My Quilt #66 ~ William’s 2000 Charm Quilt 2004

2,000 Charms Quilt - 2004

This quilt is made up of 2,000 fabric squares, which I swapped with other quilters (see story below).  The squares were originally 3” and I cut them down to 2-1/2” so the quilt wouldn’t be so big!  I quilted it with an all-over meandering design.

I gave this quilt to my part-time staff and VISTA volunteer William for Christmas 2004 in appreciation for the time and effort he donated to the Rebuilding Together program in San Gabriel.

July 2004

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Back in 1999 when I started quilting, there really weren't any quilt blogs, but quilters were hanging out on quilt message boards on sites like quilting.about.com.

Lots of quilters were swapping 2-1/2" or 3" fabric squares (or charms) in order to make a Y2K quilt with 2,000 different fabric squares. There were even magazine articles about how to join these swaps. Some swaps were set up individually via email (there would be lists of people willing to swap on various websites); but others were “centralized” swaps with one person coordinating the swap. 

Once you joined a swap, you made up sets of 25 squares of different fabrics, plus a signature square and a very short biography.  These sets were called “squishies” because the envelope or baggie containing the set was soft and squishy.

The number of sets depended on the number of members in the swap, but usually, it was 80 swappers.  You would place each set of charm squares in a sandwich baggie, and all 80 squishies had to be identical.  Then the 80 squishies would be mailed in a large envelope to the swap coordinator.  She would then sort them out so that each swapper received 80 different squishies in return (you had to include a postage-paid return envelope for this).  If all worked as planned, you would end up with 2,000 different squares, or charms, at the end of the swap.

This was a really inexpensive way to get a large variety of fabrics.  It was much easier to get 1/3 yard of 25 different fabrics to make up your 80 sets than to try to get 2,000 different fabrics on your own.

I had so much fun swapping charms with other quilters from across the country.  Some of us were on a mission to get a squishy from every state.  I actually joined 2 centralized swaps and then swapped individually with other folks.  I ended up with enough charm squares to make THREE millennia (or Y2K) quilts.

Some quilters color-coordinated their charms and quilts; others sewed together the squares from each squishy with the signature square in the center, and still, others created elaborate designs with their charms.

I combined the two swaps (or 160 sets of 25 squares) and sorted through the squares.  I then created two separate groups of squares: one collection was for my “main” quilt; the second collection included duplicate squares and those that were “questionable”.  The quilt I gave to William is made from the second set of squares.

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Ten years later, my “main” Y2K quilt is still a UFO!  Although I have completed the top, I still need to quilt it:

BTW, I still have another complete set of 80 squishies that I swapped with individuals across the country.  This will be my third and final Y2K quilt … maybe I’ll finish it before this decade is over!

UPDATE: In 2020, I FINALLY quilted and completed this Y2K quilt! It only took 20 years LOL.  I also discovered that I had another set of 80 squishies and was able to make a fourth Y2K quilt - definitely the last and final one.

My Quilts #64 – #65 ~ Scrappy Quilts 2004

More scrappy quilts!  I started these quilts in 2003 and finally finished them in 2004.  My BQFF Brenda “scolded” me for not finishing my quilt tops and made me realize I should complete all my UFOs … I’m glad I did!

I gave these two child-size quilts to my neighbor’s two grandboys (ages 2 and 3) for Christmas 2004.

June 2004

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Sewing and making quilt tops are very therapeutic for me and it just makes me happy.  After a stressful week of working and commuting, there’s almost nothing more enjoyable than a weekend of creative sewing.

I started sewing when I was a little girl, making clothes for my dolls, and continued sewing clothes into adulthood.  As much as I loved to sew, I never really enjoyed making clothes.  I struggled with the construction and at times it was more frustrating than enjoyable.

I think that’s why I enjoy quilting so much … even a simple quilt can be beautiful!  So when I got involved with Project Linus, it was a perfect match. The quilts were not big, and I could sew to my heart’s content.  I could make as many quilts as I wanted; and I knew they were going to a good cause, where they would be loved and treasured.

And the fabric-holic that I am, I bought tons of novelty fabric for my quilts for kids (okay, not really “tons”, but pounds for sure!).  These two quilts were made from novelty prints in an effort to reduce my stash.

My Quilt #63 ~ Nina Rebe’s Quilt 2004

Nina Rebe’s Quilt 2004

In 2001 and 2002, I participated in a swap of Asian fat quarters and 5-inch squares.  When I saw the “Lucky Stars” pattern by Atkinson Designs, I knew it’d be perfect for my Asian fabric stash.  I love how this quilt came out!

