A few months into retirement, my goals are slowly coming to fruition. I started quilting with Carmen, my friend who retired last year, and wanted to bring My Ohio Star Quilt to completion. That proved to be easier said than done.
I proudly took my ready to go quilt to Barbara Graham, my wonderful quilter. It was to be ready in a week. In a little over a week, she called me telling me that there was a LITTLE problem, but it was correctable. I sadly took my quilt back home, and ripped off the edge that unsquared my quilt.
Now Ohio Star is back home, complete and beautiful, and Barbara Graham will be my quilter for whatever project I ever do from now on. She took pity on me when I returned my quilt the second time. When she put it together, she discovered that the back of my quilt was also not square. So instead of calling me again, she didn’t want to discourage me, so she had her daughter fix it for me.
Now Ohio Star is at home on the bed, but just for a while. It is a summer quilt, and I just wanted to show it off to all of you. I couldn’t wait until summer.
As I started showing it off, the bears got rowdy. First the two that normally sit on the headboard, that at one time got into a terrible row with each other – a story that is worthy of its own post.
Nurse Rabbit and her baby jumped right in. Notice that they sat right next to boy bear. That’s part of the story.
Then of course Manny joined the fray along with his own little bear that came to keep him company.
Somebody else was less than pleased about this bedlam.
It wasn’t long before Sweetie Pie and her clan climbed on board.
Then friends of friends, that hadn’t really been part of the original clan jumped off the mantle and came over. Another certain someone still wasn’t impressed.
However, one of them smelled like one of her favorite girls, little Miss Chloe, better known as Mono, Choco, or the Monkey.
Missy Kitty heard the excitement from the spare bedroom, and she carried her baby over to crash the party.
But Manny, always the gentleman, always concerned for the one who’s left out, went back to the spare bedroom and carried Mary Louise into our room so she wouldn’t feel left out. She was my Grandma Golda’s doll.
Unfortunately she’s seen some hard times, and at one point in her life she broke her foot. Manny, typical to his sweet nature, brought her foot to my attention, but Mary Louise quickly covered it up again. I tried to explain to Manny that Mary Louise’s foot has been broken for many years, and she’s been stubborn about going to the doctor to get it fixed.
At some point the bears, rabbits and kitties, and even Kalev quieted down, ashamed that they had been so rowdy when poor old Mary Louise sat so calmly in spite of any pains she might have been having. They all rallied around her, and then went back to their rooms.
It couldn’t have been soon enough for the Little Miss Puppy Girl.
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Guess who started a blog? Sir!!! I reblogged his first post, so that you would get to know him quickly. http://wp.me/p31FPU-M
I’ve been reading stories about Sir for about 6 months now from his wonderful blogger daughter, the briny lass, Autty Jade. His first story looks like a hit, and I’m sure we’re in for some real treats as he gets his Blog legs under him. Welcome to the Blogosphere, Sir 🙂
Marsha Ingrao - Always Write 
Manny, you are such a sweetie, taking care of your lovely stuffed family. And little Miss Puppy is such a gorgeous princess!
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Thank you Miss Happy. I’m not really crazy about Puppy Girl. I joined the family first, and she doesn’t seem to realize it. But I show her. I get to go places she can only dream about. Do you know Utesmile? She has a lot of Stuffeds, and I got to stay with her in England. She’s such a spoiled princess! 😦 Mom says I’m spoiled. You don’t think I am do you, Miss Happy? xoxoxox Manny 🙂
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Hi Manny, I don’t think you’re spoiled. You’re just right like Goldilock’s perfect porridge. I do know Utesmile, she’s a lovely lady and Danny, who is your relative. Puppy girl looks very sweet. ❤ Miss Happy. 😀
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I’m in love with Ute, Miss Happy. She treats me like a Stuffed should be treated. And she loves her Stuffeds so much, and she dances with me. And she’s pretty. Do you think I’m too young for Ute? She told me I was too young for her. BTW Danny is my friend. So is Justin Beaver. Do you know him? Do you know Fanny? She lives with Ralph. They are my friends, too. Justin lives with Mrs. ET (Eternal Traveler) I went to Australia and Spain, too, and Germany and Austria. Poor Puppy Girl. Maybe I should be nicer to her. She only gets to go with Mom and Dad. I’m a big boy now, and I get to go by myself on a plane. 🙂 xox I love you too, BTW. Do you dance? I’m 8.
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Hi Manny, You’re such a sweetie. Yes I love dancing too. And Ute is a very lovely lady. I’ve heard mention of Justin Beaver before, was it from you? I haven’t met Fanny and Ralph, but I been viewing lovely photos over at ET. I’m from Australia too. You sure have done a lot of traveling! Lots of Love, Miss Happy.
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Thank you Miss Happy. The next time I go see Mrs. ET, I’ll ask her to bring me over to see you. I want to meet Leanne Cole and Dianne Gray, too. They’re my mom’s friends, but I know they will love me, too.
