I Am Sewing

After my friend Kim died, I sort of inherited a large number of her quilt tops--meaning that I saved them from going to Deseret Industries, in the trash, or other suggestions her husband had for them. Her daughters wanted the quilts and her husband didn't want them in the house anymore, so I brought them home to keep until a time when the girls will have homes of their own and take them back. As a service I thought it would be fun to finish some of them, so several of my friends and relatives have taken some to quilt. There were more than 20 finished quilt tops and at least that many more unfinished. I especially want to get the baby quilts done so that Kim's grandchildren can have one of her beautiful creations.
Seeing all of Kim's unfinished projects got me to thinking about my own, so I determined to spend the summer sewing-- that when I'm gone there won't be so much for my family to complete or get rid of.
Although not part of my completion list, this is the quilt I made for little Marcus and even a picture of Marcus enjoying a little time on it. The pattern is Wheels by Sandy Workman. It was quilted at Sew 'n' Save and the quilter included little VW Beetles as part of her pattern.

I took a couple of weeks off of my projects in June to help sew some Wizard of Oz costumes for Kaysville City's summer production. I usually am their accompanist, but our director used a minus track this year and I only did a little playing at the beginning of the rehearsal schedule. That gave me some time to help with the costumes. I sewed the Emerald City costumes for Jenny and Sam, who were the only ones from my family to perform this year. I also sewed the coat of the guard to Emerald City. All of the costumes were pretty complicated--it took one whole week just to get everything cut out. If Melissa hadn't stepped in to help me finish at the last minute, some people might have only been wearing partial costumes. What a lot of work! I'm glad I wasn't the one responsible for everything! I'll have to see if I can find some pictures of the costumes and post them at another time.

I have joined a couple of table runner quilt clubs in the past years, so one of my next projects was to complete another one of them. This pattern is Fresh and Fancy by Bonnie Olaveson of Cotton Way. All of the table runners in this series are reversible. I machine quilted this one myself and since Emily loved it so much, I have given it to her.


The last picture for this post is the quilt I've made for Joel and Emilee's baby, due anytime now. This one is a variation of a pattern called Up in the Air by Two Peas in a Pod. Sew 'n' Save did the quilting using some bus and other vehicle motifs as well as pine trees on the quilt. We just can't wait to meet the the little guy this one belongs to!

So my theme song will continue to be "I am sewing, daily sewing, countless seams of good and ill" for the remaining weeks of my summer break. Next up: skirts and jumpers for my granddaughters.

My Friend Kim

Today I had the opportunity to be the organist at the funeral of a long time friend--my last act of service as it were.

I have known Kim for more than 20 years. My first memory of her is of a young mother singing to her infant son in the foyer of our church building as we were waiting for tithing settlement. Some months after adopting this baby, they discovered that he had fetal alcohol syndrome and would be severely handicapped. But oh how she loved that little boy with an unconditional love.

I think that the first conversation we had of any length was at a baby shower for someone in the ward. I discovered as we visited that we had some things in common and also that she didn't have many friends. My heart has always reached out to people who were lonely in that way, but I haven't always been successful in turning them into a friend--fortunately I was successful this time.

We had the love of quilting, sewing, needlework, shopping, music, books, and our families in common. She was an incredibly talented seamstress, sewing beautiful heirlooms--her daughters were always dressed in the most wonderful dresses created by their mother. At one period of time we were trading piano lessons for her oldest daughter in return for some sewing for me. I don't know who got the best of that deal!

Her talent for putting together wonderful quilts was inspiring and I have been the happy recipient of two small ones that she made just for me. She loved to teach others what she knew how to do--I learned to applique from her. I also went shopping with her many times--that woman was a shopper! She introduced me to places I'd never been before, including my favorite needlework shop, Shepherd's Bush, in Ogden.

In those early days of our friendship Kim was a little prickly and easily offended, tending to hold grudges. More than once when I was on outings with her she made salesclerks and restaurant servers cry. Those times were hard for me, but I persisted with our friendship because I thought she was worth it.

Some years ago things changed. Kim was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis and I watched helplessly as it took it's toll on her body. She had many surgeries, complications, and other illnesses that also attacked her. However, I was privileged to witness the miracle that took place over this time period--the thing that ravaged her body was refining her spirit. I saw her soften and become patient with others' human frailties, doing everything in her power to serve others, making other true friendships along the way. I believe that Kim knows what the refiner's fire means. How sorry I am for the amount of suffering she endured, but I am so happy for the person she became.

