Quilts...

I finished this quilt today. I started it probably sometime in September and put it away for a while. Today all I had to do was add the borders. It wasn't hard, but time consuming. I used a jellyroll that I bought at Walmart. It was a bunch of assorted batik fabrics (already cut into 2 1/2 inch strips). I normally stay away from fabrics like batiks just because they are not my favorite look. But I was branching out. I had to decide on a pattern that used strips since that part was done for me; and when I saw this one I went with it because I have done this pattern before and knew exactly what to do. I ended up picking out a background fabric which I thought worked nicely with the other colors in the batiks. I think it looks yummy! If I were the kind of person who names her quilts I might call this one: Confetti Cake or Tutti Fruity !!!
What do you think???

I'm On Sabbatical!

Okay, okay so I know that I posted almost everyday last week and now it has been a week since I last posted. I have one of those personalities where I binge and purge...So last week I binged and this week...well, you know!
Tonight I went to the quilt guild meeting with my mom. I only get to go a couple times a year because it is on the same night as one of my classes. It was awesome to see so many quilts made by the others. (No! I haven't made~or finished~any of my own to show off~psshhhh!) I love getting ideas for new things to make. I took some pictures with my phone and I need to figure out how to upload them.

Here It Is...

Here's the old bed...with last Christmas' quilt.

And here's the new quilt...with our new mattress underneath...

I had specific instructions for this quilt. I love the double Irish chain pattern but have seen it on beds and did not love how the pattern continues under the pillows and off the sides. So I had Mom make the pattern for just the top and added borders on the sides as well as a solid red band where the pillows sit and one more row of Irish chain above that so that the pattern is visible and not distorted or off when the bed is made. If you look closely you will see the red band under the pillow tuck. I love it.

The new mattress is one of those that never needs to be flipped and it is 16" deep. I love high beds that you have to climb into. (Even though I pretty much have to climb into any bed!) I will be buying some black sheets soon and might get a dust ruffle too. We will see.

A New Wedding Gift

Our computer is having difficulty uploading pictures from our camera. Dang communist manufacturing engineers who design things to break every two years or less. Anyway, so I would show you the new bed (mattress) we bought yesterday but I can't upload it. Maybe we can get it figured out by the time Mom finishes our wedding quilt. (Yes you read that right.) We have been married for almost 10 years and my mom has finally almost finished our wedding quilt. It doesn't help that the one I chose 10 years ago was a double wedding ring and had seriously like a million pieces. So about a year ago I decided that we could live with a different quilt pattern and chose a double Irish chain. Not as hard but still time consuming. Plus I changed the colors so we had to go fabric shopping. As if that is a bad thing. Anyway, all that is left is the binding and when that's done we will put it on our new mattress and take a picture. I love getting new stuff. (I feel a tangent coming on: Don't you think people should have anniversary showers? Like when you get married and have a bridal shower, you have no idea what you will need and you register for tons of crap. But after 10 years, you know exactly what you need and shouldn't you be rewarded for lasting that long?)
p.s. I borrowed these pics from the Internet.

Go Check It Out!

Real quick I want to tell everyone that I did start my new blog about quilting/other projects that I am working on...There is a link on the side of this blog up at the top. Go check out my second unfinished project. I am on a roll! Bout ready to declare #3 after posting this. Have a great day!
Happy 10th Birthday Tyler!

Book Club Extravaganza!

A couple of Days before the girly party, it was Mom's turn to host the book club. I occasionally attend this book club when I a) remember, b) have read the book and c) can get a baby sitter...The book for this month was called Hidden In Plain View about the underground railroad. It was about how [people against slavery] and slaves would use quilts as signals for helping slaves escape to freedom. I thought it was an interesting book and had never considered that subject before. It was a little textbook-ish. But since it was about quilts, it held my interest.


Since it was about quilts which Mom loves as well, and since it was Mom who was hosting this time, she went all out. I dare say she went overboard. She made about a half dozen different desserts all quilt themed. I got a pic of the table before everything was put out, but there were quilt shaped cookies, mini cakes, pizzas and a patchwork veggie tray. Plus she made Bear Claw pastries for the first time that day since the bear's claw was one of the quilt blocks used in the underground railroad code...They were delish, but she said it took 7 hours to make them; let alone all the other yummy treats.

