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Saturday, November 19, 2016

Things My Mother Used to Say Give-away


My mother has been gone an awfully long time,
having passed away at the young age of fifty in 1982,
but I still hear her words every day.
One of the things she used to tell me is,
"If you don't have anything nice to say,
don't say anything at all."

I bring that up now because quite often
I read a blog post about how upset someone is
after receiving a negative, and sometimes abusive, comment.
My impression of the quilting community
is that we are kind and compassionate people.
Let's try to keep it that way!

Although I vowed NOT to start anything new,
I had a Free Spirit fat quarter bundle
of earth colored solids staring me down,
and it won!

I've been on an HST kick all summer,
and when I saw this quilt block on Anja's site,
I said to myself, "That's it, I'm doing this!"
Wanting a 'man quilt', I got right to work.
I have been cutting, sewing, and trimming 5.5" HSTs by the dozen
and having such fun!




I pinned a batting scrap to a wall hanging
for a quick, small design wall.

I'm loving it so much that when I return in the spring,
my intentions are to rearrange furniture
to make a whole wall available!
This wall would be perfect,
except there is a thermostat dead center!
See it?

Working with Free Spirit solids is a dream,
and last month's Free Spirit Fabrics give-away was so much fun,
I though we should do it again.

Now, my mother had a lot to say,
and I'm sure yours did, too!

For an opportunity to win 2-20 count charm packs
of the 'Earth' Free Spirit solids,
please tell me in your comment
something you remember your mother saying to you!

I will let the random number generator help me pick three winners
This give away will  be open for one week.

(This give away is now closed.)

Thanks for visiting!
Enjoy your day,
~karen

40 comments:

Carol- Beads and Birds said...

This is a hard one because I had a really bad childhood and for the life of me I can't think of a single positive thing my mother ever said to me. So I will tell you what I always said to my daughter and then my grandsons. "Treat everyone as you want to be treated" I have been on the painful side of rude comments so I also told them to "Think before you speak".

Happy Thanksgiving.
xx, Carol

Joyce Carter said...

I, too, didn't have a good childhood. There was never any praise for us or anything nice said. So I will tell you one thing that I told my children. "Be careful of what you do and say.Don't do anything today that you will regret tomorrow". Thanks for the giveaway.

dortha said...

When we would make a face or roll our eyes she would say "Better be careful or your face might freeze like that." dorthac at aol.com.

Cattinka said...

Your mother was a very clever woman. Thats exactly right if you don´t have anything nice to say, simply don´t leave a comment! Thats how it works. You are privileged to have such nice memories.
Have a nice weekend
KATRIN W.

Karen - Quilts...etc. said...

my mom was never much for words of wisdom being a very quite person but she always told me how much she loved me and how thankful she was for all of her children. She never learned how to drive and depended on everyone to take her about after dad died earlier then he should have, and every time I drove the 2 hours to visit she would thank me so much for coming to visit and driving her all over the place running errands and going to lunch -
I think your area will be a good design wall anyhow - cut a circle out in your batting to allow the thermostat to peak through!

julieQ said...

We were farming folks and my mom was the sweetest and wisest woman I know. One thing she said was, "brown eggs are best! More nutritious than white eggs". She also said, "love people with all your heart dear, for you are not promised another moment on this earth". Thanks for letting me reminisce about my mom, for she was the greatest lady I ever knew...speaking of that, she said..."we are not women...we are
Ladies!" Have a great day!

Sandi said...

Remember to say Please and Thank You, drives me crazy when I say Thsnk you, snd get the response...no problem. Where are people's manners? You are Welcome.

Bernie Kringel said...

These are so fun to read. Like someone above, my mom would tease us and say 'be careful or your face will freeze like that' if we made ugly faces ( usually in response to being asked to do some chore that we didn't want to do!). She is also a huge proponent of taking care of those less fortunate- I appreciate her for instilling that value in us and work to instill it in my children

I love that idea about cutting a spot so the thermostat can peek thru. A design wall is so helpful. Mine is too small.

Binsa said...

Hello Karen, when I read your post, it brought to mind when I was 8-9 years old, my father worked away from home and came home Saturday Morning and then left again Sunday Afternoon. Mum reared us.I am the middle child, who has two older brothers and then nine years down the track my younger sister and brother came along. My second eldest brother is the pain in the butt one and I am sure he thinks the same about me. He used to punch, pinch and generally bully me, until one day I had had enough, so I bit him on the shoulder and drew blood.hmmmm not one of my finest moments.The threat from Mum after she took a twitch of the tree, was YOU WAIT UNTIL YOUR FATHER GET'S HOME...my response to Mum was ha ha you cannot catch me. Now, when I look back I feel sorry for my Dad who has been away all week and have to deal with a wilful child (me) about something had happened earlier in the week.

Fiona said...

Yes, it is sad when horrible things are said... there really is no need for it is there. Most of things already raised are what I remember - mums seem to have common things they say, and I have said them too. I also remember her saying things come back to bite, so if you do say horrible things to another it will jolly well happen to you... and it does...
I love the look of your quilt inspiration for when you come back... I wonder if yoiu will be able to wait that long?
Hugz

Paula Louceiro said...

