I just participated in the FB Quilt Week challenge. It was lots of fun to look back. I ignored the blog while I was doing it - so I thought I'd catch you up!! Enjoy! PS - don't worry about not being FB friends with me - I'm not very active out there! You know me better thru this blog!! Lucky you???
Day 1 Mary C challenged me to post a quilt I have made every day for a week. I'm at a Quilt Guild Retreat this weekend, and this is the only quilt picture on my computer that I have made! Recently finished - an I Spy quilt. Love the design.
I've been quilting for over 40 years and have never stopped for more than a couple of weeks. It is truly an addiction - errr - passion!! I love making small presents for friends and families.There have been baby quilts, graduation quilts, wedding quilts, quilt lessons, quilt retreats, even quilt cruises!! There are dozens (scores) of UFOs - Unfinished Objects - and more quilts planned than any one person can make in a life time!! Us quilters wouldn't have it any other way!!
I don't know if I'll find a way to post a picture tomorrow - you might just have to settle for a quilt story - I have quite a few!!
If you've received a quilt product from me or have spent "quilty" time with me, leave a comment!!! I promise photos Sunday and beyond!
22 Likes and Comments included:
DeEtte T: Quilt Retreat memory: We were shopping in Omaha during a Spring Retreat. Just browsing around and you hears a whistling noise. You decided it was coming from me & I was determined it was NOT. You win!!! I had stuck my hearing aid in my pocket and it accidentally got turned on smile emoticon I always get a grin when I think about that. Miss retreating with you Doni Boyd. Enjoy your weekend!
Jamar B: I was just thinking about all our quilts yesterday. The problem is we will never be able to get rid of any of them because they are all made with such love. My favorite is the one you made me for my graduation with all my favorite colors. I also love the jungle animals and Eric Carle theme. The boys love their Halloween quilts especially the one with super heroes on the back.
Mary W: You, yourself are addicting (contagious?) You gave me a lesson on rotary cutting 15 years ago, and I've been quilting ever since! It's been great fun!
Bronna C: I have two baby quilts from you! Still love them 20+ years later.
Kathleen K: Hi Doni, long ago you gave me a postcard sized quilt of a kitty cat. It always makes me think of you and water aerobics and your love of quilting. Cheers!
Lindsay R: I have a few favorite memories....i loved helping as a kid "underneath the frame" when you had large quilts. I also loved it when you would constantly ask me to help you find needles in the carpet when you dropped them. My favorite quilts are our wedding quilt, my cat quilt as a kid, and the kiddo Halloween quilts!
Joni S: You introduced me to quilting by having me look at quilting magazines. I found a pattern and you graciosuly provided all the fabric, cutting board and rotary cutter. I believe this all took place on Super Bowl Sunday. I have been addicted ever since and I thank you.
Twy H: Great I Spy Quilt,
Day 2 Hi! Home from Quilt Retreat - happy to say that a good time was had by all! It was a beautiful drive home too!
This is the wedding quilt I made for my son and his lovely bride 5 years ago. A log cabin in a zig-zag pattern with 3 "love stamps" spaced in. I thought by making a huge log cabin it would get it out of my system.
I started planning the next one immediately!! What pattern is like that for you?? Share with us!
26 Likes and Comments:
Claire G: Wonderful! What an heirloom for your son and daughter in law!
Betty W: It is a really outstanding quilt!
Tamara R: We love our wedding quilt. You are so talented and do such beautiful work! A and J's is absolutely beautiful!
Marcie S: That is just beautiful!
Donna S: Beautiful! What a special gift!
Day 3 of My Quilts! Two years ago our Brooking Guild made quilts for Quilts of Valor. I made one for them, but then made 3 quilts for 3 Veterans that I know personally! I was nervous about giving them quilts. I made the labels long, so they could pass the quilt on to someone else, if they wanted. But they all LOVED them. I even got thank you notes from MEN!!! I highly recommend this charity and to also make a quilt for someone you know!
13 Likes and Comments included:
Betty W: My favorite quilts are for veterans
Saun S: Awesome
Ok - Now I have to tell this quilt story!! Nicole, my awesome Great-Niece, received a tied string quilt my mom and I made for my dad.
She felt something hard in the left side, and she's a curious gal! There was a small opening on the right side of the quilt. So she carefully threaded this object all the way across the quilt to the opening. At first she thought it might be his plastic hospital bracelet ... But it was a 120 inch tape measure!!!!
When she returned it, she mentioned where she found it. Mom aka Granny replied, "I've been looking for that!!!" LOL! Thanks Nicole for sharing that story - it's so Granny!!
Ok - Now I have to tell this quilt story!! Nicole, my awesome Great-Niece, received a tied string quilt my mom and I made for my dad.
She felt something hard in the left side, and she's a curious gal! There was a small opening on the right side of the quilt. So she carefully threaded this object all the way across the quilt to the opening. At first she thought it might be his plastic hospital bracelet ... But it was a 120 inch tape measure!!!!
