Marquette University {Quilt}

This quilt is exactly how I pictured it when I decided I would make a quilt for his graduation.

The pattern Rah, Rah Rally (by Melissa Corry) caught my eye quite a long time ago. I took a quick screenshot before I had a pinterest account and I will admit...It took quite a bit of investigation to find it. 

Luckily, he still had not decided which of the eight schools he wanted to go to up until the beginning of February. It gave me time to purchase the book, Moda Sweet Celebrations Featuring some Moda Bakeshop Chefs. 

As soon as I had the go ahead, I scrambled to order Kona solids (Corn Yellow, Blue Jay, White, Marine). I also picked up this aaaaaaamazing Minky by Shannon Fabrics. 

Embossed Geo Cuddle in Midnight by Shannon Fabrics

I had a few oopsies on the logo. One that  I forgot to mirror correctly. One that was too small. I felt like Goldilocks when I got the size "juuuust right". 

He is taking it to college with him and I loved that he had it on our recent family vacation to Lake Powell. 

Our favorite vacation place, my favorite college kid, and a quilt.  

Who can ask for more, really.

Quilt Stats: 

Finished size: 71" x 88"

Pattern: Rah Rah Rally by Melissa Corry (Moda Sweet Celebrations Book)

Fabrics: Kona Yellow Corn, Kona Blue Jay, Kona White, Kona Marine, Shannon Fabrics Embossed Geo Cuddle Fabrics

Quilting: Free motion square quilting on longarm machine.

My Little Big Man

An accidental photo taken at the perfect moment during the quilt photoshoot.
  Lake Powell, Utah.

My Little Big Man,

There you were.  Plopped in my arms the first time.  Quiet.  Content.  Your eyes closed as if you were just not ready for the big world, but peeking every so often to see what all the fuss was about.  You took my breath away, I loved you so much.


There you were.  Crawling around.  Stopping to sit.  Then you would turn around and give me that sneaky grin because you caught me watching you about to get into something.  My heart would burst with love.


There you were.  Toddling about.  That perpetual “Oh?!” look because you were caught throwing the remote or phone in the trash.  In that way you pretend that you didn’t do something...but you realized you did something naughty...but maybe I wouldn’t notice.  I loved you so much, because...how cute were you?

There you were.  A big brother.  So sweet. So gentle with your brother Jacob.  I sometimes was afraid you would strangle him with all that love you had for him.  I was so scared that I couldn’t love a second child. That I loved you too much I wouldn’t have room. Your love for him eased me and I realized I didn’t have to split my heart.  It just grew bigger.


There you were.  Always in a dream world.  Tossing stuffed monkeys up in the air.  Lining up your Little People toys and cars.  Playing video games in the grocery store aisle with your fingers moving a joystick that wasn’t there.  I knew you were a daydreamer, but also needed a sense of order like me.  I love that we had that in common.

There you were.  A big brother again.  So capable. So ready to teach your other brother how to be a big brother to Jonathan.  A mentor.  A leader.  If a heart can have pride?  Mine certainly does.

There you were.  Struggling in school.  Daydreaming in class. Fighting me tooth and nail to do homework.  But then taking control in fourth grade. Showing me that you didn’t need me anymore.  I knew then, that you were going to be ready for any challenge in your future. You understood success because you experienced and understood failure. You gave my heart confidence.

There you were.  Scraping your shoes out in the dirt.  Knees bent.  Glove at the ready.  Prepared to spring and catch any ball coming your way.  Or standing at the line on the court.  Spinning your tennis racquet.  Ready to take on the biggest and baddest.  You never cared.   You were like a Titan.  I loved your fearless heart.

There you were.  A big brother again.  You held your sister Jamie so sweetly.  So gently as she passed.  You had your heart broken.  We all had our hearts broken.  But you stood strong and made me laugh in the car just twenty minutes after I had just wailed my pained soul out at the entrance of the hospital.  You made me laugh all the way home.  I will always be grateful for that.  You will always have my undying love.

There you were.  Conquering what seemed to be the impossible.  Acceptance to Strake Jesuit Preparatory High School.  You changed that day.  You became more confident.  More capable than I have ever seen.  My heart was less scared for you.

