Nicole's Sweet 16 !

Hi all !!! Well, I finally was able to give my niece Nicole her Boyds Bear quilt. What a hard time keeping this one a secret !!!! Ever since Nicole was a little girl, her mother, Missy started her collection of plush Boyds Bear. Well, that's all "Auntie" needed to hear. I love giving my family & friends things that they collect. Anyway, I don't know how many bears I have given Nicole over the years, but I always give her one for her birthday and for Christmas. Well, this year is her 16th birthday, and I wanted to give her something special. So last year around Christmas, I found this Boyds Bear material on E-bay and ordered enough to make a quilt for her. I thought....wow....what a special gift, a Boyds Bear quilt handmade by Auntie, something she will always remember! I wanted a pattern that would showcase the bear material and I found a perfect one. I started making the quilt right away so it would be ready in time for her birthday. It went together pretty easy, but of course the hardest part is actually quilting it !!! But, I did quilt it all by myself on my sewing machine.


Nicole's birthday is exactly one week before mine so I went over this last weekend and gave her the quilt. She was so surprised at the "big gift bag" Auntie brought in. But, was so delighted to see what was inside. The smile on her face was all I needed to see. She loved the quilt and is using it as her new bedspread. However, I hope she uses it and wears it out so I have an excuse to make her another one....although it probably would not be made with Boyds Bear material.






Of course, I always go overboard and bought way too much material...so, I just had to make something else. What better than a matching decorative pillow and pillowcase out of the same material !!! Of course, this was a total blast. I have never made a pillow before and it really came out nice. I was really proud of it. Everybody in my quilt class loved the pattern and colors of this quilt.

I stitched in the ditch around each square and then I stitched around the borders. Finally, I tried something new and "stippled" around the outer bear border going in between bears in a random pattern, as per my extraordinary teacher, Janet, had suggested. I was a very intimidated but of course Janet is always so supportive.

I really can't wait to go over to her house next time and see her entire collection of Boyds Bears, her special quilt, and accessories decorating her room !!! Of course, Amie, Nicole's sister is jealous according to Nicole, but Auntie has a surprise for Amie this year too (she is my goddaughter, you know) !!! Anyway, Missy has put in her order for a "king size" quilt and I told her I would be happy to "piece" it if she picks out the material, pattern, and pays for it !!! I would definately NOT quilt THAT one !!! It's going to someone with a long arm machine because I would want it to be perfect for my wonderful sister-in-law, Missy !!!

Well, back to work for me !!! Love to all !!!!