Have you all heard of Material World? Created in 1994 in honor of the United Nations Year of the Family, it is an amazing pictorial journey all over the world, where people in various countries bring every single possession they own out in front of their house and pose for a picture. From country to country, it is pretty shocking how much difference there is in the amount of "stuff" people think they need to survive. Pretty fascinating stuff, actually. Our standards of living certainly do vary.
Japanese people–
Indian people– Tell me that entire family doesn't have to share that bed? Whew, that looks like another bed propped up on the side of the house. Two beds for six people.
The Reed family in Salinas, CA–
Well, I wasn't about to have it out in front of the house. But here you see the furniture from half my house, at least. All the rest of it is still out in the garage. This weekend the task was to move all the furniture off the carpeted areas so that new carpet can be installed bright and early Monday morning.
Notice the canvas drop cloths? We were not keen on taking a chance of getting a scratch on those new floors. The carpet installers offered to move the furniture, but we didn't trust them to be as careful as we would be ourselves.
Just what am I supposed to do with myself while all this carpeting is going on? Every inch of wood floor is occupied with stuff from other rooms, and I have to stay out of the way of the carpet installers. My husband set up my sewing table in the kitchen, but it feels weird. My little sewing island, surrounded by detritus from everywhere else in the house.
Before all hell broke loose, I did get the borders on my Grown Up Madeline. She ended up being just over 70 inches square, just what I wanted.
68 responses to “Now For the Carpets”
Madeline looks great with that border, thats what I am using for Elizabeth.
Interesting pics of peoples households…I wonder what mine would look like I’d surly have to add my sewing machines and Longarm 🙂
Madeline looks great with that border, thats what I am using for Elizabeth.
Interesting pics of peoples households…I wonder what mine would look like I’d surly have to add my sewing machines and Longarm 🙂
Grown up Madeline is stunning! I can never get enough Rouenneries, and that is a great pattern choice to show it off!
Grown up Madeline is stunning! I can never get enough Rouenneries, and that is a great pattern choice to show it off!
Madeline is so beautiful! I never get tired of seeing Rouenneries made up in to quilts and projects. Sigh of bliss. It’s awesome that you’re able to get so much done in the midst of all that chaos!
Madeline is so beautiful! I never get tired of seeing Rouenneries made up in to quilts and projects. Sigh of bliss. It’s awesome that you’re able to get so much done in the midst of all that chaos!
Oh Nicole it’s gorgeous!! Oh I wish, Iwish LOL.
Good luck with the carpet, can’t imagine how crowded it must be! Poor Sophie is probably so confused.
Oh Nicole it’s gorgeous!! Oh I wish, Iwish LOL.
Good luck with the carpet, can’t imagine how crowded it must be! Poor Sophie is probably so confused.
Hi Nicole, I totally relate to your feeling overwhelmed by the displaced possessions having just gone through the same exercise. In fact I still have to get all of my books into their shelves in my office/sewing room. All in all it was worth the bother, the only thing left to be painted now is the master bedroom and a powder room – WHEW.
I can’t imagine moving all our possessions outside – we have way way too much.
The quilt turned out beautifully – you are amazing – being able to turn out such a masterpiece despite the chaos all around you.
Hi Nicole, I totally relate to your feeling overwhelmed by the displaced possessions having just gone through the same exercise. In fact I still have to get all of my books into their shelves in my office/sewing room. All in all it was worth the bother, the only thing left to be painted now is the master bedroom and a powder room – WHEW.
I can’t imagine moving all our possessions outside – we have way way too much.
The quilt turned out beautifully – you are amazing – being able to turn out such a masterpiece despite the chaos all around you.
I just love your Madeline- such beautiful colours! Hope you can get some sewing done today amidst the chaos.
I just love your Madeline- such beautiful colours! Hope you can get some sewing done today amidst the chaos.
Madeline is beautiful! I need more Rouenneries!!
Madeline is beautiful! I need more Rouenneries!!
My kitchen table was my sewing room for a couple of years. Just think how much you will enjoy your new space. Love your new quilt.
My kitchen table was my sewing room for a couple of years. Just think how much you will enjoy your new space. Love your new quilt.
