Happy Fall!

Some Pictures of Jason's Quilt

Some of you may remember the little project I started for Jason this last winter. Well, I did finally get it done, and only four months past my surprise deadline. But some of you may also remember that it wasn't my fault the quilt was late! Well, I guess it was, technically, my fault, but the important thing is that my finger is completely back to normal and bears only two slight scars to remind me never to sew through my finger again! *shudder* (see post on March 12, 2009)

Here it is:

This quilt was so fun!

It has eight fabrics which I secretly purchased at a fabric store in all of the cities in which Jason interviewed for residency:

Cleveland - buckeyes and cardinals

Indianapolis - Indi-500 cars

Iowa City - John Deere tractors

Des Moines - Indian corn

Omaha - zoo animals

Madison - snowflakes

Salt Lake City - cherries

Milwaukee - baseballs

The fabrics, of course, represent the different cities or states. The pattern is called "Brick Road," so I named my quilt "Residency Road," and really enjoy the memories in this quilt. Looking at the quilt, I can tell you the exact spot I was quilting when the needle went right through my finger and broke off in the bone. As my good friend said, I really put my sweat and tears, and I'm going to add, blood into this quilt!

One of the best parts, which started out the worst part, was that because I gave the quilt to Jason on his Match Day unfinished, after I finished quilting I was able to bind the quilt with some extra Omaha fabric. This made the quilt even more special, since Omaha is where Jason actually matched!

My mom suggested backing the quilt with flannel, which has made it the absolute coziest little quilt! Since I finished it in July, several times I have been accused of infusing the quilt with "sleepy dust," as Jason, poor tired resident that he is, almost immediately falls asleep the second he wraps up with it. My favorite compliment from him: "Oh, I've waited all summer for this day!" He was speaking about the first day that our house was actually cool enough for him to cozy up in a warm quilt and not have to leave his feet dangling out to avoid overheating!

Speaking of enjoying it:

My two favorite guys snuggling under the quilt.

Some Pictures of My Quilt

After finishing Jason's quilt, I was getting just a little jealous of him snuggling under a nice comfy quilt while I only had a little pilly fleece blanket. So I made a quilt from my scraps:

The jeans are recycled from our household, the solid blue flannel is a remnant of Jason's quilt, and the plaid flannel is from pajama pants I made for Christmas about five years ago. Quilting from your stash equals a free quilt top!

I wish I were a more accurate 1/4" sewer - perhaps my quilt top wouldn't be so wrinkly!

(Although, after washing in warm water and running through a hot dryer, the material shrunk quite a bit and now has a beautiful soft wrinkly look.)

The jean/flannel combination make this quilt exceptionally cuddly.

Ahhhhh....visions of many hours on cold winter nights snuggling on the couch.... Bring on the cold weather. I can't wait!

Pumpkin Bars Quilt

Finally having a sewing room all to myself is really fun! I find myself with more time on my hands lately, so I've been finishing a few projects so I can feel good about starting the beautiful quilt kit my mom sent me for my birthday.

This is my pumpkin bars quilt:

I love the embroidered recipe and the pumpkin blocks, but I am not crazy about my quilting.

I may still have to redo the center. I'll have to think about it.

I'm off to see if I have any canned pumpkin in my food storage....