Friendships – HollyDee Quilts

Houston! We have a Rodeo and Quilts!

Published on February 22, 2016 by hollydeequilts2 Comments

Texas is BIG and Houston is HUGE!!! So is the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo! There are many Go-Texan competitions as part of Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo and on more than one occasion I have been asked to be a participant in the “Quilts” Competition. Even having a quilt I own – take Best of Show Metro along with several other ribbons that year!

So there is a story that goes with this quilt. I purchased the top at my guild auction in 2003 and it was bidding war to the end. Luckily some folks sitting near by adversary convinced her I was not going to give up and she finally stopped bidding. What she did not know, is my final bid was truly my final bid – had she bid one more time this beauty would’ve gone home with her. I arrived home and tentatively showed my hubby – he wondered out-loud what this had cost him; I don’t think I told him that night! Fast forward to May 2004, I entered my now finished quilt in the Lakeview Quilters Guild show, out of 3 entries in its category it took 3rd. I had it appraised that year and I highly recommend you have your special quilts appraised, this one appraised for 4 x my initial purchase of the top. Some interesting information regarding appraisals – the backing fabric DOES matter. As part of the quilt I was given a beautiful Jane Sassaman for the back; that added value. I used to say “it’s just the back” but not anymore. Also, the number of years you have been quilting, your status in the quilting community and many other little things add to the value of your quilt. I have considered having this quilt re-appraised because my status in the quilting world has changed and it is probably more valuable now. Fast forward to 2006, I was asked to allow this quilt to represent the NASA/Clearlake/Friendswood Go-Texan Region and I of course agreed. Well this quilt, took Best of Show, 3 first places and a judges choice! Be sure to view the photo of the label I included below – I give these women ALL the credit for any ribbons this quilt has received. I am just the quilter and the proud owner!

Another block! The background is a Hoffman 1895, color Havana – I have been known to purchase this by the bolt! All the fabric in this quilt are batiks. The patterns for the blocks were from a book by Jane Townswick

A close-up of one of the blocks in Chocolat

This is the second label for this quilt. Prior to shipping it off to Houston for the competition I wanted to update the label to include that it was part of the 2006 HLSR Quilt Competition. This label is significant to me because it reminds me who made each block and/or border. These talented women are members of the Lakeview Quilters Guild and there work is some of the finest I have seen when it comes to appliqué!

For 2016 I was asked to quilt this quilt for the competition. I do love how these wool appliqué quilts quilt up! Be sure to find this quilt when you visit the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo this year – be sure to share your photos! Here are my photos; but they never do the quilt justice because the quilt is not yet trimmed and there is no binding. The binding always just gives a quilt that polished look!

An overall view of Ronda’s beautiful wool appliqué quilt!

A dragonfly close-up – doesn’t this make you smile?

Another view of the back – more light this time

And one more of the back – do you need a drool bib yet?

Wishing this quilt and it’s owner best wishes in the quilt competition for Houston 2016!

Denise

Mighty Muscles Camp!

Published on August 21, 2014 by hollydeequiltsLeave a comment

A couple of weeks ago the grands and I headed to San Antonio for Mighty Muscles Camp. My 2 grands were joined by a set of triplets and another grand for a total of 6 happy campers! Mighty Muscles is a day camp and we would drop the kids off at 9:00 am (I must say that first morning was a little hard for me; my daughter-in-law had entrusted their care to me and what if something happened?) and we would pick them up at 3:00. Each day for 4 days they had a variety of activities that they did, including but not limited to, swimming, karate, dance, climbing a rock wall, tennis, arts and crafts. When we would arrive to pick them, they were exhausted. Somehow on the air-conditioned drive home they would gain a second wind. Good thing we had lots of fun stuff for them to do in the off-camp hours.

My friends hosted all 6 children and 3 additional grandparents for a total of 5 adults. This kids took over the quilt room.

A soccer tent provided a great indoor camping experience for the girls

And the boys had a small tent that we also set up indoors.