I had to look up “detritus”! LOL
Your ‘stuff’ looks pretty good, especially after the family ‘stuff’ who had the 2 beds! Love that Madeline quilt.
Phew – it will be a relief whe all the work
is DONE!
I had to look up “detritus”! LOL
Your ‘stuff’ looks pretty good, especially after the family ‘stuff’ who had the 2 beds! Love that Madeline quilt.
Phew – it will be a relief whe all the work
is DONE!
You are so funny! I can definitely relate to the feeling of owning way too much furniture…
Madeline looks very grown up. She’s a beauty! Can’t wait to see what her quilted self looks like 🙂
You are so funny! I can definitely relate to the feeling of owning way too much furniture…
Madeline looks very grown up. She’s a beauty! Can’t wait to see what her quilted self looks like 🙂
Oh, I can’t tell you how much I love love love your blog! I stop by every day to see what you are up to, and today you made me laugh! Material World is an amazing book; quilters would never be able to live as simply as many people do!
Madeline is gorgeous!
Oh, I can’t tell you how much I love love love your blog! I stop by every day to see what you are up to, and today you made me laugh! Material World is an amazing book; quilters would never be able to live as simply as many people do!
Madeline is gorgeous!
How interesting to see the international families with their stuff! And the Reeds from Salinas are working hard moving their’s around 🙂 With all the work you are doing and with beautiful Madeline to display, your house is going to sell quickly! I use to drive from Cambria to Salinas to work at Salinas Memorial. It was a great place to work. Crazy to drive that far but for a season (3 1/2 yrs) it was definitely worth it.
How interesting to see the international families with their stuff! And the Reeds from Salinas are working hard moving their’s around 🙂 With all the work you are doing and with beautiful Madeline to display, your house is going to sell quickly! I use to drive from Cambria to Salinas to work at Salinas Memorial. It was a great place to work. Crazy to drive that far but for a season (3 1/2 yrs) it was definitely worth it.
Oh Madeline, you are SO beautiful!!
Oh Madeline, you are SO beautiful!!
It’s gorgeous! I love it! Madeline is such a lovely grown-up!
I’ve seen the Material World book and it’s an incredibly enlightening experiment. But I have to tell you that the pictures also make me feel more than a little embarassed, and even a bit ashamed. The contents of my sewing room alone would have taken up an entire two-car garage… with no space leftover and quite a bit of cramming things in. 🙂
It’s gorgeous! I love it! Madeline is such a lovely grown-up!
I’ve seen the Material World book and it’s an incredibly enlightening experiment. But I have to tell you that the pictures also make me feel more than a little embarassed, and even a bit ashamed. The contents of my sewing room alone would have taken up an entire two-car garage… with no space leftover and quite a bit of cramming things in. 🙂
I have to find that Material World book…what an interesting historical look at life as it is where it is…thanks for the shout out on this, just right up my alley as far as interesting things to read, don’t you think? The quilt is gorgeous and I can’t even imagine you in that kitchen working away like that on your craft! Fun to see it all going on.
I have to find that Material World book…what an interesting historical look at life as it is where it is…thanks for the shout out on this, just right up my alley as far as interesting things to read, don’t you think? The quilt is gorgeous and I can’t even imagine you in that kitchen working away like that on your craft! Fun to see it all going on.
Madeline is absolutely gorgeous! I may have to look into having her live at my place too.
Four years ago we didn’t have much more than what our RV could hold as we sold the house and gave away everything inside. Then we had to quit fulltiime RVing after 20 months to come home and care for my mom. Now we have a housefull again!
Madeline is absolutely gorgeous! I may have to look into having her live at my place too.
Four years ago we didn’t have much more than what our RV could hold as we sold the house and gave away everything inside. Then we had to quit fulltiime RVing after 20 months to come home and care for my mom. Now we have a housefull again!
Lovely Madeline!
Hang in there, the end is in sight! You’re amazing to be able to be creative and focused as your household is in chaos. Oh, and did I mention accurate in your cutting and piecing???
Hugs!
Lovely Madeline!
