Comfort Food and Quilting

It is cold and spitting snow today.  I decided it was time for comfort food.  Meatloaf and potatoes are in the oven!  That means I can concentrate on sewing and quilts! But first, I thought I would share a little more of San Fransisco.

This is a snapshot of Greg and me with Fisherman's Wharf in the background.  If you look really close in the upper left hand corner is a bit of Alcatraz.  We had just finished up our session for the day and we had thrown on our basketball watching gear and headed out for the KU Alumni Bar.  It was cold and rainy and I was exhuasted.  A few pre-game jitters were hanging around too!

This is the street in front of our hotel.  We were right in the heart of the shopping district.  Yes, that is Saks Fifth Avenue on the corner.  No, I didn't go in.  No, I didn't go in any shops.  No, I didn't go to the 5 story fabric store that was 2 blocks away.  My schedule did not fit a shopping schedule!  However, I did get to meet 10 other people who share my disease and a passion for living our best life.  I made friends and that is certainly an awesome highlight of the trip.  As one of the people said, "Kindred souls find each other".  She is so right on that!

It's quilt time!!

A fun pink and green rail fence with sashing.  It says spring is coming!

It's Mickey--Mickey Mouse!!  And from the looks of the backing, Mickey must be singing his favorite song!

This was a panel that we cut up and the piecer added sashing and borders.  The quilter carried on the ocean theme with the backing.

Three very different quilts for three awesome children.  Next time I'll be updating you on our numbers at this point.  Be ready to be amazed!

Delayed

I'm sorry about leaving you waiting at the airport, however, that is just what we did.  We were scheduled to leave Phoenix at 10:15.  Our flight ended up leaving at 1:20, although it was iffy up until the last minute if we would leave then.  Ordinarily, a flight delay is not a problem.  I enjoy airports and I had plenty of things to read.  I like browsing in the shops just in case I find something I really didn't need.  Which I did.  I found a great tote bag that was $30 originally marked down to $6.99.  You just can't pass up something like that!  The problem with this flight delay was that Kansas University was playing basketball that afternoon.  We had planned on arriving in San Fransisco, checking into our hotel, and then going to the local KU Alumni Bar to watch the game.  We quickly realized that wasn't going to happen.  We landed safely and were picked up by a limousine.  I've always wanted to have someone standing there with my name on a sign and that is exactly what happened.  Oh, and did I mention that he was tall, dark and had a wonderful Brazilian accent?  We were treated to a nice ride to the hotel which was unbelievable.  Historic, downtown in the shopping district, and very upscale.  I don't believe I have ever stayed in a hotel room that had a chandalier.  More about my trip later, but let's look at some quilts. 

Even as an adult, I love crayons so this fabric jumped out at me.

The quilting is great for this quilt.

And what a fun backing!

This quilt was put together completely with leftovers from another quilt.  We certainly get lots of mileage from our fabric!

The pink flamingos just say fun!

I absolutely fell in love with the backing our quilter used!

Is this cute, or what?

These ducks are darling and the colors are so sweet!

The backing is perfect.

I hope you enjoyed the quilts today.  Check back.  I'll be giving you some more information on my jaunt to San Fransisco and as usual some absolutely awesome quilts. 

A Change of Pace

Today's post is a little change of pace.  I've spent the last week finishing bindings on quilts and getting them to the hospital as fast as I can.  Shelly has been able to pitch in and help me which I am very grateful for.  It has been hectic, but we are still on track and we haven't missed anyone getting a quilt.
Yesterday Greg and I flew to San Fransico for the next step in my being an ambassador for the new medication I am taking for my multiple sclerosis.  We took off for the airport, got about 10 blocks from home and I realized I forgot the camera.  I certainly could not go without it so we quickly turned around and went back to pick it up.  Okay, so now we're good.  We get to the airport and there were people and baggage everywhere.  I guess it is spring break and people are going places!  The lines went pretty quickly and we finally boarded the plane.  I should have known forgetting the camera was an omen of things to come.  We were to change planes in Phoenix and we arrived there on time.  It was absolutely beautiful flying into Phoenix.  It was warm and the sun was shining brightly.  When we checking on our connecting flight we realized it had been delayed.  So our wait began.  Apparently San Fransico had heavy rain and high winds.  Our wait began.

It's Madness

This is my favorite time of year.  The tender green shoots of crocus, daffodils and tulips are beginning to reach upward.  The sun has begun to have some warmth to it and the birds are returning.  Yes, spring is on it's way.  But those things to me signify it's time for March Madness!  As most of you know, I am a huge college sports fan.  It doesn't get any better than getting my Diet Pepsi, some snacks, my laptop computer and settling in for basketball games all day and evening.  This year I have my own sort of March Madness.  That would be keeping the hospital stocked with quilts.  So in addition to my usual staples, I also have a stack of quilts, spools of thread, needles and scissors all ready to go.  It is amazing how fast you can hand sew a binding on during a basketball game.  Before you know it, the game is over and you have a quilt ready.  The best of both worlds.

Here's a bright disappearing 9 patch quilt.  These are always fun for us because you can get so many different looks from the same pattern.

If you look closely (and sideways) you will see the pink flamingos.  Fun, Fun!

And of course a quilt would not be complete without a great backing.  This backing of hot pink stripes with black dots is perfect.  The quilting is a plus too!

Trains anyone? 

              Trains, stars and plaid.  Just what a little guy needs.

Add some great quilting, a swirly back and you are good to go.

            

If you like purple, this is the quilt for you! 

It all started with a piece of floral fabric that didn't seem to catch our eye.  But we (I guess actually my sister) started cutting it up and it got better looking!  She added some odds and ends and sent it to the quilter.  The quilter added some gorgeous gold thread in the quilting and it became beautiful!

