Mini-Quilt Wall Hangings Remember Those?

With so much happening around here there have been few days that I've actually found the time to play, (I mean work) in my sewing room. But I have been plugging away at my Mini-Quilts. They are so fun, do-able, sharable, and I have learned so much in the process that I'm just enjoying being able to play when I can.

I just finished these that I intended on having finished for Christmas. I didn't happen. Oh well, I'm over it. With the illness' I've had for the past couple of months I have had the time to sit and do some hand work. Here are a few:

I need to show the backs too.

They turn out pretty interesting as well.

Next time.

I was glad to get these Christmas mini's bound and finished because it was already too late for a Valentines mini. Although, the ideas are swirling in my brain. I wanted instead to focus on a little something for my BYUI student for Easter. Cassi is so health conscious, and I felt like sending her a bunch of candy and chocolate would be misguided, even rude. So I got busy trying to figure out something that would be fun and remind her of home. She doesn't have a lot of decorations on her walls by her bed so I thought I'd make her a fun Easter Mini. The pattern I had I thought was plain, ugly even. So I when shopping to find some cute fabric that may brighten it up a bit. Thats when I found this sweet material. I knew that it's considered 'cheating' in the quilting world to use a print, but that really is the beautiful thing about quilting, and piecing, is that these creations are your creation, there are no rules, you can make them exactly how you want to. So here is what I sent to our Cassi.

A work in progress. I enjoy working

with these happy bright colors.

I quilted in the 'ditch' and also

 around each little window pane.

I had purchased a couple of skirts, some new shoes (white), little Easter cups, and a darling little wall hanger for the mini's I make her and put those in her 'Care Package'. I wanted to get it out to her as soon as possible so she could have time to enjoy her mini before Easter was over. The day I finished it, I mailed it right away and forgot to get a final picture of it. Ooops. Not to worry, this week I made one for me.

This one is mine. I was able to sit and

hand stitch the binding during General

Conference and finish it. Check out

the little Easter Egg fabric I used for binding.

I love my little mini hanger stand thingie.

Notice the little carrot topper.

Love that! I don't know if you

can see it in the photo but the

bright pink sashing has little

tiny hearts swirling through it. :)

Quilting can be as simple or complex as you want, or have time for. This is one that any beginner could tackle. Trust me, I liked this cute little panel much more than the ugly pattern I would have had to spend twice as much time on. I also add a little sleeve to the back top of the quilt that the hanger slides into for a nice straight distribution of the weight of the quilt. I also add my personal label. It's like a painter signing their work. I label each piece before I dub it 'finished'.

If you have little time, or a lot...try patterns that are simple or complex, leisurely or rushed, I think the point is just to 'do'. Having made five quilts or fifty doesn't make me a quilter, or not. Don't define yourself by others. You may remember many posts ago when I wrote about Linda White (see post from 31 July, 2011) who took over a year making this unfathomable quilt out of teeny tiny hexigons. Thousands of them (hexigons) no bigger than the tip of your finger. It was amazingly beautiful, spectacular even. Is she more of a quilter than I am? Nope. She is just on her own journey. She did what spoke to her heart for over a year with magnificent results. There are definate levels of expertise and quilts I will never tackle in my lifetime. But boy, did Linda White inspire me, yes!

I find quilters to be each others' best champion. It is a sisterhood of knowing, understanding, and appreciation of God given gifts and talents. I make things that brighten and beautify my home and make my husband and children ooh and awww sometimes. Quilters are women and men who love to create, who are big and small, young and old, traditional and very modern in scope. It is enough for me to be in such amazing company and walk on in my way, at my pace, and with my ideas waiting to be created with a bit of fabric, a needle and thread.

I'm ok with that.

Sandi D

Fun at Festival of Colors (Sat) 24 March, 2012

Some would look at this festival and scratch their heads and ask, why? But maybe because I am sorta 'in-the-loop' with at least some of the college aged kids (who not only attended this event, but traveled a distance, and were excited about going) I can add a bit of perspective for the fuddy-duddy in some.

Remember, that most of these college age kids are coming from Utah, Idaho, and surrounding areas and have been snow blasted, frozen, sleeted upon, finger/toe/nose/ears numbed, booger dripping, weather bearing for months. This festival is a fun way to celebrate spring, (thus all the colors of the chalk) different foods, and a different culture, and yes, dance, get chalky & have fun. Some of the kids in attendance were on Spring Break (though not all) and were there for just that...a break. Here is what the Daily Herald had to say about it: 

"Close to 80,000 people from throughout the western United States turned out for the Festival of Colors at the Lotus Temple in Spanish Fork on Saturday.

The Festival of Colors, also known as Holi, is two days of thousands of people gathered on the hill of the Krishna temple throwing brightly colored powder, participating in holy mantra and dancing to live music and bands like Jai Uttal and the Queen of Hearts Orchestra, The Mayapuris and The Kirtaniya Vibrations. Holi, the largest Indian festival, is held on the first weekend of spring to celebrate the beginning of the season.

