Last week when I had two days off school and the boys did not I was determined to finish this quilt. I wanted this to be finished over the summer but it just didn't happen. As I've said before this quilt is a thank you gift to Mike's aunt and uncle for having us out to their house in the Colorado Rocky Mountains. The trip was probably the best one of my life and I really wanted to thank them from the bottom of my heart. The best way I know to thank someone is with a quilt, of course! Mike's aunt has her Colorado house all decked out in a southwest theme including Native American blanket designs and cowboys. Since this is not a theme I typically use in my quilting I really had some time trying to find some ideas. I didn't have a ton of time to do the actual quilt so although I found some really nice ideas, I knew I'd never get them done. I searched Internet sites and the library and even a few quilt shops for pattens and came up with nothing. One day, while searching for something totally non related in my own quilt books I came across a whole section of southwest designs! I laughed good and long at myself.
So this is the finished product. I didn't measure the quilt but it is a nice couch size for those cold mornings and evenings. I machine quilted it along the design in two different colors. The back is plain green flannel for extra warmth. This particular flannel really made the whole quilt full of fuzzies (which you may be able to see in the picture as I had a hard time removing them all!).
I'm hoping to deliver the quilt in the next week or so. It is only about four months overdue!
Yeah, I'm talkin' 'bout me. I've been a sewing deadbeat this month. I STILL haven't sent my September mini quilt. I just haven't gotten to the post office. I finished the quilt some time ago and even bought the packaging. Now I feel so awful about it being so late in the month. I'm thinking I better find something good to send along as a peace offering. 
And then there's the thank you quilt for a trip we took at the beginning of June. Yes, June. That would be almost four months ago now. I'm determined to get myself out of this sewing rut and finish up my started projects. I got this quilt sandwiched and pinned and began machine quilting.
I wonder what it is about cats and quilts? Have a good weekend, everyone.
We had the most wonderful vacation this summer to Estes Park Colorado. The only way we were able to take such a luxurious vacation was due to the kindness of Mike's Aunt and Uncle who own a house is Estes Park. I have wanted to make them a thank you quilt since we returned but just couldn't find the right pattern. Their home in Colorado is very southwest themed with lots of earth tones, greens and reds. I searched the Internet and through most of my books without finding what I was looking for. I was beginning to despair of ever finding anything that would fit their decor. Yesterday I was looking through one of my quilting books and there was a whole section of perfect quilts.
Here's a picture of what I'm going to make. They used felted wool but I chose to use cotton. The cottons were on sale at JoAnne for $1.99/yd. so I was able to buy all I needed for $10. I was thrilled as our budget is limited at the moment. I have a ton of batting so the only other thing I need to purchase will be the backing. I'm saving my coupon for that. The fabric is in the washer so I hope to be able to start cutting tomorrow.
Today is the Feast of the Assumption of Mary, which is also the name of our church. The kids and I will be baking for the social after Mass this evening. Traditionally fruit is used on this day but since my kids are not a fan of fruit desserts I let them choose the dessert: Chocolate Chip Cookie Cake. When I went to the learning conference, Alice Gunther, who spoke about the liturgical year, was so wise in saying that we must make celebrations fit our families and be joyful. So, since chocolate brings us great joy, chocolate it is. Hope you like it, Mary.
Last week when I had two days off school and the boys did not I was determined to finish this quilt. I wanted this to be finished over the summer but it just didn't happen. As I've said before this quilt is a thank you gift to Mike's aunt and uncle for having us out to their house in the Colorado Rocky Mountains. The trip was probably the best one of my life and I really wanted to thank them from the bottom of my heart. The best way I know to thank someone is with a quilt, of course! Mike's aunt has her Colorado house all decked out in a southwest theme including Native American blanket designs and cowboys. Since this is not a theme I typically use in my quilting I really had some time trying to find some ideas. I didn't have a ton of time to do the actual quilt so although I found some really nice ideas, I knew I'd never get them done. I searched Internet sites and the library and even a few quilt shops for pattens and came up with nothing. One day, while searching for something totally non related in my own quilt books I came across a whole section of southwest designs! I laughed good and long at myself.
So this is the finished product. I didn't measure the quilt but it is a nice couch size for those cold mornings and evenings. I machine quilted it along the design in two different colors. The back is plain green flannel for extra warmth. This particular flannel really made the whole quilt full of fuzzies (which you may be able to see in the picture as I had a hard time removing them all!).
