Our new bedroom set

In August we decided it was time for a new bedroom set and mattress.  Well this is the beautiful bed that we chose. The quilt was made by me in 2008 and was seen in previous blog.

The nightstands needed dust covers (I hate to dust) so yesterday I proceeded to use my scraps of fabric left over from the quilt. This is the result. Now I have to make a matching one for my side.

Diaper Bag for soon to be new parents Adam and Marisa

This is a great bag with lots of room.  Measures 15"tallx18"widex5"deep.
It has several pockets inside and out. Made of 100% cotton fabric, this is entirely washable. It is completly lined with no raw seams to get in the way.
Pattern by 'The Creative Thimble'.
 Hours to make 12.
Cost to make: Priceless. It's for a special family.

I hope that Marisa and Adam will get a lot of use out of this bag and when they don't need to haul diapers any longer, it will still be useful for other outings.

                                                     

 Top Zipper closes the whole bag so that the products inside will not fall out or get dirty. There is also a middle pocket that seperates the two sides. Each of the internal sides also have pockets. So lots of storage space.

 The side pockets are meant to hold water bottles and/or baby bottles-depends on whose thirsty this shows one of the side pockets-

Today is 911

Dear Family and Friends,

This is a day for my generation that will forever live in our hearts, minds and souls. Just as WWII was the time when my parents generation had life change in an instant, I believe that '911' (Sept 11, 2001) made a drastic change in the lives of all United States citizens.

I am so proud of the way our young men and women came forward to offer support to the 'War on Terrorism'. My own Grandson-Michael Cortese, joined the US Navy after his highschool years were over, he is now serving in Japan. His Grandfather(s), Great-grandfather(s ) my Father Stewart Mann Morris- is featured in this blog today. He and many other family members served their country in various ways and I am sure that Michael feels the same pride in service that they felt. I can remember the pride my father showed when the flag passed us during a parade. He loved his nation and taught his family to love and respect the values that this nation was founded upon.
So, although '911' speaks to us now and was the worst national tragedy in this nation's history, we go forward to be a stronger and safer nation. It takes time and work to rebuild, but we ARE AMERICANS, and WE KNOW HOW TO MAKE THIS NATION STRONGER FOR OUR FUTURE GENERATIONS.
God Bless America.

Christmas Quilt

I have been working on this quilt top for some time now.  Decided to embroider the figures rather than to hand applique them... looks nice don't you think?  May enter it in the GV quilt show next March and in Tucson show next January.  There just isn't enough time in the day to do all I want to do. 

Alaska / Canada 2010

The quilt retreat at sea to Alaska was a great time.  There were 28 quilters, 6 non-quilters that sailed with us from Vancouver, CA thru the inside passage of Alaska.  Two sea days allowed the quilters to learn new fusing techniques from quilt artist/instrutor Carol Morrisey.

Ports of Call included: Icy Strait Point

Juneau, some of us went Whale watching, some flew in the helicopter to the top of  Mendenhall Glacier for a short walk; some, well all of us went to a quilt store or two; check out all our photos on http://www.quiltretreatatsea.com/ .
We sailed to the Hubbard glacier- wow is that awesome and the calving of the glacier is an unforgettable  event. Then on to Ketchican and the wonderful history there.  Another quilt shop visit of course.
If you have never been to Alaska you might want to come along next summer either as a quilter or a non-quilter. 
We had a Grand Prize: $500 value of Batik fabrics which was won by Mary Bell and the runner up prize of a Quilt Kit (donated by Silver Thimble-Ketchican AK quilt shop) won by Susan Fahey.  Congratulations girls (wish I had a picture- hint to daughter Michelle)

Memories are for family

I thought I had blogged on these quilts last year, but as I have reviewed my blog, I realized that nope didn't blog about them... perhaps, because this was a personal moment for the person that asked me to do this quilt.  I met a woman a couple of years ago, she was looking for someone to do a memory quilt out of her sisters clothing.  The story behind her sisters death was very touching, and her mother had not gotten rid of the clothing.  Becky retrieved them from her mother and I was asked to make the memories come to life.  This is the result.  I am always nervous when I work from the love and family memories, that I won't do them justice, I am in hopes that Becky and her Mom were reminded of all the good that came from Jamie's short life on this earth. 

I am especially touched, even at this writing.

Alaska here I come...

I will be toasty warm in my new Alaska Jacket, made from a crew neck sweatshirt. I call it that because I made it especially to wear on my Quilt Retreat at Sea Alaska trip on July 16th.
This jacket can be fancied up or sporty. I love wearing them and they are great for a cool day or evening. Where's yours? I suppose it is waiting for you to order one. $40 your choice of colors.