New Pattern

Did more research and looked at examples of log cabin quilts and I decided to remove the sashes altogether. This means more work making blocks, but I think it looks more aesthetically pleasing.

The original design included 16 squares for everyone in my family, but I nixed that idea. I also made the teal more teal and less blue. I chose a purple that was subdued instead of vibrant.

Block Measurements:






12.5" x 12.5"
4.5" center square in gold
2" surrounding strips

Completed Quilt Measurements:

90" x 90"

3" purple border

6x6 block pattern

NO SASHES

Kentucky Church Camp

My cousin recounts a few of her favorite memories with our grandma:

My favorite memory I had with grandma is the summer spent with her in Kentucky at church camp. She never made me eat the food there she would sneek me in the camper and give me good food. I always loved going through her scrapbooks, Looking at all her pictures of where she had been through her travels, and I loved when she came to our house and we would go to the plantations and the flower gardens and Grandma Linda I even loved going to the big ol angle oak tree! I love you grandma and I miss you so much!!!!

Ironically, one of my favorite summer at "Grandma's house" was also the summer in Kentucky. My grandma and grandpa traveled with R.V. MAPS and built churches for The First Assemblies of God. This summer (1999) they were working at a Kentucky Church Camp. I enjoyed learning about the behind the scenes of a camp, but I especially enjoyed the weekend. We went to Kentucky Down Under, which does its best to present animals that you would find in the Australian outback. We also traveled around looking for covered bridges and natural bridges. While the destinations were beautiful, I enjoyed traveling with grandma. She always called me "Christmas" because I slept alot and took forever to get ready. "It's like waiting for Christmas".

Research & Planning

I spent the night researching and cross referencing sites.

I came across 2 very useful sites, SewaQuilt.com & http://www.quilting101.com/

I learned a significant amount of information about quilting and patch work terminology and technology. I've decided my "Christmas List" (& "to-do" list) is everything listed--here (besides everything sewing machine related).

I'm pretty set on doing log cabin blocks, but we'll see. I'm asking advice as I type, so we'll see. I may end up making a few smaller quilts (i.e for Wyatt's Birthday & Daddy's (Russell) Birthday before I take on the huge quilt).

The Quilt Plan

Queen+ Size 80" x 66" (hopefully the end size)

Blocks 13" log cabin Teals & Purples 

for Ovarian Cancer Awareness + My Grandma's fav. color

7" x 66" strips of purple on the ends to square the center

2" teal sashes with purple squares

Should look like this when it's done:

I am also considering patterned fabric along the same color schemes.

I haven't decided what type of quilting pattern I'm going to do. I think I'm just going to quilt over the log cabin pattern and then do other patterns on the purple and white, but I'm not sure yet. I figure I have a huge amount of time before I get to that point.

The significance of the 16 squares:

1. Grandma (RIP)
2. Grandpa
3. Daughter 1
4. Daughter 2
5. Daughter 3
6. Infant Daughter (RIP)
7. Grand Daughter 1
8. Grand Daughter 2
9. Grand Son 1
10. Grand Daughter 3
11. Grand Daughter 4
12. Grand Son 2
13. Grand Daughter 5
14. Grand Son 3
15. Great Grand Daughter 1
16. Great Grand Son 1

A Quilt that My Grandma Made

We're moving in a little of a month, we're not sure where yet, but our lease will be up. I haven't even began packing, we just have too much stuff. Before tackling the massive task of sorting everything into stacks of what we're keeping, selling, giving, and tossing I made a list of things I couldn't live without...

1. My son
2. My Russell
3. A quilt that my grandma made

My grandma was an avid quilter. A month or so before she passed away, I spent time with her and helped her lay out a quilt that was going to be for one of my aunts. I was amazed at all the detail, thought, and careful planning that went into making a quilt. I truly appreciated the love and dedication she exerted even in her fragile state to ensure that she made a quilt for each one of her daughters.

Although it's been a little over 2 years since she passed away the missing space in my heart isn't getting smaller. I struggle with the thought of  forgetting her.  I never learned how to sew, by the time I wanted to learn from her, there was no time left.

I considered making a quilt when I found out she passed away in August 2008. I looked into it and was overwhelmed. I didn't own a sewing machine nor have money to invest in one. I didn't know where to begin so I gave up.

Last night I visited her Care Page that she updated during her battle with ovarian cancer. I felt like I was reading it all again for the first time, losing her again. I decided then, that a quilt would be the best way for me to relive the happy memories and work through the hard ones. I'm planning to sew an entire quilt by hand. I plan on finishing by August 18, 2011, the 3rd anniversary of my grandma's passing. Throughout the next 10 months I hope to gain a better understand of the person my grandma was in addition to preserving all the memories I have of her.

Grandma & Me 1999

I'm interested in networking with hand quilters, I'm looking for a mentor or two, books, blogs, websites, anything will do.