     

The quilter used a beautiful orchid floral backing that makes the whole quilt pop.  The rule is "If you don't like the fabric cut it smaller.  If you still don't like it, you didn't cut it small enough."  That certainly held true for this quilt.  Two people with creative talent combine to make a quilt better than they thought it would ever be.

The madness is here for this year.  Next year my hope is that we have worked ahead and the hospital is well stocked.  I'll still be in the thick of March Madness but I'll be sewing bindings calmly and not with the madness I am this year. 

The Quandry

I thought a good way to start the new week is to catch up on the blog.  I have been in the middle of one of those quandaries.  When you have so much to do, what do you do first and what do you let wait?  We have been getting quilts ready for the hospital as fast and furious as we can.  This is the time of the year that we have lots of sick kids.  Apparently not only have there been a lot of sick ones, but they've been very sick and had extended hospital stays.  One little boy named Carter was there for six days.  His mom sent us an email saying how much the quilt meant to both of them.  We also recently heard from a little girl named Taylor who said getting her quilt made her feel better.  It is always great to get feedback.  It energizes you for sure! Jennifer left a very nice comment on the last post.  Be sure to check for that.  The bottom line is that with everything going on, it is the blog that has suffered.  For those of you who check on us, my apologies.  Hopefully the illness will slow down and we can keep ahead while catch our breath once in awhile.  As always, my focus is making sure every child receives a quilt even if it means the blog has to wait! 
We've been making some great quilts.  Everyone is pitching in and doing all they can to keep us going.  We do everything in an assembly-like fashion, so everyone has a part to do.  I appreciate everyone and the part they do.  I couldn't make this mission come true without each and everyone of them.
Now for some quilts....

                

Be sure to notice the cute backing and the awesome quilting.

Ok.  Really.  Honestly.  This truly could be my favorite quilt.  I know, I know.  I have said it before.  But it is true!  My favorite color is yellow, followed by pink.  Add some wonky nine-patch blocks and you have a piece of heaven as far as I am concerned.  Someone has already been given this quilt.  I hope she loves it as much as I do.  If she doesn't, I think I want it back!

That is just a short update for now.  I have lots more quilts to show you and I'll give you an update on our quilt count next time.  That is, when I can find  a few minutes to blog instead of tying myself to my sewing machine!

Thanks as always for caring enough to let me share my joy with you.

It's Official!!

It's official!!  I delivered quilts to the hospital this afternoon and we have hit 100! Yes, that's right.  We have delivered 100 quilts to Lawrence Memorial Hospital since May 28, 2010.  That is a lot of quilts--and no two the same.  How awesome is that? Who would have ever thought a few women with a few scraps could do something that special.
Speaking of special, Friday I got a thank you note in the mail from Logan.  Logan got a quilt that he absolutely loves. It was the perfect quilt for him.  Believe it or not, it was one of our Cammo quilts!!  Logan's dad is a retired Army guy.  Logan says the quilt is special to him but to his dad also. Woohoo!!  The cammo was a success!!
And now for a few quilts....

Sports anyone?? If you like sports, you can't help but love this orange and blue sports-themed quilt.


This log cabin quilt made from 1 1/2" strips is a great way to use scraps.  Not only do you use your scraps, but it makes a fun and bright quilt. The cloud backing is cheery and adds to the fun.

The quilt below is called a Disappearing 9 patch.  For those of you not familiar with that, you sew 9 squares together then cut them into four equal pieces.  You rotate the four resulting pieces and sew them back together.  It is lots of fun to make and you never know how it is going to turn out...even if you think you do!  Be sure you notice the beautiful quilting.  And is the back just as much fun as the front or what?

I hope you enjoyed the quilts today.  Have a wonderful Valentine's Day.

75 is not the end!

The numbers are in!  2010 was an awesome year for Pieces.  We delivered 75 quilts to the Lawrence Memorial Hospital Pediatric Unit.  We took the first delivery on May 28th. and took quilts 12 more times before the end of the year.  Each and every child who had an overnight stay  in the Pediatric Unit was given a quilt. That is an amazing number!  No two quilts were alike.  It was a year in which we did things I didn't think were possible. We started with four of us making quilts and now have added several more people.  We have grown!  We of course have many more quilts "in the works" so 75 is not the end!  Thank you to all who have made it possible whether that was donating fabric, sewing, quilting or just caring enough to say we were doing a good thing. 

Do you remember the strips I cut from scraps?

I then sent them to my sister.  She sewed them into blocks and sent them back to me.  I took them and put them together to make a quilt top.  It has had borders added and was quilted by one of our quilting angels. So....ta da!!!  Here is the finished product.

Here's a close up view of some of the blocks.  Be sure to notice the quilting.  It certainly makes a great quilt look outstanding!

Call me silly, but I find a great deal of satisfaction in making something usable and pretty out of pieces of fabric that most people toss in the trash.  And the fact that my sister made the blocks makes it even better.

I may have mentioned earlier that a friend of my sister donated a huge piece of fabric.  While that is exciting, we were somewhat unsure what to do with it.  We agreed we needed to use it but the fabric was not one we would have chosen had we been buying fabric.  As they say, "beggars can't be choosers."  We have used the fabric in three quilts now and they have become popular!  All three quilts are a little different, but here is one we came up with.

                                                  

That's right.  Camouflage fabric!  It wasn't our first choice but these quilts have turned out so cute!  In fact the same quilter has quilted all three quilts so we call her our "camo quilter".  Everyone has to have their own specialty, right?

Hopefully you enjoyed today's quilts.  The year is still new and there are lots more quilts to be made.  Check back to see more of the ideas we put into quilts for the kids.