Swimming of course was a major activity (grandma’s know this will wear them out!)

We dropped them off the first day and they figured out how it all worked…..

Some of our evening activities included tie-dye, decorating cupcakes, making a snow globe and scrap booking……

Snow Globes – did you know a LITTLE bit of glitter goes a LONG WAY!

One of the kiddos favorite activities was ‘smores. One of my least favorites – we are giving children long poky devices with hot marshmallows on the end!

We attempted Crayon Art!

A few photos from camp….

Waiting to perform "Who Let the Dogs Out" This is one tired puppy! — Waiting to perform “Who Let the Dogs Out” This is one tired puppy!

A great dance for boys - it included basketballs — A great dance for boys – it included basketballs

And just a few with the grands!

Thank you to all the grandmas that hosted our gang. My grandkids are still talking about how much fun they had and they can’t wait for next year!

Dee

Oh My Gosh!

Published on July 18, 2014 by hollydeequilts4 Comments

I have not posted for a several days – there is a funny reason for that. This is POST #100 and I was thinking it should be special……

So I may just jump around on this post and let you reflect on what is special to you……

With this electronic age and social network we are made aware of happiness in our friends lives, but we are also aware of their struggles

A young family who is told their toddler has leukemia, we live in different states now and without social media I would not have known. While this breaks my heart in many pieces for my dear friend and her family I am so grateful that I can occasionally send a note of encouragement or in my private moments shed a tear for their young family.

News of a horrific traffic accident reminds you that while you may have moved on to a different pasture in your life, you still have planted many roots along the way and I watch as my former sister-in-law (my son’s aunt) watches her son recuperate as the sole survivor of a wreck that claimed 6 other lives. While I cannot be next to her to hold her hand, I am able to now and then send notes of encouragement to her and her family.

Every day is special and hopefully we see much more happiness than we do sadness, take those great moments of sadness to reflect on your many blessings – because if you are reading this – then you did wake up this morning! And that my friends is a blessing.

As a quilter I am often tasked to help complete a project that will mark life events, such as weddings, births and often in memory of events. There is a quilt that is designed by my friend, Sue Garman. It is titled “Oh My Gosh” and it is an amazing quilt. The quilt got its name because as she worked on it during a guild quilt retreat each person that would stop by our table would remark “Oh My Gosh”. If my memory does not fail – this retreat was after the Space Shuttle Columbia disaster and it just seemed to me that because of Sue’s close ties to the space industry and her love of quilting this quilt was her journey through the grieving process. Another friend made her Oh My Gosh quilt as she grieved the loss of her daughter who left this world way to early.

So when I am asked to quilt one of these beautiful quilts, I not only am in awe of the incredible amount of work that goes into these quilts, I am also reminded of these special moments when we were able to share another’s grief, maybe help them carry their burden for a few moments. This beautiful quilt was made by Delores as part of a block swap with friends.

994 - 9 Patch Units - finished size 1 1/2" — 994 – 9 Patch Units – finished size 1 1/2″

63 - 4" feathered wreaths with rosette centers — 63 – 4″ feathered wreaths with rosette centers

Make today special for someone!

Dee

Going Batty!

Published on June 11, 2014 by hollydeequiltsLeave a comment

Every once in a while you just need to do something a little different

Our sales person for our new house (who has since moved to a different home builder) asked if we want to join a group for a very special event (this was in April)

And if it involves taking hubby to work at 5:30 am,

Drive back home only to return to pick him up at noon

Head towards the location with plenty of time to spare so you schedule a meeting with low-voltage sub on the new house (which is on the way to the event)

Great meeting with the sub, only to be running late to the event now – arrived with time to spare – good thing because if we were late then they lock us out!

Arrive at the event – only to wait …………..

And when the event is over you drive back home (4 hours) to get up and go to work the next day….

Now if this seems a little batty to you – WAIT until you see these photos!

