I'm a collector with hoarding tendencies.  There I said it.  My dirty little secret.  So even though I have myself in check most of the time, being a quilter can be difficult - as the saying goes, "whoever dies with the most fabric... wins!"  So now I look at it as if you have fabric laying around or in your leftover bin, your someday pile - that only represents quilts not being made.  The classic American quilt came about because people had to make do.  They used every last bit of cloth and didn't waste.  Thus necessity made beautiful quilts, creative and story-telling.  I truly love this about the history of quilt-making. 
My latest obsession is wood.  But since I made my first quilt ladder with my dad some months ago, I have accumulated in a corner of our porch, left over and stripped down Christmas trees from some understandingly artistic family members, mulberry branches from Courtland, and assorted branches found around our yard and neighborhood.  This went undetected by Joe until last week (!), and then from the look in his eyes I could tell that perhaps I had crossed a line again.  I think it may have been the Christmas trees. 
Well, Dad, I guess it's time I drove down to see ya and make another ladder with my stash.  I've been thinking about it so much and I have some beautiful organic ladders designed in my head. - Ruth

I love this picture and I love thinking of the many future pictures we will have with our first accordion together, surrounded by our quilts.  (ahhh)
With the arrival of this good ol gal, I can learn to play and one day acquire my grandfathers squeeze box and carry on a folk tradition not only of quilting, but of playing an instrument of the people.  My mother has a beautiful German Button Box which belonged to her father and she has tempted me with it by saying whoever learns to play it, can have it.  However, I sheepishly say I have been too conscientious to take it with the promise that I'll learn to play it.  When would I have the time?  And, doesn't it sound good regardless of if it's played correctly or not? (lol)    I have great memories of hearing my grandpa play as a youngster and then later, also with his cousin (?) singing and playing along to a real phonograph as we ate borscht.  Now this didn't happen all that often, the borscht was a singular experience I had as a teenager that has always stayed with me... going super old school in a double-wide on the coast of Oregon.  Love it.

The quilt our accordion is resting on is a newbie.  Fresh off the press.  I took a two of this style to Scout Living, in a Throw (40"x60") and an XL Throw (60"x80").  The XL Throw is a new size we are adding to our repertoire.  It would make a fantastic coverlet for a Twin, Full, or Queen, but not as long or wide as our bed quilts.  Also great as a couch throw for cuddling up or gussying up the couch.  I also made a meditation quilt in this design (32"x32") which will get posted on Etsy.