Fifi's quilt

Last night  Over the weekending , I sewn up the drawstring bag for Fifi's quilt. I used {French Seam Style Drawstring Bag} from the {tutorial} I wrote awhile back. Then stored the quilt in the drawstring bag last night. The quilt is almost ready for her journey over pacific ocean and I hope  The package has been shipped this morning and on its way over the pacific ocean. Next week, sometimes will landed and delivered to Fifi. We did let her know there's a package coming to her soon, but she has not idea what's the contents { shhhh.... don't let the cat out of bag}.

After finished the photograph last week, I debated on if I should writing a short post or a long post due to the terrible summer cold that I have been fighting over a week now. This summer cold seems never going away, I made a few more days pause and thinking if I make it long where should I start? If I make it short, what should I included in the post on the fabric information,etc.  Um, then I work up this morning tried so hard to clear my throat and keep this awful caught down before wake up S. After a few hours this morning to myself and sitting quietly in the kitchen table sipping through the lemon water; I am feeling much better. My mind seems functioning again and recall stories between me and Fifi is running like flash cards. Then I knew, that I actually want to write a long post and also included all the fabric information about this quilt.  So, my tea cup is filled with fresh made tea and you might want to get a cup of nice tea/coffee before start this reading...

How we met? 
It is not so tricky! Fifi and I met in October 14, 1978 sometimes that afternoon {my birthday}. She just turned 5 that summer and a pretty cute toddler. Fifi is the oldest kid in the family, so she is "trained" to be helpful! She probably didn't know what her mama was going to have; a baby boy or a baby girl. Dad was on the business trip to Hong-Kong, so he didn't make it to the labor room that day. Fifi was with other aunts waiting outside the labor room and waiting for her second siblings to be to be born.  I am not sure if she was excited to have another sibling, but for sure he/she was coming not matter what!

Toddler Years
Since Fifi and I are almost 5 years apart. You can pictured us being less connected when we were toddlers/ kids in many ways. When I was in kindergarden she was almost graduated from the elementary school. We spent some fun time in Grandpa's house as little kids. Of course, she didn't mind me much, since most cousins are closed to her age. I was always a mama's babe. Indeed, it was great, but she got in trouble more so. She was expected to be the good model between siblings and asked to take care of her sister and brother when she was little.  We still didn't have much in common in the toddler years.

Pre-Teen 
Having an older sister in the teen age years are the BEST! We finally were closed as we were started to changed in many ways. Last summer, we had so much talks about how our teen weekends spent. Fifi and I got so closed when I was in 6th grade and she was in high school. On many Sundays, We would rode our bikes from our home to the city, where fun shops were. The bike ride was almost one hour per one way then we spent so much time in the shops getting little things like stickers, cute socks, cute notepads, cute stationary, kawaii wash cloth, etc. We always stop by a beverage shop and older the same drink, peanut butter milk drink to the end of our Sunday adventure.

Most of the weekdays, Fifi studied in school till 10p.m. for the national college examinations. It was a very important exam that everyone took at the time. It determined which college you can go or some people would take a real job after high school.  When she was in the 12 grade, we rarely hang out anymore. When the time she arrived home, I was mostly in bedtime. On the weekends, she had to go to school for more studies.  

Teens
When Fifi decided to go to America to study. We, the family were shocked by her decision. Perhaps the study environment at the time was high volume pressure. We didn't know why she decided to leave home, but our parents respected her decision and helped her to go oversea. That time in high school was boring for me! After Fifi left home, we started to write to each other from time to time. Internet wasn't popular in the 90's back home. International phone call was so expensive at the time. I was always in school when she called home. Slowly, we were on two sides of the balance again. Summer time when she visited home, she was always busy and I had a gang of friends that I hang out with. A long summer vacation always went quick for both of us. I always work on some summer part-time job in the city. Her school always started early than we did then it was time for her to pack up to return to school. I knew I will see her again next summer, but each time when she left it felt really lonely again even we didn't get to hang out much. Her bedroom was dark again!

