MOM'S TREASURE BOX

Among my mother's sewing/quilting closet, the above treasure box was found. Nothing but an old cigar box, but inside were items that she and I consider treasures.

On top, a few magazine clippings that she considered worthy to keep. Sayings and poems and information she might need at a later date.

I think that probably these were the original inhabitants of the treasure box. There is one finished project and two more unfinished quilted sachets. The tops are tiny pieced treasures and are quilted. The backs are included in the box. You can see the finished one has an eyelet edge and tucked inside is a sweet smelling sachet. This item is complete with a ribbon hanger.
The next item is a small zippered bag. This is similar to the "Kimmie" bag that I believe is still a pattern that is available. I have no idea where Mom got the idea for this bag. I would guess a magazine. She owned lots more magazines than books. Quilters Newsletter was her favorite.

The last three items are sewing caddies that drape around the sewers neck. The pin-keep, notion holder is made from the Cathedral Window quilt pattern. The small square is a pouch that opens and closes with hook and loop tape. Inside you might keep your threads or buttons. Your pins could be kept on the outside and on the end of the ribbon that goes around your neck a piece of hook and loop goes through the handle of your scissors so that they are kept close to you and never lost.

Below are the copies of magazine clippings found in the treasure box. I have provided the contents below each one to make it easier to read. Mother was all about "Murphy's Law". She knew that was ALWAYS what happened when thinks went wrong.

1. Pinking shears get dull just looking at them.

2. Gathering threads always break in the middle.

3. Facings tend to be sewn to the "wrong side" (opposite sides attract).

4. This mistake will not be discovered until your seams are trimmed, graded, and clipped.

5. Fusible interfacings usually fuse to the iron.

6. If you need "n" buttons, you will find "n minus one" in your button box.

7. The seam you meant to rip out is invariable the other one.

8. Your lost needle will be found by your brother-in-law...while walking around barefoot.

9. The scissor cuts easiest past the buttonhole.

10. The iron never scorches a garment until its final pressing.

If all else fails . . . blame "Murphy"!

This is a question posted and the editor's answer to ---Karen Smith, or Cedar Grove, N. J.

IF RED, YELLOW AND BLUE ARE PRIMARY COLORS AND CAN'T BE MADE BY ANY OTHER COLORS, THEN HOW ARE THEY OBTAINED?

(answer)--Let me briefly straighten out the subject, because your question contains some common errors. There are two kinds of primaries: "additives" and "subtractives." The additive primaries are blue, green and red. Adding lights of these colors can produce nearly every color in the visual spectrum, and the three mixed together produce white light. The subtractive primaries are cyan (blue-green), magenta (purplish-red) and yellow. Subtracting part of the spectrum from white light produces a range of colors; the three together make black.

If that weren't enough to ruin your day, both blue and red can be made with subtractive primaries, and yellow can be made with additive primaries.

I don't know why this was Kept by Mother. I guess the scientist in her came out!!

OK you all know the poet in me and now you know where I got it. Mother loved poetry. I have some poems she wrote and will post them at some point in time, but today this one she liked enough to save. It is cute and applies to us all, I am sure. I know it does to me.

MANY STARTS, MINI FINISHES

by Bee Neeley Kuckelman

There once was quilter named Min.

Whatever she'd see, she'd begin.

A large quilt, a small quilt,

A doll quilt, a wall quilt.

"I'll finish these later, " said Min.

"Now what shall I start on today?

I guess it will be applique.

Some birds in a group,

I'll frame with a hoop.

Today, though, I'll put them away.

"I think I will make a new vest,

In Silk, or would cotton be best--

Trapunto I'll do, Then Sunbonnet Sue!

But now I will give them a rest.

"A tote bag I've wanted to sew,

And then I'll try quilt-as-you-go.

A Radiant Star

For next year's bazaar--

Just when they'll be done, I don't know.

"For Christmas I've projects galore-

A tree skirt, a wreath for the door.

I'll make a soft box,

And red quilted socks,

And what's not completed, I'll store."

"Is anything finished?" asked Son.

Her answer could only be "None."
So Min made a vow:

She would not allow

More new projects--well, maybe just one.

SUNBONNET SUNDAY WILL NOW BE LIMITED TO THE FIRST SUNDAY OF EACH MONTH (UNLESS MANY PROTEST)