Monday, September 8, 2014

What I Did On My Summer Vacation.....

Hello my friends! I have really missed all of you and this community of sharing.
 I had such a great summer...lots of fun and family!
Thank you Madam Samm for coming up with this 
"do what you want for the summer" idea 
and Shari for being our gracious and supportive cheerleader!

Spoiler alert!!
I am going to post too many pictures...again.. :)

My first project was my wonderful son's room. When he first came home after college, his room looked remarkably like his room at college...
....no surprise, but then he got a job in San Francisco and moved only what he could fit in a suitcase. Now his room looked pathetic (my words). I got permission to create a makeover as long as it was only bedspread, curtains and art over the bed ....and it had to be in his college colors! 

So here it is, garnet and gold, Florida State University and the bedroom of a young man...whew. 
The quilt at the bottom of his bed is reversible.


One of my blessings this summer was being asked to finish the last quilt of a life-long quilter. She is 91 years young and has hand made and hand quilted every one of her quilts. Her daughter gave me 20  18" hand embroidered blocks. They were for her last quilt, for her niece.
After piecing the blocks and finding a border....
The long arm quilters did such a beautiful job a mimicking the red thread's pattern.
Here she is with her final quilt....ready for her niece. I am so glad I was given this opportunity.

Next, I found this wonderful pattern to use in my library. 
It was a pattern for a list of rules.....
I had to practice soooo long to make this blanket stitch look decent.....

Here are some of my library patrons practicing the rule .....  
be silly!
Some of my students thought it was cool that the "rules" were hung on a rule..r.    (They are so smart.)
Here are some of my Lego maniacs practicing the rule....
"play nice"
Here is my finished project...Rules for the Library.
I love it hanging in the window, especially as the light shines through it from outside.  
And the biggest rule breakers in the library are......
THE TEACHERS.......during faculty meetings!

I was given a gift of flannel and decided this would make a lovely Christmas present for one of the many men in the fam!


After a year of tenacious work, my Eureka! BOM quilt is completed.....

....quilted soooo beautifully.....(not by me)

...and bound by me after I learned how to do a PERFECT binding by my BOM teacher, Faye.

Here is where it finally lives....waiting on the back of the family room couch for a football halftime snooze :)


So, okay, I am finally at my final project! It is my Riley Blake gingham piece.  Sorry, I had to leave it for last, hoping you would make it to the end of my post :)



I put together this little bag, which will probably end up as a gift for my sweet next door neighbor, Cassidy, who has me wrapped around her little finger. 

Monday, September 8
Quilting Quietly  .......this is me :)
Creatin' in the Sticks
Procrastination Queen
Lovelli Quilts
Cherry Blossoms

Please visit the rest of these talented, creative women.  
We are all going to knock your socks off!



62 comments:

  1. Oh my gosh, you have been sew busy! I love the Rules wall hanging, very clever. Your finishing the quilt for the life long quilter is perfect and she looks truly happy with it. Thank you for sharing your busy summer.

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  2. Your gingham purse is darling. Great job. Wow on all the things you did this summer.

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  3. Oh sweetie - you have been busy. All just truly wonderful, but the finishing of a 'seasoned' quilter's last quilt really touches the heart. It's those little finger wrappers who truly inspire us to make things sometimes.

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  4. You are an angel for that 91 year old lady. Once a quilter, always a quilter and you helped her to finish that gorgeous quilt.
    Dots a gingham just work so well and your bag with the little coin purse is so sweet.
    All of your summer finishes rock. Your son has to love his room and who wouldn't love a nap with that quilt in your family room?

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  5. So many lovely projects, you had a busy summer!

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  6. Mary Pat I had to go through and look at all this eye candy twice! Just over the Beautiful colors and Quilts!! I love the stitching on your friends Quilt, so delicate and pretty, what a outstanding job you did finishing it for her!! Love the Life Rules Hanging, I would love to try that one, looks like fun too~ and your little sweetie will adore her New Bag, so fresh and happy looking! Thanks for sharing your wonderful Summer with us, I surely enjoyed it~

    Huggs, Nancy

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  7. OK. So did you sleep? Just anytime this summer? I love all your projects. Especially the rules for the library. And the quilt you made for the life long quilter, that is really special. And the rag quilt. Oh and the bag. All of them really. Thank you for sharing!

