"The Mitten"

My cousin Cindy works in a preschool and gave my children this beautiful book. She described how much fun her students have acting out the story. "The Mitten" by Jan Brett is a stunningly beautiful story about sharing in a "making room for all" way.

Each year I make "mittens" for our preschool.

After a long December of studying all types of holiday traditions, reading books like "The Mitten" and making every type of holiday craft imaginable, the preschool's  holiday party day arrives. Each student gets one of these large mittens to personalize by decorating. Then they each one-by-one give their peers a present (pencils, mini-playdough, stickers, etc.) to be places within their "mitten." It is really a beautiful time of sharing and caring by little four and five year olds.

This, however, is what I am left with after cutting out the mittens.

Well, I can't just throw out that huge amount of fabric! So, as per Joan Ford's instructions in "Cut the Scraps," I cut the remainder into piles of 2, 3 1/2 and 5 inch squares and............

 

..................I made a little gift for each teacher.

Here is a detailed photo of each quilt.

So, what do you think of these scrappy table runners?

I hope Miss Chris and Miss Laura will enjoy them as much as we have this wonderful Christmas tradition of giving and sharing.

"Braid in a Day" by Eleanor Burns

THE QUESTION:
What can you get from one Jelly Roll of beautiful fabrics and a pattern by Eleanor Burns?

THE ANSWER: Endless options for beautiful braids and even more beautiful quilts!

 

This is my "Window on a Marmalade Sky" made from Eleanor Burn's "Quilt in a Day" pattern.

It was made as a sample for The Joyful Quilter in Glenville, New York.

It was my first attempt at quilting in the modern quilt style and 

I am very happy with how it turned out.

From Moda's line called "Double Chocolat" comes this little donation for The Alzheimer's Art Quilt Initiative.

The braid below became a table runner also from the "Double Chocolat" line of fabrics. (In real life it is rectangular and not wonky as per this photo :-))

Here are my Christmas scrappy placemats and the mini-braid which will become a donation to AAQI.

Finally, after a four hour class today my seven students each completed a braid. Everyone seemed to have a good time and check out these amazing results.

Paula came prepared to make the table runner above. Can't wait to see the placemats to go with it.
Rosemary used the bright and sunny fabrics below for a beautiful braid.

 Maureen's batiks are just stunning. I helped her pick the framing and border fabrics and I can't wait to see the finished quilt!

 This is Pat's "Fellowship" by Moda on the left and Deb K's "Double Chocolat" on the right.
Below are Pat and Debbie M's "Fellowship" braids side by side. Amazing!

Below are Maureen's batiks, Sandy's "Fellowship" sampler, Debbie M's "Fellowship" braid and Deb  K's "Double Chocolat" all in a row!  What a great day and a fun class.  

Thank you, Ladies.

Q.U.I.L.T.S. & The Alzheimer's Art Quilt Initiative

Once upon a time, my guild said, "Oh Lynn, our AAQI Quilt Registration Goddess, will you please create a booth for our quilt show all about the Alzheimer's Art Quilt Initiative and our relationship with it?"

"Sure," I replied and then had no idea how to proceed.

Inspiration finally came within months of the show. (It's amazing how a real deadline will inspire action!)  I wanted a display which would function as not only beautiful but also informational even if I was not standing right by it. So off to the internet I went. 

My first stop was Ami Simms. As founder and curator of AAQI, I thought she might have a banner or something to offer. She said that she did not, but I was welcome to the official AAQI logo as long as I blogged about the results. Thank you, Ami.

The next step was a HUGE risk. I found All State Banners, did my own clicking for sizing, used the AAQI logo for design and instantly had a beautiful vinyl banner which will be used, hopefully, for many years to come.

Finally, I encouraged the guild to keep quilting for AAQI, made a few signs to explain what folks were seeing in this booth and this is what it looked like:

   

There were 25 quilts in the display from 12 women. Below are the first 15 which have been registered on the AAQI site and are awaiting assignment for sale or auction. All profits go directly to Alzheimer's research projects. The AAQI has raised more than $773,000 since January 2006.

12,286 - My Coneflower 

12,287 - Pieces	12,288 - They Were Flowers Once	12,289 - The Flowers Are Hiding
12,290 - Butterfly	12,291 - Moon Over the Mohawk	12,292 - Party Kimono
12,293 - Kismet Cat On The Moon	12,294 - Tulips On The Hill	12,295 - Heart Felt
12,296 - Autumnal Paints	12,297 - Circle of Life	12,298 - Looking To The Stars

12,299 - Zinfandel #1

12,300 - Zinfandel #2

Currently, AAQI has a booth at the International Quilt Festival in Houston, Texas. Over 2,100 quilts are there for sale. Here is the link for a slideshow of all the quilts for sale in Texas:

http://www.alzquilts.org/houston2012.html

The AAQI November 2012 Celebrity Auction has also begun and features quilts by the following Superstars of the quilting world:
 Alex Anderson, Hollis Chatelain, Caryl Bryer Fallert, John Flynn.
  Diane Gaudynski, Becky Goldsmith, Pat Holly, Libby Lehman.
  Marsha McCloskey, Sue Nickels, Mary Sorensen, and Ricky Tims.

This is an online auction. Everyone is invited to bid. Check out the quilts here: Celebrity Auction.

Thank you for your interest in our charitable quilting, and also, thank you to the ladies of Q.U.I.L.T.S. (Schenectady) for all your beautiful work and your giving spirits!!