Graduation Quilt

My last project was completed about 3 weeks ago for our first grandson's HS graduation.  I can't speak for Poppo.....but Mommo had a hard time wrapping my brain around that and I am most likely still in denial.  There is something about the first...you are never fully prepared for whatever it is and once that event has passed by.....the dominoes start falling because that means the rest are coming behind.  No matter what stage of life you are in.

He gave us our names....I had it all planned out....there were a lot of grandparents when he was born....you needed names to keep everyone straight.  So I gave it some thought....I wanted cute, fun, unique.....so I came up with Opa & Oma.....a German variation for Grandpa & Grandma.  We are both pretty much all German descent.....cute box, fun box, & unique box..... all checked.

I signed the cards that way, we referred to ourselves that way....BUT then the boy started talking and he didn't say Opa or Oma.  He flipped it around to say Poppo & Mommo....so there you go.....we have been Poppo & Mommo ever sense.  So much for planning ahead!

But the boxes are all still checked!

Where did the time go?????  

I think I can safely say he will be thrilled beyond measure that I am blogging about him....but I will try and restrain myself from being annoying and over the top gushing about the boy....but honestly....really....proud....and happy for him!!!

After I finished my dad's birthday quilt and then a quilt of valor quilt for our friend.....I had this graduation date looming.....by now it is mid-March, graduation is the end of May and we were gone 1 week in April to TN.  And then unfortunately I always have to factor in my migraine days.....blick! 

 I needed some guidance from Mr. Gabe and needed to get cracking. I had not one thing cut and the clock is ticking.....  So once he gave me some colors and what he would like and what he didn't care for.  I settled on Easy Street by Bonnie Hunter.  I was sure I had taken some pictures of the patchwork cut out, because I cut patches forever..... off and on during a whole week.  I had piles of stuff....do you think I can find those pictures?  Notta.....got nothing!  Maybe I took those pictures in my dreams.

I had a couple weeks of sewing before our trip to Chattanooga, which was so timely.  My brief stop in Paducah yielded my backing and borders in the clearance at Hancock's.  Can you believe a batik 120" remnant for the back of an 100" x 100" quilt for $35?  I was thrilled!!!  Came home from the Tenneesee trip and sewed some more.  But finally got it finished......a lot of piecing.

I had to take it out for a little show and tell to my guild meeting.  This lighting doesn't show the gray lines in it.  Total scrap and I couldn't tell you how many fabrics....many!

 I made a pillowcase for him to store it in when it is not on his bed.

A close up of the quilting and some of the fabrics.

So much fun to present it to him!

Added a special label too......may it wrap you in our love, God's protection and guidance in the years ahead.  

Love you always!

Poppo & Mommo

Abraham Lincoln.....150th Anniversary of His Death

In April we traveled to visit #4 daughter and family in Chattanooga and we were able to piggy-back a couple of other stops in between home and Tennessee. Those Civil War Anniversaries were winding down in April and one of the last ones was the death of A. Lincoln.  We spent some time in Springfield, IL on our way home and they were gearing up for "the funeral to end all funerals,"  the following weekend......their words not mine.

The Lincoln home is wonderful to visit, if you have not been there.  We have taken this in several times over the years....it is always wonderful.

One of the more riveting stories related to Lincoln's death is the discovery of the only known photo of him lying in state that was discovered by a 14 year old boy in the 1950's.  Lincoln Casket Photo

Because I have a hankering for all things historical and seem to have a fondness for all things Lincoln too.  I get these ideas that come to me.....how about a silhouette of Abe to commemorate his life.  This is what I ended up with.....

 But like everything I work on.....it always evolves in layers before it is done!

Also the pictures are not my best, between the glare of the glass and the white ribbon....I wanted you to see all the details, because those are the fun things.

Abe Lincoln Pattern

I found a side profile of his face and traced it onto some counted cross stitch graph paper.....then I stitched it out on 18 count cross stitch fabric using color #3371 DMC floss (a brownish-black).  Note:  I did not add the wording under his face like I have shown on the pattern, I started it and did not like it....so left it off.

