My Son's Lap Quilt Got A Little Big

My son, Jim is 6'3" tall. On my last trip to Montana he asked if I was ever going to make him another quilt.
And if I did, COULD  I make it longer? He had me stand up and hold up the last one I made and  it was was above my head. But To be honest, I was noticing that his feet were sticking out of the quilt when he was all stretched out on his Lazy Boy.  Jim told me that he didn't care if the quilt was pink... he just wanted it long!
(background history)
Jim and his wife, Annie have given me 2 beautiful grand daughters over the last 3 1/2 years. I have made (just a couple..lol) pink quilts for grandma's little sweethearts. I many have gotten a little carried away with the pink but the girls are into princess stuff so pink is good right?

I'm so glad he didn't care about the color because I have been wanted to use up some of my scraps with a Bonnie Hunter String Quilt.
 It didn't take very long at all sewing these weird little strips onto foundation blocks. Jim's quilt was almost done.. but I thought it needed to be just a little longer. I thought a topper and footer would be fun using another new technique I saw on the net. The blue and red border was interesting and it used up more small pieces of my stash, but I just wasn't that happy when I was looking at it up on my design wall.

Each square is 7" finished. See the topper.? I made one for the bottom too.The bolt next to the quilt is the outside border. I didn't want to add the same topper style around the entire quilt. I thought it was plenty wide enough for Jim"s  Lazy Boy naps. But..... I JUST DON'T LIKE IT. It doesn't make me smile. I have sewn a lot of love into this quilt and its not making me "Warm and Fuzzy".

I detest ripping seams and I always say to my quilting sisterhood " If you cant see the mistake while you're galloping on a horse past your quilt...its good enough BUT even with my theory....I HATE IT.. so sometimes I got to bite the bullet, pick up the seam ripper and start picking. " grrrrrrrrrrrrrrr"

I took off the topper and footer border. I ripped out the top and part way down the sides of the blue inner border. I pieced 2 more rows (16 blocks) and added a 6" outside border. NOW THIS MOMMA IS HAPPY!
This lap quilt ended up being 107"x65". Now i just got to get it quilted by the 3rd week of September!

I first thought after I added the extra 2 rows that I was going to have to replace all the blue inner border too.  MORE RIPPING and more cussing!   I could not find any pieces of the original. I was looking everywhere. On the floor, under books, in bins when the lightbulb went off in my little head!  I put the left overs in my stash scrap bin.  There was JUST enough to extend the inside border around the extra blocks. I was doing a HaPpY DaNcE.

There is only one problem now.  The outside border did not look so orange on the bolt. It didn't look so orange until I attached it to the quilt but then I remember my motto....
"Wheres my Horse?  I need to go for a fast ride!"

if you like this quilt... go to Bonnie Hunters web site.. She is very generous and has many free patterns you may download.

MAKING UP FOR QUILT

I was such a bad girl and forgot to make a postcard for an exchange I was in. I felt so quilty about it that I tried to over compensate by making a very large postcard.  This picture is 18x11 inches.  (postcards=6X4)
My hope is the receiver will add a sleeve and hang it in her home (maybe in the closet?) 

This card is part of my moon series. Landscapes are my favorite. I am so hooked on creating art with fibers.

MAIL ART POSTCARD SWAP

This is my WINTER LANDSCAPE POSTCARD for the postcard swap group I belong to called POSTCARDMAILART. (pcma) You can join our group too! Come share your love of fiber art and makes some really great new friends. heres the link for you to find us!
www.http://groups.yahoo.com/group/PostCardMailArt/

MAIL ART POSTCARDS FOR QUILTER FRIENDS

I love making fiber postcards to send through the mail. These were made for a few of my "sewing sisters."

MY NAME SAKE

Kelly is having a baby girl. Kelly is my daughter-in-law's younger sister.I teased Kelly (on facebook) that no one names their baby girls Debbie anymore. I asked her, " What's wrong with Debbie? Old names are popular again."  She replied.."If I had a mother in law as nice as you are, I would consider naming my baby Debbie."

I did mention that I did this teasing on facebook right?

Well, my daughter-in-law, Annie saw it and commented, "Thanks for throwing me under the bus sis!"  Annie has given me 2 beautiful grand daughters who neither one is named Debbie....not even the mention of the "D" word in the middle name.  lol  

When Kelly's little darling was born she named her Cadence. But I made her a baby quilt anyway! I also threw in a little bib for Cadence to wear.  What do you all think?

Disclaimer......Since most of you dont know me.... I WAS teasing with Kelly. I WAS teasing with my Annie.
 They both know that I am just joking around so please dont think I was being a terrible person .

