What Happened To July?

I know I was away from my computer in July, but it seriously went by like a flash. I'm glad I took a few pics of things I did, or I would have missed it completely.

I made some pioneer clothes for Jordyn to wear on her Trek this year. She and Taylor were experiencing their first pioneer trek in July. I made pantaloons, skirts, aprons, sunbonnets, and kerchiefs. Taylor wore an old pair of Papa K's suspenders and his outfit in large part came from Goodwill. Summer promised to send me pics, so I will update this post later with a more complete set of photos. All I had in my camera was one set of pantaloons. I wasn't very smart with my camera this summer.

Jordyn was asked to speak in Church the Sunday after their Trek. Grumpy and I were in Mesa, so went to hear her. I could tell she developed a soft spot in her heart for the pioneers that sacrificed so much so we could have all that we do now. I have never been on a trek, but felt that same reverence for all those who gave up so much when we visited some of the church history sites in Nauvoo, Kirtland and so on. We have no idea how brutal their experiences were. We can only imagine. I enjoyed Jordyn's sweet testimony of the things she felt.

It was a pleasure to sew for her knowing she would be touched by the spirit. I know Taylor was too, he just isn't very articulate about it. They are both great kids.

I am looking forward to hearing about her next Trek in a couple more years. This time Rylee will get to go.

My only experience with the pioneer spirit was the celebrations our wards did when I was little. I do remember my Mom's pioneer dress. She made it out of a black small print calico. It had yellow bias binding and white lace on the bodice. She had a matching bonnet too. I can't remember what I wore, or Tracy, but I know Curt had a cowboy hat, levi's and chaps. There was always a parade of various home-made covered wagons. Mostly a red wagon with some kind of domed white sheet. There was taffy and home-made ice cream. I so wish I had pics of some of that. Though all of that was fun, I am very glad to see the Treks happen for our youth. I know they take lots of time and money to organize, but I think it is a great way for our kids to be touched in small part by those amazing Saints. Most of us will thankfully never experience the events that put our ancestors on the trail for Salt Lake, but I am grateful they were up to it and endured.

Sacred, Honored Pioneer.

Quilting Crazy!

It felt like crazy. I went to Taya's in July to spend some time finally doing some quilts for the little girls beds.I originally started collecting this fabric when Summer's girls were a lot younger. Sometimes I am really slow. It is very Mary Englebriet and so seemed too young for Summer's girls rooms now, so Lauren and Emersyn were just the right age now to have this motif for their beds.

It seemed like I cut forever, and some of the squares were already cut. A lot of them actually. I had a truckload of fabrics that had made it into this bin over the years and so we had plenty to work with. Since the girls are sleeping on the "short beds" we wanted the bedspreads to fit the length right. The beds are normal twin size except they are a foot shorter. So cute in the room and gives them more play room. We decided since it was a rag quilt design to make an extra panel for them that could be added later when they are on normal length twin beds. And of course there were shams to be made. As I said, it seemed like I cut forever. Taya even helped and did a great job. She now knows how to use a rotary cutter and mat for fabric. The stacks of squares below aren't even all of them, but close enough.

When Taya posts with the finished, washed results I will steal pics from her. I know she took some of the sewing process. Madison, Taya and I all sewed for days. I think Madison has been bitten by the sewing bug. I hope so. She did an awesome job sewing the square X's. She was amazing. Below are the sewn-up bedspreads. Not fringed and washed yet, so they will look different when all the fringes are frayed. Love this style quilt. Easy for beginners and pretty forgiving when things aren't exactly so.

Madison also made an owl pillow for her bed. I hope she had fun with that. She did a great job on it. A little more complex than the quilt X's. Taya made 2 queen size pillow cases for Daron's bed. It was fun to teach her the fun Tube method. I love to make pillow cases. She did them just perfect and I hope learned a lot.

All in all we finished 2 twin size bedspreads (complete with panels to add later), 2 shams, 4 standard size cases for Lauren and Emmy's pillows, and 2 queen size cases for Daron's bed. Oh, and the cute owl pillow for Madison. Wow. That was a crazy 10 days. I got one set (spread, panel and sham) clipped for the fringe, but left Taya to cut the other set. I think between her and Kaitlin, they are finally done and ready for the laundromat. I can't wait to see them.

It feels good to finally finish something started so long ago. Now I have been bitten by the quilt bug and have started collecting for future quilts. Much to Grumpy's dismay. He thinks we should buy stock in JoAnn's. Maybe…