Bracken Cave Preserve is part of the Bat Conservation Inc program 501c3

Our guide for the evening - very soft spoken and if you are too loud you will be "shushed" — Our guide for the evening – very soft-spoken and if you are too loud you will be “shushed”

While we waited for the event to start I took some random photos. This one turned out great. The one of the very large skunk not as good so I will not share. Needless to say we kept our eye on the skunk!

A late start for our event - but around 8:40 pm they decided to make an appearance. I could not see this with my eye - glad the camera caught it — A late start for our event – but around 8:40 pm they decided to make an appearance. Monday night they emerged at 8:09, they must’ve known we had a long drive home! I could not see this with my eye – glad the camera caught it

And out they come...... — And out they come……

And off the go. These are the Mexican Free-tailed bats.

They head southeast from the cave to feed on the insects in the agricultural areas in the New Braunfels area

Bats are not blind - they actually have great site - better than humans — Bats are not blind – they actually have great site – better than humans

Now – that is a pretty good photo (NO PHOTO SHOP – straight from the camera with a little cropping!) These bats eat insects. Some bats eat fruit and nectar. And there are bats in South America that do like blood, but they do not suck the blood, they make a bite and then lap it up (TMI!)

These bats are all momma's that will begin delivering their babies any day......one baby per momma — These bats are all momma’s that will begin delivering their babies any day……one baby per momma. They only nurse their own baby, there are millions of mommas and babies, they use sound and smell to find each other in the “pile”

As they emerged we could smell the ammonia smell also migrating from the cave from over 10,000 years of bat guano

Can you see all the bats against the foliage?

And they keep on coming - they will emerge for about 4 hours. — And they keep on coming – they will emerge for about 4 hours.

To see what the emergence looks like on radar click here – be sure to scroll to the bottom of the link – it is really cool!

In the pre-dawn hours they will return, diving straight into the cave, this also takes about 4 hours

This red-tailed hawk was perched in the top of a tree long before the emergence waiting for dinner

The majority of these bats migrate between Bracken Cave and Mexico. They reside here from about April til November

Bracken Cave is home to the largest mammal population in the world!

Bracken is not the only place you find bats……

And this little guy was spotted by my granddaughter a couple of years ago - he was up inside the patio umbrella. One of our neighbors has a bat house. — And this little guy was spotted by my granddaughter a couple of years ago – he was up inside the patio umbrella. One of our neighbors has a bat house. We had to encourage him to fly back to his house – he was quite confused. When you build a bat house you allow them to sleep over when they need to venture farther than normal for food.

So me going a little batty is nothing new to most of you! I hope you enjoyed going batty with me and that you learned something new!

Dee

A Takes a Village – And a Very Special Lady!

Published on June 6, 2014 by hollydeequilts1 Comment

Last night we were invited to a graduation party for a very special young man! But before I get to that you need just a little bit of history……..

My sister and I were in foster care growing up for reasons we do not need to dwell on here. We had a fabulous foster mom and she is still very much a part of our lives. In 2001 I was introduced to a program where my husband and I could be “sponsors” for kids that were in a group foster home. We would have a child a couple of weekends a month and share some Holiday time with them to allow their house parents a break! I have always been so thankful for the helping hand that my own foster mom gave us that I wanted to do something to “pay it back”. I thought being a sponsor would be perfect.

We started out with one young boy in 2001 and almost immediately started bringing along his brother. Eventually we would also take his sister on a regular basis. During this time we would from time to time have 2 of the other siblings, there are a total of 7 children. From the get go I realized there was something very special about these kids – regardless of what they had gone through they ARE there for each other – a very tight sibling group. My husband and I did what we could to try to help them have time together.

A few years into our sponsoring the youngest was adopted by a very special lady. Special because she was willing to adopt an older child, but also because she realized how amazing this sibling group is and over the years she has always kept the other children (now grown) in her son’s life.

To give you feel for how these kids would think when they were young…..

