A Grandson's Birthday Quilt

Grayson is one of our "city slicker" grandsons.  That means he isn't into farm equipment, but he IS into garbage trucks and construction equipment.  That's what he sees in his world.  His parents painted a neighborhood along the bottom edge of one of his bedroom walls so he could drive along and pick up garbage.  Another wall has the garbage dump and the big equipment.  Sooooo, he needed a new blanket.  Nana to the rescue......

The center is a "cheater" panel.  For you non quilty people that means it is all one fabric.  No piecing to it.

I used three different quilting patterns....meandering, loops, and a stencil on the white.

I've been wanting to use a stencil for a while, and I thought this was the perfect pattern for the white.

The back is pieced out of the leftovers from the front.  The symmetrical me would have liked the top pieces to meet up, but the frugal me just couldn't waste that much fabric!  Now, if it were for a fancier quilt the symmetrical me may have won.  :)

As always, I hope Grayson loves it and uses it for many years!  Do you think it will look good in a dorm room? :)

Chance's "Big Boy" Quilt

Since Chance is now a big brother he will soon be going into a "Big Boy Bed"!  His parents wanted him to have a quilt for his bed, so this was his big Christmas gift this year.

The fabric is Wanna Be a Cowboy by Samantha Walker for Riley Blake.  

The pattern is Simply Authentic from Piece N Quilt.  You can find it here.

It measures approximately 80" x 90".

I didn't follow the layout direction exactly, but changed it up to feature the fabrics I wanted to have show.  I could only get a small amount of the real cowboyish fabric and I wanted it to all show when placed on the bed.

I straight line quilted it which evidently I have problems even with straight lines. You wouldn't think that would be so difficult, but I have a guide on my machine and it often moves on me. :(

Chance immediately laid down and wrapped up in it!  I can't wait to see it on his bed.

I couldn't share this one until after Christmas as I didn't want his parents to see it either.

This is #10 for my 11 in '11 Challenge.

Thinkin' Pink (and Brown)

I'm loving this pink and brown quilt that I made for our nephew's baby due in November.

I really had it done in time for the shower, but at the last minute I remembered I hadn't put a label on it.

And I have vowed to label all of my quilts.

I backed it with more pink and brown polka dots.

I straight line quilted the middle, fancy stitched the inside border, and meandered the outside borders.

Now it's washed and crinkly and ready to be sent.

I loved making this pattern, and working with some pink!

Stack N Whack Quilt

What is Stack N Whack you ask?  Well, you cut out squares of fabrics and stack them up, then cut out each piece, then take a piece of different fabrics to sew together.  So, each square ends up with different fabrics in different shapes.  I'm really not explaining it very well, but it was fairly easy to do, and I enjoyed it! I wanted something besides meandering and straight line quilting on this one, so I had it done for me.   I finally got it back from the quilter and sewed the binding on.

  I love the quilting.

The back looks great too.  She used brick red thread on the brick colored areas and brown on the rest.

It's certainly not "perfect".  Some seams that don't line up, a pucker here and there, etc.  But, for a beginner I'm pretty proud of it.  The colors look great in the family room where it hangs.

Now, on to something else!!

IH Quilt and Gratitude

Another IH (International Harvester--it's a brand of farm machinery) for Payton.  He has the large IH quilt I made him on his bed but wanted one for TV watching.

After seeing him with it I know I need to make it bigger.  It won't be hard to do if I can match the fabric, but red and black are hard to match.  I'm putting that on my list.

Gratitude--I am grateful for my faith.  I was lucky enough to attend Catholic school for first through third grade (and just a few months of fourth).  I have many fond memories of Sister Ethel, Sister Rose Agnes, and Sister Wilma.  I am sure that many of my personality traits can be attributed to my Catholic upbringing--my need to follow the rules, my guilt, and my love of tradition.  Well, maybe I would be that way anyway!  I remember Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve followed by breakfast at our house attended by all relatives who were at Mass.  Fridays during Lent were special as we attended Mass early and then headed to the bakery for a roll and hot chocolate before going to school.  I remember the day JFK was shot and we all went to the chapel to pray until he was declared dead, and we were sent home.  First Communion was a BIG deal as a kid and as a parent.  I've been lucky enough to have a grandson who has made his First Communion.  As a child and teenager much of my extended family lived in the same area, so we worshipped together.  Gradually we all moved, and I really miss that fellowship.  I am grateful that I have my faith in the good times and the bad.  I can't imagine it any other way.

Another Quilt and Gratitude

The quilt that I made for Cael was pretty simple.  Not pieced, but just a large piece of fabric (Iowa Hawkeye, of course!) trimmed with black flannel and black flannel backing.  It also is tied.  And, the very goofy Cael wanted to make a face for the camera!

Gratitude--I am grateful for indoor plumbing!  I can't imagine having to use a chamber pot in the night, or going out in the cold to the outhouse.  I am glad I don't have to sit on the bare wood with flies swarming around.  The most I've ever had to use an outhouse was at my grandparents' cabin (there was indoor plumbing, but when we were wet we had to use the outhouse) and when we were camping at various places.  As a kid it didn't really bother me too much.  But as an adult it certainly did!  And the pleasure of turning the knob and having hot water run out at my pleasure, well that is sure something I am grateful for.  Thank you God, for indoor plumbing!