gifts, school and a re-do

The busy pace of the end-of-school-year is upon our house, and I've been finishing projects for several activities. I've done quilts featuring class artwork for my daughter's teachers since kindergarten. However, for this year's third grade and her third grade teacher, a quilt didn't seem the right gift. So, my daughter and I made a quilted apple tote bag together. We started with an apple print fabric, she selected coordinating prints, embroidered one square with an apple and signed in the center of her stitchery. I did the assembly and quilting. We are both very pleased with how it turned out. Perhaps I need one as well! She is going to fill the bag with a batch of cookies for her teacher and her teacher's family before she gives it next week.


My son's teacher got a class quilt last year (when my daughter was in her class). Since this teacher loves reading and really inspires the class, this year we made a "reading cushion" for her room. Each child decorated a square of fabric with the title of a favorite book, and we hope future classes will sit on the cushion and be inspired to read.

My son needed overalls for his "old schoolhouse day" next week. The class dresses in 1909 clothes and spends the day in the one-room schoolhouse which is on the school grounds. It is a wonderful day that every 2nd grader looks forward to. He has his poem and his 12 multiplication tables memorized already! Since I always make my daughter all these special dresses for these types of occasions, of course I need to make my son overalls. He's not a fan of stiff denim or jeans, so I made them of a heavy chambray and I think he will be comfortable.


Finally, back in February I made a guild challenge quilt for the song "Where Have All the Flowers Gone". I liked quilt elements, but I wasn't that crazy about the whole quilt together. I tucked it away in a box after the challenge, and couldn't imagine ever displaying it or giving it to anyone. I love using fun quilted place mats in our kitchen, I've made lots and the kids love changing them. It occurred to me the other day, why not cut the quilt up into place mats. I love them! The kids love them! I'm so glad I thought of a way to re-do my work and now we can enjoy the fun pieced people around our table.