Our outings became fewer over time--she couldn't manage the stairs to my home, so most of our visits were in her home or via the phone. I knew that when Kim called me that I should take a comfortable seat because we were in it for the long haul. We commiserated over hard things, rejoiced in the successes of our families, and generally solved the problems of the world.

As Jim sang Each Life That Touches Ours For Good for the funeral today, he was singing the truth for me. Kim has truly touched my life for good and I will miss her. For all those years ago when I thought that she could benefit from having me for a friend, I have been the true beneficiary. Rest, dear friend.

What a Week!

This has been such a busy week, full of wonderful events and a couple of not so wonderful things. Our daughter-in-law, Emilee, was put on modified bed rest on Tuesday when it looked like her little one might want to come too early, but things have stabilized for now and she just has to rest as much as possible and avoid physical exertion. She is due towards the end of July so we'd like him to stay in the cooker a little longer.
Wednesday evening was spent in the ER with my Dad. He was put on some new medications that really messed with his system, but after a few tests and some re-hydration via IV we got to bring him home feeling better and with good reports from his tests.
Thursday evening was a wonderful one--I got to attend the play that Sam wrote and directed for the Relief Society sisters in her ward. It was based on Dicken's A Christmas Carol and she called it A Mother's Day Carol--all about how all the mothers in the world feel inadequate in their roles. What a wonderful, positive, and sweet message it was to all of us. The music she chose to go with the program was perfect, too. We are so proud of her!
Friday afternoon we attended Stephanie's graduation from the University of Utah with a bachelor's degree in International Relations. Although she's the youngest, she is the first of our children to receive a bachelor's degree. Way to go Stephanie! We are proud of you, too!

We appreciate Danny's support of her and encouragement in reaching her educational goals.

Saturday, we had the special experience of witnessing our granddaughter, Bonnie's baptism. How thankful we are for her choice to become a member of the church and how thankful we are for her!

Now what better way is there to spend part of Mother's Day than attending a baby blessing--especially your own grandson's. We love little Marcus James. What a nice morning it was for all of us in attendance.

There was also a little birthday celebration held for big brother Ben, who turned two years old last Friday. What a kid!

Now just a few thoughts on Mother's Day--I miss my mother every single day, but oh how thankful I am for the many years and happy memories I had with her. I am so grateful to be a mother and a grandmother--I love all the people I call my family.

Last weekend Tate was baptized and confirmed by his Dad. How nice it was to be able to be there and share in this happy occasion. There was a lot of family support and that is always so gratifying. We love you Tate! Congratulations on this big step in your life.

Someone New

We are so pleased to announce the arrival of Marcus James, son of Adam and Emily, and little brother to Ben. He was born on Wednesday, May 6th, weighing in at 9 lbs. 7 oz. and was 22" long. He has a strong resemblance to Ben, but his hair is lighter in color. Mother and son are doing fine, which is such a great blessing. We are always so happy to add someone new to our family!

Something New

It has been almost 24 years since we moved into our house and for all of those years only one window in the living room has had a covering. That blind broke several years ago, becoming nonadjustable, but since I couldn't decide what to replace it with, it just stayed as it was. I have always loved the look of plantation shutters and this past week we were able to have them installed on every living room window. I really love them and what they do for the room! They have created a cosier atmosphere in there. Oh and I need to mention the total privacy, too. They have insulating properties also, which will help keep the temperature regulated better (it's always been too cold in the winter and too hot in the summer) and the added bonus is a tax rebate! A new rug and a mirror will finally finish the room to be what I've always wanted it to be.

New Student

When I was seven years old my parents gave me the gift of piano lessons--probably one of the best gifts I have ever been given. I don't remember how old I was when I first had the desire to teach piano, but by my early teens I was dabbling in teaching. By the time I was fifteen I was teaching for real. I always loved doing it except for the time when I got up to forty-four students--kinda took the joy out of it. It was a great way to add to the family income and still be able to be home with my little children.

I taught my own children with varying degrees of success, but many times I had to send them to their grandparents' homes so that they had access to a piano to practice on.

As the years passed the thing that allowed me to stay at home began to tie me down instead, so I determined that it was time to cut back. As students moved or quit I just didn't take any new ones and I completely did away with my waiting list. I kept just one family and promised to teach all of their girls until they were done with me.

Once again things have changed. I now have grandchildren old enough to begin learning to play the piano and I find myself with the opportunity to introduce that generation to the joys of having music in their lives. For the first time in awhile I have taken on a new student--my nineyear old grandson, Brandon. So far he's doing very well and likes it so much. Hopefully his enthusiasm will last for years to come.