APRONS AND BIBS

I LOVE MAKING LITTLE GIFTS FOR MY GRAND DAUGHTERS.  I HAVE 3. RYLAN IS ALMOST 3 AND HER SISTER KAYLAN JUST TURNED 1. THEY HAVE A COUSIN NAMED ADDYSON WHO IS 9 MONTHS.

RIGHT NOW IM INTO MAKING BIBS AND APRONS. THE LITTLE ONES IN MY FAMILY JOIN THE WOMAN IN THE KITCHEN VERY EARLY. THEY ARE NEVER TOO YOUNG TO LEARN ABOUT ALL THE LOVE THAT HAPPENS IN THE KITCHEN WHEN IT IS FULL OF FAMILY HAVING FUN, SHARING STORIES AND COOKING!

 RYLAN IS TEACHER "HER BABY" HOW TO MAKE COOKIES.  TO ME.. THIS IS THE START OF A GREAT MOM TO BE.  (arent these little aprons cute?

HERES MY 2 LITTLE SWEETIES IN THE KITCHEN WITH THEIR MOM.

 Cute little bibs for gifts and just for fun.

AND LOOK AT THE CUTIES WEARING THEM!!!

 above is my pumpkin Addy and below is the ever smiling Kaylan.  GRANDMA DEDE IS BLESSED!

A THANK YOU TO OUR VETRANS

I WANT TO SHARE  AN AWESOME

 EXPERIENCE I HAD TODAY....

I HOPE YOU WILL TAKE THE TIME

 TO READ MY STORY.

TODAY 4 OF MY QUILTING FRIENDS AND I WENT TO THE 

HEINE'S VETERAN CENTER

TO DELIVER QUILTS AND SAY "THANK YOU." 

8 WOMEN WHO CALL THEMSELVES THE SCRAPPY LADIES 

MET TWICE A MONTH AND QUILTED. 

8 WOMAN MET TWICE A MONTH AND TALKED 

ABOUT A WAY TO TELL A VET "THANK YOU."
IT TOOK ONE YEAR FOR ME AND MY SISTER 

QUILTERS OF PLANNING,COLLECTING 

FABRIC AND QUILTING TO FINISH OUR GIFTS. 

ONLY 5 OUT OF THE 8 COULD MAKE IT ON THE 

DELIVERY DATE. I HAVE A LITTLE SAD 

PART IN MY HEART FOR THE 3 THAT COULDN'T 

MAKE IT. THEY MISSED OUT ON AN 

EXPERIENCE THAT I WILL NEVER FORGET. 

WE CARRIED INTO THE HOSPITAL 

19 TWIN SIZE QUILTS. 

MOST OF THEM WERE RED, WHITE AND BLUE

 AND A FEW WERE MADE WITH JUST 

PRETTY COLORS. MOST OF THEM WERE 

A CHINESE COIN PATTERN BUT SOME WERE

MORE ELABORATE. ALL OF THEM WERE MADE 

WITH LOVING HANDS. ALL OF THEM 

WERE MADE WHILE WE SHARED OUR THOUGHTS 

ON OUR OWN FAMILY MEMBERS AND 

FRIENDS WHO ARE OR WHO WERE IN THE 

MILITARY. 

ALL 8 WOMAN KNOW HOW LUCKY WE ARE 

TO LIVE IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICAN
AND WE HOPED OUR GIFT OF A QUILT WILL

EXPRESS A SMALL GRATITUDE 

OF OUR FEELINGS.
 
THE FLOOR OF THE HOSPITAL THAT WE 

VISITED HAD 19 VETS THAT WERE 

PATIENTS THIS DAY.A FEW OF THEM 

WERE OLDER GENTLEMEN.
ONE MAN TOLD US HE SERVED IN THE 

ARMY IN 1955.THERE WAS ONE WOMAN

WHO HAD JUST HAD SURGERY. ONE MAN 

HAD LOST HIS LOWER LEG, 

I DONT KNOW HOW AND I WAS 

AFRAID TO ASK.

4 QUILTS WERE LEFT OUTSIDE THE

ROOMS FOR THE NURSES TO TAKE 

IN BECAUSE NO ONE WAS ALLOWED TO 

ENTER THE ROOMS.

WITH EVERY QUILT WE THANKED THESE 

HEROES FOR THEIR DEDICATION, 

THEIR HONOR, THEIR UNSELFISHNESS FOR 

KEEPING US SAFE.

THANK YOU FOR KEEPING US FREE. 

