal/archives/307    On a raining afternoon in July my friend, Linda, and I chanced upon a most wonderful and charming restaurant that was serving afternoon tea. We had been told there were good antique shops in the small town of Holly, Michigan, and we had taken a detour to investigate. It certainly ... http://www.jeanakimballquilter.com/journal/archives/301 The grasses that grew so profusely in the fields during our wet spring are now very dry and they are home to billions and billions, and probably more than that, of grasshoppers. A mild winter (temperature-wise), with a deep snow pack that protected grasshopper eggs, has resulted in a grasshopper plague ... http://www.jeanakimballquilter.com/journal/archives/293   Okay everybody I hear that you are anxious about being able to have the pattern for An Old Fashioned Christmas. In answer to your questions I am going to be completely honest. When I first started to publish books and patterns there were only a few designers who were working with ... http://www.jeanakimballquilter.com/journal/archives/290   This past weekend my sisters and I got together for our annual weekend retreat. This year I got to have it at my house. We are all separated by many miles. With all of our busy schedules we don’t seem to find many opportunities to get together. Many times when friends or ... http://www.jeanakimballquilter.com/journal/archives/287    I have just returned from Michigan where I spent the weekend with like-minded quilters working on their own versions of An Old Fashioned Christmas quilt. It was lovely. The facility was luxurious and the staff very accommodating. (It is going to take some adjusting to sleeping in a "regular" bed again. ... http://www.jeanakimballquilter.com/journal/archives/284 Shown above are two special grandchildren and a very special blanket. Some time ago this very special blanket, named "Ho Ho", developed two penny-sized holes in it. It’s owner, the little girl shown above, had heard that her Grandma Jeana could sew. And so one day she had a "great idea" ... http://www.jeanakimballquilter.com/journal/archives/281   Many years ago a kind neighbor, with three little boys, shared her recipe for Fruit Punch Concentrate with me. My neighbor was frugal and, I believe, ahead of times in her approach to healthy eating. Not that this is necessarily a healthy drink, but the ratio of real fruit juice ... http://www.jeanakimballquilter.com/journal/archives/273   Summer has arrived in my corner of the world. The nights are still cool for sleeping and the days are sunny with temperatures in the mid-to-high 90's. Our garden and our small orchard are doing well—so far (gophers and deer took their toll last year—but that is another story). Our valley ... http://www.jeanakimballquilter.com/journal/archives/271    When I was in my teens I spent time every summer making school clothes, for myself and my younger sisters. I enjoyed the process and preferred it to other household chores that were the alternative to sewing. I made some clothing again when our daughter was little, but it was ... http://www.jeanakimballquilter.com/journal/archives/266