When Skies Are Gray

This quilt started as a pattern test for Leanne Parsons (@devotedquilter). The pattern is named “Friendship Galaxy” (her blog is here and the pattern available here). I decided to use gray and white fabrics (both bought at Wal-Mart). Just after starting the quilt, I learned that my friend, Janet, had admitted herself to a mental health hospital for severe depression. Her husband had requested no visitors, no food, nothing. I ignored this, and with another friend's help, made a care package for each of them. For Janet’s, I made a fleece tie blanket and a dollar photo album with Bible verse images I had printed as photos off Pinterest. I also included lots of yellow items (socks, rice/lavender heating pad, yellow bottle of water, and snacks) because that is her favorite color. Beyond that, I wanted desperately to help, but had no idea what I could do. So I did what I knew – I quilted and prayed. Every time I sat down to sew, I prayed earnestly for Janet. I also hummed/sang the chorus to “You Are My Sunshine.”

“You are my sunshine, my only sunshine. You make me happy, when skies are gray. You never know, dear, how much I love you. Please, don’t take my sunshine away.”

Flannel Quilts from Leftovers

I purchased some flannel fabric at a garage sale in Las Vegas. From this one purchase, I made four quilts! First was this one, then these three.

Most of the flannel was already cut into strips and squares, so I just had to get creative on how to lay them out.

For this one, I laid pink, yellow, and green rectangles into a "rail fence" design to create a chevron pattern. I finished the quilt top on January 6, 2014.

I purchased additional matching flannel from Jo-Ann's in Springfield, Missouri for the back and binding for all three quilts. I quilted this one using a walking foot on my Bernina 930 Record by stitching 1/4" on either side of the chevron seam lines. I finished the quilt on December 17, 2015.

I gifted the quilt to my friend, Stacey, at her baby shower for her baby girl that is due in February 2016.

Curious George

I had planned to make this quilt for my friend Kiffany's son, but time got away from me. When Steve she announced baby #2 was a boy, I knew it would be perfect!

I bought the fabric panel, backing, and binding fabric at Prairie Flower Crafts – a quilt shop in Alden, Kansas.

I pin basted the back (also a Curious George fabric), batting, and fabric panel and quilted a large circle design using my Bernina 930 Record.

I mailed the quilt to Kiffany as a 2015 Christmas gift.

A quick finish and it's crossed off the WIP (work in progress) list!