Hang in there, the end is in sight! You’re amazing to be able to be creative and focused as your household is in chaos. Oh, and did I mention accurate in your cutting and piecing???
Hugs!
Beautiful quilt.
I love the colors.
I know what you mean about having to pack up and move everything. We did that when we remodeled the kitchen, dining room and living room. No fun living out of boxes and cooking in the garage.
Beautiful quilt.
I love the colors.
I know what you mean about having to pack up and move everything. We did that when we remodeled the kitchen, dining room and living room. No fun living out of boxes and cooking in the garage.
You are absolutely amazing that you can sail through all of this tremendous upheavel in your house and continure to churn out your beautiful quilts. Do you think you might end up wanting to stay in your lovely house/home when you have finished doing all of these wonderful things with it? I sure hope it will sell fast so you can’t give that another thought. Good Luck for a fast sell.
You are absolutely amazing that you can sail through all of this tremendous upheavel in your house and continure to churn out your beautiful quilts. Do you think you might end up wanting to stay in your lovely house/home when you have finished doing all of these wonderful things with it? I sure hope it will sell fast so you can’t give that another thought. Good Luck for a fast sell.
Hi Nicole,
I’m fascinated by how much you’re doing before you sell your house. Is it normal to spend so much in the US. Over here in the UK people may put a lick of paint up if needed, have a tidy round etc, but unless it was really in desperate need of change and affecting sales the house would just go on the market. I can’t imagine people here spending all that money on carpets, flooring etc as most people here then rip it all out when they move in and do all the decorating then. Our old neighbours moved out in the evening and the new people had builders in at 7.30 the next morning – they’ve been working on it for a month now. When we moved into our house they hadn’t even hoovered or cleaned and took the lightbulbs with them!!!! What is the norm for buying and selling houses over there? Debbs
Hi Nicole,
I’m fascinated by how much you’re doing before you sell your house. Is it normal to spend so much in the US. Over here in the UK people may put a lick of paint up if needed, have a tidy round etc, but unless it was really in desperate need of change and affecting sales the house would just go on the market. I can’t imagine people here spending all that money on carpets, flooring etc as most people here then rip it all out when they move in and do all the decorating then. Our old neighbours moved out in the evening and the new people had builders in at 7.30 the next morning – they’ve been working on it for a month now. When we moved into our house they hadn’t even hoovered or cleaned and took the lightbulbs with them!!!! What is the norm for buying and selling houses over there? Debbs
I think I like that Grown-up Madeline. I think it’s the fabric/color combo that is doing it for me. I’m not wild on points but I think I will make an exception.
Good luck on the house sale.
I think I like that Grown-up Madeline. I think it’s the fabric/color combo that is doing it for me. I’m not wild on points but I think I will make an exception.
Good luck on the house sale.
Hello Nicole,
I heart your blog for more than a year now and this is my first time posting here 🙂 All the quilts you made are great inspirations for a new quilter like me. I admire them all and wish that I can make a fraction of them one day. I am in search of a ‘proper’ sewing table, like the kind you have. I have mine on a IKEA table and every time after 2 hours of sewing, I start to have neck and shoulder pain. The one that Thelma has is way too expensive for my budget. May I know the model of the table you have?
Hello Nicole,
I heart your blog for more than a year now and this is my first time posting here 🙂 All the quilts you made are great inspirations for a new quilter like me. I admire them all and wish that I can make a fraction of them one day. I am in search of a ‘proper’ sewing table, like the kind you have. I have mine on a IKEA table and every time after 2 hours of sewing, I start to have neck and shoulder pain. The one that Thelma has is way too expensive for my budget. May I know the model of the table you have?
Wow, what a setup! Love the 9 patch quilt on your rack in the midst of the furniture and love the finished result of Madeline. Hope the carpeting goes quickly!
Wow, what a setup! Love the 9 patch quilt on your rack in the midst of the furniture and love the finished result of Madeline. Hope the carpeting goes quickly!
Your Madeline quilt is beautiful! I don’t know how you manage to get so much done amid the chaos all around you! Did Dennis love the floors? They look amazing!
Your Madeline quilt is beautiful! I don’t know how you manage to get so much done amid the chaos all around you! Did Dennis love the floors? They look amazing!