One year together 
Before graduated from high school, my parents asked me if I'd be interested to go to America study. I wasn't sure! It felt like so far away from home and not able to see my friends ever again. But, after all then thoughts and talks. I decided to give it a one-year try. So in 1997, Fifi and I spent a whole year together. Oh.... NO! We were probably THE worse sisters ever! Somehow the chemistry didn't work so well together that year! Now, I think back! I felt that she needed to be there for me all time, since I just came to this new country and she is the only person I knew! We travelled within U.S., but we didn't travel well! I've always wanted to go one way, but she was more interested in to go the other way. You know, we never didn't come to the same agreement in that whole year. But she still is the best sister that I could ask for! She cooked for me on every weekending that whole year, since I was so sick from all the new food and lost so much weight.

Little S
Seeing your sister in the labor room is a very powerful moment and memory in life. I could never forget Fifi's tears when she saw me giving birth to S.  Since the labor went so quick with little S. I was able to walk that afternoon, but I also hurt my back during the labor time. Doctor asked me to rest and not bend my back for a month long. Then of course, there's a new born baby to take care of.  So I looked at Fifi and asked her if she can come home to bath S. I fully trust her gentle and sweet to baby S.  So for the first month of S' birth,  Fifi made her lunch break trip home everyday to bath S. I felt sorry that S always cried on the second month when I bath her. I never know WHY! Maybe there's always water on her face? oh dear...

Last Ten Years
Since S was born between Fifi and us are very closed! She is the person I go to when there's something that I am frustrated. She is the person S go to when S and mama got confliced. She has a lot of wisdoms as an older sister, a friend, and S' aunt, almost another mother to her. Fifi is lovely, but she also has powerful thoughts! Well, at that moment, we will try to stand 5 feet away from her until she is cool again! Years ago, as a younger mother, I always asked Fifi what should I do? There's always something that I felt she would do it wiser and better when it comes when the challenge from S.

Fifi always supports me in many of ideas of my handmade works. She still uses the pouch that I made her 10 years ago. It is ripped on the seams, but she still used it because it was made by me for her. Each time, I talked and shared with her my new work she always listen and give me her two cents.

No to mentioned, the well care that she gives to Lucky, the pup! After S adopted Lucky we realized it would so hard to have him here with us. Fifi takes over the job and take care of Lucky. Lucky is really "lucky" he gets full attention from Fifi and he even gets on scooter rides when Fifi gets errands to run in the city.

The quilt 
Back in February,  my Skype message pop up, " What to get for the 40th birthday?"  I replied, " a diamond weight 40 c." Fifi replied, " How big of my hand need to be?". I replied " oh, well".  Last year before we travelled back home. I knew I wanted to make Fifi a quilt for the big birthday, but it got postpone. I knew the "Single Girl Pattern" is the one that I want to make her, but with lack of idea in fabric selection I just stopped!  Then I narrow down fabric selection is going to be 30's reproduction fabric and then later on added various solid to break down the colors.  I am really happy about how this quilt turns out and you know this is my Third single girl quilt. I made one for  {S' 9th birthday} last year and made { roommate quilt} for myself to match S'.  I hope Fifi will love this birthday quilt and cuddle it up with her when she misses us.

I am blessed to have a sister who will always by my side. No matter what decisions I made and she will always be there while people come and go in my life. She will always be in my heart; cry with me and listen to me even thought is midnight in her time and she sounded so sleepy. Ever since high school, I am often being called, "the older sister". Since my body gesture is much alike mom side's family and Fifi is much alike dad's family and I am much taller than she is! When I was much younger, I didn't like that being called OLD, but for last two years. I started to enjoy being the "older" sister.

Fifi W. 

Happy 40th Birthday! 
We really LOVE you! 

xxc

Quilt Information: 
Quilt Pattern: Single Girl Quilt Pattern by Denyse Schmidt
Quilting: Used Long-arm quilting machine by me
Fabric Selection: Mainly used 30's reproduction fabric and added Kona solid fabric to break down colors.
Batting: 100% Cotton Batting
Binding: Scrappy Binding, cut in 2.5" wide
Photograph: By me; location: Alta, Iowa

Weekending

Oh.... the flowers are blooming, indoor and I have been sneezing since then and haven't stop! oh dear.. Windows are open { a few of them} and the fresh air is in!  This week has been off the schedule with an unexpected visit at the doctor's office and a fussy child who seems getting better now, but tasteless medicine made things rough on her. I am glad, she eating again, which is a great improvement for the week.

The gift to the dear friend is wrapped and ready to mail out. I think she might be reading, so I'll keep it secrete till she receives the package! These feedsack fabric are so great to work with! The hand-quilting added some special touch to it. There's so many cheerful spring colors in it! Perfect for the spring time.

