Wednesday, March 05, 2008

good stuff (& early birthday)

My friend Katrina is in town again from Seattle. She is attending a conference in Salt Lake, but was able to spend a couple of days here before the conference, and will return for this weekend as well.

Her mother died about 3 months ago, and she wants to make a quilt out of some of her mother's clothing as a tangible keepsake. We started cutting up the clothing into squares, which proved to be quite an emotional experience.

(especially when we found a tissue her mother had tucked into her jacket pocket -- she always had tissues at hand, in pockets or up her sleeves)

We accompanied the boys to ToysRUs so they could buy new Bionicles, and then they accompanied us to the quilt store (The Stitching Corner, for those who were wondering about the buttons) to find backing and binding fabrics.

I love the quilting on this one!

Max declared this to be his favorite quilt ever -- all Amy Butler fabrics, so who can blame him?

Fortunately, the employees there didn't mind that Eva was cuddling up with the bolts of fleece on the floor, or that she talked their ears off while we were shopping.

We brought home a feast from Cafe Rio so Katrina could get a fix. So good. It's possible that I haven't had it since she was here last in October, that's a little bit crazy.

Good mail from Kim Sue -- she saw my stamp shelves and was hoping I didn't already have an Easter stamp like this one. I didn't!

Last night was book club, and we celebrated my birthday early. They made me a great dinner of beef stew, homemade rolls, spinach salad, and Denver (or Texas) sheet cake. It always feels strange to come to book club with no food in hand, and as the birthday girl I always feel a tad guilty that they've gone to so much effort, but it was pretty fabulous.


Jenn with her tiny notebook and pen on a lanyard -- I think it was Jill who suggested Jenn needed a notebook around her neck to keep track of her life, and Jenn's husband hooked her up. Classic.

Collette gave us all framed prints of this photo of us in Paris -- it really captures the longing we felt when the Bar au Chocolat was closed -- we never made it in there, even after 3 attempts! (peanut butter fudge from the BYU bookstore, yum!)

Jenn brought us each felt Easter baskets -- filled with specialty candy that she bought last month and feared we wouldn't get to sample because the candy's already picked over! (who knew?) Lemon creme Hershey's kisses, orange creme Hershey's kisses, coconut Hershey's kisses, raspberry 3Musketeers, and wild cherry m&ms. Nope, I've never seen any of those before.

My birthday gift -- a gift certificate to the mall -- and a bag of Cadbury mini eggs. Jenn also brought me a bag of m&ms because the bag was polka-dotted and so cute! See how they spoil me?

18 comments:

Anonymous said...

The thought of that quilt for Katrina sounds so bitter sweet- you are so good to help her with such an emotional project.

Thanks for the store name- I need some buttons like no one's business! Stores like that make me yearn for quiet days to sit and quilt.

Your bookclub is just awesome! That picture in front of the store is great and I love the polka-dot bag of M&Ms!

jenn said...

Happy (early) Birthday Michelle!
(You make it so easy to spoil you!!)

jenn said...

Oh- and I love your new banner!

Natasha said...

I hope my gift makes it to you - you know what mail woes you and I seem to have!
That quilt idea is right up my alley. I don't quilt but one day would love to have one made of Luci and Griffin's baby clothes.

Liz said...

Love the quilt pictures. I think it is such a sweet idea to make a memory quilt from her mother's clothes.

Birthday bookclub sounds like it was loads of fun. Love all the fun little gifts. That chocolat store must have been on some really irregular hours to never be open when you tried to visit 3 different times. Love the picture though.

Marie said...

That quilt idea is great. I can easily see how this would get emotional!

So much good mail goodness! Lucky you!

Jill said...

It's wonderful that you can help Katrina with this special quilt to remember her mom. I'm sure it's hugely comforting to her to be able to go through this process with a close friend.

I hope you enjoyed last night's birthday celebration!

Bond Girl 007 said...

wow what a great experience to share with your good friend. Didn't someone close to her passed away a few months ago too? Gosh. I think this is such an amazing idea...that would really really take meaning. I remember my parents would often travel, and I would go and get my mum's camisole or pijama and use it as a blanky...it had her scent.

melanie said...

Your new banner is amazing, I love it! The Cafe Rio looks so delish right now. Apparently I'm wanting an early dinner, ha! That quilt would be emotional, so nice of you to help her.

If I saw that bag of M&M's I would think of you too. So glad you had a good night.

Anonymous said...

A quilt from my clothes......now that would be memorable!

Sounds like you had a great early birthday. I love seeing what your friends do for you. You have some kind of awesome bookclub!

Tasha said...

So fun! What great friends!
Happy Early Birthday and a quilting day too! I am green with envy!

Unknown said...

where in the world do you find all those flavors of kisses?!?

mat's grandmother made us a quilt for our wedding, and took the time to get samples of some of my clothes (unbeknownst to me) to use. it is truly breathtaking. what a sweet project.

Julia said...

I love that idea for a quilt. What a special way to keep a memory. I love the quilting on that quilt too-- man, I wish I could do that!

Kim Sue said...

Happy Birthday Michelle. I am so glad I have by way of others stumbled across your blog. I love the connection of blogging! I hope you have a great birthday. It has to be great -- it has started out so good and you have lots of time to celebrate!

love your new header!

Amanda :-) said...

I've been a stranger here for a while, since I removed my linked blogs on my sidebar! Urgh, it's so frustrating. But here I am now.

That scrunched-up tissue moment makes my heart pound. I hope Katrina finds some healing in this quilting process.

everything pink! said...

that quilt and the whole concept of it just softly speaks to my heart.

your new banner is AMAZING!!!! how do you do it.

Amie said...

I love the new banner! I so need to get one.

I love that you are getting a birthday month... or at least half a month. And I love that you get spoiled by the "book club" - you guys are so much more than a book club!

Anne said...

I'm completely in love with the stitching on that quilt! I think if I ever make one (which is highly unlikely if I'm completely honest) I'll stitch it like that one!

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