Mo-Stash Bee Quilt

On the last day of January, I received the last two blocks for the Mo-Stash Bee for the quilt I will make.  I've posted one of my blocks here, but I thought I'd show all of them together.

Here's the first layout I tried, Roy G. Biv style.

Then I tried Roy G. Biv going down the first row, up the next, and down again.

Then I tried random placement.  I think I like this best.

Then I wanted to see how it might look with sashing.

I think I'm going to go with the random placement, no sashing, but I do think I'll add a border to make it a bit bigger.  It could be a good baby quilt size right now, but I kind of want it to be a lap quilt that I can snuggle under and feel cheerful.  I'm thinking I'll make the border white with some scattered wonky stars in the various colors of the blocks.  Thought, opinions, ideas? 

Madrona Road Challenge

Well, I finished my Madrona Road Challenge quilt in time for the deadline.  I know that it will not be chosen for anything, but it was fun to do and it is done!

I made four large greek cross squares and quilted with concentric circles. I would have liked to do something spectacular, but I do like it and even more special for me is that my son immediately claimed it. I backed it with a microfiber sheet that I got super cheap at Target on Black Friday and it's really soft. I think that was the selling point for my son, but I think maybe he liked the truck, too. :)

God makes messy things beautiful

We gave Tomás the Slugs & Bugs Under Where album for Christmas.  It has lots of fun songs and it's one of those CDs for kids that is actually not bad to listen to as an adult.  The first Slugs & Bugs & Lullabyes album is also quite good. 

Anyway, in the one we recently bought, the first song says:

God makes messy things beautiful
when you put them in His hands.
God makes messy things beautiful
like only He can.
After the showers, look for the flowers
and you'll find out it's trutiful
God makes messy things beautiful.

Of course, this is simply stated and uses a made up word so it's fun for kids, but it is a reminder that I need sometimes.  There are so many things that either I mess up or are just messed up in general and remembering that He can turn it into something beautiful gives me such comfort and peace. 

For my favorite story of God making messy things beautiful, check out the story of Joseph in Genesis chapters 37-45 (minus chapter 38.  That's a brief strange story about one of Joseph's brothers.)

I'm going to QuiltCon!

In just a couple of weeks, I'll be enjoying warm temperatures, time with one of my best friends, eating in fun new places, checking out the sights in Austin, Texas, and enjoying QuiltCon!

Here's a picture of me for those of you also going who might want to find me:

It's not the greatest picture, but it's me.

 So, to participate in the whole "I'm going to QuiltCon. Here are 5 things about me.", here are 5 things about me!

1)  First and foremost, I'm a Christian and want to love God and others. 

2)  I can tie a maraschino cherry stem in a knot in my mouth. 

3)  My sister and I used to talk to each other in a made up language called Ong.  Basically, you spell out each word and for every consonant, you add ong and for every vowel you say it long.  For example, my name is E mong I long yong.  Our favorite to say was our grandma's name (Helene Mowen) Hong E long E nong E Mong O wong E nong! :) Really, say it fast.  It's fun.

4)  Speaking of my Grandma Mowen, I miss her very much.  She was a quilter, crafter, and wonderful lady.  She passed away when I was 18 and I have only started sewing in the past few years so we didn't get the opportunity to really share our excitement or love of quilting.  I find myself frequently wishing that I could ask her opinion about a quilt I'm making, but I'm so thankful for the time that I knew her and that I have quilts that she has made. 

5)  I get to stay with my college roommate while in Austin!  Anna visited me here a couple years ago and now I get to visit her.  She is graciously letting me, my friend Pam, Leila from my quilt guild, and Leila's baby stay at her place.