Awhile back I saw a painting on Pinterest and was inspired to make a quilt based on it’s geometric design. I altered it from the image a bit and used Marcus organic cotton canvas for the pieced front (http://www.marcusfabrics.com/cgi-bin/fabricgallery/gallery.cgi?Category=632#.UsDedhYkTlI).  Having worked too many shifts in the ER, it reminded me of my Emergency Department with the “command center” in the middle and beds on either side, hence the name “Life in the ER Quilt”.  I have subsequently been told that the original painted image was used as the cover photo for one of the Modern Quilt Guild’s Pamphlets.  I obviously have good taste. 🙂

When I finished the top, I knew this special quilt deserved some custom quilting beyond my abilities.  I was fortunate to choose Emily Sessions to quilt it for me. (http://emersonquilting.com)  I let Emily have free reins with the design and am thrilled with the results. It is geometric, modern quilting at it’s best and adds tremendously to my piecing.

Pictures of the quilt top alone below.  Can’t wait to give the quilt a new home.

A friend of mine has a 6 year old stepson, Ben who was diagnosed this year with advanced Neuroblastoma.  The child’s bio-mom has been out of the picture since birth and his stepmom is the main breadwinner for the family.  Over the last 6 months she has been working as an RN in a skilled nursing facility during the night and then taking care of Ben and his brother during the day rarely getting sleep.  Two months of this time, Ben has been in the hospital getting chemo and radiation.  Because his cancer impinges on a nerve in his back, Ben has a foot drop and uses a toy sword to help him walk.  When I heard their story I knew that I needed to help so this month I have been raising money by auctioning off my recent Kaffe Fassett Design quilt (http://wp.me/p40mHN-4S).  WE HAVE RAISED $2000 FOR THIS FAMILY SO FAR.  Psyched and humbled by the generosity of my friends and family.  I plan to draw a name from amongst the generous donations on Christmas Eve.

Can you see my kiddos’ toes peaking out from the bottom of the quilt? 🙂

I think I like the simple back with stitching as much as the color crazy front.  I can’t wait to deliver our special donation to Ben and his mom and the quilt to it’s new owner soon.

Today I read Alabama Chanin’s latest blog post (http://alabamachanin.com/journal/2013/12/creativebug-giveaway/) and it had me pondering the favorite gifts I have given this year. I have made innumerable pillows, quilts, mala necklaces, bags, cowls etc. for people over the years.  Currently I am finishing up what I think may be my favorite gift ever and hope to share it in completion soon. Earlier this year, however I had a chance to make something for a girlfriend that was pretty special. (Please excuse my iphone pics)

My girlfriend lost her mother to heart disease at a very young age. She has kept her flannel nightgowns since her death and admits to sleeping with them on occasion to remind herself of her mama. For Mother’s day this year, I offered to make her a quilt from these nighties.

To start off, I cut the nightgowns into squares trying to include lace, buttons, plackets and pockets. I then stitched them together making a heart pattern.  I backed and machine bound the resulting quilt in flannel then hand tied it.

When I gave it to her, she cried, I cried and it felt so good.

A month ago my husband and I moved some things around in our small house giving me my own Sewing/Knitting/Crafting room!! (So lucky). I still have a lot of work to do on the space but started settling in by purchasing a storage cabinet from PB Teen (http://www.pbteen.com/products/rockwell-15-drawer-bookcase)

This cabinet with all it’s wonderful storage drawers and cherry red color make me happy. And I think my repurposed Jeans quilt top looks quite nice draped on it.  I’m pretty sure the red color inspired me to add some left over red wide wale corduroy to the quilt top. A good decision, no?