June 2004

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I don’t see my Godmother Rebecca very often.  But in November 2005, our families reunited in Texas for the Thanksgiving holiday; and I took many of my quilts ~ including this one ~ to give as gifts to my family, many of whom I hadn’t seen in years.  I knew my Godmother would be there too … and, although she lives only 45 minutes away from me, I had to travel to Texas to see her and give her this quilt.

My Quilt #62 ~ Cattle Crossing Quilt 2004

Cattle Crossing 2004

I made this quilt for no special reason other than I had a stash of fabric with a farming-cow theme.  I saw this pattern in one of my many quilting books and decided to make it so that I could get rid of use up this fabric.

Ever since I became addicted to quilting, I’d go on fabric-shopping binges.  Yes, I admit it:  I am a “fabric-holic”!  Sometimes I’d buy fabric with a specific project in mind, but most times I’d just buy fabric that caught my eye.  I had a closetful of fabric! 

Some folks may think this is great, but there ARE problems with this.  For starters, I’ll NEVER be able to use it all up in my lifetime … even if I live to be 100!  And, if I didn’t use the fabric right away, it would remain in my stash for years.  By then, it’d be outdated.  Other times, I’d fallen out of love with it. Well, this farming-cow fabric was one of those “What was I thinking?!” fabrics.

I wasn’t sure to who I was going to give this quilt, but I knew sooner or later the right person would come along … and she did.  I gave this quilt to my co-worker and part-time staff Rose for Christmas 2004.  The cow fabric was perfect because she told me her daughter would tease her and call her a “cow” (can you guess why?).

June 2004

My Quilt #61 ~ Stack ‘N’ Whack 2004

Stack ‘N’ Whack 2004

I made this quilt top from a kit I bought on eBay.  The 12 stack-n-whack blocks were already precut … all I had to do was sew them and put the quilt together.

Unfortunately, the kit did not include extra material so I wasn’t sure what to do with the 12 blocks.  Luckily, I found the material at my LQS and purchased enough to make the border.

This is another quilt I had a love-hate relationship with.  I loved the main fabric … it’s gorgeous, but I think the color combo was too bland.  I probably should have used a different background color instead of using the fabric that came with the kit.  And instead of using the green fabric for the sashing and inner border, I think using the pink from the main fabric would have added some pizzazz.

I ended up donating this quilt to a local charity for their fundraising event.

May 2004

My Quilt #60 ~ Neighbor’s Scrappy Triangles Quilt 2004

Scrappy Triangles Quilt 2004

I made this scrappy quilt with half-square triangles set on point.  I didn’t use a pattern so I had to go on the Internet to figure out how to create the setting triangles.  I quilted it with all-over free-motion meandering.  It all came together just right and I was very proud of myself!

Some of my neighbors know that I make quilts to donate and sometimes will give me supplies and fabric they no longer want. 

One neighbor gave me the blue material I used on the border of this quilt.  She was SO surprised when I gave her the quilt for Christmas 2004 because the blue material has a special memory for her.  Unbeknownst to me, she’d bought it 8 years before to make something for her newborn daughter, but never did.  She now has the quilt on her couch and sometimes wraps herself in the quilt when she watches TV. 

April 2004

My Quilts #58-59 ~ Scrappy Quilt Tops 2004

I made these scrappy quilt tops in an attempt to reduce my scrap stash.  Most of these scraps came from Internet swaps I participated in in 2002-2003.  I sold these tops on eBay.

March 2004

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You will see that this attempt to reduce my scrap stash failed miserably!  There are many more scrap quilts to come in My Quilt Parade.

My Quilt #57 ~ Cindy’s Bunny Quilt 2004

Cindy’s Bunny Quilt 2004

I made this quilt for my friend and co-worker Cindy, who collects rabbits and bunnies.  She’d been wanting a “bunny” quilt for the longest time so for her birthday I made her this wall hanging.  I still had fabric left over from my previous bunny quilt and thought it’d be perfect for Cindy’s quilt.

The quilt center has four Sawtooth stars; the sashing has a yellow background with little plum flowers, and the cornerstones are green with a star flower quilted in each center.  The inner border is a golden yellow, and the binding is made from green fabric with cute little bugs in the background.  These colors were taken from the main bunny fabric and helped pull it all together.

Cindy loves her quilt!