There you were.  A big brother again.  You knew how much that little boy was going to heal us all.  James worships the ground you walk on. They all do.  You are worth worshiping. My heart worships you.

There you were. Driving. Looking out your review mirror at me.  Spending more time with friends.  Locked up in your room.  Separating yourself.  Getting ready to leave the nest.  Preparing my heart to let you go.

There you were.  Hands shaking.  Ripping open the envelope.  Crying.  Joyful. Thankful.  Your greatest childhood dream and accomplishment.  Acceptance to Marquette University.  My heart soared for you.

There you are.  Listening.  Agreeing.  Disagreeing.  No matter what? Always there.  Becoming the man you are today.



I will miss you. But I'm so happy for you and your adventure. Be the difference.

I love you, My Little Big Man.

March MADness

I have been a busy bee this week and I do have some posts with finished quilts and a tutorial coming up....buuuut I can't share yet.

So in the meantime...because I hate leaving people hanging like that.

For your enjoyment.

My boys watching the final seconds of the First Round Game of Marquette vs Davidson (NCAA Basketball Tournament).  

It was a nail biter.

Mr. Boss and I agreed that the intensity, passion, and MADness the boys have while watching the game might be a bit much. But ooooh, so funny!!  It really proves that people go crazy over college hoops.  At least we  Marquette U Alumni do!!!

And yes!

 Even the teenager agrees that his reaction to me is pretty funny now, too.

I swear!

Stunned

 I honestly don't think I have ever made such progress in one week, like I have this past week!  I will try to be short and sweet with my comments because this is going to be a full post!

Finishes:

Teen Boy's Throw Pillows

His Marquette U. logo pillow that came with a big surprise on his birthday.

And the other boring *yawn* pillows.  

I have to admit...I like the four quadrant striped one!

Turtle Quilt

Finally done! 

The process took much longer than I wanted, but you can see all the details HERE finally made me happy.

In Progress:

Giant Vintage Star

Quilted it this weekend.

Binding is attached and on to hand sewing!

Rodeo Quilt

Cut my binding!

I opted for WOF cuts so that I could keep the diagonal stripe.  I just have to finish piecing the back and it is next on my list.

Primarily Sean's Quilt

Quilted swirls.

 However, a debacle.

Me.  Doubting my original measurements when I loaded it.

  Do you see that I am 4 inches short on my backing?!?!?  I now have to piece more backing to my already pieced backing.  I am a bit frustrated...so it sits and waits for me to gird my loins, as they say.

Spiders and Webs

On Ole Betsy as we speak.

Opted to make sure I remembered how to meander in case someone asks me to do it for them.  It isn't my favorite style, but it was a welcome and brainless after the debacle on the one above!

No Progress:

Who cares?!?! Did you see all that stuff up above??

Linking up

My Alma Mater

Marquette University

The place where I earned my Nursing degree.  The place where I grew up to become an Army Officer, thanks to the most incredible Army ROTC program!! 

It also happens to be the place where I happened to run into Mr. Boss on the first day I was moving into my dorm.  I don't know how many people meet their soul mate over a big moving cart their freshman year...but I was one of them!

With that said, our children are subjected to Marquette Basketball every single year.  March madness is a sacred time around here.  We don't buy NFL packages for our television review.  We buy NCAA men's basketball packages!!!

You are wondering...why the pillow?  

It is for our oldest son.  

The one who turned 16 yesterday.  

SIXTEEN!!!!!!!

Oh..and yes, it is official.  Fancy Fondant is not for me. Cupcakes?  Oh yes.  I did make the 16 out  fondant because he is the only one in the house that actually likes to eat it!

Back to the pillow....

I predicted he would not be super excited about it. His general response to my quilts when I am done are, "that looks just like all the others....it's a quilt".  But don't be too harsh on him. He admits and everyone else in our house knows that his talents are not in anyway bent to artistic creativeness.

He loves sports.  He REALLY loves Marquette Basketball.

We decided that he needed something special.  A trip to Milwaukee with his dad to see a game.    I am all about surprises and silly packaging. So I thought I would make the foundation pieced pillow.

It was a rocky process and my design changed as I was working on it. 
But I finished it yesterday morning, just in time to tuck the tickets in the box.  

