Graduation Quilts May 2013

This is a son's graduation quilt. He graduates from High School with top honors this month and will attend a local state school. I am hoping he loves his twin size bed quilt.

I used a blue cotton fabric for the border and the same fabric for the binding. The backing is a cotton black scroll print that matches the same print on the front. I love how this quilt turned out. It is nice and comfy yet lightweight.

This is a daughter's graduation quilt. This one made me a little homesick for my dad. I remember going to San Diego as a kid a few times. I did a couple of special things for this one. It included an appliqued tank top onto a red Tshirt back, the tank was thin and very small. Then it included an initial block on the bottom corner. This is a returning customer and she had this same idea put on her daughter's friends quilt last year.

The front is a nice red that is a little darker than the shirts with a scroll print. I used a tiny delicate leaf print in red for the handmade binding and the back is a cotton black scroll print that matches the front. It is also very lightweight and cozy. This one only included 12 shirts which is actually much easier to do for a twin size quilt then the 15.

DAR Award

I was shocked and brought to tears literally last night when the counselor of the school announced my daughters name as the recipient of this years National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution. I am always so proud of all three of my children. They are so unique from one another. I can see the Lord's plan before them and their contribution to society. This is an honor I have seen presented before to a young lady. I remember thinking of MeKenzei that night two years ago when my oldest was in 8th grade. Hoping that she would continue to grow and demonstrate the same great qualities. I never imagined that as a 7th grader she would be nominated for this prestigious award.

Some background on the Daughters of the American Revolution

"The National Society Daughters of the American Revolution was founded on October 11, 1890, during a time that was marked by a revival in patriotism and intense interest in the beginnings of the United States of America. Women felt the desire to express their patriotic feelings and were frustrated by their exclusion from men's organizations formed to perpetuate the memory of ancestors who fought to make this country free and independent. As a result, a group of pioneering women in the nation's capital formed their own organization and the Daughters of the American Revolution has carried the torch of patriotism ever since. "

Her award states:

Good Citizenship Award

Honor: honesty, high principles, trustworthiness, loyalty, truthfulness, punctuality, moral strength and stability, cleanliness in mind and body.

Service: cooperation, meritorious behavior bringing honor to school or community, kindliness, unselfishness, true Americanism, individual responsibility to God, Home and Country

Courage: mental and physical, determination to overcome obstacles.

Leadership: personality, originality, ability to lead others, good sportsmanship, responsibility.

Patriotism: fundamental Americanism.

I think about her lately and how she has grown. A couple things come to mind. She had sought out to join a group called PALS, our oldest son was involved with the program and I was excited to see her interest. She was disappointed when she did not make it, however there were only 20 slots out of 100+ applications. Very difficult to choose I am sure. When she told me why she was so upset my heart went out to her. It was not that she could not be part of the group. She really wanted to be able to mentor students at the elementary school where she had attended. That was very important to her. Such wisdom to want to help others.

Then this past couple of months she has been really pushing hard to earn money for her own braces. We cannot afford to get these for her. She has been saving everything she can and now has $400. I think of the idea of saving for braces. What a huge responsibility. I think about the fact that she just turned 13 and realizes that I would give them to her if I could but that she has the ability to do something about it. She took it upon herself to save that money. Those are skills and qualities that we would want in all of our children. It shows great Leadership. Think of the world if we had a Congress full of leaders with such qualities. 

I am so proud of her hard work. Proud of her character and what she sets out to achieve. I can't wait to see what her next 5 years hold.

Thank you to our local DAR Chapter for this wonderful award and honor.