The Reveal

We have had our Chanukah family celebration, so now I can share some of the gifts I made. It has been so hard to keep this all a secret, especially "Cooper". Everyone that makes stuff with their hands wants to know it is appreciated, so it feels so good when it is - and that is not always the case - as some of you may have know, but we won't go there since it is the season of giving. This was a good year.

So, here we go!

#1 - I finished "Cooper", measuring 54" x 54". My DIL and I pieced it together as a demo for the mosaic quilt retreats that I do. If interested, you can read about it HERE. Quilting it was a challenge because of his flat coat, so I used contour quilting.

 

#2. Diva Wallets - These were gifts for my DILs and a DIL sister. They couldn't believe I made them! And of course inside there were a couple of little goodies.

#3. Shutterfly Book for Henry-I received a free offer for joining the IKEA family. I thought what could be more fascinating for a 2 yr old than to see himself in a book. In a year or so he may even be able to read it. This was so much fun to create. There was a bit of a learning curve, then it was pure joy. Twenty pages worth of Henry and family members.

#4. Chanukah Napkins

Since we were having guests this year, I really wanted to do a fun tablescape. While looking around I was inspired to make my own napkins. I bought a super duper serger about a year or so ago and have only used it to make pillowcases for a Case for Smiles. While looking around on the net, I came across a blogpost from The DIY Mommy about using a serger for making napkins. Between her post and the manual for my serger, I figured it out, adding a nice finished edge to this quilting cotton fabric.

And of course I had to practice my napkin folding skills!

Now that our Chanukah celebration is done, it's time to get ready and organized to head to Key West. There is a juggling act every year- trying to bring everything we want with the limited amount of room in the car. Since I am vending at the AQS show in Daytona on our way home in February, I need to make sure I bring all the samples and rulers and patterns and sales stuff. I'm also teaching there, but I'll blog about that later.

 

 

 

 

 

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Tag Team Quilting

The Cooper quilt top is done.  It was used as a sample to demo the techniques used to create the mosaic pet quilt during the 3 day retreat. My DIL, Loren and I worked on it together. 

 I call it Tag Team Quilting.

I started it to teach my techniques and eventually give it to Loren and my son.  She saw me working on it and asked if she could help.  She was hooked and stayed to help with the first retreat.  (She is also an excellent cook.)  She took over piecing the individual blocks for the details of Cooper's face.  While she sewed, I cooked and slept.  I pinned up a bunch of the background and sewed together all the individual squares.  While I sewed, she cooked and slept.  I'm an early bird and she can be a night owl.  It worked out so perfectly.

Tag Team Quilting!

I usually don't toot my own horn, but I was so touched when I received this email from one of the retreat participants.  I blushed when I read it and was thrilled that she was happy with her retreat experience.  To know that the hours of prep work, both physically and mentally,  that I put into any teaching project that I do, is so rewarding for me.  It's why I do what I do.  

" Cheryl, the retreat honestly exceeded my expectations. The location was idyllic, the project was organized and really well presented, the instruction was clear , the techniques ably demonstrated and you balanced perfectly between providing support and having each of us take the necessary leap of faith in ourselves to 'piece'....or maybe that was just me!  Add to that the five star menu, the walks, the kayaking....just a delightful week end. I will treasure it always and I look forward to seeing everyone's finished portraits and to our reunion. Of course, Bailey-Girl, being Cheryl's inspiration for the project deserves all the kudos for the event!!"