February 2004

My Quilt #56 ~ Bunny In The Garden 2004

Bunny In The Garden 2004

I first saw the original quilt in a picture I found on the web (Webshots.com) and really liked it.  I had some cute bunny fabric in my stash and thought this design would be perfect to showcase it.

Since I had no pattern, I created my own design. The Sawtooth stars are made from this fabric, which has bunnies on a light blue background; and the sashing also has green stars.  I had to use two different red fabrics because I didn’t have enough of one.  This, of course, annoyed me so I sold it on eBay!

February 2004

My Quilts #54-55 ~ Stack ‘N’ Whack 2004

Stack ‘N’ Whack 2004

In 2003, I learned to make the stack-n-whack blocks in a class at Bearly Stitchin’, an LQS in Pasadena, CA.  I made 12 blocks; and from these, I made two wall-hanging-size quilts, which I completed in 2004.  I LOVE this technique!  It’s amazing to see how each block is so different and just beautiful!

I donated one of the quilts to Rebuilding Together for their Summer Luau fundraising event in August 2004.  And I gave the second quilt to my BFF Vivian, who at the time was the president of the San Gabriel affiliate (see story below).

January 2004

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Rebuilding Together is a non-profit program that rehabilitates the homes of elderly or disabled homeowners who are unable to make the repairs themselves.  It is the largest volunteer program in the nation with hundreds of affiliates across the country.

I first became aware of Rebuilding Together when I worked for the City of Monterey Park (1987-1995).  Their affiliate was started by then-Councilmember Judy Chu and was one of the first in the nation.

When I started working for the City of San Gabriel (1995-2008), I saw a need for a Rebuilding Together program.  So with support from city management and City Council, I joined the board of the Monterey Park affiliate, which by then also included East Los Angeles.  We rehabbed our first San Gabriel home in 2000.  

I served as their president between 2001-2003, and by then we had rehabbed about 10 San Gabriel homes.  I was also anxious to hand over this program to the community.  So, in 2004, I started the Central San Gabriel Valley affiliate, which not only included San Gabriel city, but also the adjacent areas of South San Gabriel, Temple City, and El Monte.

In an effort to gradually step away from the program, I asked my BFF Vivian to be the affiliate’s first president while I served as the vice president.  I first met Vivian when she was an RT volunteer for East L.A.  She eventually served on the Monterey Park board when I was president, and we became good friends.

I remained on the RT board until I retired from San Gabriel in 2008. 

My Quilt #53 ~ Bullseye Quilt 2004

Bullseye Quilt 2004

My BQFF Brenda and I saw this sample quilt hanging at our favorite LQS one day in 2003 and decided we each wanted to make one.  We found the pattern in the book “Quilts from Aunt Amy” from That Patchwork Place but didn’t make the quilts until 2004.

I really enjoyed making this quilt but was disappointed when I finished it because it did not lay flat.  You can see from the picture above that it’s a little warped, and I think it’s because the borders and binding do not match the center.  Whatever the reason, I had a love-hate relationship with this quilt.

January 2004

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Brenda enjoyed making her Bullseye quilt so much that she completed TWO quilts.  See how nice and flat her quilt is.  Isn’t that one on her bed gorgeous?

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In August 2005, Hurricane Katrina devastated the southeast and left thousands homeless.  I donated my Bullseye quilt to a major effort by an LQS to send quilts to Katrina Survivors.

My Quilt #52 ~ Wheelchair Lap Quilt 2004

Wheelchair Lap Quilt 2004

I was in a creative mood when I designed this quilt one weekend afternoon.  Each block is made of 3 strips and it is similar to the Trip Around the World.

I originally planned to donate it to charity, but my friend’s mom is wheelchair-bound, and I thought it would make a nice gift for her.

My Quilts #49 – #51 ~ Operation Homefront Quilts 2003

I made these patriotic quilt tops to donate to Jessica Porter for her Operation Homefront Quilts, which provides quilts to the immediate family members of each U.S. serviceperson killed during the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. 

Jessica was only 19 years old when she started her project in May 2003, just about the time President Bush declared the end of major combat operations in Iraq.  But the soldiers continued to die, and Jessica’s grassroots efforts continued to grow.

Jessica’s requests were simple:  donate completed quilt tops and/or material.  She would finish them and forward the completed quilt to the recipient families.

A year later, in 2004, the American Professional Quilting Systems donated a brand new professional longarm quilting machine to help Jessica keep up.  She could now finish 7-8 quilts a day instead of just one.  By 2010 Jessica, aided by her mother and thousands of volunteer quilters across the USA, had made and distributed some 2,300 quilts.