There also was at least one comparison to Woodstock.Most come to throw colored powder into the air or at the crowd. Colors are scheduled to be thrown every two hours, but most toss the powder or wipe pink and orange chalk across the faces of passing attendees without so much as a hello first. However, the actions were welcomed -- and reciprocated -- by most.

Jennifer King, a mother of three from the Salt Lake area, brought her kids to the festival for the first time and intends to bring them to the Salt Lake event on April 14 as well.

"We came for the food and the atmosphere. I was here for the Festival of Lights, and the food was really good. The commute here was horrible, and the traffic was backed up to the Point of the Mountain," King said.

Indian food was another highlight of the event, and included vegetable curries, Basmati rice, Dahl -- spiced bean soups, papadams and mango juice. That was one of the draws for Sarah Rueckert, a mother of two, who came to the festival with her sister and children.

"We had samosas, veggie fritters, mango lawsee. They were really good," Rueckert said. "I had no idea that there would be this many people. When you pull up there is a sea of people. We should've brought a stroller for the 2-year-old, though it might've gotten in the way. My kids think this is a riot. It's great. I think we'll do it every year."

Krishnas in the area expected the traditional Indian holiday to draw a larger crowd than last year, which according to their website had 50,000 attendees, and made arrangements to host a larger event. However, after witnessing delays in the shuttle system and wall-to-wall traffic for miles, some of the participants weren't sure they'd planned for quite large enough of a crowd.

This Indian holiday was intended to be a time to spread ideals of unity, love of nature and an expression of religious convictions.

Read more: http://www.heraldextra.com/news/local/south/spanish-fork/nearly-turn-out-for-annual-festival-of-colors/article_105182fc-fff9-5902-8e47-caea58f168ab.html#ixzz1qCdwyVBs

Cassi drove down from Rexburg with a bunch of her friends and she went to the festival with her cousin and some other friends as well. From a girl who is presently pulling straight A's...I think a little fun is just the ticket.  Here is the 'before' picture she texted to me as they got there.

Lindsay E, Cassi D, and Andrea H

All nice & clean with WHITE t-shirts on.

Cassi texted me this pic from the parking lot.

 

Cousin Lindsay E. and Cassi after their celebration.

Cassi on the shuttle ride back to their car...

even has chalk in her braces...ew.

Well, the kids had fun. There was no alcohol, drugs, nudity, or PDA's like Woodstock so I think that comparison is a stretch for those wanting to put a spin on it. And let's face it...it had to be a pretty uncomfortable ride home. Hehehe. Ahhhhhh youth, oh to be young again and have this much energy and enthusiasm for life.

This was her favorite pic...the after shower pic.

I love this face!

Momma D

BYUI Combined Choirs sing at SLC Tabernacle (Sat) 10 Mar, 2012

I know I have mentioned a few times how glad I am that Cassi is attending college at Brigham Young University Idaho but I need to say it yet again. I am thankful. This last weekend she was able to travel with the choirs to do a concert with the symphony in the Salt Lake City Temple Square Historic Tabernacle.

The Salt Lake City Tabernacle

To learn more about the Tabernacle click here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salt_Lake_Tabernacle

To say the least this a very historical place for members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. So it is an amazing experience to get to sing here. Cassi put out some invitations via FB to friends and family in the area. The concert was free but tickets were reserved. Grandpa & Marilyn, and also Lindsay & Andrea came up to Salt Lake for the concert. Grandpa & Marilyn drove all the way from St. George. But in speaking to my Dad afterward he cried at the wonderful experience it was for him to be there when one of his 'babies' was singing in that incredible place. He said the concert was so worth the drive and they were so glad they went. Here are a few pictures they emailed me.

Toby & Marilyn at the Orem house picking up the girls.

The magnificent pipe organ & choir seating.

Outside the Tabernacle with

Lindsay, Marilyn, Cassi & Grandpa Beaujeu

Besties- Cousin Lindsay E (18) & Cassi D (19)

Andrea H, Lindsay E, & Cassi D on Temple Square

10 March, 2012

My heart is full to overflowing. Yay Cassi! Go YOU!

Momma D

CES Devotional for YSA- BYUI Center- Cassi Sings (Sun) 04 March, 2012

Again this semester Cassi gets to sing at meetings that uplift, inspire, and change the course of young people's lives. I am so thankful that she had this opportunity to again sing with the combined Young Men's, Young Women's, and Collegiate Singer chiors at this devotional featuring Elder Quentin L Cook.

She sent me this pic before she left for the devotional.

The BYUI Center which seats 15,000.

Inside the BYUI Center

Another view inside the BYUI Center. Huge.

The combined choirs sing 'Guide Us O Thou

Great Jehovah' in the BYUI Center.

Cassi singing in the choir.

Elder Quentin L Cook spoke at the CES

devotional, Sun, 4 March, 2012

http://www.lds.org/broadcasts/languages/ces-devotionals/2012/03?lang=eng

The choir closed with

'Faith In Every Footstep'

It was lovely.

You can see this CES Devotional in it's entirety at LDS.org under the CES Devotional heading. You can better get an idea of this meeting and feel  the Spirit as the music is sung and the messages are given to these beautiful young people. I am so pleased that Cassi is having such amazing experiences while attending BYUI.

Momma D