 I had finished the cross stitching on the trip and when we decided to make a stop at Springfield....talk about perfect timing!!!  I knew they would have some tourist type things that might work to finish this up and make it wonderful!

I was not wrong....I ended up with this pin.....would be a great finishing touch!

I love the signature on the white ribbon and I liked the pin too.

I didn't end up leaving it like I bought it, but that's OK....I loved the way it turned out.

Lincoln Library Gift Shop
This gift shop has awesome stuff.....they do a great job a merchandising!  And of course it is hooked to the Lincoln Library & Museum.....which is NOT to be missed.  We spent several hours there to see it all.  You need to take time to see all the special exhibits besides the 2 shows they run each day!  They are wonderful and leave you trying to figure out what was real and what was not????

 I found the frame at the local antique shop in her basement....where all the junky stuff is.....perfect price and perfect size!  Added the pin at the top and the signature ribbon on the bottom.  Done and ready to hang!

 It looks pretty nice next to this small civil war sampler quilt...I have added lots of pins from the Civil War sites we have visited.  A great place to use them and see them!

 This piece has lots of Civil War images in the fabrics....tried to make really good use of that.  This quilt is from Temecula Quilt Company and was freebie called the 12 Days of Christmas.  Very fun little quilt to do!

 In case you might want to see close-ups.....I always do!

Quilt of Valor.....Birthday Celebration

As you can tell recently.....not so good with the blog thing!  Part of my problem is to just start....I sit at my laptop and look at the screen and wait for the words to flow or stumble out or whatever.....I need to be more disciplined about this really!

My other excuse.....this will be lame for sure!  Since the first of the year I have been working on several gift pieces for some very special people and I could not write about the work I was doing or post photos either.....they were of a surprising nature, you see!  :)

So if you don't mind, I am going to back up a bit and get you and me, both caught up!

We are going back to February, after my dad's 80th birthday party in January. We have a trip to the SW looming.  And I have another project in my head to get started & finished....how is that for planning ahead....not so much!

Our friend, Bud, turned 90 in November and is a WWII veteran.....served in the Army and the Air Force.  He was involved in the Battle of Remagen bridge in Germany.  He has many stories to tell and we always enjoy hearing some of them when we are together.  They have been able to go back and visit that bridge several times.....I can't imagine, what that is like!

 I had this idea to make him a Quilt of Valor for his 90th birthday and to honor his service in WWII.  

It was so fun to attend a quilt day at the Grout Museum.....see the block pattern in the background.  I had my patches all cut & was ready to sew on Bud's quilt.  I got a very good start on it right until.....

My little sweetie of a machine, went out of time in the afternoon and I didn't have any tools with me to fix it.  I got a good start on this project, glad for that.  It was a good day out with my quilt friends and my Singer 221 got repaired by the Silver Fox  when I got it back home. 

I got the top finished several days later and then machine quilted it with a pantograph that had flags and stars......very nice!  Stars & Stripes Forever  Oh and added a label too.  It was already to be packed in my luggage and fly away to AZ.

The moment of reveal....reading the label.

I think we blew them away with this gift.  I really wasn't sure if this would be something he would like.  But I could tell right away this was so meaningful to him and I was so glad I had gone with my instinct and done this for him.  I mean, really what do you give to someone who is 90? A new tennis racket.....OBTW, did I mention he plays tennis like 3 days a week?  I am lucky to walk to the end of the drive and back once a day.....but let's not go there.

 For you quilters out there, can you find the block?  You might need to go back and look at the drawing by my sewing machine above.  The blocks look like NOTHING by themselves!  Pinwheels Plus is the name of the pattern and it is found in the May/June 2012 issue of  Fons & Porter Love of Quilting.  

Thanks, Bud for your service to our country, for your love, friendship, hospitality, and spiritual mentoring over many years.  We love you & Nj dearly!!!

And for you quilters out there.....I will show you where the block is......that is the best I can do since this is copyrighted material.