In 2010 the project was handed over to the Caprock Quilters, a group of military wives at Cannon Air Force Base in New Mexico. The project has since merged with the Home of the Brave Quilt Project.

My Quilts #43 – #48 ~ Project Linus 2003

Six MORE quilts for Project Linus 2003!  I made two additional quilts with preprinted panels of Raggedy Ann and Andy.  These are not big quilts … they are crib- or lap-size quilts and I can make a couple in one weekend.

Total to date:  24 kids' quilts

My Quilt #42 ~ Bouillabaisse Quilt 2003

Bouillabaisse Quilt 2003

Here’s another quilt that my BQFF Brenda and I saw at the LQS.  We fell in love with the store sample and immediately signed up for the class.  This quilt was made from a kit I purchased for the class, and the pattern is Bouillabaisse by Pie In The Sky Quilts.

I made the top in 2003 but didn’t finish the quilt until 2004.  I really enjoyed making this easy pattern and thought the colors of beige and black made this a masculine quilt.  So I gave it to DS#1 for Christmas 2004:

I think his expression says most of it!  (Okay, it was very early Christmas Day and he hates to take pictures.) I know he appreciated the thought and love, but I just knew he didn’t really care for the quilt.  No problem!  Just because I like the quilt doesn’t mean he has to … it just means I have to make him another one … someday.

December 2004

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So in August 2005, I went to Tennessee to visit my daughter and her family and took quilts for everyone.  I knew my daughter and her DH “fought” over the Rail Fence quilt I gave her, so I thought it’d be nice for him to have his own quilt … one that was large enough to cover him.  This is Anthony with now-HIS Bouillabaisse quilt … and if someday he decides he no longer loves it, I am more than happy to take it back!

My Quilt #41 ~ Brenda’s Quilt Top 2003

Brenda’s Quilt Top 2003

For Christmas 2002, my BFF Brenda gave me “The Double Pinwheel” quilting book from Quilt In a Day. I loved this book so much that I decided to make a quilt right away. I used my stash of 30’s reproduction fabric that I’d been collecting for a while.

I knew how much Brenda loved this pattern, so as I worked on the quilt top, I decided to give it to her. Although I finished the top in February 2003, I waited until her birthday in June to give it to her. The expression on her face was well worth it!

I don’t know how it is that I didn’t complete the quilt in time for her birthday.  It’s a good thing that she is also a quilter, so she was able to finish it.

She has it on a quilt rack and I get to see it every time I visit.  I do love that quilt!

June 2003

My Quilt #40 ~ Auntie Rosie’s Quilt 2003

Auntie Rosie’s Quilt 2003

I bought this Quilt In A Day kit in October 2002 during a weekend of quilting workshops held at Orange Coast College. I went with my BQFF Brenda, and we had so much fun – not even the rain could dampen our spirits!

It wasn’t until May 2003 that Brenda suggested we take our kits and make the quilts for Mother’s Day.   So we worked on them at home and also spent a few lunch hours putting our quilts together. 

This pattern turned out to be more difficult than we anticipated.  But with both of us working on our quilts at the same time, we were able to help each other when we ran into a problem.

We were so proud when we finally finished!  She gave her quilt to her mom for Mother’s Day. Sadly, my mom had already passed, so I kept mine until I could find the perfect person to give it to. 

May 2003

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UPDATE: My mother was originally from Texas and moved to California when she married my father.  All of my mom’s siblings remained in Texas, and we would visit every year.  I had two aunts who never married, and they became surrogate moms to all the cousins.

So I gave my quilt to my Auntie Rosie when I visited for the Thanksgiving holiday; and in November 2005, she was the last surviving sibling.  Sadly, she passed away the following year at 93 years of age.

My cousin Tony was like their son and he took good care of our two aunties.  He loved them so much as we all did, but he had a special relationship with them.  I do hope that he and his wife kept this quilt, and they will always treasure it.

My Quilts #35–#39 ~ Project Linus 2002

 

Five more quilts for Project Linus for 2002.  Quilts are from patterns taken from the “More Quilts for Baby” book by Ursula Reikes.  The total number of quilts donated to Project Linus so far is 20!

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This ends the 2002 Quilt Parade -- a total of 18 quilts, including 5 rag quilts and 5 charity quilts!  Not sure what possessed me or how I even found the time to make so many quilts in one year.  I worked full-time, plus took care of my grandchildren the first part of the year, in addition to caring for my own family.  Quilting has always been a creative outlet and helps to relieve my stress.  It's better than counseling … and cheaper too!  Well, okay, maybe not cheaper, but certainly better!

