Happy Daddy Day!

Well...the tour de cluck was a huge success!  We had about 300 people trek through our yard to check out our coop with lots of questions.  Some were quite legitimate, some not so much.  However, it was a blast to see all the curious faces at our chickens and our coop.  We received tons of compliments on our new yard, coop design, and fabulous deck....so that made me (and especially Ryan) very happy.  I was a little bummed that more folks from work and other friends and family couldn't make it out to celebrate with us, but being that it was Memorial Day weekend, I totally understand.  I appreciate those who did make it....and especially Larry, Kara and Jon who came especially to help out.  I am still deciding if we are going to participate again next year, being that the chicken people are a bit eccentric and not very flexible with schedules other than 8-5 M-F work weeks.

I was excited to put together this quilt for my dad's friend, Debi.  She asked me to make her a quilt for her new grandson, Jonah.  When I asked her what she wanted, she said to definitely include orange and blue, since her son Matt went to University of Virginia.  I took this opportunity to break out of the box and use tons of bright colors instead of the traditional infant pastels.  I found this great dinosaur fabric by Robert Kaufman called "Urban Zoologie--Bright Dinosaurs."

Not only did the quilt turn out exceptionally bright, I was excited to use many of mom's fabrics.  I really had fun using the pattern "Alice" I purchased from Red Pepper Quilts.  It is a modified log cabin design with two types of blocks.  The best part was not having to worry about color balance...since there was so much color going on!  And I had fun piecing the binding as well...I alternated polka dotted fabrics with bright blue....and it turned out rather well, I think.  Well, I hear that Debi and Jonah's parents are thrilled with the outcome of the quilt, so I am glad.  As this went together, I kept thinking that little boy-oriented fabric is more difficult to come by.  Thank goodness that when cut the fabric for Jonah's quilt, I cut enough for another quilt.....which I promptly send to another special baby boy.  Charisse was thrilled with Alex's new baby blanket as well!

Jonah's dinosaurs

(back)

I think I really need to work on more quilts for boys....as boys need a cuddle blanket as well as girls.  In fact I went and ordered the "Geared for Guys" books featuring quilts by Quilt Dad blogger John Adams.  So I have made it a personal goal to make more "guy friendly" quilts in honor of all the special guys in my life.  So, as a tribute to all you dads out there, have the happiest father's day!  I will keep on cranking out the guy friendly quilts!

Happy Crafting!