Mother's Day - Perspective from a Supper Supper Mom

It amazes me how over the years,  Mother's Day has evolved and changed and continues to have new meanings for me, especially since becoming a mother myself.  Some may not be aware that I became a mother, one month after my seventeenth birthday. Very young...very clueless...and babies didn't come with a manual back then. (These days there is a book, What to Expect: The First Year...did you know there was a manual?) 

 As a new mom, I called on my own mother a lot for answers.  She didn't have a manual either...but she'd raised six kids ...and always had an answer for every question I posed.  Sometimes those answers were quite comical.  By age twenty three I was mother to three.  Jami, Brandi & Joshua.  At twenty seven I became a step-mother to Kimberly, Aaron & John.....again no manual....and yet a Mother's heart expands and grows and fills with love for each child. 

       A parent's love is whole no matter how many times divided. ~Robert Brault

kim, jami, brandi, john, josh, aaron

Becoming a mother helps you to appreciate the mother that you had, especially when you realize just how much hard work there is in mothering.  I remember calling my mom when my children became teenagers.... and apologize for every bad thing I had ever done....she just laughed at me.

Losing my mother...has also redefined Mother's Day for me.  It has been almost 4 years since her death and I think about her so often.  We shared a passion for quilting...she would be thrilled beyond measure that I now work in a quilt shop and spend my days with fabric.  Our visits always included trips to quilt shops.  When she died, I looked for photos of her and I together and found none....I was crushed.  Several months later, we found this photo in a folder on the computer from Brandi's wedding.  The only photo I have of my Mom and I....

And just when I thought my heart could swell  no more....I became a Grandma....and it has swelled it seven times over.

finn

ava

tanner, taelyn & ty

lucia

fletcher

But...I think the most important thing that has affected how I see and view motherhood and Mother's Day... has been watching my own daughters, step-daughter, and daughter's in law, become mother's themselves. Seeing that look of pure love on their faces... as they delight in their own children...opens a floodgate of memories from when I felt those very same joys as a young mother.  And is a reminder of how much I love them and how proud I am of the women they have become. 

finn & jami

brandi & fletcher

emily & lucia

kim & ty

crystal & ava

So today, this Mother's Day, I salute the women who have given me the greatest gift I have ever received....

Woolies Flannel!

Have you made anything yet using Woolies Flannel by Maywood Studios? I am absolutely in LOVE.    I have just finished my fourth quilt made with these luscious fabrics. They come in a wonderful assortment of colors and designs that resemble that old wool coat in your closet.  I've never been the best at doing scrappy quilts, but have had great success at being "scrappier" using these flannels.

pattern called Gingersnaps

Crazy Old Quilt Ladies pattern
this quilt went to a deployed soldier

 

Terry Atkinson "Snapshot" pattern in the Happy Hour book

my second Gingersnaps quilt using Woolie Flannels
(third time making the Gingersnap pattern...one of my faves for a scrappy look)

trying to give you and upclose view of the fabrics

Are you noticing a pattern here....I love to add borders with interest to my quilts.  A piano key border can be a great accent on any scrappy quilt. I like to use a narrow border to separate it from the rest of the quilt. The quilt photo in the middle has borders made using the 2" Grid Stabilizer.  I lost count at how many 2" squares are in that queen size quilt...but take my word for it...there are alot! 

Irons in the fire....

I love to iron.  Weird, you say?  I know...but I love it.  I remember as  little girl begging my Mom to let me iron.  So she started me out on my Dad's hankies.  Not to exciting to some, but I was thrilled. 

As much as I love choosing fabrics for quilts...and piecing them together....I really love ironing my work as I go.  And, I really love steam.  A neatly pressed block is quite a piece of beauty.  Adding a spritz or two of Best Press makes it even better!  (Linen Fresh is my current favorite scent) I took the plunge a year ago and purchased a Rowenta Pressure and Steam Iron to use here at home.  A bit of a pricey investment...but I am loving it. 

