House Block from Japan

The block in the center is the most recent house block from Japan.

It was made by Tomizawa Kyoko.

I will have 8 house blocks when this exchange is done. They will make a beautiful and special wall hanging. The challenge will be to put them together - and I love a good challenge.

Special Baby Quilt for Andrew

Alexander and Allison helped make this quilt for their new baby brother, Andrew.

They used fabric markers to make pictures and set them with squares of interesting kid prints. They picked out the emergency vehicles for the border and construction equipment for the backing. Alexander made sure I put a special label on the back with the names of the makers and the date and who the quilt was made for.......I've taught him well!!!!!

Great times with the Grands

Our perfect grandchildren (aren't they all?!) have been visiting us for almost two weeks.
We had time for special activities - like Lake Michigan, Folk Festival, Baby shower for Claire, Aquatic Center, Delta Mills Park, family dinners - and for normal things around the house - like cleaning bathrooms, taking out the trash and school shopping for a back pack for starting kindergarten!!!!!!!!!

We went to the East Lansing Aquatic Center with Aunt Barb and her big boys, Tom and JR. Alexander was finally tall enough to be able to go down the two water slides - with intertube or body - and he LOVED this!!!!! Allison enjoyed the kiddie frog slide and being able to bounce around the large shallow area. Both - or should I say ALL - kids enjoyed the sand area and made neat drip castles in the sand and water.

We spent a couple afternoons at the Grand Ledge Country Club pool. Alexander did cannonballs jumps off the diving board!!! He was very proud of himself.

One weekend was spent at the Folk Festival - both days!!! Saturday they enjoyed the Childrens' crafts and games and lots of music. I volunteered at the quilt exhibit - where the children got to actually stitch on a quilt!!!! Thank you Jan. The kids got t-shirts as you can see in the picture - they are COOL!!! Sunday we met friends from the library - John, Mary Ellen and Maggie - shared snack and Allison and Maggie danced to the music. We also saw Aunt Barb, Great Grandpa Thomas, Lisa, Claire, Ruth, Cindy, Phyllis and other quilt friends while listening to great music.

Saturday Ashley and Alex came with baby Andrew and I got to actually see and touch and hold him!!!!!! He is a big baby - over 10 pounds at 3 weeks old. He stayed with us on Saturday while his parents went to a meeting. Ashley left bottles of pumped milk and we did just fine. We had family drop by to see him - Aunt Chris, Uncle Larry and Xavier and Great Grandma Kuhlman all got to hold Andrew. We were able to give him the special quilt that Alexander, Allison and I had made him - they drew pictures on fabric and helped pick the borders and backing. They also picked the flannels for a double flannel blanket. In the picture, Andrew is sitting in a doll stroller - both Allison and Alexander pushed him around the house in it!!!


Alexander and Allison are really wonderful children. I can't believe the time went by so quickly as we were very busy. It's good to have special memories with them that will last for a long time. I got lots of pictures to look at to help remind us of our times together. It was good to meet Andrew and he will grow in our hearts with love from his grandparents.

HOT HOT HOT

The heat wave has made it too hot to go outside.

My High Scope home visit was cancelled on Tuesday, so I started sewing.

This is a baby quilt for a friend. She is expecting a little girl in September. I also made a dolly version of this for her 4 year old daughter. The remaining pieces went into a doll quilt for the baby - for when she is old enough to play with dollies. I made them all on Tuesday - when you're hot..........you're hot!!!

I prefer to made baby quilts that are easy - easy to make, easy to care for and one that can withstand the love I hope it gets and gives.