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  8. So many lovely projects you've made this summer. I love the gingham bag and accessories .

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  9. You have really been busy during the summer months. So many wonderful and fun projects from your hand and sewing machine. I love the little cute purse with accessories.
    Thanks for sharing your creativity
    Hugs from me in Sweden

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  10. Oh, I just love each and every one of your projects. A sew very productive summer. Your library rules is really cool. Great work!

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  11. You sure have been busy! Such great projects, but I really love the Library Rules!

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  12. You've been very busy this summer....love each project. Your gingham bag is very sweet,,nice and cheerful

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  13. what treasures came out of your summer...the berry quilt that you completed for her was heavenly, your library, gingham and sons's bedroom an absolute delight...wow..

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  14. Well, you certainly knocked MY socks off! I esp. loved your rules wallhanging. How clever and how cute. As a former educator and a quilter, I can appreciate your effort and your attitude. What fun to be in your library!! Cute bag. I loved the little coin purse hanging from the zipper tab. Such a delightful post with lots of lovelies to see.

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  15. Wow, a lot of great projects. I love your little bag!! That is adorable. Great job.

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  16. You were really busy this summer. Great projects!

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  17. Mary Pat, Your a Florida treasure ! All your quilts are beautiful and the gingham purse is adorable. What a wonderful thing you did, finishing that little ladies final quilt....such a nice thing ! I absolutely love what you made for the library !!!! What a great idea. Eureka is just beautiful in those shades of purple.

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  18. Mary Pat ... I love all the pictures. The makeover for your son's room is wonderful. So welcoming for when when the young man comes home from making his way in the world.

    The quilt you finished is beautiful ... as is this life-long quilter. Her photo with her quilt brought a tear to my eye. You are a beautiful lady yourself.

    You have been sew accomplished this summer. The gingham bag is cute. Any gal, young or old, would live to claim this one.

    Thank you for sharing ... :) Pat

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  19. You DID have a busy summer. Your projects are all beautiful. I really love that embroidered quilt. I am sure she was pleased with it too. Your gingham bag is just darling too. Nice work.

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  20. Oh my! I absolutely love everything you made!!! Your colors are so bright and cheerful! Your "rules" wall hanging is so perfect for the library. It makes the space happy and homey. Great job!!!!

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  21. Wow Mary Pat! I love all the work you did this summer, especially the rules wall hanging. I bet the kids at the library love it! I still LOVE the quilt you made me, it's been the greatest gift! Thank you again for that! It keeps me and my heart warm and remembers me that there are many loved ones across the big pond. I hope to see you and the Patricks soon! :) Sending all my love to you!

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  22. WOW what an awesome display. I love that you are not afraid of colour. Your sons' room, the BOM, your Rules quilt, and the gingham gift bag are so lively and cheerful. What a blessing to both of you that you could help finish the quilt for a lifelong quilter.

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  23. WOW! You have made so many beautiful things. I love what you did to your sons room. My grandson lives with me so I think he needs to see this. Maybe then he will let me change HIS room.
    The quilt you finished is just gorgeous. I know she really appreciates what you did.
    I love the gingham purse, too. This is so cute and will make a wonderful gift. Thanks for sharing.

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  24. You had quite an amazing summer of sewing! I love your rules idea, the bag, and everything else! The quilt you finished for the 91 year old is such a treasure.

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  25. Well GOODNESS!!!! ALL OF IT!!! IS GOODNESS!!!!
    I LOVE that you were able to finish the one quilt for the life long quilter...that was such a blessing I am sure....
    Your projects are all so lovely...really, great job!

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  26. What a gorgeous gingham bag! I love it! I also like your rules and your comment about adults breaking them. I can think of several places in our world which could benefit from following those rules! Wonderful projects!!