When she returned it, she mentioned where she found it. Mom aka Granny replied, "I've been looking for that!!!" LOL! Thanks Nicole for sharing that story - it's so Granny!!
23 Likes and Comments:
Nicole S: I love this story!!! I was hoping it was something magical, left there for history... But no just a great laugh!!!!! I could not believe it when I pulled that measuring tape out.
Nicole S: I love this story!!! I was hoping it was something magical, left there for history... But no just a great laugh!!!!! I could not believe it when I pulled that measuring tape out.
Gretchen L: Too funny!
Day 4 of my quilts - This is a guild challenge project. The challenge was Things that Fly! I immediately thought of air mail and then stamps. I had cancelled stamps and then started searching the internet. There were birds; ducks; Mary Poppins; Superman ...
If your guild has challenges - take them up on it! Nothing is better to get you working outside your box! And that's a good thing. Plus Challenges are usually small - and fun!!
Day 4 of my quilts - This is a guild challenge project. The challenge was Things that Fly! I immediately thought of air mail and then stamps. I had cancelled stamps and then started searching the internet. There were birds; ducks; Mary Poppins; Superman ...
If your guild has challenges - take them up on it! Nothing is better to get you working outside your box! And that's a good thing. Plus Challenges are usually small - and fun!!
9 Likes and Comments:
Mary C: I love seeing these! Thanks for sharing.
Day 5 (with a little break in between!!)Presenting my Grandkids' Big Girl and Big Boy quilts! You know you have to keep things 'even' with grand kids. So don't try to give everyone a quilt when you give a quilt. Give each a quilt when they reach a certain stage! When the kids each moved into their "big bed" they got a quilt from Nana! Miss P was the first with a pink fish quilt. Mr M got the patchwork "Bear went over the Mountain" quilt and Mr D got the Eric Carle panel design. Mr D went into a youth bed before the bunk bed and I was very relieved he liked his quilt. I made it early and THEN he went "all super-hero all the time" But too late for the quilt!! Mr K is fast approaching his Big Boy Bed, but I've got it started!
After bed quilts come the Kindergarten Quilts! Everyone draws a picture for Nana to applique on the quilt! So far we have a unicorn quilt and an alligator quilt!! Mr D will have to work on his picture this year! He turns 5 in April!
These quilts are my favorite kind to make! They're not for a show, they're for love and I'm happy to announce that they have been loved to death!! My job is done! ... for now! Tee-hee!
Day 5 (with a little break in between!!)Presenting my Grandkids' Big Girl and Big Boy quilts! You know you have to keep things 'even' with grand kids. So don't try to give everyone a quilt when you give a quilt. Give each a quilt when they reach a certain stage! When the kids each moved into their "big bed" they got a quilt from Nana! Miss P was the first with a pink fish quilt. Mr M got the patchwork "Bear went over the Mountain" quilt and Mr D got the Eric Carle panel design. Mr D went into a youth bed before the bunk bed and I was very relieved he liked his quilt. I made it early and THEN he went "all super-hero all the time" But too late for the quilt!! Mr K is fast approaching his Big Boy Bed, but I've got it started!
After bed quilts come the Kindergarten Quilts! Everyone draws a picture for Nana to applique on the quilt! So far we have a unicorn quilt and an alligator quilt!! Mr D will have to work on his picture this year! He turns 5 in April!
These quilts are my favorite kind to make! They're not for a show, they're for love and I'm happy to announce that they have been loved to death!! My job is done! ... for now! Tee-hee!
17 Likes and Comments included:
Diane E: You make great quilts. My kids loved theirs - and still have them.
Mary C: I am behind in making the Bigger quilts for my Grandkids. I get reminded every time I see a certain grandson, that his quilt is too small. Thanks for sharing your reasoning. Making 20 grandchild quilts in a year would be HARD!
Saun S: Awesome!
Tamara R: Such a great and talented Grandma! You're grandchildren have been truly blessed and so have you.
Twy H: Love seeing them, Doni.
Day 6 of My Quilts! I know I wander far and wide from just showing my quilt of the day ... those who know me well are NOT a bit surprised!!
One Christmas oh-so-many-years-ago a good friend took charge of Lindsay to buy me a Christmas present. She bought me this awesome quilt covered 3-ring notebook! I think Lindsay was about 3rd grade when she bought this for me ... I won't say how old she is now, but she has a 3rd grader!!! (Can you believe I still have this?!?!?)
What do you put in a special notebook like this??? Well, a quilt journal of the quilts you've made and the ones you received from others!!
I really have to organize the pictures of my older quilts - I have them electronically -somewhere- And there lies the problem. The page I'm showing you is my first quilt!! Ignorance is truly bliss, because if I'd known what I was doing ... this quilt would not exist!
What do you put in a special notebook like this??? Well, a quilt journal of the quilts you've made and the ones you received from others!!
I really have to organize the pictures of my older quilts - I have them electronically -somewhere- And there lies the problem. The page I'm showing you is my first quilt!! Ignorance is truly bliss, because if I'd known what I was doing ... this quilt would not exist!
