Dreaming of Sugar Plums

Oh the memories...


this quilt will hold some day. A gift finished literally last minute for Momma Cass and her babies.

Next Christmas when they are one year older, Olivia and Henry will take turns sleeping under this magical Santa quilt. As they toss around each night during the Christmas season...the tiny tinkling of nine little bells will accompany the visions of sugar plums dancing in their heads.

A similar but well-worn version of this quilt has been snuggling with my children for many Christmas seasons in the past; The Teenager still sleeping under it this year, and Lawyer Girl too when she arrived. The bells are tarnished and a couple of them no longer jingle...but yesterday as I folded and put it away for another year, I couldn't help but nestle up to it myself. 

Although the batting is no longer as lofty as it once was...merry dreams of Christmas' past billowed from the patchwork creation. 

Childhood dreams from The Blond one, The Brown one, The Baby Brother...and most especially from The Red One. For just a moment, angel Jocie's magical Christmas dreams were wrapped completely around me...and I felt her warmth envelope me.

Can you just imagine the visions of sugar plums my grand babies are going to have through the years?

Sometimes...

I quite often find myself hanging out with other over-achievers...

who at the busiest time of the year decide to make nearly 90 hand appliqued wool needle cases.

And as if that wasn't enough over-achieveing...we created a flock of funky folksy birds in all colors and designs,

to hang from centerpieces at a quilt guild party.

So let's here it for all the over-achievers in the world!

And today I think I'll start my Christmas shopping.

A Quilt for Sam

They spent their teenage years constantly hanging out...planning parties, learning to drive, chasing boys and generally just growing up. It was the occasion of Sam's wedding shower that gathered them all back together...except Chelsea (mostly known as Chochi) who lives out of state.


The girls considered holding up a "Chochi goes here" sign when they posed for this photo. They definitely missed you girl!

As soon as Sam's pending engagement was announced...excitedly, Cass and I went shopping. Optimistic that we would be able to meet up and sew the quilt together, we selected this sweet, fresh fabric.


I was pretty sure that it would be me doing the sewing as Cass has her hands full of babies right now. But I just love how this quilt turned out.

Between Cass, Crystal, and Missy...they have a total of five kids in just a few short years. Sam, along with her new hubby has been busy graduating from law school and sitting for the bar exam. I think all of the kids sort of freaked her out a little! Don't worry Sam, you can catch up quick...just ask Cass.

It's so enlightening to see teenage girls grow up and become amazing people...intelligent, confident, nurturing women. Congratulations Sam, The Garlick Press is thrilled that you and Brandon found each other!

Retreat For The Soul

Once a year I allow myself a little get-away. I don't go very far at all...to the big city for a quilting retreat with international quilt instructor Sue Spargo.

Sue was born in Zambia and raised in South Africa...her creativity is inspired by the energy and color of traditional African designs.

But it is that glorious British accent and gentle soul that speaks to me. The reason I return year after year.

Early childhood experiences form Sue's love of primitive... and specifically folk-art. Her workshop is filled with eye-candy as far as you can see. Here she displays hand-dyed wools and scrumptious soft velvets.

And then there are the chenille threads and the silken pearl threads...so exquisite!

Italian wool thread in EVERY color of the rainbow.

Patient and persistent, Sue eagerly shares all her knowledge and stitching tips she has accumulated through the years. 

A detailed shot of her leaf sampler reveals Sue's understanding of texture, dimension and color.

And you meet the most wonderful people at Sue's retreats. This is Jane, who is originally from England. Her accent is so adorable. Today she informed us she felt like "Taking a walk in the woods!" I'd like to wrap her up and take her home with me...maybe just sit her on the counter and have her speak to me in that sweet accent all day. 

A welcome break from the daily routine...I suggest you each schedule a retreat to escape to! It's great for your soul.

And don't worry...reality will still be there when you return home!

Maddie's T's

Her room screamed teenage girl just like any other 15 year old girl's room. A closet stuffed with today's hottest fashion, a white board with notes from girlfriends, trophies from grade school, flowers from special occasions, everything except the table full of green plants left over from her funeral last August.

Madison's story is Jocie's story. At age 15 her life ended in a tragic accident. Her mother and I are emotionally connected even though we had never previously met until after Madison's angel day.

I listened through my streaming tears as Maddie's mom carefully placed each treasured T-shirt on the pile. Each one has a story and I easily memorized them all. This one from soccer, this one her favorite brand of clothing, this one because her sweet cousin was a Bobcat, and this one because Maddie was a rival Mustang. And this one has her own handwriting...priceless!

The first cut I make into Maddie's t-shirts humbles me, heals, me and shakes me with grief. A comforting arm from Dean and I carefully stitch together a memory of a beautiful teenage girl in her favorite shade of blue.

 Who would guess that the sweet quilter I call at the last minute to machine stitch the quilt would have a close connection to Maddie. Her younger sister was Maddie's best friend all through Elementary. Of course she insisted the quilting was her gift to the family.

"Where did you go? I miss you so...it seems like forever since you've been gone." A haunting note Maddie had taped to her wall...I added it to the label on the quilt.

Today would be Maddie's 16th birthday. Her Mom misses her completely...I know exactly how she feels.

62 Quilt Blocks

Quilters are some of the kindest people I know. I belong to the quilt guild Needles & Friends. This year my friend Debi and I are in charge of the friendship blocks. We chose a spool block pattern, which 62 of us will be making and sharing with each other. Unfortunately one of our members has been recently diagnosed with cancer and asked to be excused from the project. Well, that just won't do. Secretly we gathered together this week to sew 62 spool blocks for her. Shhh don't tell it's a surprise!

Debi and I chose pink to be used in her block, since she is fighting breast cancer.

Jill is always doing sweet things for others. She just helped finish a project for a dear boy in our neighborhood who is having a life-threatening struggle of his own.

Debi is one of those people you dream about being...everything she touches is magically perfect. We decided to have a light lunch for our group, so we could keep them sewing...clever girls aren't we? It was supposed to be a simple bowl of soup and a slice of bread.

Surprise...Debi of course had something else in mind. She set a beautiful Valentine table with dreamy coconut macaroons filled with cranberries and dipped in chocolate. Knowing how to always add that special Debi touch, she also had a Valentine pin cushion for us each to take home. I know...you want to be friends with her too.

Tammy and Nancy also devoted the day to stitching with us. We learned some very fun things about these  two close friends, like they have been painting buddies for 25 years. Tammy's beautiful mother passed away from breast cancer, and she was eager to be involved.

Tammy is also a photographer. She knew how to use my new Nikon and sneaked this picture when I wasn't watching.   

We laughed and we giggled and we made too many pieces of one section and had to do some unpicking. It took us most of the day, but we finished all 62 blocks and they look wonderful. I can't wait to see the look on this sweet quilter's face.

The journey through life for most of us, will likely have some difficult steps causing us to stumble. I know I'm profoundly grateful for friends who came along to support me during those stumbling steps. 

And here is a funny thing...

Which bobbin container do you think belongs to Debi and which bobbin container do you think is mine?

I'll give you a hint...here is Debi's ribbon cabinet. Isn't that incredible? I must have Debi come live at my house for about a month and organize my home...on second thought, I think she'd pass out when she saw all my disorganization.