Kevrey's Signature Wedding Quilt

A few weeks ago I showed you the 

Signature Wedding Quilt

I made for our daughter Aubrey and 

her husband Kevin

Aubrey requested a quilt that could be signed instead of a guest book.

We decided upon a scrappy

X Plus Block pattern

We placed the quilt on a table right at the entrance

of the yard where the reception was held.

With nieces and nephews taking various shifts

to watch over the quilt

we encouraged the guests to leave 

their happy thoughts and congratulations.

For each block, I made a blue "Plus" center

as a nice spot for the messages

Micron pens

with permanent ink

were available on the table.

The pens do not bleed

are archival quality

and worked perfectly.

I've now touched them up with a hot iron,

which also helps set the ink.

These messages will bring such happy memories

in years to come.

The couple has received such love and support

as they begin their lives together.

Now they have a preserved memory

of children's signatures

from an age when they were learning to write their names.

And signatures of an older generation

who will someday pass on.

Aubrey and Kevin were very appreciative

of family and friends 

who traveled from long distances to attend their wedding.

Both sides of the family

came together in support of this marriage.

We like to call him "Kevin Heaven"

and 

they adore our Aubrey, too.
Now when they walk in the door, we call them
by their blended nickname
"Kevrey"

Last night after a family dinner

and with the help of nephews

we placed the quilt over a chair

so Aubrey and Kevin could read their messages.

The top will now be sent off, along with the backing 

to the long arm quilter 

as the next step in

preserving these treasured memories.

Aubrey

 Our daughter Aubrey was married last Friday 

to the most wonderful man.

We like to call him Kevin Heaven

This is a joyous union

Mr and Mrs Kevin Daly

Because she had a fantastic photographer taking a lot of pictures

I didn't worry about that part of the event,

so I don't have much to share with you today

But, know she was surrounded by 

a legion of love and support

with family and friends.

My favorite part (other than the ceremony)

was watching her dance with her dad.

When Mr. Cactus and I were dating many, many years ago,

he used to play the guitar and sing to me

the song "Aubrey" by Bread

As this was part of our falling in love, 

we named our first child after the song

During the Father/Daughter dance

the music of Aubrey played in the background

which brought us all to tears.

"I love her name...."

S'More Favors

 Saturday was my daughter's 

Bridal Shower

and I had the opportunity to 

provide the favors

as a "Thank You" for the guests who attended

Aubrey and Kevin met at a 

Church Camp Out

and immediately fell in love.

He took her back up to that same campsite

in the Arizona mountains

 to propose.

I thought it only appropriate that I make

S'More Favors 

to honor their union.

 Layers of

Graham crackers

Chocolate 

and 

Marshmallows 

Yum!

Aubrey and Kevin's Wedding Signature Quilt

 We have a daughter getting married next month

and she requested a 

Signature Quilt

to be signed at the reception 

instead of the traditional guest book.

Our daughter Aubrey met Kevin

at a Church Singles Camp Out

in the beautiful mountains of Arizona.

It was 

love at first sight

and they have been inseparable since.

A year later, he very romantically took her up to this same 

mountainside to propose.

Their reception will be held in Kevin's Aunts backyard

and they have chosen an informal 

Camping Theme

for the occasion.

Wildflowers of various colors will decorate the tables.

The pattern I chose 

(with her approval)

was a scrappy

X Plus Block

The center blue plus will be the place

for guests to leave their signatures and well wishes.

 Twin Size

 Scraps of fabric

made me think of the the colors of Wild Flowers

 This has been a fun project to work on the last few months.

It brings a smile to my face to see my daughter

so happy 

and in love.

She has waited a while for the right guy to come along

and Kevin is the perfect match for her.

 With each stitch I have pondered how well suited they

are for each other.

 We wish them all the happiness in the world.

 One of the reasons I chose the X Plus block

is the secondary patterns that form.

Notice the "X" for Hugs

And the "O"s for Kisses  :)

The quilt top will be draped over a table 

with an attendant to supervise the guests 

as they sign with a 

permanent

no bleed 

pigma pen

*yes, I have tested the pen

Afterwards I will touch each signature with an iron

that will set the ink.

The quilt will then be ready to be paired up with a backing

and sent off to a long arm quilter.

 While taking pictures 

of the finished quilt top 

I felt a little bit like

Peter Pans shadow :)

My New Juki 2010Q

 I am happy, happy, happy!

Recently I purchased a

Juki 2010Q

my Dream Machine

 This is exactly the machine I have been looking for,

with features that are perfect for the type of

quilting I like to do.

 I wanted just a basic 

heavy duty machine

that sews a straight stitch

at an affordable cost.

(Under $1,000)

I really didn't want to pay extra for all of the

fancy stitches that I never use.

 The Juki 2010Q is not computerized.

I'm fine with that.

Computerized machines can be so temperamental.

I'm more than happy to manually turn a nob 

every once in a while.

 The Juki 2010Q comes with 

many great features

that are all inclusive :

An attached thread stand for cones. 

(yes!  I don't have to drag a thread cone around any more!)

1/4 inch quilting foot

Hemming foot, zipper foot, 1/5 inch foot

Walking foot

Knee lifter level

and attachable table

to name a few.

I didn't want to have to pay extra

for the features I wanted to use.

And I love the large throat plate

which allows enough room to free motion quilt.

(I guess I need to learn how to do that now :)

 My most very favorite feature of all:

the thread cutter!

How have I lived all of these years with out a thread cutter?

And the stitch?

It's like sewing through butter. 

I'm so in love with this machine!

I know we are not supposed to

 worship "things"

but I'm getting pretty close to 

adoration

 **

Thank you to my sweet children

and husband for 

giving me this machine 

as a Mother's Day gift.

Happy Father's Day

Happy Father's Day 

today 

to Mr. Cactus

Father of 5, Grandfather to 3

and 

my Father-In Law Lynn

*who will be 95 this year!

Father of 9

Grandfather to 40

and I've lost count of 

how many great grandchildren

50+ ?

These men have honored their roll 

as a Father

and provided love, support 

and 

strong family commitment

over the years.

XXOO

Mount Timpanogos Caves

 Our youngest son is getting married tomorrow.

I'm a happy mama to have all 5 of our children, 

their spouses, and our grandchildren all in the same location.

 Yesterday, part of our group got together

to hike up to the Mount Timpanogos Caves.

We took our children when they were growing up

but it's been years since we've been back.

 There is a 1 1/2 mile

somewhat steep hike up to the caves.

The trails are paved, but you do have a

1,092 elevation rise.

 I admit, the grandchildren

managed the trails better than I did.

 Although 4 year old Kayla did get carried all the way up

by her daddy.

 Isaak and Kayla

 At a rest stop Mr. Cactus brought out the 

Kipper Snacks

 a family hiking tradition.

Smelly 

Oily

Fishy

Noah says they taste like bacon.

Most of us plug our noses.

 As we were hiking up,

other hikers coming down 

and told us to be careful.

 They had just seen

Rattle Snakes along the trail.

The caves are spectacular inside.

A 1 hour tour is led by a Park Ranger

who provided great insight to the history of the caves.

Temps inside are a steady 45 degrees, 

requiring us to bundle up in sweatshirts.

Small narrow sidewalks 

wind their way through 

stalactites and stalagmite formations

which lead to larger cave openings.

 One of the most notorious features of 

Mount Timp caves is 

"the heart"

formation.

 The hike to the caves is not for the weak

but well worth the effort!

Wonderful family memories.