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That would be lovely. Leanne Cole takes lovely photos. And Ms Gray writes so many books. Of course they will love you Manny!
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Thank you, Miss Happy. 🙂 xxx
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The quilt is really beautiful, Marsha. It must take a lot of patience. Little Miss Puppy Girl is too cute. 🙂
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Aww thanks!!! She thinks the stars rise and set on her!!!! Ok they do!! 😀😍
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Oh Marsha the quilt looks wonderful. I remember the post when you talked about having to take it apart, well some of it. I am so glad that it is done now and you should be so proud of it. Well done. 🙂
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Thank you, Leanne. How is your mother doing on her quilting? I am very pleased to have this one done. I loved my quilter. She was wonderful!
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She is running out of things to do, so I think she is going to start making quilts for the Royal Children’s Hospital here in Melbourne.
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Wow! How cool is that? So awesome!!! 🙂
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Have you told us your retirement story? It sounds interesting and I don’t recall reading about it, but maybe I missed it.
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mmm I think so. Let me look. You inspired me to create a page to help people find articles I have written about my own experiences. http://wp.me/P2jC53-17Z. Thanks for asking. Are you thinking about retiring?
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Thanks for that – you might want to check the links on the page you replied with. WordPress seems to think I want to edit your posts, rather than read them. (Feel free to delete this reply BTW.)
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Yikes!!! hahaha. I knew that was too easy!!!
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Thanks so much for the heads-up! I think it’s fixed now. I’m going to have my husband check for me. Thanks again so much. It’s amazing how much I DON’T know even after doing this for 8 months.
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My mother in law is a quilter, so I know how much work goes into making a comforter. You did a great job and all your cuddly friends are so adorable.
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Wait – they actually got off the bed on their own???
Ours usually have to be coralled and forcibly removed…
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Hahaha. The have their own furniture – some of them, anyway!! My animals are VERY spoiled!!!! 🙂
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I am sooooo impressed with your quilt!
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Thanks, Sally!!!! :). 🙂
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Sweetie toys, sweetie dog, sweetie mama sweetie Blog! 🙂
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Awwwww Sydney!!!! 🙂
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Love, love your quilt! This is such a large quilt piece, it must takes much of patience, time… to made
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I love that quilt and the little creatures on it as well!
I went over to “sir’s” blog and left a comment. 😀
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You are so awesome!!! I’m in SF San Francisco today, so back to I phoning!!
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Best of luck with that! 😉
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🙂
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Congratulations, you’ve created a beautiful heirloom. I didn’t know you could take a quilt somewheres to get all stitched up.
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Yes, I’d be in bad trouble if I couldn’t!!! Thanks for the nice compliment!!
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A beautiful quilt Marsha, shame about your unruly teddies 😀 xox
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Thanks Ralph. They’re back in their own spots now. 🙂
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And what was Mummy Marsha doing whilst all this mayhem was going on. Taking photographs !! And leaving it up to the UN Troop > Manny to keep the peace on Ohio Star. Another traumatic experience for him ! I just don’t know what goes on in your house some times. Really !! 😉 xox
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You have me totally pegged. The kids all loved getting out. Kalev – not so much! Today I’m not home at all, but M is with me in SF with my friend Mary. Meeting in Berkeley tomorrow. 🙂
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So how long are they going to keep you in Alcatraz ? I’ll visit in a decade or so 😀 xox
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Yeah, probably best that u don’t wait for me. I’m under the ocean right this second. Hoping I come out before my ears explode! 🙂
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What !! Oh yes. It’s California. They are all daft over there. I hope Manny is not wearing concrete shoes as well 😉
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No shoes at all!! He’s BEAR naked!
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Silly me. Of course he is but what about she ? 😉
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Of course Mary is wearing people clothes!!! She’s a lady!!! In fact we are shopping for clothes right now!!!
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Nice Ohio Star quilt, Marsha. My wife is also making the Ohio Star quilt but with different colors 🙂
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Maybe you could post it. I’d love to see it!!!! 🙂
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I’ve asked my wife, and she said that she will permit me to post once she finished it. So be patient, Marsha 🙂
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I’ll try!!!! 🙂
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What a lovely quilt! It does look very summery, or maybe like spring – gold-yellow flowers on a meadow.
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I may have accidentally deleted your last comment. I’m on my phone. I’ll write you more tonight. 🙂
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V, my husband, picked out all the fabric. :). He has the sense of color and design. 🙂
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Cute toys!!! Amazing!!!
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Thanks! All presents:). That IS amazing!!!
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Is it?? That’s great!!!
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It’s beautiful, I have a well worn Ohio Star that was in my grandma’s house. It needs some TLC – yours is stunning.
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Good for you! I hardly use my sewing machine now- used to sew quite a bit, but never took up quilting. Love all the colored bits of fabric you can use to make a quilt. Enjoy!
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Hi Lisa, thanks for the nice comments. I was so glad to get it done!! And the animals were glad to come out and play!! 🙂
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Just beautiful!
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Thanks Meme!!! I was do glad to get it done!!!!!
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