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  27. Mary Pat-You've already knocked my socks off! As a retired teacher, I know how precious those summertime days are-you really put them to good use. Ironically, I have a cousin in Florida named Mary Pat and I am a SF native now living in the 'burbs.' We will be moving back to the big city soon as we will be having our home renovated. I love you rules of the library-what a great way to get your point across with the students. I'm sure they were as impressed as I was. From California, thanks for sharing. Rosemary

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  28. Where to begin! Your projects are absolutely spectacular! Your quilts are amazing, the gorgeous hand embroidered quilt, SWOON! The "list" is such a cute reminder to us all :D Thank you for sharing your lovely talents.

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  29. Wow you finished so many large projects! They are all fabulous, and the little purse with Riley Blake Gingham is simply too sweet for words.

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  30. So many wonderful projects I couldn't possibly choose a favorite! Your son's room looks wonderfully welcoming and my heart just melted over the hand embroidered quilt. But that library project oh my goodness - my daughter is a librarian and while she is in a high school setting I bet many of your rules would fit there too! blessings, marlene

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  31. Oh my! Such gorgeous projects. I want to be your neighbor too.

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  32. Wow! You sure are one busy and talented lady! Your pinwheels are adorable. Thanks for sharing your talents and creativity with us today.

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  33. Oh my you had a spectacular stitching summer. What a gorgeous array of projects. You son's room looks incredible. (amazing how boys are isn't it) LOL!!
    I love love love your library rules banner. It's perfect...and that gingham bag, wow! Just too cute. Not to mention Eureka in my favorite colors!

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  34. Beautiful projects and I loove your ginghams!

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  35. Wow, beautiful quilts! All of them. Love your little gingham bag too. Polk a dot and gingham go great together!!

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  36. Such beautiful projects. And to have them finished is great. I love the gingham bag.

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  37. Mary Pat, did you sleep at all? My godness, so many projects, quilted, finished, I am still starring at the screen! You are incredible, I love the library quilt, I could hang it also at my home with my 3 small boys... LOL
    Great bag, full of details, I like it very much!

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  38. It would take me an hour or more to adequately tell you how beautiful your projects ALL are. Your son's college quilt is such a treasure....I mean everything is so cute. I am a retired reading teacher so I spent many hours in my school library which makes your Rules chart so special. The gingham bag, etc... is just beautiful.
    Blessings
    Gmama Jane

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  39. Wow wow wow! You've done amazing work and given me a plethora of ideas!

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  40. Wow, you were busy this summer. All your projects are beautiful. I especially like the embroidery block one.

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  41. Yes....you most certainly did knock my socks off! Each and every project, perfect in it's own way. Thank you for sharing all of these wonderful projects.

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  42. Beautiful Post! Love all your incredible creations and love how you used the gingham!!!

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  43. Lots of beautiful projects were made! What an honor you had in being able to finish that quilt for the 91 year old gal. It looks wonderful.

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  44. I think you have had a wonderfully sew summer. Thanks for sharing.

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  45. Wow, I don't know where to start, all your projects are so great!!!
    Love the quilt you*ve made for the libray, what a wonderful idea!
    Wonderful job you did on the quilt for the ols lady, very heartwarming.
    Your gingham project ist so cute, thanks for sharing!

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  46. Amazed by everyone's productivity ! Thanks for sharing your lovelies . Love the gingham pinwheels. Janita

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  47. Boy, were you busy! Love all your projects! It's so great you got to finish that quilt, how wonderful! Your gingham bag is just the sweetest.

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  48. Oh wow, so many amazing quilts and projects! And I love your rules!

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  49. Wow, you sure had a very productive summer. Love all of your projects, especially the quilt of rules displayed on a ruler. Very clever.

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  50. Geez lady, you have been busy this summer. All of your projects are just absolutely beautiful!!! Your gingham bag is so sweet but my favorite is the embroidery blocks and the quilt you made from them. Very lovely!!!

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  51. Oh my gracious lady!! What a summer vacation you had. I can't even pick a favorite. Each is so special and different from the next. What a great opportunity to help finish another quilter project, I am sure she is just so grateful. All just beautiful!!!

