In 2011, I participated in a Man vs Mud run. This is where I met Dawn.

 A few weeks after that run, I stalked her and we became friends.

We used to run, walk and eat together. Now we just chat and eat.

Anyway, she has been busy making Doran and I some quilts to go with us on our mission. The yellow one is even of Utah. Dawn has been a blessing in my life more than she knows.

Beautiful work!!

 Thanks, Dawn. These will help keep us warm, while we are freezing in the snow!

My Primary girls and baptisms

Years ago I taught these cute little girls in Primary. We formed such a special bond that I declared them mine even after I was released. I still get to send them birthday and holiday gifts and I got to make them blankets for their baptisms last year. I'm so proud of them all and love their guts. They will forever be my "Primary girls".

I am missing a picture of Lexi.

Lexi has always been kind of quiet but she has been such a sweet little girl. She has come out of her shell the older she gets and she will not hesitate to hug me now.

Payton

 Payton is a ball of energy. She has always been fun and loving. She actually moved away but Doran and I still were able to make it to her baptism. It is so good to see her grow.

Lily

Lily is shy and quiet, at least at church. She is so sweet and loving as well. She always has a smile and a hug for me. Her late grandfather was one of my best friends brother when we were growing up. She never got to meet him but he would have LOVED Lily.

Zoey

Zoey was a tough egg to crack in the beginning. She didn't want to be away from her mom for very long. It took her quite awhile to warm up to me. She now (usually) has a ready hug for me. Her two sisters usually want a hug as well.

Aubrey

Aubrey sits by the greeter every Sunday and helps pass out programs. I get a hug from her every week. When I gave her the blanket she just kept hugging me and said, "I can't quit hugging you!" Most of the time when I see Aubrey she comes running to me. It feels like she has been watching and waiting for me. I'm sure that's not what it is, but she makes me feel like that.

Alissa

Alissa is my special "adopted" granddaughter. We have always seemed to have a good relationship. I remember when we were really becoming close and after Sacrament one Sunday she asked what she should call me. I didn't know and she said, "Grandma Jody"? I said that would be great.

What a blessing these girls are to me. When I was fighting my depression battle last year, Doran kept reminding me of these girls and how much they meant to me and how much they loved me. It has been such a joy to see them grow. I pray they will always stay close to the Savior!

Baptism Quilt #2

This quilt is for a boy in my Primary class. He is getting baptized tomorrow.

Unfortunately I will not make it. Doran and I along with Cortney and Susette will be running a race in Salt Lake. Hopefully it will STOP snowing/raining and will NOT be snowing/raining in the morning. It can AFTER the race. Wish us luck!



Memory Quilt ~ Joni

After my dad died I was able to get his clothes and make a quilt for my brother. I gave it to him for Christmas a couple of years ago.

Not long after my dad died, my friend Joni lost her dad too.

She was able to get his clothes and I was going to teach her how to make a quilt for her mom.

Well before we got very far along on it she upped and moved far away. She left the clothes with me and I finally finished it for her. She was able to give it to her mom this past weekend.

I also inserted the poem I wrote for my brother.

I was so happy with it until I washed it. Some of the blue denim balled up on the red and cream flannel more than other quilts that I have made. Not only was I up until midnight every night trying to hurry and complete this but then to have it do that? I was not happy. So Thursday night I was up until midnight again shaving each square on the flannel side trying to make it look a little better. It wasn't perfect but it was better and it turned out to look and feel like the cozy quilt I was hoping for.

Lyle picked it up Friday morning to take it with him on his way to his grandma's funeral. Eric and Joni flew out for Eric's mothers funeral and Joni's mom lives in the same town. I was unable to see them but here is a SQUISH for you Joni. I love your guts!

I started another poem to go with this and I just couldn't get my brain to work so....I went to the poem I wrote a couple of years ago and it "fit" with this quilt too. So I hope you enjoy the quilt, the poem and the love that went into this quilt for your family, Joni.

Oh and please move back soon!! I miss you terribly.

Memory Quilt

Before you lies a work of love, pieced with thoughtful care
This quilt has imperfections, as our lives do, you’re aware.
And as we live and grow, and do our best each day,
We tend to make some choices that leave our edges frayed.

But we are stitched together with memories and love
From our family here on earth and our family up above.
At times our pockets overflow with service and love for others.
And when you’re tired from all your work, take comfort with these covers.

The squares are made from dad’s old clothes and used to comfort you
When life gets hard or lonely or when you want to celebrate too.
May we take dad’s finest qualities and spread his legacy
And bundle up in memories of love of life, friends and family.

Author

~Jody Shelley~

The Holy Ghost (Comforter) QUILT

Because I am NOT a quilter or seamstress, Rag quilts are doable for me.

I have made several quilts this way. I really like these because the seams and matching does not have to be precise. They need to be good but not perfect. I do not have room in my house to set up and work a long time on a single quilt. So I have to hurry when I begin a project.

I have completed some for a couple of grandchildren, children, and others. This is my first small quilt. The others have been about Queen size and my squares were cut smaller. I was amazed how fast this went.

I am now the CTR 8 teacher and I decided to make a (Comforter) for each of the children that are getting baptized. There are only three this year and maybe four.

I told Jenny that I would post step by step instructions that I took to make this first "Baptism Comforter".

I have to admit that I really never know how big I will make and what kind of pattern (pattern? I laugh at patterns, I am such a non conformant.) I will decide on. I just wing it. I could always add rows or leave out rows.

However for this "pattern" I have:

2.5 yards of blue flannel - Cut at 10.5x10.5" (32 squares)
2.5 yards of butterfly flannel - Cut at 10.5x10.5" (32 squares)
I cut some thin batting at 9.5x9.5" (32 squares)
*Note- I didn't use a couple of squares. I will add these to a wild quilt I can do later.

Then I put the batting in between the two colors.

And pin together.

Then you sew from corner to corner until you make an X.

Once you have all your squares cut, lay them out and decide what pattern you want. I am constantly changing my mind while I am making squares. (Hey! I'm a woman. I have a right to change my mind.) You may already know how you want to make yours.

After many different ways I come back to my original design.

So I begin sewing the rows together with the seams all facing the same way. Once I finish the rows then I start sewing the rows to each other.

When the rows are all together then you begin cutting the seams, careful not to cut through the thread.

NOW we get to wash it!!

I try not to wash these at home because they leave so much lint.

Use your neighbors washer and dryer!

TA DA!

Look how it frays.

So cute, so simple.

Get the kids involved with this project!

Now off to the next one.