My Quilt #34 ~ Desiree’s Rag Quilt 2002

Desiree’s Rag Quilt 2002

I made this Rag Quilt as a Christmas gift for Desiree, granddaughter of my neighbor and friend Mary Ann, and Sarah’s sister.  I used 6 different flannel prints and used the “Streak of Lightning” setting.  The floras and pink color make this a very feminine quilt, perfect for a young lady!

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These rag quilts were so much fun to make that in 2002 I made several for gifts! With the Christmas deadline fast approaching, I knew I needed to get help very quickly.  

Here is a rare photo of DH sewing the fabric and batting into squares.  Not only did he help me sew, but he also cut seams.  Cutting the seams gives the quilt its “rag” look, but after some time your hand gets tired and begins to hurt.   He was such a big help; and without him, I could not have finished the rag quilts in time for Christmas.

My Quilt #33 ~ Sarah’s Rag Quilt 2002

Sarah’s Rag Quilt 2002

Another rag quilt!  This is a Trip Around the World setting, and the flannel fabrics are Christmas prints with teddy bears.  Click on the picture for a larger view.

I made this one as a Christmas gift for Sarah, the granddaughter of my friend Mary Ann, and my Goddaughter.  I blogged about Sarah’s visit in 2001 and her first quilt here and about Mary Ann’s quilt here. 

Sadly, we have not kept in touch and I have not seen Sarah for several years.  But I hope she treasures her quilts and remembers me when she sees them.

My Quilt #32 ~ Katie’s Rag Quilt 2002

Katie’s Rag Quilt 2002

I blogged about Katie and her first quilt here when she was just a baby in 1999.  This is 3-year-old Katie posing with her rag quilt in December 2002. 

I made several rag quilts as Christmas gifts for 2002, including this pink one for Katy—her favorite color—with her favorite Sesame Street character: Elmo! What a sweetheart!

DD was living with me when Katie was born, so I was by my daughter’s side for the actual birth.  And, when Katie came home from the hospital, I took care of her when DD was at work.  Needless to say, I became very attached to her, and it was heartbreaking when they all moved out of state.  I love all my grandchildren so much, but Katie remains the apple of my eye.

My Quilt #31 ~ Emily’s Rag Quilt 2002

In 2002, rag quilts were the rage.  They are fast, easy, and fun to make!  The quilts are made using flannel fabric so they are also warm and cozy. I made several rag quilts for Christmas gifts, including two for my granddaughters.

Emily’s Rag Quilt 2002

I do not have an individual photo of just Emily with her rag quilt, but she is standing on the left side holding her quilt.  She loves bright colors, and her quilt has plenty of red – her favorite color – with hearts and flowers.  I blogged here about Emily’s first quilt in 1999. 

Sadly, after three years of living with me, DD and her family moved to Tennessee in March 2002.  I missed them so much.  So, for Christmas that year, I sent them these quilts so they could remember me and feel loved when they were wrapped in their quilts.

Also shown in the picture are Cody (with his quilt that I blogged about here),  Katie and her rag quilt; and Baby Angie. By the way, the stockings hanging on the fireplace in the background were handmade by DD and me: she cut all the material in 2001, and I sewed and finished the stockings in 2002 – just in time for Christmas!

My Quilt #30 ~ Christmas Rag Quilt 2002

Christmas Rag Quilt 2002

By the end of 2002, my BFF Brenda was hooked on quilting, and we were on a roll!   We loved shopping during our lunchtime at the LQS in San Gabriel.  Somehow, we always lost track of time and ended up taking an extended lunch “hour”!  Then we’d drive back like maniacs to get in before we were missed … those were fun times!

This was the time when rag quilts were the rage, and we fell in love with the sample in the store.  We signed up for the class in August and together we purchased one kit.  The kit had enough fabric to make a very large quilt and cost over $100.  Ouch! Way too much for our skinny wallets.   But being the creative folks that we are, Brenda and I figured we could get two smaller quilts from the kit … so we split the cost.

We had tons of fun making our rag quilts!  Brenda gave hers to her oldest daughter for Christmas, but I kept mine.  I love the colors so I keep it out all year long, draped on a couch. It’s so warm and cuddly … perfect for those cool evenings.

These rag quilts were so easy to make that I made several more to give as gifts for Christmas 2002.