You can read all about it on the sheet! I still have the quilt and it's in great shape - I won't let anyone use it!!! We really use our quilts and I'm very afraid that this Baby Block quilt would not survive washing gracefully!
It wasn't the first one done - that was a simple royal blue and yellow Irish Chain. Long destroyed by use!! But this one is what created the quilter in me. Long before it was even done, I'd started the next quilt and the next ... I've never stopped - for 41 years!!! And I don't plan to any time soon.
Yes, I've got UFOs to finish; projects lined up for decades ahead and I don't care to hear how that isn't very practical. Thank you anyway.
I love my notebook; even if it only goes to 2000! (I started it because I was afraid I was losing my mind! - I still am!) But I also included stories about the quilt; who worked along with me and what was happening in my life. I love reading the stories over and over again!
SO - if you're a quilter, or a quilt collector, you should have one of these journals. It doesn't have to be Smithsonian worthy! It doesn't even have to be in a special notebook! But it should exist.
I know when I'm in the rest home, totally out of my mind, I'll love reading this book day after day! And I picture my kids and grandkids looking through it, remembering me.
So - your mission should you decide to accept it - is to make a scrapbook/journal like this. And I'll try to bring my memories up to 2010!! I have lists of projects finished every year; and I have photos of my quilts - somewhere!! AND I just got Photoshop elements; maybe an electronic journal that I can print and/or give digitally to those kids and grandkids!!!
Let's get busy! Well, as soon as I finish my current project! LOL!
PS - someone asked me when the next age is for quilts for the Grandkids. I was told to give a quilt to them when they turn 13. Those teen years are tough, Nana may no longer be a favorite in their lives, but at least I'll know they are wrapped in a quilty hug from me! Then HS graduation; College graduation: marriage and then for their kids of course!! When did you get quilts? What have I missed????
14 Likes and Comments included this interesting conversation:
Saun S: Wow, how many quilts do you think you've made?
Doni B: Oh my!! I haven't counted for a long time - so I did. From lists (see above). In 41 years I have made 73 quilts - twin size or larger; 190 small projects, that includes baby quilts and smaller; AND 79 Christmas stockings!!! Thanks for asking!!
Let's get busy! Well, as soon as I finish my current project! LOL!
PS - someone asked me when the next age is for quilts for the Grandkids. I was told to give a quilt to them when they turn 13. Those teen years are tough, Nana may no longer be a favorite in their lives, but at least I'll know they are wrapped in a quilty hug from me! Then HS graduation; College graduation: marriage and then for their kids of course!! When did you get quilts? What have I missed????
14 Likes and Comments included this interesting conversation:
Saun S: Wow, how many quilts do you think you've made?
Doni B: Oh my!! I haven't counted for a long time - so I did. From lists (see above). In 41 years I have made 73 quilts - twin size or larger; 190 small projects, that includes baby quilts and smaller; AND 79 Christmas stockings!!! Thanks for asking!!
Lynne Q: OMG!!!! Prolific!
Day 7 of my quilts! This has been fun and harder to pick quilts to share than I thought! My last quilt is just to remind you that you can use every part of the fabric you buy. You can use the front, the back and even the selvedge!
But beware - it's addictive! This is Selvedge Yard which now lives with someone else. I sold it last July at Sisters. String blocks and outside border pieced with selvedges. The lettering is "Unruly Letters" from Tonya Ricucci's book -Word Play Quilts- You can read about the process in this blog entry:
The whole quote is -Quilting: not so much a hobby [you know] more like an [infectious] obsession [and we love it sew]- the quilted words are in the brackets!
13 Likes and Comments:
Leona K: Love it
Ruth Y: My favorite quilt and reason I joined the Quilt Guild!
Twy: Now I know why we were saving selvedges for you
Georgia P: Amazing
Ta-Da!! So that was a full week in the life of a quilter!! You'd think that looking back at what you made would get you going again in the sewing room! Not so much!! Reminiscing takes up a lot of time.
Before I disappeared from FB' again - I wrote this: Happy Valentine's Day!
This quilt was made for a guild "Holiday" challenge. I had been reading about the "slow movement" and used that method when working on it. I was shocked, I tell you, when I found 18 shirtings with Red in them to choose for the background!! "Be Mine" is of my favorite wall quilts!
20 Likes and Comments:
Before I disappeared from FB' again - I wrote this: Happy Valentine's Day!
This quilt was made for a guild "Holiday" challenge. I had been reading about the "slow movement" and used that method when working on it. I was shocked, I tell you, when I found 18 shirtings with Red in them to choose for the background!! "Be Mine" is of my favorite wall quilts!
20 Likes and Comments:
Andrea M: Your sister Rita C would love this!
Joni S: Happy Valentines Day! Love this quilt. Love all the buttons.
Leona K: Nice
Kathleen K: Beautiful, Doni!
Ruth Y: Love it, Happy Valentines Day
Georgia P: Beautiful - so talented. Happy Valentines Day.
