Last week I found out that the job I had for over 30 years will likely soon be over. Greg (my boss) and I were blind sided. The school we work at found a company that will pay for the renovation they want to happen, so Pioneer is out and Sodexo is in. I am over the shock of it, finally, but as soon as someone stops to say good-bye I tear up. Perhaps it is a good thing a pandemic has hit and so few people are on campus!
In cleaning out a drawer, I found pictures from years ago of student workers. We have had so many students pass through our dining hall. When I got home I started looking at pictures of some of the quilts I’ve made for the students that made an impact with me.
One of the first was a Butterfly quilt from a Debbie Mumm pattern. I actually made it twice. As pictured, for Katie, and in purples, for Lindsey.
One of the early ‘disappearing’ patterns from Missouri Star Quilt Company was the Disappearing Nine Patch. I used patriotic prints for a quilt for Greg.
For Joni, I had a new book called Scrap-Basket Sensations. All made out of Jelly Rolls, another thing new to the time. I bought the book for one pattern, and have yet to make it! I made Island Chain, but instead of using the island batiks pictured, I used Kansas Trouble fabrics, as that was the color palette I loved back then and all I bought. I made it over a spring break and loved the pattern so much, I bought 3 more of her books!
It was Snickers approved.
Using yet more Kansas Troubles, I made a quilt for Gina using the pattern Jacob’s Ladder. By switching the color placement of the blocks, it formed a cool pattern. An old block called for an old quilting motif as well so I had quilted it using the Baptist Fan pattern.
I made a quilt for Seth that is from a favorite designer, Carrie Nelson. I modified it for size from the pattern, but it is called Tire Tracks!
Gone to Pieces quilt shop in Kimball offered a Block of the Month program one year that I admired every time I went to the store. I finally signed up to participate in it. So many stars! I enjoyed individual blocks, but it was so much work. In the end, I loved it! But I had already promised it to Natasha. It was really hard to give away.
Long post, so one more. Jeanette and I went to Des Moines for an AQS quilt show. We also took a few classes. One was using a new ruler to help sew diamonds. In the class, I of course used Kansas Troubles 🙂 but MJ liked red and purple. So that is what I used. I was doubtful, but I think it turned out pretty well.
Every time I look at the pictures, I think of the student I made the quilt for, and am thankful for the time that I had with them. I had many good years at NCU and met many wonderful people, a few of them quilt worthy. 🙂
This is the farm where I grew up. My Mother moved here when she was 10 and we bought it from my grandparents when I was 4. It has seen many changes over the years. In the late ’50’s, indoor plumbing and an addition was added to the house. In the ’70’s the hog barn was taken down and the feeding floor was put in, which you can’t see for ALL THE TREES! The machine shed was added and the grainery has been taken down. The bins were sold and removed and at the beginning of this month, the barn and silos were taken down. There have been several aerial photos taken over the years. The first one was really big, taken in the 70’s. You can actually see my Grandpa in it testing the fence. In this one, I think taken around 2008, my Mom and I are in the garden.
Bowtiesnstars 