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  52. You had a busy summer. Aren't these OLD ladies the best. When my second husband and I got married, I wanted a Double Wedding Ring quilt. I made a friend of a lady who said she'd mentor me in making one. I picked out some fabrics and she didn't approve, so back to the LQS I went. The second trip was approved. Then I made a test block and we started some discussions. She said that DWQ is her favorite quilt and she'd like to make it. So, she did. She at 89 made the king size quilt in 3 weeks on a treale machine. I had it professionally quilted. Before I got it bound, my husband died. I entered it this year in my quilt guild's show and it won an Honorable Mention. At 91, she wanted to know what the judges didn't like about her quilt. Well, some of it was her and some of it was that I didn't miter the binding. I need to go see her and give her the ribbon. You did a wonderful job of finishing the quilt for the lady's niece. Your "rules" hanging touches my heart. I had double majors and double minors in college. One of my majors was education. Even though I didn't each, I got my master in education and I almost had my doctorate in gifted ed. I was two classes and my dissertation away when I became too ill to continue. I still love education. My daughter is a teacher and I'll be going to visit her for three weeks to help with her sons while her mother-in-law goes to Israel. I love your BOM quilt - what a project. And I adore your man quilt. Anything gingham is tops in my book. My mom made matching gingham dresses for us and matching shirts for my brothers. When we'd go shopping, she'd always tell me (the youngest), if I got separated from them to look at my dress and then look for that fabric to find a member of the family. Thanks for participating and sharing the labors of love of your summer.

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  53. Love your 'Rules' hanging! It's the truth about those teachers! Wonderful quilt you put together for that lady's niece. And we love the gingham bag - must find someone who we can wrap round our finger! Ha!

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  54. Love the RULES hanging. I was moved by your story of completing that lady's quilt for her. I love the colors in your BOM quilt and the bag is so cute--I like all the colors in it and the design.

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  55. Love the "Rules" and all your other projects, especially the bag. Susie

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  56. Busy ,busy, busy. You certainly made some beautiful projects. I guess I would pick the quilt for the niece. Such a sweet sentiment. But I like the bright colors in the gingham purse.

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  57. What lovely projects you have made this summer. I'm sure you were really honored to finish the beautiful quilt for your quilting friend. It is lovely.

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  58. Wow, my goodness. I`m so glad I stopped by. Your projects are fantastic . I love the quilt you finished for the elderly lady. I`m sure she loves it as well. Great blog post!

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  59. WOW, your summer sewing projects just blew me away!! AWESOME, everyone of your projects. I have to say I do have a favorite...the hand embroidered quilt is a sure beauty!! Thanks for sharing your talent and inspiration!! Happy stitching, Pauline

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  60. You have been one busy gal doiong not only a collegial colored quilt but curtains to match it. What an improvement there! I love that you were able to finish up a quilt for your elderly friend. The border fabric wqas a perfect choice. Then there was all that gingham goodness to enjoy! You rock, Mary Pat!

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  61. Mary Pat , I loved every thing that you posted on this entry.......absolutely loved your son's quilts........I have a co- worker that is a big Gator fan and has been bugging me to make his Gator inspired quilt and also do a tshirt one with the many years of collecting his Tshirts(a man of almost 70 has a number of them.)......both of yours were great and is much more styled for an adult..............Love the Eureka quilt----have fabric set aside to do it, just haven't started it.....you have inspired me to get busy on it.............the cross stitch quilt was beautiful, and it shows that the fabric you chose to go with a piece like that can make it Pop and that you did......last but by no means the least is the wall hanging for the library ....loved it................................I have a question for you, Mary Pat---------------------are you working on your Gypsy Wife Quilt and is it worth getting the pattern/booklet?------------I loved your two African inspired quilts and to me that Gypsy Wife Pattern is of the same vibe..........I am seriously considering getting the pattern........You are awesome!!! Marcia R.

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Thank you for any little comment about my work or my blog. I am an old quilter, but a new blogger who loves to learn, improve and connect!