Sampler quilt

Here's yet another quilt project that has its origins with Aunt Betty.  I got the lightest green and light pink fabrics from Aunt Betty's stash.  Almost from the minute I saw these fabrics together, I knew I wanted to use them in a single piece.  Then after looking through one of Aunt Betty's quilt books I found the pattern I wanted to use: The Good Old Days quilt.

It's a sampler quilt, which means that each block has a different pattern.  I selected 25 of my favorite of the 44 suggested block patterns.  It took me about 18 months to get the blocks assembled.  Last fall I finally got the quilt top and back put together (all assembled, it's 8 feet x 8 feet--easily the largest quilt I've made), and I asked Marty's mom to long arm quilt it for me.

Another bit about this quilt.  I started this quilt shortly after I decided to work on the Personal Progress program (and actually finish it this time around since I didn't quite get it done when I was a teenager).  I planned this to be my Divine Nature value project--to make something for my current or future home and then record in my journal how being creative is part of my divine nature and how sharing my creativity has blessed others.  As I worked on the quilt blocks I thought about how we as children of God are like them--each completely unique, but each with divine qualities--made of the same fabrics, but organized in different ways.  And when brought together, they accent and enhance each other.

Once I have the completed quilt back, I'll post more pictures.

Chenille quilt

Back in January when Boss posted about making this for baby Emma-Clair, I added a chenille quilt to my list of projects to try someday.  In August, Marty's Mom gave me the the mother-load of all stash builders--about 4 big plastic tubs of fabric and other assorted items (Thanks Mom!).  Among the bounty was loads of flannel and a chenille cutter.

Now that I basically had all the supplies just handed to me, I figured it was time to give it a try.

I layered 3 different flannels together (a pink, blue with pink flowers, and a generic baby-themed print with pastels).  I paired that with this Hushabye by Tula Pink for Moda that I got on clearance.  After a few days of sewing lots of (mostly) parallel lines, and then using the chenille cutter on the flannel layers, it was just about done.  I bound it with the same flannel as the middle layer and washed it several times.

Then we started the quality control analysis--this mostly involved snuggling with it on the couch while watching TV.  Marty gave it high marks (I asked him if he wanted to keep it, but it's a little too feminine for his tastes, I think).  I really like the end result.  Thanks for another great craft idea, Boss!

Myrtle Beach

A couple weeks ago Marty and I were able to spend time with Mom, Dad, and various aunts and uncles at their sibling reunion in Myrtle Beach.  We had a great time!  The weather was perfect; the beach was lovely; the food was good, and we enjoyed just getting to visit with everyone there.  Here are a couple of group shots.

Thanks for a wonderful time Uncle Peter and Aunt Maura!