This is my third Rowenta purchase....the first two have really kind of been duds.  I thought when you paid more money for a product that it would be better quality and would have a longer life expectancy.  Not so.  The full size Rowenta iron I purchased leaks when I try to use it, very frustrating.  I also purchased the smaller Rowenta travel size iron to take along to quilt retreats, etc....and that one just stopped working. Plug it in and nothing happens. Neither of those irons could claim overuse syndrome.  I did contact Rowenta and was told that since the warrantys are expired, my only option was to mail the irons in to receive an estimate for repairs.  And to me, sounded like I was being encouraged to just purchase a new product.  They did offer me a rebate, if I decide to purchase another Rowenta iron...but I'm just not so sure I want to purchase another one from them. 

So now, I am beginning my search for a smaller travel iron once again and would love to hear from my quilter followers on what your favorite iron might be. 

Where has the time gone....

Has it really been that long since I posted last?  Apparently so.  I have been working on a few very special projects. 

Here is the quilt I made for Fletcher.  This is a pattern called Itty Bitty Babies that I found on the Moda Bakeshop website.  I just personalized it for Fletcher!

I think he likes it!  I quilted it myself on my sewing machine, just stitching in the ditch along the seam lines.  I used a double layer of poly batting that created a look of a puffy comforter.  

And then, I had to finish a quilt for another baby...this time a girl.  This one is ready to deliver!

This pattern is called Lilliana and is one of Emily's patterns over at Crazy Old Quilt Ladies.  This is a great pattern to use with a Layer Cake. The fabric line is  Lily & Will  (Moda by Bunny Hill) I love to put a soft minky back on my baby quilts.

And here is one more baby quilt I recently finished for an adorable little baby boy who was born on Halloween.

This is another of Emily's patterns (Crazy Old Ladies Quilts) called Surf Shop using her Going Coastal line of fabric.

And then...I found this awesome pattern by Little Londyn called Little Guy Ties and have made my first ties.  I used two colors of stripes from the Grinch line by Robert Kaufman.  I thought they turned out adorable and they are on their way to the little ones I made them for to enjoy through the holidays.  They were so easy to make.

I have two more quilts in the works.  One for a soldier currently away from his family on a deployment.  Getting closer to done and hoping to have it on it's way as a Christmas gift.  And one for a niece who was recently married. 

And...then...so many ideas to make for Christmas gifts.  I'd better get back to the sewing machine!

Last Day...sniff, sniff.

No really....sniff, sniff.  I've gone from this fun Ghastlie flu...to the crud!  My nose is beginning to feel as though I've used sandpaper on it.  So, I'm going to try and rest this morning...well, with my laptop, my coffee and some cinnamon toast...I'll sit quietly and visit my Ghastlie sistah's sites.  Come with me!

I promise not to sneeze on you!

Mrs Nan Ghastlie

Mrs Gmama Jane Ghastlie

Mrs Joan Ghastlie

Mrs Nancy Ghastlie

Ms Susan Ghastlie

Madame Ghastlie


Don't forget to leave those comments!  Last day to win ghreat prizes!

Day 9

It's Day 9!  I can't believe it.  How much fun are you having? 

Hop on over to these sites today to see their Ghastlie projects!  I just got a message from my quilt shop owner that said she has ordered current and the new Ghastlie lines~   Oh dear...Oh dear...Oh dear...I'm ghiddy with excitement!

Mrs Sharon Ghastlie

Mrs Corrie Ghastlie

Mrs Cheryl Ghastlie

Mrs Linda Ghastlie

Mrs Pickles Ghastlie

Day 8

Here is the schedule for today!  What ghreat fun we are having.  Truth...I'm a bit concerned about the Ghastlie withdrawal I may experience when this is over. 

Mrs Jane Ghastlie

Mrs Mary Ghastlie

Mrs Michelle Ghastlie

Mrs Dawn Ghastlie

Mrs Mary Ghastlie

Don't forget to leave your comments for your chance to win!  There are still some ghreat prizes to me had.  Thank you to Madame Samm for all her hard work!

For those of you who sent me a message of encouragement yesterday, I thank you.  I did hear from my son, Josh, last night.  He made it safely to Iraq and has started his training with his dog.  I will post some pics as soon as he sends some.