EVERY VET PUT OUT THEIR HAND TO 

SHAKE OR OPENED THEIR ARMS FOR A HUG. 

THE HUGS WERE MY FAVORITE! 

EVERYONE OF THESE VETERANS WERE SO

 TAKEN BACK BY THESE 5 WOMAN 

WHO WERE GIVING AWAY THE "BLANKETS".

THEY KEPT THANKING US AND MORE THAN 

ONE SAID 

"THERE IS A PLACE IN HEAVEN FOR WOMAN LIKE YOU." 

(IF HEAVEN IS JUST A QUILT AWAY...

I NEED TO MAKE MORE QUILTS!)
EVERYONE SHOULD THANK A SOLDIER

 FOR THEIR SACRIFICE.

TONIGHT I WAS CHECKING ON MY EMAILS TO FIND 

THAT A FRIEND SENT ME THIS LINK......

SO FITTING FOR MY DAY......PLEASE WATCH IT.

.<http://www.youtube.com/v/ervaMPt4Ha0&autoplay=1>

GOD BLESS THE VETERANS  

A LETTER INSIDE OUR THANK YOU QUILT

A Letter to a Soldier

We are a group of 8 woman who live in the Northwest Suburbs of Chicago. We call our small group of quilters the Scrappy Ladies.

In the beginning, Our love of fabric and the art of quilt making united us. Over the years, its our friendship that holds us together. Well that and meeting two times a month to share  family stories, gossip and eat!   We do have lots of fun with each other.

Every year we have handmade projects that we donate. Many times it has been for children centers or hospitals. Last year we made over 700 Holiday stockings that went to the brave service people in Afghanistan.
This year, it is our hope that you will except and enjoy the quilts we have made for you. We don't have to know what you look like or even your name to say "Thank you for your bravery and pride in serving in the military. Thank you for keeping all of us safe by making your unselfish contribution in making our country one of the grandest in the world!"
Our quilts are a small way for us, the Scrappy Ladies to show our gratitude to you for your sacrifice and commitment.

We hope these quilts will give you comfort in knowing that we care.

The Scrappy Ladies

Mom and Daughter Aprons

I think an apron is always a wonderful gift. I made mom and daughter aprons for my grand daughter, Rylan and daughter in law, Annie. They turned out pretty cute dont you think?

 Rylan's apron only to a fat quarter plus 5" for the blue dotted fabric.  She and her mom just made a chocolate cake but I guess you may have been able to tell by looking at Rylan's precious little face?

A QUILT FOR MY MOM

In one of the letters my mom sent me, she mentioned that her 77th birthday was in May. (Like I didnt have a clue?) She continued her letter stating that she MAY not live much longer (she will outlive all her children, she is as healthy as a horse and is a stubborn Iris woman from Butte, Montana) and that she would really like one of my "blankets" before she dies.
Yes, she calls my quilts blankets.  She also stated the colors she wanted and the size...  King to the floor.
Oh yes... and she would be willing to buy the fabric but knew that I would never charge her for the labor since I was born breech and tore her from one end to the other. (I get reminded of my birth quite a lot.)
She asked if $30 was enough? 

My heart was doing flip flops as I read her letter. How was I going to tell her that I had already bought the fabric and was in the middle of making a quilt "blanket" for her and it wasn't anything like she wanted. Even though I am 56 years old, what kid wants to disappoint their mother's "last request."?

I finally called her yesterday. I told her about her "blanket." I told her how sorry I was that it was not the purple and blue she wanted and it wasnt as gigantic as she wanted. I hoped that she would love it just knowing that I put lots of love and hours into it trying to make it special for her 77th birthday.
Of course like any good mother would do and say, "Oh Debbie, I never dreamed you would make me another blanket!  And I know I will love it just like all the other ones."  I was relieved but then the thought ran through my little brain..."Where are all the quilts I have made her?"
We finished our conversation  and just before hanging up she says, " I love you honey. And by the way, How hard would it be to sew more fabric on the outside of my blanket to make it King to floor?"  I finally asked, "Mom...why do u want it that big? You would have to take it to the laundry mat to wash it. It would cost me an arm and leg to mail it to you.(didnt mention how much the fabric would cost... she did send me $30.00) I would have to quilt it in sections because my frame isnt large enough to hold that big of a quilt.  Why do you want it that large?"
I laughed out loud  and slapped my forehead when she told me the answer, "I don't want people to see all the crap I have stored under my bed!"
I'm including a pretty bed ruffle with the new queen "blanket" I made for my mom.
Happy 77th birthday!


