Odds & Ends

I've been stitching, but, I don't have much to show for it.  Most of my stitching has been hanging sleeves, and labels on the items that will go in my large guild's quilt show in early March. 

If you are in the Chicago area, I invite you to come see my quilts and 15 of my vintage machines at the show.

Pride of the Prairie Quilt Show

March 10 & 11, 2018

Richland Grade School

1919 Caton Farm Road

Crest Hill, IL 60403

I did finish one of the play mats I started in January.  This one is for my granddaughter, who is due Feb 15th.  Her nursery is Peter Pan themed, so, I used blue nautical fabric, and a pirates map fabric.

finished play mat

jingly toys hang from the hooks

up close of the bottom of the play mat

I didn't do much quilting, since I wanted it more 'fluffy'.  I also added double poly batting to get it fluffy.  The other play mat just needs to be quilted.  Since it doesn't have an 'owner' yet, I'm not in a rush.

I also made some t-shirts for the grandparents to wear.  Mine is the purple shirt.

Is anyone as tired of snow as I am???  The Chicago area tied 2 previous records for snow.  Nine days of snow (yes, EVERY DAY) with a total of 18 inches.  In the western suburbs (where we are) we actually got even more snow than that.  As Native Texan's (yes, misplaced) we still aren't used to it snowing more than 1-2 times a winter.  

Rest in Peace Mrs. Betty

Last night I lost a very special friend.  My oldest quilting buddy and mentor, Mrs. Betty.

Mrs. Betty

Mrs. Betty and I worked together at a preschool in Tulsa, many, many years ago.  My youngest son was still in this preschool, when we met.  Mrs. Betty became an honorary grandmother to both my boys.

In September 2001, a lady at my church offered a quilting class.  I signed up, and brought Mrs. Betty along with me.  We learned how to quilt together.  In 2003, I moved to Illinois, and Mrs. Betty continued on with our quilting group, formed from the ladies who took the class together.  They continued to meet for several more years.

Several years ago, Mrs. Betty couldn't see well enough to keep on quilting, but, supported me in my quilting efforts.  Mrs. Betty didn't have a computer, so, a few years ago I started printing off my blog posts, and mailing them to her. 

Over the years, Mrs. Betty would request that I make something for  her, or her daughters.  One of the things she wanted me to make was a quilt in one of her quilting magazines, 'Fat Cats in the City'.

Mrs. Betty with her new quilt

When a quilting blogger buddy taught me how to make purses, Mrs. Betty wanted one.  Hubby was with me when I took this purse to her.

Mrs. Betty and John

Mrs. Betty with her new purse

My youngest son started college at Oklahoma State University (Go Cowboys!).  Betty and her daughters were fans of the University of Oklahoma, instead.  Great rivalry between the 2 schools.   Mrs. Betty asked for some OU purses for her daughters.  If anyone else has asked, I wouldn't have made them, but, I'd do most anything for Mrs. Betty.

first OU purses

Several years ago, I made a Leg Lamp mini quilt for my stepfather.  Melvin loves the movie 'A Christmas Story' and anything that is in it.  I decided to make 2 mini quilts at the same time (bad habit of mine to make 2 of most things), and, when Betty saw the pictures, she claimed the 2nd Leg Lamp quilt. 

Mrs. Betty and her new Leg Lamp quilt

I learned how to make a different purse back in 2016.  After seeing pictures of that purse, Mrs. Betty mailed me more OU fabric, to make some new purses for her daughters.

OU purse #1

OU purse #2

Mrs. Betty also asked me to make a quilt for her soon to be newest great-grandbaby.  She loved all my churn dash quilts that I've made over the years (easy and fun to make).

for Mrs. Betty's newest great-grandbaby

Of course, I've made many other things for her, over the years.  Going thru my pictures, I think I made more things for Mrs. Betty than for anyone else.   She so appreciated the things I made.  When she couldn't quilt any longer, I quilted for her. 

I was luckier than most, in that Betty's daughter called me Sunday night, to let me know that the end was near.  She put the phone next to Betty's ear, and we got to say goodbye to each other. 

This morning, at 2 am, I lost one of the best friends you could ask for.  My family and I were blessed to know this woman.  I know that she is with Jesus now, and I'll see her again one day. 

Goodbye Dear Friend.