Hello Karen, I agree with your mother.
And my mom says a lot of things, but one she always said is:
"in order to die it is enough to be alive, so live intensely and do not fight for small things".

paula.louceiro@yahoo.com.br

Sheila said...

Loved reading the previous comments , I am among those who doesn't remember my mom giving us any positive advice mostly criticism , however I taught my boys to try to always live by the Golden Rule , I think the world would be a better place if we all did that . Love your hsts , looks like a fantastic project .

Anonymous said...

Hi Karen,love the block,its always tempting to start new projects.
I remember my mum saying to me wait till your father gets home same as Lyn said,it must've been a common saying back then,lol,hope your day is a good one Karen xx

Michele T said...

My mom has been gone a long time too and I will always remember that she wanted her children to remember our manners, to be respectful, and encouraged us to help others. I have done the same with my own children!!

Lynn said...

I was going to write something witty or amusing and then I realized that inever went to bed or left the house or hung up the phone without my mother (and my father) saying "I love you". And now you've made me cry.
Don't put me in the giveaway as I won last time around.

Linda Reeder said...

My mother was a very hard working woman. She had to be, living poor on a small farm with seven children to raise and feed and care for. From her we all learned a very strong work ethic, and her words always ring in my ears, "Anything worth doing is worth giving it your best".

Bev said...

It is indeed a shame that people say such hurtful things. What I recall my Mom saying many times is "don't get pregnant". Imagine! Didn't work as she didn't go into detail. She is long gone now also at the age of 64 in 1990. I do miss her as she did enjoy her Grandchildren so much. She was a funny lady. I really like the block you have made. Nice color combination. I have too many projects on the go and have to settle down too get them done. Hope I win one of your give always. Have a great winter.
Bev in NS

helenjean@midgetgemquilts said...

My mother died very young too , in her 40s and I find myself thinking of the things she used to say , some sensible and some rather off beat - don't wear short skirts as the wind will give you big thighs !

Needled Mom said...

I really need to find a way to create a design wall! You will love it.

My mom never let us chew gum. She would always say that "ladies don't chew gum......chewing is for cows"!!!

At nearly 94, she still has her words of wisdom for us.

Lin said...

What lovely comments everyone has left. My Mum is fortunately still around but I can't think of any specific saying that she uses but she was always very strict about please and thank yous and having to write thank you letters - a tradition that sadly seems to have disappeared! I love your HST block and the colours are gorgeous. xx

Createology said...

"Fire is a wonderful servant, but a terrible master" is a saying my mother instilled in me after I was in hospital next to a little girl (we were both 10) who was critically burned from her long hair catching on fire at the stove. This entire experience has stayed with me for over 5 decades. Your HST quilt will be perfect for a guy. You do need a design wall for your quilting. Happy Thanksgiving Dear...

Dar said...

Sounds like your mother and mine went to the same school of manners. That was one of the sayings too. She was a big believer in respecting your elders, please and thank you. She was a single parent with one child,and worked the 3rd shift but we had everything we needed. One of the best lessons I received from her was "Waste notm, want not". Being of the Depression era, she did not use credit cards. If I wanted something, I would save my babysitting money until I had enough to buy it. We always paid cash for everything, or we didn't get it. Be self sufficient and independent and don't rely on others to make your way in the world, was something I heard a lot. Thank goodness she instilled a good work ethic in me at a young age. She left this world way too early too and I've learned to make it "on my own" just as she did. I think she would be proud to know her lessons were good ones in my life.

FlourishingPalms said...

Your mother was so right, Karen! I'm sorry when someone receives negative comments on their blog. It's not justified, in any way. But, I also understand that when us bloggers put ourselves "out there," we're taking a risk. Your HST project is going to be SO GOOD! I love the look of HSTs. I'm gonna send you a link to a really neat, free HST project. And yes, you simply MUST have a design wall. Darn that thermostat though. Time to buy a new house?! Ha, ha. The advice I most often heard from my mother was a Bible verse: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. - Luke 6:31. In essence, it's much like your mother's advice to say only what you yourself would like to hear. They were wise women who we both miss very much.

Anonymous said...

I think negative and abusive comments say more about the person making them, then the person they're said too. My mom became a feminist in the 70's and she believed we were equal to men. She did however tell me, when I started High School, that I should take typing. She said it doesn't matter what job you apply for, if you have breasts, they'll ask if you can type.....lol. I did manage to get several jobs because I could type and it's been a great help in the computer age. Loving the new quilt.

Linda said...

I just happen to have a little notebook that a thoughtful friend gave me in which I write down all the words of wisdom from my mother, who is still spurting lots of wisdom these days. My fave and the one that always stuck with me is "Mocking is catching" an old Irish saying. It taught me empathy for others. Your HSTs are looking pretty darn good. So awesome to have a design wall. I couldn't operate without mine.

Anonymous said...