I started the quilt label yesterday and so pleased with how it turns out so far. I think Fifi aka my sister will love it! I planned a long "love" letter to her, but I think she might like the simple message instead. Once the quilt label is done, I'll be assemble the last row to the rest. The backing fabric has been ordered! None of what I picked out last made it to the final shopping cart then I spent another few days looking for the "right" backing fabric. Let's say, Fifi is a little picky sometimes.

Lots fabric pieces on the table to sort through, but the amazing weather is so inviting! It is hard to decided to stay in or out and about! Since I've been sneezing, out and about speaks louder in my ears. Another early weekending post since we plan out and about. A Sunday drive date is made a week ago. We'll probably see the field has been changed since last we drove by and enjoy this spring season.

xxc

work in process: that girl

Oh.. if this is too much! This is pretty much you've seen from me on IG and Flickr lately. My mind is occupied of making this single girl quilt.  I have Skyped with Fifi aka my sister for a few times while working on this quilt and she has no idea what I've been up to. She knew that " she ( that would be me) is sewing something again", but has not idea she would be the one who is getting this girl.

Last few days, I've spent a few hours on this quilt, took few hours off on smaller project, and search for the backing fabric again! I plan on using one print fabric for the entire quilt backing rather than patchwork style; to simplify the backing and place the label in quilt top!

Spring is here, friends!! The weather has been so gorgeous over last weekending. S has been on her bike and I, on the walk with her. We walked to the coffee house, to the park, to get fresh air, and get to smell the dirt from the ground! We love being out and about and loving the sunshine shines on our faces rather than reflections from the windows! This spring has been hard to wait for!!

The book club was great and we devoured a full bag of crackers! "Oh, I am the other Edward Tulane?" That was what I have had when I finished the book! I've learn to love and being loved since S is born. Learn not to hide the loves and cares I have for people and feeling thankful being loved by many friends, families, and special S. I travelled from places to places and met various people, kind, unkind, sharing, open mind, rejecting... but these are all such great life experiences that added to my view of life, be open and learn to accept each person individually!  Once the birthday quilt is bound and wrapped, Edward Tulane will travel with the quilt to Fifi! I think she is going to love this book as well as we loved it! Oh my, the parcel will be heavy as we have start a small list what to sent along with.

Are you feedsack lover? I am! I've been lucky and collect them for a few years now! Today I pulled out a few prints to make a special gift to a friend. I am not sure if she is a feedsack lover, but something special and different from her collection, maybe?

Thank you for join {Pack Patch MINI quilt along}! I though, maybe 5 people will join, but there are almost 40 friends in the group! It is really exciting that you are join along! I have the first two themes ready for you, but will announce it on Friday!

xxc

Weekending

Friday is always exciting here. S gets to take bus and I get an extra hour at home to touch up the projects.  We woke up with a "deep" 5 inches snow on the ground and two hours late for schools. While waiting for the school time, I started piecing and pieced more when I got home. You see, sometimes, it is hard to stop after you started!

Now, I am worry! This quilt is going to be too bright and colorful for Fifi, aka my sister. Somehow in my head has a voice of "she is going to scream", but it would be a good one I promise!  The center four prints might help to calm down the colors and the French General { upper left print in the center} works!! There will be more cutting for the center fabric and outer ring fabric. It is also time to think about backing fabric! I am thinking {this one} {this one} {this one} {this one}...

This week has been the typical April days; rainy and with gloomy sky; cold and wet! Hot soups on the stove were mostly severed on the dinner table, but we are counting  on some sweet corns that have appeared in the store cart this weekending.

I've been working on a very simple tutorial for the quilt along and hope will start this weekending.  It will be host via Flickr. I thought it will be a nice place where we can visit each other's work and "talk" to each other. Everyone can join the group and the main idea for this quilt along is have fun and sew together. I'll share more later on this quilt along.

Another early weekending post, since S and I have a book club. Yes, we finished { The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane} and my next reading is {this book}.

xxc

April and a tip

April-
April arrived in the windy and cold day here in Northwest Iowa. We both decided to keep the winter gears for a little longer now { we were in our spring jacket yesterday}. The forecast looks like a snow storm is on its way to us. We sure will stock up more crackers and hot coco in house and hope extra movie from the library. S and I broke the record this past weekending; we watched 7 movies. My favorite would still be UP; my eyes were pretty water whenever I watch it and I finished binding the memory quilt for Julie, my friend { sorry, I didn't get to take photos, since I left the quilt with them after finished it}.  It feels really good the quilt is being loved by the family and on my side I felt so good that I was able to contribute some to her and her family.