In the beginning when it was just Paul we were sponsoring my husband took him to Space Center Houston, at some point they got a helping of “Space Dots”, because that is what you do when you are there. Well, Paul had never had Space Dots and after taking a few bites he asked if they could go home – hubby said sure if you want to. They get home and Paul puts his remaining Space Dots in the freezer so he can take them back to the group home to share with his brothers because they had never had those before!

Many Sunday’s on the way to take the boys home we would stop at McDonalds to feed them (don’t judge me!). Paul has always enjoyed his meals, but one particular trip he did not eat what he ordered – we asked if he felt ok, he said he was fine. We arrived at the group home and here comes little brother (the one that is graduating tonight) and says “Did you bring it?” And Paul handed over his meal we had purchased for him. We would’ve gladly bought an extra meal had we known.

For Christmas one year we gave the boys bikes to keep at our house after many years of enjoyment – they took some time to check out the bikes and make any necessary repairs before handing them off to the 2 youngest brothers.

Now I will try to caption a few photos to share with you and I hope you will join us in congratulating the not only the student but the village that has been part of this young mans life! We are so proud of him and know that he is destined to do amazing things in the future! As you have participated in your Baccalaureate ceremony already, you are member of National Honor Society, you received Male Scholar Athlete for 2014 and many other accolades.

We had been sponsors for about 2 weeks, this was the annual Christmas Party 2001, the 5 oldest! — We had been sponsors for about 2 weeks, this was the annual Christmas Party 2001 – today the youngest graduates from High School!

6 of the 7 siblings. The youngest little man you see here is the part of the next generation!

The graduate (the tall one) is the younger of these two. Joel flew in from FL for the party!

What is on your mind? You look so ..... serious! — What is on your mind? You look so ….. serious!

Mr. O - you have been part of this young mans life for many years as well. — Mr. O – you have been part of this young mans life for many years as well.

Mrs. O - you have been part of this young mans life for many years as well. — Mrs. O – you have been part of this young mans life for many years as well.

Grandma and Paul looking through the graduates photo album

another special lady in the graduates life - she's a triplet! — another special lady in the graduates life – she’s a triplet!

These two have been friends for quite a few years!

Special ladies - need special friends to help decorate for the surprise party! — Special ladies – need special friends to help decorate for the surprise party!

The proud mama with her boy! You are one special lady!

A very special thank you to mama for inviting us to share the big celebration – I admire you so much for continuing to always put your young man first!

Denise

Ronda’s Words!

Published on April 16, 2014 by hollydeequilts2 Comments

Ronda has been working on a beautiful quilt designed by Lisa Bongean of Primitive Gatherings, while at Market in Houston last November the quilt was staged in Moda’s booth. Ronda and I trekked over there and took some photos of the quilting by Linda Hrcka of the Quilted Pineapple. We also were able to visit with Lisa and Linda both, as well as Lisa’s charming husband who was manning the booth! I was so enchanted by Lisa’s quilts and Linda’s quilting that when I attended preview night for the main show I made a beeline for the Primitive Gatherings Booth to make a couple of purchases. Log Jam will be made for my brother-in-law, he has a beautiful home in Island Park, ID and this quilt will fit in perfect. And for Cordeeaiybray I will be making Portland Rose. But we must get back to Ronda’s Words!

Ronda calls this quilt her “Words” quilt, it is actually “Words to Live By” and we should all strive to live up to this quilts expectations! I have been watching Ronda chronicle the making of Words on her blog and I knew I was going to have to step up the the plate and hit this one out of the ball park. When she dropped the quilt off we visited The Quilted Pineapple to see what battings were used, wool and bamboo were the soup du jour, Ronda had brought the wool and all I needed to do was add the Bamboo…. easy you would think right? Well I forgot the bamboo until she called to see if I remembered – I had started quilting and it was a bunch of feathers and I really did not want to perform the frog stitch on all of those feathers, Ronda said it was ok. So I quilted some more feathers and then had a skipped stitch and said OK – the quilt wins! I called Ronda to let her know I would be taking the quilting out and adding the bamboo – obviously this quilt would not be happy with out it!