I thought for sure he would say, "Oh...gee...nice" and then the tickets and trip would be even more exciting after such a let down.

Instead?  It was "Mom, wow. You made this for me?  I love it.  It is awesome!"  

I love him.  

He is currently my favorite right now.

Shhhh...don't tell the others.

Spring break is over?

It is amazing how much I was able to get done this week during Spring Break! I even had my laundry done on time?

 I have decided that carpool time really eats into creative time! Do you think I could justify paying after school care just so I can sew, quilt and craft to Mr. Boss? 

No? 

 Shoot! 

 Finished projects

 Cream throw quilt 

 I decided to finish the quilt I now call madness. It absolutely drove me crazy. And because I finished binding it while watching my Alma Mater advance to the Sweet Sixteen during March Madness!

via Marquette University website

 I am actually still rolling my eyes at myself about my ambitions last week. That is possible, right? I can't even describe the humor I find when I read last week's post? Scalloped border? Stitch in the ditch? 

 Feel free to find out what happened on Monday's post HERE if you are in need of a laugh.  I find it crucial to always laugh at myself!  I really never take myself too seriously!

 In Progress Projects

Hartley's quilt

 I am excited! 

 I finished piecing the top. 

 I had to change tactics because I fell in love with the EQ7 design...but realized the motifs were so large that the colors didn't mesh like I had hoped! 

 I ended up making rows of the same colors to draw the eye to each special fabric instead of random bits here and there.  I hope to have the embroidery design finished today! I am getting anxious to quilt and bind her quilt and get it to her momma! 

  Butterfly Kisses 

One sent out last week, another blanket going on the hoop, and another still to edit and digitize. 

 I was in a bad place a few weeks ago. Feeling overwhelmed and unsure if my heart was in it all. But the back and forth I have had with a few of the moms this past week has bolstered my resolve. I can and will continue to do it! I am still working on some pre-made quilt ideas...any quick patterns you recommend to make small keepsake quilts?  Quick, easy, and affordable for the parents that don't already have a blanket or quilt?

 Non quilting projects 

 I am getting close to finishing up a project for our oldest son.

A sneak peek?

No Progress Projects

Twin quilt for nursery

Christmas quilt 

Auction t-shirt quilt 

Baby girl quilt kit 

Thank you quilt 

Bunny's sharpie roll project

 New projects  

None...thank goodness! 

 As always, linking up! 

Keeps me on my toes!

March Madness

Remember the Cream squares that I had cut up from the daybed coverlet here?  I have finished it and am calling the quilt 

Madness

Madness that I thought the color would work with Button's nursery...

It is not white and crisp enough.

Madness that I thought I would be able to piece it easily...

It was 1/4 inch thick and had more ravels than I could stand.  My studio is still covered with random bits of it!

Madness that I thought I would just use a home deco fabric as the backing...

I didn't realize how heavy it was going to make it!  I am not even sure if it is truly washable.  It was a remnant from another project!

Madness that I thought I would just stitch in the ditch....

the seams were so thick that I had to make due with 1/4 inch quilting on the inside of each square!  

Madness that I thought Ole Betsy would make it easy......

She and I really struggled making the stretchy fabric stay still and boy...crossing some of those seams so I didn't have to stop/start for each square made it tricky!  I also didn't use the rulers.  It was just too difficult to even try to add another layer near the needle.  I ended up just FMQ and guiding it against the thick seams.  It is very wonky in places!!!

Madness that I thought using some pre-cut binding fabric I had and that I will probably never use would make it easier...

It was a bear going through all the thick layers of the top and the backing!

Madness that I thought it wasn't that big and would be done binding it lickety split.... 

It took me three movies and two March Madness NCAA basketball  Tournament games.  I will remember it always as the quilt that kept my hands busy while stressing out during my alma mater Marquette University played the feisty Murray State Team!

 The only good thing is that I relegated this quilt to my studio chair and a half!  

The fur-babies like to hang out in here with me and I am tired of dog hair all over me when I am doing any of my handwork in my sanctuary watching my movies.

They love it...even when I take pictures outside.

But, really?

 I named it Madness because Mr. Boss thinks that I am a bit mad for spending so much time on a quilt for the dogs...