Whenever you get tired of “grown up Madeline”, you can send it to me. I know the perfect place for it. 🙂 Great job!
Whenever you get tired of “grown up Madeline”, you can send it to me. I know the perfect place for it. 🙂 Great job!
Perfect border choices for Madeline, she looks lovely.
Perfect border choices for Madeline, she looks lovely.
Hi Debbs,
The housing market has been just terrible here in California. It is just starting to pick up. Our line of thinking was that we would have the absolute most fabulous house for sale in our area, and that way attract buyers who want something move in ready. Many people dont have the time or extra money after making such a purchase to re-do all the decor. We are choosing really tasteful, neutral colors and great quality materials, so hopefully, that will be a selling point. We want a quick sale so we can get into our new place. We cannot afford two mortgage payments or to have our old house sit on the market for months on end.
It also depends on the price point I think. Houses that are less than $500,000, people figure they can sink some money into in order to spruce things up. In our price range, $800,000- 1,500,000, people expect perfection.
Warm regards,
Nicole
Hi Debbs,
The housing market has been just terrible here in California. It is just starting to pick up. Our line of thinking was that we would have the absolute most fabulous house for sale in our area, and that way attract buyers who want something move in ready. Many people dont have the time or extra money after making such a purchase to re-do all the decor. We are choosing really tasteful, neutral colors and great quality materials, so hopefully, that will be a selling point. We want a quick sale so we can get into our new place. We cannot afford two mortgage payments or to have our old house sit on the market for months on end.
It also depends on the price point I think. Houses that are less than $500,000, people figure they can sink some money into in order to spruce things up. In our price range, $800,000- 1,500,000, people expect perfection.
Warm regards,
Nicole
Grown Up Madeline turned out beautiful!! I love her!! : )
Beverly in WA
Grown Up Madeline turned out beautiful!! I love her!! : )
Beverly in WA
Madeline grew up beautifully! Your work is exquisite Nicole! May I ask some advice…my 18 year old son loves red and when he saw your red & white quilt, he gave me the “look”, “can you Mum”! I am considering the Rural Jardin Toile naturally but what I don’t know is the red. Would I be best with a combination of reds or use the Rural Jardine Rouge Texture only, or also add the Rouenneries Turkey Red as well? Appreciate your help as I am newish to quilting.
Madeline grew up beautifully! Your work is exquisite Nicole! May I ask some advice…my 18 year old son loves red and when he saw your red & white quilt, he gave me the “look”, “can you Mum”! I am considering the Rural Jardin Toile naturally but what I don’t know is the red. Would I be best with a combination of reds or use the Rural Jardine Rouge Texture only, or also add the Rouenneries Turkey Red as well? Appreciate your help as I am newish to quilting.
I LOVE the house photos!! Thanks for making me laugh today! And Madeline is beautiful.
Sew on , girl, sew on, even if it is in the kitchen!
I LOVE the house photos!! Thanks for making me laugh today! And Madeline is beautiful.
Sew on , girl, sew on, even if it is in the kitchen!
The color is perfect. Good job!
The color is perfect. Good job!
Hi Nicole,
Just found your blog a few days ago. I must tell you the Madeline quilt is just lovely. I have the pattern but like you I wanted to make it bigger, thank you for doing all the ‘math’ for me! 🙂
Your puppies are adorable!
Hi Nicole,
Just found your blog a few days ago. I must tell you the Madeline quilt is just lovely. I have the pattern but like you I wanted to make it bigger, thank you for doing all the ‘math’ for me! 🙂
Your puppies are adorable!
The grown-up Madeline is really a beautiful quilt. I had been wondering how to enlarge it before I saw your quilt. Would you mind sending me the pdf file for enlarging the pattern? I would really appreciate it.
The grown-up Madeline is really a beautiful quilt. I had been wondering how to enlarge it before I saw your quilt. Would you mind sending me the pdf file for enlarging the pattern? I would really appreciate it.
I just love your Madeline- such beautiful colors! Hope you can get some sewing done today amidst the chaos.
I just love your Madeline- such beautiful colors! Hope you can get some sewing done today amidst the chaos.