A life of its own!

Well, I have a lot of catching up to do since I have been posting breast cancer stuff this month. A major event occured last Saturday. My youngest son, Dan, graduated from firefighting academy!!!! He is now a full fledged firefighter who needs a job! LOL...but here is a pic of him with his brother and sister at his graduation. The ceremony wasn't announced until 10 days before it happened so DH and I missed it because we were in DC for DH's business and this trip had been planned for months. While we were at lunch Dan sent me a pic via text messaging of him wth his diploma...I cried right there in the restaurant.

I had told Dan that when he graduated (he got his final test results on Friday...he passed the final 4 tests...) that I would make him a fire quilt. I had a TON of fabric that I had collected...can you say too much??? But what pattern was I going to do?? I had several fabs that needed to be fussy cut and 9" was a good size. That being said, I figured, OK, I need an alternate block to set with the larger blocks. I called both my sisters and they had the same idea that I did...use the other fabs, cut 6" squares and frame them to be 9". As I thought about it I didn't want it to be that boring and I wanted to use a LOT of the fabrics without worrying about seams, matching, contrast etc. OK...so I went to an online site that a friend of mine started and she had a book on there that I HAVE!!!!! It's called "Happy Hour" by Terri Atkinson! The cover quilt was the answer to my problem!!! I used that block as my alternate.
Now the body of the quilt is designed, but what to do about the rest? I had a hydrant fabric that I knew I would fussy cut and have as the first border. But what was next??? Fabric usage was of prime concern here. OK...so, let's do a piano key border next and use a BUNCH more fabric! YESSSSSSSSSS!!! Still not big enough though...I wanted it to fit a double bed if not a queen. I wanted to use the red firetruck/fireman fabric for the last border. But, I did not have enough to piece it and fit the top. (sigh) What to do, what to do? Hmmmmmmm...the flame fabric that I have wasn't used enough, how can I use it in the border? LIGHT BULB comes on! LOL...I decided the firemen needed to be putting flames out so I mitred flame fabric into the final border!

OMG...When I looked at the quilt I was SOOOOOOOOOOOOO HAPPY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I honestly have to say that this might be my most favorite quilt yet! It is busy but so fun! It's a happy quilt and I know Dan will LOVE it! Here's a closeup of some of the top.

OK..top done...I bet you think I used up most of the fabric. WRONG!!! I have enough left to probably make a lap throw! YIKES!

I hear what you are thinking...NO NO NO, the back is in need of being made yet! Use the leftovers for the backing! HAHAHAHAHA...nope, I have 2 flannels that I will use for the back! ROFL...Maybe a lap quilt is in order!

Anyway, I willl get a label made, a back made, throw it on the longarm, bind it and give it to my fireman Dan!!!

It was fun to quilt!
Hugs
Laurie