Mom also had made two of each quilt block used in the code: one for a wall hanging and one for a bed sized quilt. I don't have those photos here, maybe when they're all put together. AND she also had a gift bag for each lady who attended. They drew from a bowl and got the name of a quilt block, then they went to the table and matched the name with the block on the bags. It was fun. We all got matching nightgowns...the only thing not quilt themed...these were book themed since we are a book club.

Thanks Mom. It was fun and you need to rest after that project.

For Yvonne!

Its February now...which means I get to put up my Valentine's Day quilt. I made this in 2001 (I think). I love it because every one of the corners matches up perfectly...Okay don't look closely because some of them are off a little bit but its really close. I love using red fabrics...I love doing straight lines and I love doing simple patterns that you repeat over and over again....I love this quilt! Also, a couple of years ago when my Aunt Emmy was suffering from cancer in Florida. I sent this blanket to her to take with her to chemo. She loved it and gave it back to me when she passed away. I like to think that she knew of my love for her when she used this blanket. Now I am posting it to bring some luck to my friend in Hawaii, Yvonne, who is expecting identical twin girls very soon this month. She loves to quilt and I hope this quilt shows her how much I love her too! Good luck with your delivery and your baby girls. Love, Monica
Also, the other day I made cookies for my dad's birthday and they were perfect. I have never had cookies turn out as good as these..taste and presentation wise. Since it is now February I get to make cookies again...Just because I like to bake cookies in February. I puts me in a lovey-dovey mood. Cookies are love! Happy February everyone! Love, Monica

Dream The Impossible Dream

I have at least one month off before I have to go back to teaching and I am so excited...I turned in my grades on Wednesday afternoon and chalked up one more semester now behind me. I don't know if I have told this to people, but I don't like working. The thing about it is that I have to answer to someone else. Now truth be told, since I have had this job I really haven't had to answer to anyone per say (in fact they told me I can do whatever I want), but the fact that the "whatever I want" doesn't include not holding class twice a week is what makes me not like to work. I am basically tied to this town all week long because I have to be here for Tuesday and Thursday nights. I like the freedom of being able to go somewhere any time I want. Yeah I know I also have a kid in school which keeps me here but....Kaitlyn being in school all week doesn't even factor in...I hold it all against having a job. Now if I had my own business and worked for myself, that would be a different story. I would only have to answer to myself. And lets face it, how much better could that get? One day I will have my own quilting business and will be able to say to all those who think I do ASL because I was meant to do it..." This is the real me. This is what I am meant to do." (slow applause dramatically becoming louder until all in corners of the quilters' guild ladies have tears in their eyes and hope in their hearts) Oh, I do get carried away sometimes! ; )

Miss Bossypants!

Since I have to create an account in order to leave a comment on Holly's blog...(something I have decided is sooo not going to happen)... That's all I need, one more user name and password crowding out my brain. I am going to add my comment to my blog for her to read...hopefully she is a regular reader.
Holly, you MUST post the recipes for all of the holiday treats you plan on making...Since you have nothing going on that week you can post one each day until you get them all or whatever...Now I sound bossy. You can post them whenever you want but do post them, pleeeeaaasssse??? I love you! ; )
I feel like sharing a memory about Holly. I have several great memories of when Holly and I were inseparable in Fort Collins, CO. My favorite one, though, is when one day she called me up and this is how it went.
Me: Hello?
Holly: Get over here now!
Me: What's going on?
Holly: Just get over here.
Me: Okay, bye.
I get to Holly's house and she thrusts something into my hands and says, "Here." I'm a little afraid of her...(just kidding!) I take what she gives me and open it up. It's a quilt. From Holly's mom. To me.
See Holly's mom loves to make quilts and always sends her things to decorate her walls and home with and Holly had told her that I love to quilt too. So she sent me one for my house. I LOVED it. Holly was not as happy! I still have it and put it out in my house every fall. It has a fall leaves pattern. Holly, do you remember this? Good times!