May Happy Mail

My monthly fat quarters have arrived and they are as cute as a ladybug!

Serious!! I LOVE RED!

On a totally different note: I have met NONE of my quilting goals this week. 

I was going to do the Blogger Festival....not.

I was going to get my Classroom Quilt finished and posted for a Friday Finish....not.
But, you know what I told myself: "It's OKAY!!!"
Right now, in this chapter of my life, I'm learning how to relax and slow down without feeling guilty. Ya ever feel like you actually have to learn how to enjoy slowing down? LOL!

But, that's how May is in a teacher's life...a lot going on to wrap up a school year and sometimes, I have to give myself permission to breathe and relax.  I'm also a lead teacher for summer school, so in counter balance, I am busy getting ready for that too. I love my work. But, seriously, by the time I get home right now, I am done. I can't imagine being inside anymore. I enjoy a walk, dinner, a glass (or two) of wine. The evening is wrapped up with me wool stitching, a cup of tea at my side, watching a few of our favorite TV shows. I am to bed early.

I know I'm just missing my time in the studio and starting to look forward Summer Break...the most rejuvenating time of my life!!! Okay, I'm kinda chatty this post. (LOL!) BUT! I do foresee some quilting posts this weekend. YAH!!! (As my husband's schedule is crazier than mine right now...which means more quilting time as I fill the void of our schedules being out of whack.)
Smiles,
Val:)

Tuesday Archives #11: Charm Pack & Chicken Quilts

WELCOME!!!

This is the linky party the let's you rejuvenate old quilting post!!! We're having fun!

If you are new to our linky, read here for details.

<div align="center">
<a href="http://myplvl.blogspot.com/" title="Val's Quilting Studio"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTh-z8MMZ2VMG5eOk3VAQbw4e7l-v0gQQ1yBZyyvmagoeIAeuGX8qww-6JOmIkrtcFvNzCZEAkhaLp1oXC05Jlr-kIGufJ_gRTv3B7C0SVcKnPPa5aeQJUlvX65bsV-8ikQJ2KSxwSCDo8/s1600/Untitled2.jpg" alt="Val's Quilting Studio" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

This week is all about Quilts made from CHARM PACKS and well, ones that feature CHICKENS! (LOL! It's a "C" and I thought some of ya may have a few quilts with chickens in them.)

CHARM PACK QUILTS: 

What are we to do with all those charm packs we seem to accumulate?? One sure did come in handy when my oldest daughter wanted me to teach her how to make her first quilt back in 2012. Sewing a charm pack together was the perfect way for her to learn that 1/4" seam and how to "nest" those rows. 

I quilted it on my long-arm using a Caribbean Flowers pantograph.

We laughed, as even though she tried to "keep it random", she still ended up with some blues and purples smack dab next to each other. (Oh well!)  This ended up being a nice 55"x70" throw quilt. She did a good job don't ya think!

CHICKENS 

Okay, truth be told, I searched through all my archives, folders of quilts made and this is the ONLY chicken I could find amongst them all. LOL!! Yep! It's the life- cycle of a chicken as illustrated by one of my second graders on my current Classroom Animal Quilt project I'm working on finishing this week.  I have a feeling you guys will have much better "chicken" themed items than I! (Although I do admit this one is awfully cute!!)

Happy Mother's Day!

Wishing everyone quilty hugs this Mother's Day! 

(Our girls)

(Love your two.)

With Smiles,

Val:)

Classroom Animal Quilt Top Sewn

Of course I was not without the company of Jackson as I played around taking pictures of my Classroom Animal Quilt flimsy. In-between throws of the tennis ball, the wind and efforts made trying to beat the incoming rain, I finally got it hung.

He paused long enough in his game of ball to be included in the picture.

It measures 50 inches square and will be the perfect classroom cuddle quilt. My goal is to get this quilted and binding on, for another Friday finish next week. I can't wait for the kids to see it! I'm going to have to set a timer to ensure they all get their "fair" amount of time using it during our May Marathon of Reading. 

With smiles,

Val:)

Spring Pinwheel Quilt

I made this quilt last May (2013/before I started blogging) and wanted to get it documented here on my blog. I call it Spring Pinwheels. This is  my very favorite fat quarter pattern. This lap size, takes 12 fat quarters and can literally be made in a weekend! I quilted it with a butterfly pantograph .

And I found the perfect butterfly print for the back. (It's kinda hard to see the print.)

I made it for my very favorite Aunt Carlene as an I Love You/Thank You gift. She came all the way to Oregon  from Michigan for our oldest daughter's wedding.
We were all so happy to have her here!  

Me, my mom & Aunt Carlene.

Nothing like sending one of your favorite people home with a quilty hug!!
With smiles,
Val:)