The Useless Nook

All my projects are in so many different stages of completion right now and I have no pictures of them, so I thought I would share a "decorating" project I recently finished.

I am not sure if you recall Meemah's Quilts? 

 

They were my payment for making William's Quilt for a good friend of mine!

I was not quite sure what I was going to do with the amazing vintage, hand sewn Cathedral Window square quilts. 

I have good news....They found their new home.  

I call it the Useless Nook.

Have you seen these types of spaces?  These areas above doorways for you to decorate? 

When we moved into this house, I envisioned a Christmas tree in the winter, summer baskets in the spring/summer, a beautiful fall tableau.  

Ha!  Four years later, it still remained empty. It was such a weird and awkward space and I had other things that I needed to give my attention to that were MUCH more useful.

Until I found the wagon. Ridiculous, but a nod to the Ole West.  We do live in Texas now!

Then I found an over-sized lantern a HIDEOUS fake black bamboo ladder and painted it taupe.

And hung Meemah's quilts...right where they belong!!!!!!

I just love it up there now!

But it is still the USELESS Nook.  

Just the Useless Nook where I get to see Meemah's Quilt everyday!!!

NOTE: And for those who might be worried...I promise, the windows are tinted with UV protection...so no fading!  We learned our lesson when we first moved down here to Houston.  I have a former deep red couch that is now a faded red!  I actually think they are the reason I have such a hard time taking indoor pictures.

  I have to really open up my aperture and decrease shutter speed (I think that is what I do...I am still quite an amateur at this photography stuff).  And then still ramp up the brightness when I edit my photos!

Meemah's quilts...

I have never been more perplexed!

Okay, I might have fibbed a bit....
I am ALWAYS perplexed!!

Just a little more than normal this week.

If you are a regular follower, you might remember my latest quilt....Baby William's quilt.

The DILEMMA

When my friend commissioned me to make his quilt, I pretended to ignore her about the cost. I had a number in mind when I started it, but it gradually dropped to nothing as I worked on it. 

I had decided I was just going to have her "pay" me with forgiveness.  (shh..don't tell Mr. Boss, he hates when I do things for free....)

Forgiveness?  Yes, forgiveness for not finishing other fairly simple items that she had asked me to make over a year ago.

But true big-hearted, kind, self-less, Julie style...she surprised me.

She showed off William's quilt to my scrapping friends at our scrapbook retreat.  I blushed and stammered.  I don't take compliments very well.  I am worried that it isn't good enough.  I am embarrassed and think no one will like it as much as I do.


Then, I pretend to be busy.


A tap on my shoulder and then these are laid on my lap.

Beautiful vintage quilts.


I thought..WOW, she found some vintage quilts to give me on one of her various trips or travels.

But, alas, she said, "These are my Meemah's.  She made these" (forgive spelling..this is how I picture it in my mind)  
"I'd like to see them hanging on your ladder in your Studio"

My response was "NOOO, Julie.  I can't take these.  These are beautiful." 

"They are handmade cathedral window quilt done by your Mee-mah."

They are priceless....

She would not take them back, of course. She walked away.  I kept them on my scrapbook chair the whole weekend.  They burned on my back.  They glared at me every time I returned from naps, meals, and church to my seat.

I asked my other friends.  What should I do?  I can't accept these...

They shook their heads.  You know Julie....there isn't much to do about it.


So, my blogging friends and followers...any ideas of how I can get these back in her hands without offending?


The only thing I can think of is to make a gift for her daughter...but there is no big wedding or event in the near future.


Also, they are not exactly lap quilts with their odd shapes.

So, again, I am always perplexed.

Just a little more than usual...


Oh...and if you see an anonymous comment that tells me to keep them....that is HER!