Two Finishes! Zigzag and Journey Through

Emily's Zig Zag! This is a gift to my daughter, Emily, on the achievement of her MBA from Boston University.  I am super happy with how this turned out! And Emily and her dad did a great job with the photography! I don't even mind the shadows on the quilt.
I wanted to make a scrap quilt, and Emily wanted a more modern look - so this is my compromise.  Machine quilted by Sue Pawlowski.

Quilting detail - love the pattern, and how the swirls contrast with the angular piecing. I used a cotton classic type batt, which is loftier than the thin, more popular types.  I like how the loft shows off the quilting.

Nice pose with Emily's beagle-Jack Russel mix, Cohen.  Pretty cute.

Not the best shot, but I had to give Emily's other dog equal time.  This is her new boxer puppy, Vinny.

This was made for Matthew, Emily's fiance, on the achievement of his MBA from Harvard University.  Matt traveled all over the country, to many cities - 10, I think - in order to land his current job in Austin, Texas.  This quilt represents that journey, and all of the cities he visited.  The design is a take-off on the "Greetings from Austin" sign, in Austin, Texas.

This was lots of fun to make, and took way longer than I expected! Isn't that always the way?

Where did 60 years go?

Yesterday was my - I can hardly believe it - 60th birthday! How did this happen? I'm not sad, or upset - just surprised, I guess!
My family threw me the best party ever!  Including a scratch-made coconut cake, yum!!!

Part of the decorations - a "looking back" poster, showing events from the year I was born.  So cute, thanks Hannah!

Another poster, with various photos through the years.

Baby me, 59 years ago! 

We had a PHOTO BOOTH at my birthday party! I love how they used a music stand as the tablet's tripod.  

They even had props, including the biggest floppy brimmed hat I've ever seen.  And as a perfect touch, they hung an antique quilt as a backdrop.  My grandma made this in 1944, as a wedding gift to my mom and dad.
Thanks for the great party!

Christmas 2014

Our tradition is to open gifts leisurely, over several hours - so friendly and relaxing.  Emily's dog, Cohen, had to get into the act.

Our dog, Dora's, formal Christmas portrait. Pretty girl!

Emily and Matt, home from Austin Texas for the holidays, with me and Scott.  So great to have them here!  I gave them both quilts but somehow did not get pictures of them opening their gifts! I will post on that later.

Genevieve and me.

Hannah and her new blouse, and Danny.  Merry Christmas!

Doppa! God Jul!

Doppa - a traditional Swedish meal, held at noon on Christmas Eve.  Doppa means dipping - you cook beef and pork roasts in water, then combine the rich broths, and dip bread into it, to enjoy with the meats.
We have no extended family here in Illinois, so we have included our friends for years.
Here is friend Andrew, with our daughter Genevieve.

Our friend, Bill, with me.  Fun day!

Our lovely daughters - Hannah, Genevieve, and Emily. So great to have them all home together!

Matt's dad, Joe, with our daughter, Hannah. Two cuties!

Dear friend, Diane (right) and her daughter, Kelly!

Friend Cindy (married to Andrew) and Scott.

Daughter Emily with a plate full of pie! A doppa tradition is - everyone who attends, brings a pie! We cut the pies into small pieces, so we can sample many varieties.  Emily seems to be regretting her choices! (I think she finished it all however!) Hannah in the background.

Hannah whipping the cream for the pies!

Cute photo - friend Lucas, daughter Hannah, and Genevieve's bf Nick.

Scott and Emily, preparing the doppa meal.  God Jul!

Christmas Tradition - St. Lucia Day

As is our tradition, Scott and I headed up to the northwest side of Chicago to Tre Kronor.  It's a charming little restaurant, Swedish but with a gourmet twist, kitschy decor but the best food! We went on St. Lucia Day, Dec. 13, for an early breakfast - got there at 6:15 a.m.! Quite early, plus it took us 45 minutes to get there...you do the math.  Crazy? Not at all - totally worth it.

Tre Kronor is all decorated for the season, and the small room was illumined with only the Christmas tree, and candles on the tables.  It was magical.

Did I mention, they have the best food?

And a highlight is when several girls, with long white gowns, and one with a crown of candles, sing Christmas carols in Swedish. Pass the Kleenex! So nostalgic!

Such a treat to see all of the happy, expectant faces around the room - families sharing this wonderful tradition with each other.  It was a special day!
Merry Christmas to all!  God Jul!

Unfinished Projects

I have been plugging away at an old UFO, which has been languishing in my quilting studio - aka, land of unfinished projects.  The pieced letters, while a great graphic for the quilt, are difficult for me.  Give me a pattern, or even a picture, and I can sew most anything.  But I am just making up the letters as I go along...let's just say, my seam ripper and I are good buddies these days.

This one "G" look a long time until it looked the way I wanted it to, and in the correct size. I have also been re-making several of the letters, as the some of the black fabric is of a poor quality.  See my previous post on about this black fabric here.  

Fun wonky stars, also in the UFO box for this quilt - but I'm not loving all that green print.  Think that seam ripper will get used on this part of the quilt, too!

So - it's still a UFO, but I'm making progress.  Think I'll have it done in time for Christmas gifting?

Nature's paintbox, Dora's party, Pink Month mug rug

Can't compete with the colors of nature, especially in the fall that we've been experiencing here in the Midwest.  Our bird ornament looks smashing next to the oakleaf hydrangea, no?

Yellow mum, nobby orange pumpkin, rustic bench - my fall display.

Dora let us dress her up for her 4th birthday party.  She is truly the most beautiful lab - people stop us when we go for walks all the time.  And she is just as sweet as she is pretty.

Buddy came to the party, so of course he needed a hat, too. Note his black bow tie for the occasion. :)

On another visit, he came all ready for trick or treating.  He sat like a good boy, but was not happy wearing the costume!

I made this "pink month" mug rug for a co-worker.  She is a survivor, and just about to turn 40.  She got cancer when she was in her 20's, and had 2 small children.  She inspires me every day with her cheerful demeanor and positive outlook.