The Christmas Quilts

I never got to tell about my Christmas gifts to my mom and dad. First of all, they didn't get them until the first week of January because of a very busy December. I thought I could finish them in December, but then grandpa died, so a funeral, and a wedding and and and.......

So I had a sewing marathon between Christmas and New Year's.

My dad coached football, wrestling, and other sports for over 25 years. It was hard for me to ever get a date in high school because my dad was the head football coach. He also coached girls' softball, which was a lot of fun for me. All of my high school memories include my dad. I didn't realize (until a parent myself) how much he worked when I was growing up. But because we got to be with him during his "work," we didn't ever miss out on having him around.

Last year he retired from teaching, being an athletic director, and his career of coaching here in my hometown. He had an extensive collection of t-shirts, sweatshirts, and other EAGLE paraphernalia. I told him that I would make him a t-shirt quilt. As I started cutting them down last summer, I thought----I am going to add pictures! So I rounded up pictures of all of my siblings with my dad at athletic events from over the years. THAT is what made the quilt! I wish you could see it in person, it really turned out awesome and better than the picture!

It had the desired affect, my dad called me in tears. I am so glad he liked it!

Yes, the picture close to the middle is of my state champion softball team, my dad is one of the coach's in it too. Ryan said, "So you put yourself right in the middle?"

Well, I am the one who made the quilt!

And here is what my house looks like when mom doesn't do anything but sew for two days.

I did feed the children :)

Here is my mom's quilt. I love it. I wanted to do an antique, pioneer looking quilt. I stippled it pretty tight, and did a template design in the solid areas.

This is one I really wanted to keep for myself to hand on my quilt rack in the living room.

But I love my mom..........she can have it for now :)