I love to quilt! Below are a few of the quilts I have made in the last year

For my friend LaRae - this was a quilt I saw a picture of on the internet. I loved it so much I knew I had to make it. I put the design on Excel and my sister Kim helped me in putting it together. The quilter, Michelle Pettorini did a wonderful job using an original design in the large white swaures. Her quilting made the quilt very special!!!

This quilt is my first quilt. It was for my friend Shari. Shari bought a couple of hundred raffle tickets for a quilt. It was raffled during Relay for Life - made in honor of one of our co-workers, John. When she won the quilt - she gave the quilt to John's family. I knew Shari would love these colors!

I made the same quilt for my best friend Mary - Mary loves blue and white -so why did I choose purple and green? Hmmmmm - because I LOVED IT! There is an error in this quilt. My sister Kim told me that it makes it unique - and the only one that has perfection is GOD!
~ Mary still hasn't found it~
This quilt was for my son's fiance, Kristy - who loved the colors!

And this one for my dear sister Rene'

Mt grandaughter wanted a new quilt for her new room in North Carolina. Black and White for her black, white and hot pink bedroom. This one is a disappearing 9 patch.

(My quilter Michelle Pettorini from Urbandale, IA, quilted all of the above quilts for me)

Bigger than Life

My Uncle Donald died on July 28, 2010. He was 60 years old. Too young to have been taken from us, however he filled my life with such love and happiness.

Donald's family was his pride and joy. He left behind his wife of 39 years, Marie, his 8 children and 17 grand children. At his service his children each spoke about their dad. I sat in the pew and wrote down the words as they spoke them with tears of sadness for our loss and joy for being part of his life.

"Integrity, love, devotion, strength, courage, faith, with great compassion for others."

These were the words that described my Uncle Donald. They talked about his boisterous laugh and how he never met a stranger. These are the things, I too, remember about this man that we all loved.

"A friend to all, served his country and fellowman, a true family man, a great teacher, big storyteller, Heart of Gold! He was Truly Bigger Than Life!"

Feeding a baby

"Hey YOU! GG - I am really hungry! This scowl on my face isn't me poopin'"

"I'm so hungry - I think I will eat my fingers.......

or my bib!"

"Finally!"

" Ahhhhh mmmmmmmmmmmmmm "

He really was quite sweet through the entire process. He really does say "ahh mmmmmm" when the spoon goes in. He is starting to mimmick. :-)

John Deere

Brody's Pappa Jerry painted and cleaned up Rusty's old John Deere tractor. (Rusty is Brody's daddy.)
Brody loved his tractor this morning. First he was happy to just sit and hold on to the steering wheel - but not for long! Like I said - he is a busy little boy. Before long he was standing up and doing a little jig.

Weekend with Brody

I spent the weekend with my grandson - Brody. Last time I saw Brody - he was just learning to sit up by himself ... sometimes.
Boy - I have forgotten how quickly things change with babies!
He is a busy little man!

Don't drink the water...

There is something definitely going on at the hospital where I work. There are sooooo many pregnant women. I am/have made quilts for 4 of them. Brian (our CEO) and his wife just had a precious little girl, Kirsten. Her quilt was made with a charm pack and yoyo's for the flowers.
Haley is having a baby boy next week (Parker Liam). This precious quilt is flannel and so soft. This is the first time I placed a border and fabric strips on the back.
Jenny doesn't want to know what she is having and either does Jennifer. So the two latter will have to wait. Wellllllll actually - I know what Jennifer is having. I went with Jennifer when she had an amniocentesis - and I have "the envelope please...." with the sex of the baby in my drawer - and yes, of course it is open! SO I am making that quilt - but shhhhh - it is a secret.
Is is pink or is it blue? (all quilts were quilted by Michelle Pettorini)

Gotta LOVE Family Time

Bill and I have had a couple of great weeks with our kids. Our oldest grandchild, Kelsey flew in from North Carolina and traveled with us west to Omaha to watch our newest grandchild, Brody get baptized. The rest of the North Carolina fam flew in a week later. Janelle, Brayton and I drove the opposite way to Iowa City to have dinner with our son, Mark and his fabulous fiance, Kristy. We then went to South Dakota to watch Brayton race. Rained out both days :-( Everyone at the race was totally bummed - but Bill and I were happy! Rain could not take the smiles off of our faces after being able to spend a short amount of time with our kids and grandkids.