The quilt is a design my Bonnie Hunter, Majestic Mountains. Its very fun and very easy. Go to her web page and you can get the pattern for free! Thank you Bonnie for teaching at NSQG. You are very inspiring.

ORIGINAL QUILT PATTERN

I JUST LOVE THIS QUILT.
Many shades of "little girl" 
were used. 
Many different textures for little finger to feel.

And even prairie points to be lifted and played with. 
I will quilt it next week.
I think I will just meander with some pretty pink thread.

MOON SERIES

This one is for my guild. We have a auction of mini quilts every year.

My Mini-Bee Christmas Dinner

These wonderful ladies make up a group of quilters that we call the "Scrappy Ladies." I have belonged to the group for about 7 years. Before I joined their mini bee I said I knew how to quilt but really.... I just made large pot holders.

I'm Deb Poole.  (3rd from the left.) I moved to Chicago 8 years ago. I knew no one here. I do not work outside the home. I was not meeting or making any friends until one day... I found and joined the NSQG (north suburban quilter's guild)The guild meets once a month. One meeting I was asking a lady at the "meet and greet" table about mini bees in my area. She told me that she would look around and let me know.  A funny thing happened on the way back to my chair....  Notice the lady whispering in my ear and the woman in green? They over heard my conversation with the meet and greet lady. Jean and Bev asked me that night to join their mini bee. WE HAVE BEEN SISTERS FROM THAT NIGHT ON.

         Debbie (in the brown) cracks me up. She is very off the cuff. She loves making up her own designs. She is so generous to all of us. She always makes a special handmade gift for each of us at Christmas. She also has a Communication degree.

Carol is from New York. This woman would do anything for any of us....Any time, any day. She is marvelous. She is a prolific quilter and mostly self taught. She does BEAUTIFUL WORK and she will try anything!

Mary is very soft spoken person. She loves her quilts to be perfect.  She loves her little Singer.

                        

Jean is my buddy. She is very logical and likes her quilts "just sew." She has a heart bigger than the sky. She has an Home Economics Major.

Bev(in the green) is a woman who has a kind, restful heart.  She loves hand piecing. She also has a major in Music. And she just bought herself a wonderful Christmas presesnt...A GRAND PIANO!

I was so happy Bev enjoyed the card I made for her.

Opening gifts is soooo much fun!

Fat Quarters are ALWAYS good!

Table runner for my quilting sister Secret Santa (which was Bev)

 Carol likes to spoil us with her wonderful desserts. She really goes all out!

I love these ladies. They have been such a blessing in my life. They found me during a time that I needed friends. They adopted me into their lives.  These ladies are not just friends, THEY ARE MY SISTERS.

Cute Little Dolls

Fast and easy to make. Great little addition to the Christmas stockings I made for my grand daughters, Rylan and Kaylan.

MY FLORAL CLASS WAS A HIT!

MY FLORABUNA CLASS WAS A LOT OF FUN TO TEACH. WE SELECTED FABRIC THAT DID THE BEGINNING WORK FOR YOU. ALL THE FABRIC HAD FLOWERS AND LEAVES ALREADY PRINTED. WE CUT THEM APART AND REARRANGED TO MAKE OUR OWN BOUQUET.  THIS WALL HANGING IS A STUDENT PIECE. SHE DID A WONDERFUL ART PIECE DONT YOU THINK?

THIS WAS THE MY CLASS EXAMPLE.

 STUDENTS USING A DESIGN WALL TO ARRANGE THEIR PIECE. ITS MUCH EASIER TO MAKE YOUR BOUQUET ON THE WALL THAN LAYING FLAT ON A TABLE. 
IRON SOMETHING LIKE WONDER-UNDER ON ALL YOUR FLOWERS AND LEAVES BEFORE CUTTING THEM OUT. PIN THE ARRANGEMENT ON YOUR BACK GROUND PIECE. WHEN YOU LIKE THE ARRANGEMENT, IRON IT DOWN.

AFTER YOU HAVE IRONED IT ALL DOWN, START YOUR FREE MOTION PAINTING. THIS IS WHAT WILL GIVE YOUR PIECE ITS PERSONALITY AND SPARKLE.

 ALL THE DESIGNS ARE DIFFERENT AND ALL ARE BEAUTIFUL.

THIS ONE HAS HEAVY THREAD COUCHED DOWN ON THE BACKGROUND FABRIC. LOADS OF RAYON THREADS WERE USE TO MAKE THE SPARKLE LOOK.

THE CLASS WAS ONLY 3 HOURS. ALL THE STUDENTS GOT THEIR BOUQUETS MADE AND HAD A GOOD START ON THE FREEMOTION WORK.