That was one of my mother's, too. I have a whole post on my family history blog which is devoted to things Mama said. And they were passed to her from my grandmother, because my sister and I got them from both, and our children got them from us, most of them. Here are a few of the many - nothing ever happens to me that one of Mama's sayings doesn't come to mind!

You reap what you sow. People who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones. The Lord helps those who help themselves. (That one will forever be associated with my grandmother, though!) Money doesn't grow on trees. If you think you can't, you're right. The devil finds work for idle hands. You draw more flies with honey than with vinegar. I never had the gumption to ask why I'd want flies. LOL And I could go on, but I won't. =)

Janice Holton said...

The saying you mentioned was also one of my mom's favorites. My daughter has already told me that's the one she remembers me saying the most! Another one mom said was just "Be kind." when my sis and I weren't getting along and being ornery to one another. Thanks for the giveaway opportunity!

Unknown said...

My mother used to tell me not to put pins in my underwear because you never know when you might get in an accident. Fortunately this hasnt happened to me yet. Virginia virginiakeast10@gmail.com

Raewyn said...

Mum wrote a quote from Shakespeare in my autograph book (remember the days of those?!) "To thine own self be true, and it must follow, as the night the day, thou canst be false to any man" It seemed so grown up and wise to me at the time but something I've always remembered! It looks like you are having fun with the HST - good on you with a start!!!

Binsa said...

Hi Karen I found some more sayings that I remember
Nice girls don't eat in the street, dye their hair,
Beauty care brush your hair 100 times before bed
Take a clean hankie
Always put paper on a strange toilet seat
Don't make a fuss
Better safe than sorry
It's never too soon to learn
Were you born in a tent
Don't point
Elbows off the table
Don't speak with your mouth full
waste not want not
Why -because it is good for you or because I say so
Hmmm the funny thing is I remember saying some of those things to our Jess grin

Crafty Tokyo Mama said...

"Smile!" and "Stand up straight!" come to mind first of all when thinking of things my mom said to me often. I guess I was a sourpuss and her reminders to smile linger to this day and I do!

Anja @ Anja Quilts said...

My mother said that as well...among other things. LOL I love the blue pop with the browns. I still have to make more of my own blocks.

Anja @ Anja Quilts said...

One thing my mother used to say when we were crying or having a tantrum: I'll give you something for cry for. ha ha ha

MaryB said...

"Stop making those faces! One day your face is going to stay that way!"
Mburnette912@bellsouth.net

hetty said...

My mother was kind of a crazy woman. She said many things that didn't make sense. Her most famous quote was, If you want to be happy for a few minutes, have sex. If you want to be happy for a few hours, get drunk. But if you want to be happy for a lifetime, plant a garden. She also said if the pizza is good, it is really good. But if it is bad, it is still pretty good. Her most famous saying was about the monsters under my bed. She said to fill up some boxes with out-of-season clothes and put them under the bed so that there would be no room for monsters. I still live by this, only now the boxes contain fabric and quilt stuff. And the monsters are gone! Love your HSTs by the way.

Anthea said...

Hi Karen - wow what a great post! I do love the HST festival you have happening there, I'm a bit partial to a HST myself!
As for things our Mother says... as a teenager, when I would protest about how strict my parents were & that "everyone else is going/doing it", she'd reply "Yes Darling, and if everyone else was jumping off a bridge would you do it too??" Sadly a few of my friends got themselves into some serious & occasionally life-changing situations, situations I was not part of because of my 'strict parents' - Mum's words taught me to resist the temptation to e part of what everyone else was doing, and to be ok with doing my own thing, even if it was not a popular activity.

The Lueken Family said...

Aw... miss your mom! Can't believe it's been that long.
I immediately thought of something my dad always said: "Don't believe anything you hear and only half of what you see." I ponder that often and realize that when we look into another persons's life, we do not see it all and any assessment we have is probably wrong... so we should not judge, but examine ourselves. AS you well know, Karen, my dad said all sorts of other colorful things.
My mom's favorite was "Do unto to others as you would have others do unto you." Though since we are all different, if we love others only as we want to be loved, we night miss that fact that they have a different love language and what feels like love to us, may not to them... so we need to come to understand one another and our differences.
Hugs and can't wait to see you in December!!

Lisa Boyer said...

My mother said lots of wonderful things, but this one pertains to your story about someone making a negative comment on a blog: "Some things you just have to let roll off you like water off a duck's back!" I never much understood this one until I was older, being a city girl, until I actually saw water roll off a duck's back. Then I had a visualization for the rest of my life! Thanks, Mom.

slrquilts said...

I am very fortunate to have a 90 year old mother who I have the pleasure of spending every Thursday (or is that whom?). The things she says now are much more interesting than when I was a child. One thing that comes to mind is her advice to never pass up the opportunity to use a restroom as you don't know when the next one will be available. She has gone from 5'2 to about 4'8" and is the sweetest and most kind person I know.

Sondra said...

I know you miss your mother every single day...I hope you have a great Thanksgiving!