Category Archives: Family History

Monday Funday: A New Quilt in the Works!

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Starting a new quilt is exciting.  If you are a true quilter, there is a LOT of planning involved in a new quilt project.  What fabrics?  What batting?  What quilting?

Then there are the necessary things we must go through, using our five senses.  We touch, we smell, we hear the fabric talk to us, we see the fabric in various places for the quilt and we even talk to our fabrics.  LOL

I have a new quilt planned and I am itching to get it started!  Here are the chosen fabrics:

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hmmm, whatever will it be?  Whoever will it go to?  Stay tuned, I’ll let you know at a later date!

“Garden Veggies” Table Topper Featured in the August Issue of “The Quilt Pattern Magazine”

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If you’re not already a subscriber, make it a point to subscribe to The Quilt Pattern Magazine as one of my original designs is featured in the August 2015 issue – a table topper titled “Garden Veggies”!

I had my “Garden Veggies” table topper sitting on our coffee table one day.  Our second-born daughter looked at it and said she really liked it.  She asked me what the name of it was…I told her “Garden Veggies”.  She studied it for a minute and then let out a laugh.  She said, “Okay, Mom, this fabric is a perfect representation of our garden!  This fabric (center w/dots) are those exploding tomato plants Dad planted, that grew over six feet tall.  And this yellow is the crook-neck squash, the green is the zucchinis and the brownish/orange-ish fabric is the sweet potatoes.”

Can you see what she sees?

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Truly a whole lot of bang for your buck if you are a subscriber to The Quilt Pattern Magazine.  I’ve enjoyed every single issue, whether I have a submission in it or not!

The fabric for this project was sponsored by Abbi May’s Fabric Shop, where ALL fabric is at least 10% off retail EVERY. SINGLE. DAY!


Personal Quilt Records

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Why didn’t I think of documenting who and where my quilts went 30+ years ago when I started quilting?  My answer is that I didn’t think of it back in the days of my early quilts.

After a few years, I did start to take photos of the quilts and afghans I made.  Unfortunately, I didn’t get name the photos so I could remember just who the gift went to.  So I have a stack of photos as a reminder, but I am not sure I could tell anyone who the items were given to.

After I was diagnosed with MS and we realized the extent of the loss of my short- and long-term memory problems, I started asking the recipients of my quilts to take a digital photo and send it to me, so I could refer back to it and know who my quilts went to.  Unfortunately, my request hasn’t always been honored.

There’s also a reason to document your quilts if you ever need to show your work to someone who is interested in purchasing or commissioning a quilt from you.  The stack of photos I have has been passed along to others many times and many quilts have been made based on quilts I had made in the past via those photos.

But, here are a few suggestions for documenting quilts (or any type of handmade gift) that you make and give or gift away:

  1. Photo album:  A photo of the finished quilt before it is sent to its new home, plus a photo of the recipient (if possible) with their new quilt.  But take this one step further and write or type a little note, adding the information on where the quilt went and who it went to.  A date would be great, too.  If nothing else, take a photo of the tag on the quilt, then you could eliminate any further need to write anything.
  2. Write out information about your quilts.  This is a pretty thorough list items to help you:  https://www.reddawn.net/quilt/documnt.htm.  This is even a more thorough form you can print and use:  https://oregonquiltproject.blogspot.com/
  3. “Personal Quilt Registry“, a book written by Lynne Fritz, offers a seemingly excellent opportunity to keep a record of your quilts – not just what you’ve gifted away but also those you have kept.
  4. Make a quilt journal:  https://www.craftsy.com/blog/2014/05/how-to-make-a-quilt-journal/.
  5. There’s also software you can purchase and use on your computer to document your quilts:  https://softexpressions.com/software/organ/index.html#Quilters.

There are many options for you to choose from to help you keep a record of your quilts.  What’s your favorite way?


Pause for a Cause: Breast Cancer Survivor Quilt

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A family member was diagnosed with breast cancer a few months ago.  She is doing well and following the doctor’s orders.  I wanted to make her a simple quilt with just a whole lot of love so I made a very easy patchwork quilt with only two fabrics.  The unexpected is that I put little pockets in the four corners of the quilt.  Then I asked for other family members to write something about love, healing, strength or upbeat to index cards.  When the quilt was opened and held up, everyone came forth with their little love cards and placed them in the pockets.

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How special it will be when the recipient gets home and relaxes with her quilt while she reads all the love from everyone.  Well done family, well done.


A Year of Swedish Weaving

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My MIL has spent the better part of a year making afghans for her six grandkids.  Since June/July 2014, she has been Swedish weaving, sometimes reaching her goal just in time for another birthday.  She has two granddaughter’s with birthdays in July, then a bit of a break until later in December.  But, she had no time to waste as the next three birthdays are wham, bam, thank you ma’am in March, April and May.  She can take a deep breath now as her year is up and all six grandkids have a little something more to keep them warm and cozy, made by the loving hands of their grandma.

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