Those stitches go in a lot faster than they come out! Threads were removed and needle holes were carefully steamed and the quilt was reloaded, but only after a VERY thorough clean of the machine and re-thread from scratch with several adjustments to be sure we had no more skipped stitches!

Now I was ready to quilt, stabilizing the quilt first means quilting the borders and any ditch work as well as outline the appliqués. Then the fun could begin. I referred to my photos from market and visited The Quilted Pineapple a lot! Some of Linda’s quilting was outright copied and sometimes I put my own spin on it! I hope you enjoy!

Click on the photo for a larger photo!

Detailed of the medallion — Detail of the medallion

Setting units for medallion and companion blocks

I love love love how this block looks quilted - Thanks QP! — I love love love how this block looks quilted – Thanks QP!

Patience – While quilting this beauty – definitely!

Kindness – I love when the fabric helps with the marking for the quilting!

And with permission from Linda Hrcka a link to The Quilted Pineapple. Her quilting is PHENOMENAL! I hope you will take the time to visit!

Man’s Best Friend 12/09/00 – 4/14/14

Published on April 14, 2014 by hollydeequilts5 Comments

Today we lost our little Belle. She was a sweet little thing, one of 9 pups resulting from a neighbor’s amorous dog that was able to leap a 6′ fence! My husband had had a lot of pets over his lifetime but this was the first one he had from the very beginning of life! She was also named after hubby first Jeep, Annabelle.

She would anxiously wait for him each morning, and would not accept her morning bone until she first received her morning pet! She loved to swim and would swim laps for hours at a time.

Sunday she had to be coaxed out for her breakfast and when she came out she was wobbly and would only walk in circles. She didn’t lift her head for pets, nor did she roll over for tummy rubs. She fell in the pool and had to be rescued. After a call to the emergency vet hubby took her in. (I stayed home to babysit momma dog who was quite upset) They did blood work at the vet, it all came back normal, all vitals were good. They said a ruptured ear might be the problem and to take her to our normal vet on Monday. At home she became less and less responsive. At 3:00 am hubby drove to work to get some things done so he could take her to the vet when they opened at 8:00 am. Our vet said they wanted to keep her for a few hours, they planned to give her an IV and a steroid to see if they could get her responsive. Hubby left her there, came home changed his shirt and headed to work, he had only been gone a short time when he receive the call our little Belle did not make it.

A pile of puppies - she is the black and brown with the white nose. — A pile of puppies – she is the black and brown with the white nose.

I wonder why my plants won't grow? — I wonder why my plants won’t grow?

Not always the angel, she loved to dig after we had fertilize the strawberries. That's what we get for using organic fertilizer! — Not always the angel, she loved to dig after we had fertilize the strawberries. That’s what we get for using organic fertilizer!

It's a man thing! A man and his dog! — It’s a man thing! A man and his dog!

Yes you are cute! — Yes – You are cute! No – You may not have another bone!

No you cannot like the camera! — No you cannot lick the camera!

Too busy asking for attention to pose for a picture. They had just been to the groomer!

Decided to shave her in 2013 - she was less than thrilled at first! — Decided to shave her in 2013 – she was less than thrilled at first! We were surprised by how brown she really is!

Ring Day – September 20, 2013

Published on November 5, 2013 by hollydeequilts1 Comment

My friend’s daughter is a student at Texas A&M. Me being from Utah really do not totally understand what that means – but I am learning! Being a student at A&M is learning about tradition and sticking together through thick and thin. I was invited to be part of this tradition when Ms. Madison got her A&M ring. Now to preface this story you must realize we have been in a drought for going on 3 years. But of course on this day it POURED! We had spent the night before at my friends home in Round Top, TX – we had many of the provisions for the after ring ceremony party with us so we needed to get to College Station early – needless to say we got wet. Then on the drive over we dried out, time to unload, we got wet and so on and so on. This was our mode all day long, we just get dry and it would be time to get out and do something else!

