Friday {Old} Finishes!

It's been a while since my last post . . . I think that last one is hard for me to look at, so I've been avoiding my blogger page.


Things have also been busy lately . . . with the warmer temperatures, I've been getting the kid out more. We've gone to . . .

the Dallas Arboretum,

the Dallas Zoo, 

and now we have gymnastics every week.

The only problem is that by the time nap/sewing time comes around, I'm pretty pooped too! So my sewing and blogging time is down a bit, but I'll try to be better for y'all.


But I have been working on things!

Mother's Day was last weekend, so I made my mom an Anna Maria Horner Art Student Tote.

(I'll dedicate a whole post to this one; it was hard but definitely worth it!)

We (S & A & myself) made my MIL some yard art.

S & A built and painted the frames, and I made the stencils.

She worked HARD!

Both moms loved their haul!

The day before Mother's Day was S's 30th birthday. Among other things, I decided that 30 deserves a quilt!

I haven't gotten any great photos of it, and I'm still working on the "perfect" label, but I'll get on it and show y'all as soon as I can!

I've also been working on a St. Louis 16 Patch for a picnic quilt. (The fabric is Picnic Pals by Penguin & Fish. Just too perfect, isn't it?)

I ADORE this fabric! Remember when I did some embroidery for Alyssa at Penguin and Fish? She sent me a fat quarter bundle as a thank you, and I can't wait to finish this up!

Just look at this chipmunk and turtle. Too cute, right?!?!

Tomorrow I'll be at Saturday Sew for our Dallas Modern Quilt Guild, and I hope to finish the blocks (and maybe piece the top!).

Next week I'll be taking Miss A to see my parents in Lubbock. We'll be flying, and I've decided I need a new bag to take with me . . . so we'll see if I get it done in time!

See ya!
EL

Do you have an Aunt Bonnie?

(This post was really hard to write. I've been trying to for a week or so now. There's a lot left unsaid. I can't write it.)

Because you need one. Go find one. Aunt Bonnies make awesome lemon/blueberry pound cake. They have the most infectious smile and laugh. They brighten the entire room when they walk in. They are one of the few family members who will sit and listen to you talk about quilts for hours. (And actually be interested!)

But of all the Aunt Bonnies out there, mine is the best. Not only is she an amazing woman, she's a survivor. Years ago, she beat breast cancer. And I mean BEAT IT! She is a warrior.

The problem is, cancer sucks. Late last year, she had to start chemo again. A month or so ago, they stopped it. The damned cancer is in her liver . . . 

The quilting is large and loopy. A few months ago she cracked a few ribs under a heavy blanket. Evidently chemo makes your bones brittle, so I wanted to make it as light as possible. On recomendations from my amazing DMQG friends, I used a wool batting that is super warm, but light.

I need to show her how much I love her. This is the only thing I can do.

Stats:

           Block: String Heart Block tutorial by Don't Call Me Betsy

           Block & Binding fabric: Dolce by Tanya Whelan

           Background: Kona Sky

           Backing: something Robert Kaufman . . . it's been in my stash so long I'm not sure anymore

           Batting: Quilters Dream Wool

           Size: appx. 60"x40"

All pictures are pre-wash.

See ya.
EL