The Wedding

I've been telling you that my youngest son was getting married.  Well, on Saturday, May 16, 2015, he wed the love of his life, Krystal, in Stillwater, OK.

our family

 Both my husband, and our other son, Christopher, were groomsmen.  The wedding was small, but very sweet.  My favorite part was my son, saying a prayer with his bride to be, before the wedding.

pre-wedding prayer

What a great way to start a marriage, by including God from the very start.

Here are a couple more pictures of the happy couple.

Mr. & Mrs. Parker

Connor & Krystal Parker

The happy couple loved the wedding quilt that I had made them.

front of wedding quilt

back of wedding quilt

My son had to try out the quilt during the reception.

Connor checking out the size of the quilt

Yep, it's large enough

My daughter-in-law gave me a special gift during the reception.

with a Mother of Pearl and the Key to My Heart

 What a great gift.

The signature quilt was a great hit, too!  I think everyone there signed it.

the brides grandmother and mother, signing the signature quilt

Thanks Carla for the great idea!

The rains waited until the reception was over, thank goodness.  We didn't have to deal with all of the flooding in Oklahoma.

Now to get back to some stitching.....

Kevin the Quilter, part 3

After Kevin finished his presentation, it was time for show-n-tell.  This was one of the best show-n-tells in a while.  Wego Quiltin' has about 18 members.

I put my camera down after Kevin's presentation, so, all the pictures from this post (part 3) are Kevin's pictures (Thanks Kevin for letting me use them).  We still only got a small part of the show-n-tell projects. 

Marilyn, our president, helps the 5th grade class to make a Quilt of Valor each year, at the school her grandson's used to attend.  This is the 5th year she's been helping them make a Quilt of Valor.  This is this year's quilt (just needs trimming and binding).

Quilt of Valor made my 5ht grade class

Jo, our newest member, had lots of show-n-tell.  This is just part of her show-n-tell.  (She was busy over the winter).

Jo's One Block Wonder

another One Block Wonder

Jo's trip around the world

Jinnie's latest quilt

finished Seed Packet quilt, for tornado victims (mine)

up close of Seed Packet quilt

me with my Leg Lamp mini quilt

my son's wedding quilt

signature quilt top (for the wedding)

After quilt guild, we had to go get some Chicago style pizza at Giordano's. YUM!  Kevin took a picture of hubby (John) and I, with our pizza.

John and I

Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end.  Kevin had to head back home on Tuesday morning.  He promises that he'll be back, and, I plan on visiting him, too.


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For those who follow my blog, I was the 'collector' of quilts (and afghans and blankets) for the Illinois tornado victims.  All quilts/afghans/blankets will be distributed thru Quilts of Compassion, starting today.  They may need to make several trips, to get everything distributed (they have a great system to do this).  Marilyn and I drove up to Rockford, IL, and dropped off 29 quilts from both of our quilt guilds (Wego Quiltin' and Pride of the Prairie) at Quilters General Store.  More than 220 quilts/afghans and blankets had already been dropped off for the tornado victims by the time we got there on Tuesday.  What great people, crafters are!

Tornado's went thru several states yesterday (Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska...), and Quilts of Compassion will be collecting and distributing quilts in these areas, too.  Check them out, and help them collect quilts/afghans and blankets, if you can.

Kevin the Quilter, part 2

Kevin the Quilter spoke at my little quilt guild, Wego Quiltin' in Oswego, IL.  What a great presentation he gave!  If your quilt guild is reasonably close to St. Louis, I'd highly recommend scheduling him to speak. 

Kevin started the presentation by awarding a couple of Quilts of Valor, made from the block drive he had last Spring.  

MSG Brett Bartkoske, Army

Mike Rorie, Army

 

Mike Rorie and Brett Bartkoske, wrapped in their Quilts of Valor

Veterans and their families

After the Quilts of Valor presentation, Kevin started telling us how he became a quilter.  I'm not going to tell you everything (you need to book him for your quilt guild), but, I do have lots of great pictures.

Kevin, with the quilt his grandmother made when he was 5 (he got to help with some of it)

Kevin's first project, for his parents (as a kid)

 The next several quilts are ones that Kevin has made over the years for family members and friends.

using charm packs and layer cakes

using charm packs and layer cakes

I loved this quilt, sorry the colors aren't very good

for his niece (she loves purple)

Quilt of Valor using small scraps

made for a friend, using her scraps (she loves greens)

flying geese, using strings for the geese

 My hubby, John, helped Kevin hold the quilts. 

Dresden plate, using scraps

one of his newest quilts

made using the pieces cut off the sides of quilted quilts

more scraps

using 4 one yard pieces

more scraps, isn't it lovely

a Bonnie Hunter mystery quilt

Double Wedding Ring, made for his parents 50th Anniversary

 Kevin designed Radar back in 2013 (you really need to hear how it came about).  What a great story.  Radar has been in several shows, including MQS (Machine Quilters Show) in Wichita, Kansas, and at Houston last Fall and Paducah this Spring.  Radar is a collaboration between Kevin and Ann.  Kevin designed and pieced the top, while Ann did all the quilting.  Make sure to check out her quilting.

Radar

the back of Radar

up close of Radar's back

Kevin talked about how he became a quilter.  He also talked about how he uses scraps, and, about 'batiks'.  If you want to know more, you'll just have to book him.  Oh my, did I mention that he did a GREAT presentation?!?!?!?!  All my ladies are sew inspired now!

After all of Kevin's wonderful presentation, Wego Quiltin' quilters had show-n-tell.

That will be part 3.

Kevin the Quilters visit, part 1

I had a fun couple of days.  Kevin the Quilter came for a visit.  He arrived Sunday evening, and, on Monday morning, we played with his sewing machines.

Kevin was given his grandmothers Singer 127 treadle a few months ago.  We started by cleaning up the treadle head (his father is restoring the base).

Kevin, cleaning his grandmothers machine

Kevin and me cleaning the sewing machine

The machine was very dirty, and took us quite a while to clean it up.  We both had fun.  Kevin now knows how to clean and maintain his machines. 

This is the Singer 127, after cleaning.  Kevin didn't even know that there were decals on the back of the machine.  I think he did a great job!

Kevin's Singer 127 with Phoenix decals

After we finished with the treadle head, Kevin and cleaned and oiled his Singer Spartan (his has a motor attached),  The Spartan just had lint in it.  Kevin did most of the work on this one himself.  I also showed him where to oil his Featherweight.

Kevin's sewing machines

When we were done, Kevin and I decided to visit my closest quilt shop, Prairie Stitches, in Oswego.  (sorry, no pictures).  We both had fun checking out the fabrics (and came home with new fabrics for both of us).

Kevin didn't just come in town to play with sewing machines.  Kevin actually came to speak at my little quilt guild, Wego Quiltin', in Oswego, IL.  His talk (and quilts) will be part 2 of this story..........