Single Girl Quilt # 3
After selected the fabrics yesterday. I went ahead and start cutting last night, but made a big mistake on the first template cut. Oh, "trace template on the right side of fabric" and I did " trace template on the wrong side of the fabric" that result opposite of the fabric direction. Glad I cough it on the first cut.  I still prefer trace my fabric in the wrong side of fabric where I can see the lines better and you?

The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane
It just arrived at noon today! This book has been in the book cart of last 5 months and finally I check it out last week. Oh.. I am so close to finish chapter one, but I plan to save it for bedtime reading now.  Indeed I flipped to the last page and read the last paragraph... Um. I'll finish this book and share with you... So far it is so lovely and I bet S will finish it before I do... then book club starts.. discussion. cookies. tea time..

Tip
Since most of the sewing supplies are in the storage. I have to find different way of sewing. I have a sand board which I used for tracing fabric, but it is somewhere deep in the storage. The alternative solution is; Trim the sand paper to the size of a thick catalog and taped a #200 sand paper on top of  a thick catalog and use it as tracing board for fabric tracing. It is nothing fancy, but it holds fabric nicely and will not damage the fabric.

Quilt with quarter inch mark
I like to fulfill my promise from last year.. would you join me?



xxc

Single Girl Quilt: keep it simple

 {photo by s.j.h.}

Thank you for waiting. Finally, my girl is out and about. She is a little shy in someway or she is just too busy to show up. This quilt started in {January, 2013} and finished in April 26th, 2013.  I had wished to finish this quilt earlier, but with all the other quilts on the table at that time, she got postponed. I intended to make this quilt to match {S' birthday quilt}, so we have something similar, but different.

Before we moved to ND, I did a road trip alone to look up school program and the possible place to live. Then I found out the university owns family housing with a reasonable price. On the same day of visit, I had a chance to look up the apartment. The total size of the apartment is 630 sq feet.  When I return, I decided to give up all our large furniture and beds. We moved what we need to ND. It took a little time to decided the arrangement of the rooms in the new space. We took a room and transferred to working/sewing/ reading/computer room then left the smaller room as a bedroom. We got two twin beds  and a smaller couch. Of course, we added more books, fabric, storage units within last three years.  S and I have lived like college roommate ever since. It has been a great experience for her to share a space with someone. Of course, there were time we both wish to have our own space, but we managed to be kind and sweet to each other.

Now three years later we are moving. We loved the home that we made in ND. It is small, but cozy! We loved having friends crush in our home and cuddle up with our quilts. We loved that the kitchen is too small for 5 people around and we would keep telling each other.. oh excuse me, let me pass to the living room.  We loved  how small our couch is , so everyone needs to make themselves so skinny to sit together.

Then there's a though for me to make a matchy quilts for S and I to remember the good roommate years that we spent together. We both agreed that we will need our own room in our next home even it is small. We might not need a living room, since we spent much of our time in the studio room at home.  So, we can be loud in our own room or a place to be ourselves.

For this single girl quilt, I used bright colors and off whites background. Many of the prints are used in {S' birthday quilt} as well. So that makes them alike, but different at the the same time.  On the left side of the quilt, I have embroidered some writing:


Keep it Simple 

be bold
be thankful
be quiet
be original
be spontaneous
be punctual
be a star
be young
be loving
be crazy
be loud
be random
be adorable
be unique
be daring
be obnoxous
Be YOURSELF 
                              March, 2013


A quilt to remember the isolating and struggling years in ND, but also years that we both have learned to be stronger and appreciate each other more. We learn to keep everything simple and enjoy the moments more. Simple joys throughout the days, weeks, months, and years.  Life with many handmade and imperfectness is part of life.

This quilt has been cuddled and loved since it finished. When we sat on the couch S would tell me, my quilt match to your quilt. I tell her, they are roomie quilts, roomie.  

About Quilt:

Quilt pattern: Single Girl by Denyse Schmidt
Quilting:         Bumble Bee Quilting
Quilt Size: Twin Size

xxc