Our sweet little ring recipient could not help herself, she kept apologizing for bringing us all out in the rain! To know Maddie is to love Maddie!

Maddie’s beau, Kale had determined we could park in one of the parking terraces on campus and then ride the shuttle to the ring ceremony. We all arrive at the parking terrace, we all load up on the bus and we wait! We are running late for our designated time slot – poor Maddie is beside herself – so what do you do – you sing “The Wheels on Bus” and that lightens the mood. We finally arrive at our destination via the scenic route (thank you Donna for your history lesson of A&M – I LOVED IT!).

We run to the building, we do our best to make our way through the crowd, we reach the room where they are handing out the rings – Maddie signs for hers – they tell Daddy to put it on her finger and it is OVER! Then we realize that was IT! and most of our group has not caught up with us yet. We have the 6 year old, but him momma does not know that – I can only imagine what was going through her mind. As it dawns on Maddie that this truly was IT – that most of our crew did not get to be part of this history and tradition, but since most Kale’s family is from A&M they know the drill. Finally, we are reunited with our group and the celebration can begin – we have survived a very wet A&M ring ceremony.

Thankfully - we talked her out of the heels - these definitely completed the ensemble! — Thankfully – we talked her out of the heels – these definitely completed the ensemble!

A sea of umbrellas - we had to make our way through this crowd to get to the ring ceremony! We couldn't get close enough to the big ring for Maddie to have a photo there! — A sea of umbrellas – we had to make our way through this crowd to get to the ring ceremony! We couldn’t get close enough to the big ring for Maddie to have a photo there!

A proud papa placing the A&M ring on his daughter's hand! — A proud papa placing the A&M ring on his daughter’s hand!

And their next thought will be - THIS IS IT? — And their next thought will be – THIS IS IT?

Happy Momma! This woman always has a smile!

Truly - the big man on campus! — Truly – the big man on campus!

I can here momma's laugh - and it is one of my favorite sounds! — I can here momma’s laugh – and it is one of my favorite sounds!

Maddie and Kyndal - these girls are beautiful inside and out! — Maddie and Kyndal – these girls are beautiful inside and out!

Is that Mary Poppins? Nope - just Kale! — Is that Mary Poppins? Nope – just Kale!

She is not quite sure what is going on! But she knows who will keep her sheltered!

Marilynn, Maddie and the rain drenched Me! We survived and this is one ring ceremony we won't forget! — Marilynn, Maddie and the rain drenched Me! We survived and this is one ring ceremony we won’t forget!

Happy to be ..... well just happy! — Happy to be ….. well just happy!

I think big Sis may be a little proud of little Sis!

Our umbrellas were also part of the fashion statement!

The Ring on the A&M cake - the bakery actually had a typo on the cake - oops! — The Ring on the A&M cake – the bakery actually had a typo on the cake – oops!

Don't swallow that! — Don’t swallow that!

Moments like this is what it is all about - they met at A&M and I have a feeling they will be "BFF". — Moments like this is what it is all about – they met at A&M and I have a feeling they will be “BFF”.

Traditions are a good thing and the traditions these young people find at A&M will stay with them a lifetime – it is more than a ritual – it is a way of life for them!

Quilt Camp in Pipe Creek

Published on June 30, 2013 by hollydeequiltsLeave a comment

A couple of weekends ago a few of us quilters got together for a “quilt camp”. We met at a very dear friends house in Pipe Creek and she and her hubby were wonderful hosts. (Although I will say the latter was scarce most of the time! Can you blame him with 6 wild and wacky quilters on the loose in his home?)

Susan, Denise, Linda, Marilynn, Susie and Holly

Holly supervising the wine in the kitchen!

The food was wonderful – Mexican at a local restaurant, take out from Rudy’s BBQ another night, this wonderful salad and casserole. The last night was my friend Holly’s FAMOUS spaghetti, but sadly Marilynn and I had already departed and did not get to enjoy the feast. 🙁

A little bit of sewing did occur….

Marilynn gets a tutorial form Susie on how she does that gorgeous machine appliqué!

