Week 22

I have an abundance of something you may politely call self-confidence, but I'm afraid it's pride. My pride is the kind of pride that says, "not only can I do that, but I think I can do it better."

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I watched a quilting show on tv showcasing the Dresden Plate design. I'm sad to admit that during the show I was consumed by my pride and could hardly wait for the show to end.

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Out came templates. Out came fabric. I "played" with fabric selection for more than 3 hours before I finally picked fifteen. I cut out the pieces and spent another hour arranging them in a circle and changing them around until I was satisfied. It took less than an hour to sew together.

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Naturally, I think it looks great!

Week 21

This is Tamar's fault!

I needed gift bags.

She said, "Why don't you make bags?"

No good excuse. So I did!

Week 19

I made a cute and cuddily quilt using 5" squares. The fabrics were flannels and homespuns and cute masculine prints in tan and brown. It's a fun quilt to touch. A baby would love to spend some tummy time here. Does this sound like the perfect baby gift?

I thought the Huffaker's were having a baby boy.

Turns out I was wrong!

I thought Adelaide might like a pink and denim feminine quilt a little bit more.

Week 17

A simple applique block in pastel batik fabrics. The center is a cute button.

Week 15

Quilt made for Josie Manning.

A doll for a doll.

White on White

In January, 1995 I was living in Salt Lake City in a one bedroom apartment with my brother Matt. Living space was tight and my sewing stuff was contained in two boxes, one supplies and one fabric, plus the machine. I had made maybe half a dozen quilts at most, including my first quilt that fell apart before the second washing. Back then I wanted to create a showcase quilt, but I knew it wasn't the time for the big project that I imagined. And I really wanted it white.

I started my white - on - white quilt one block at a time. The first block was an embriodery design. I have completed cross - stitch designs, applique, pieced blocks and even a shadow technique I learned in a decorative arts class in high school. My sister made a sketch of an airplane to celebrate my coming for visits and I stitched and beaded that block. I have hand quilted and painted and textured and loved almost every minute creating this quilt. When it's done there will be 49 blocks, seven to a row.

I have a drawer full of blocks. They're squared up and ready to go. I've had the diagram of where the blocks will be placed since Julie and I laid them out on the floor of her parents' house. I have learned a few techniques for sewing pre-quilted blocks together. Everything is mostly ready.

Except me.

I love the white quilt.

I want to keep making white blocks.

I see where my heart was all those years ago. And I wonder what I will learn and who I will be in 5 years.