Helen Kelley Patchworks

May 21, 2007 – I spent the afternoon trying to find an outdoor store on the east side of town. I drove for miles with no success. But fate, being what it is, led me to a fabric store. Driving in my befuddled state, I looked up and there it was. I needed chrome green fabric and blue fabric, and since that was much more important than sporting equipment, I stopped and gave the fabric store my money!

May 16, 2007 – My latest Great-Grandma Kelley quilt continues to grow in my mind. Noah’s great flood has become Gitchee-goomie. Noah has transformed into Hiawatha. I am finding traditional native American patterns for my border.

I have been collecting animal pictures, raccoons, deer, herons, bears. I’m hoping that I can hold to the original theme of animals two-by-two. Now that I have these elements, it’s time to start building my picture.

May 11, 2007 – I had another great idea in the shower this morning. It seems to happen quite often, as I stand there washing my hair. Colors, patterns, and plans swirl in my head. Shampoo commercials suggest this is due to luxurious lathers and enticing aromas. I think it’s that the hot water on my head makes the creative juices in my brain move like tree sap in the spring. I might be able to solve world problems if the hot water lasted long enough.

May 6, 2007 – My daughter, Connie, is here for a week. Her Guide Dog, Pacifica, is in Seventh Heaven. She discovered my array of fabric laid out on the floor, ready to be cut and pieced. She has curled up and nested in the center of it and I cannot find it in my heart to shoo her away. She seems to enjoy the fabric almost as much as I do.

May 2, 2007 – I have finished one great-grandchild’s quilt. I loved every minute, but I’m glad it’s done. Now, a new quilt is growing in my head. My third great-grandson is one year old. It’s time to start his quilt.

I have been playing with a Noah’s ark theme for quite a while. Water and animals. But it has begun to morph into water and animals, Minesota style. Noah’s ark is now a canoe pulled up on the shore of a Minnesota lake. Pine trees in the background. Reeds in the foreground. My great-grandson’s name is Reed.