A little sewing accomplished, Marilynn started and finished the Christmas top, I pieced 2 University of Utah Quilts - pattern Fat Quarter Frenzy, fabric and pattern purchased at Elaine's Quilt Block in Salt Lake City - I will be teaching there the end of July! — A little sewing accomplished, Marilynn started and finished the Christmas top, I pieced 2 University of Utah Quilts – pattern Fat Quarter Frenzy, fabric and pattern purchased at Elaine’s Quilt Block in Salt Lake City – I will be teaching there the end of July!

3 on the landing - our projects are waiting while we slumber. — 3 on the landing – our projects are waiting while we slumber.

This Slim Flex looks like a great tool to mark even spacing for quilting. And look at all of Susie's ribbons! — This Slim Flex looks like a great tool to mark even spacing for quilting. And look at all of Susie’s ribbons!

And just so you can get a feel for how peaceful and relaxing our time was there……

Sunset - we had most evenings so this was the best sunset I could capture, but the hill country sure does know how to put it all out there. — Sunset – we had most evenings so this was the best sunset I could capture, but the hill country sure does know how to put it all out there.

These are HUGE spiders that like to group together on the ceiling of the porch. Harmless but look at those legs!

It’s Not About the Number of Years –

Published on June 5, 2013 by hollydeequiltsLeave a comment

This past Sunday we helped celebrate the birthday of a very dear friend. She and I met through quilting and she has unknowingly mentored me for the last 16 years.

By the time we met, she had retired from IBM, but retirement did not mean slowing down. A couple of us younger gals like to joke “that we hope to be as young as Jerryann” when we are her age. We actually say this about several of our quilting friends – you are all admired for “aging” gracefully!

She and Bob will have been married 59 years this month – another reason to admire this wonderful lady. I am also blessed to have a sweet and kind man for my husband!

In the years I have known her she has volunteered her time to our local quilt guild, serving on the board several times and can usually be found on one committee or another. She also volunteered at the local middle school to teach the “wave” kids how to make quilts, I enjoyed volunteering to help with this group also. When Jerryann volunteers for something – you know it will get done! As a member of our “Friendship Bee” she has encouraged numerous new quilters to learn new techniques and so much more than just quilting!

Jerryann has taught me a couple of “life” lessons through quilting. 1) Stop and think – can the task at hand be simplified? 2) Share what you know – I recall the first time she asked my advice about something quilting related – WOW – at that moment I think I realized we all can learn from each other – yes there are always going to experts in one field or another – but you can (and should) share your knowledge. 3) Be attentive – regardless of the situation, if you are conversing with Jerryann – you are her priority!

I would also like to thank Jerryann’s family for sharing her big day with all of her friends. Luigi’s was fabulous http://www.luigisrestaurantgalveston.com/galleryofphotos.html

Most Memorable Moment – The owner singing Happy Birthday in Italian ~ Opera Style! to the birthday girl. (there is a video out there, maybe your grandson will post a link for us!)

Here are a few photos of friends and family members. I regret to say I cannot title all of them – as comments are made I will edit the post.

Ellen - Jerryann and Bob's daughter. — Ellen – Jerryann and Bob’s daughter. (Her husband, Dave, must’ve been camera shy)

Kathy - Daughter-in-law! — Kathy – Daughter-in-law!

My fellow photographer - Phyllis — My fellow photographer – Phyllis

Joy - another quilting friend — Joy – another quilting friend

Quilting Friends - Elaine and Pat — Quilting Friends – Elaine and Pat

Mother and daughter. The lady in the background was a colleague at IBM - she shared a very entertaining story about what happens when your luggage is stolen on a business trip! — Mother and daughter. The lady in the background was a colleague at IBM – she shared a very entertaining story about what happens when your luggage is stolen on a business trip!

Ivy! (with Phyllis snapping photos in the background)

The plaque in the background shows the water height during Hurricane Ike 2008 (And this is Bob with one of the grandsons!)