Memory Quilt FAQ's

Every spring I have the pleasure of turning sentimental garments and childhood memorabilia into memory quilts for college bound teens. Here, I'll attempt to address some of the questions you might have about my process for making these lasting gifts.

Q: How many garments/items do I need to provide?

A: 30 - 40 articles are needed for a twin size quilt. Twin size is the most popular for college bound teens. It will measure approximately 63"x 87". That said, I am happy to work with as many or few items you might have. Special items might include t-shirts, jerseys (1-2 max), uniform pants and skirts (I know they're tired of looking at them now, but one day those plaids, khaki's and wools will evoke fond memories!), neckties, favorite baby blankets, etc...

Q: Can you make any size quilt?

A: Sure, I can make any size you wish! Price and number of items needed subject to change.

Q: Speaking of price, how much are your memory quilts?

A: I charge $1500 + tax and require 50% up front and balance on delivery.

Q: Why do they cost so much?! I've seen online sources who charge a lot less than you.

( I know you're thinking this so I'm going to take the opportunity to tell you :)

A: Most online sources use a cookie cutter approach. They take your items, cut the best 8" or 12" block from each article and sew them together. These are perfectly nice quilts! I wouldn't fault anyone for going that route. It's just not what I like to do. I'm a designer. I like working to the strengths of each item given and I'm especially good at selecting additional high quality fabrics that make all of the bits and pieces come together beautifully! I also enjoy getting to know my clients. Here's how I work.

I come over to your place and take a look at your kids room. I like to see their space & take in their vibe! We sit and talk about your awesome kid and their favorite colors, special qualities and quirks. We talk about how much you're going to miss them next year:( At this point, we both might cry a little bit. You hand over their laundered things and let me get to work!

Q: How long does it take? Am I too late for August or September?

A: I like to have 8 weeks to complete a memory quilt. If you need it sooner, I'll do my best to accommodate you.

Q: Should I tell my kid I'm going to cut up their clothing?

A: Mom or Dad knows best!

If you'd like to chat, feel free to call me at 214-215-3049

Shari

art&soup

What are you up to this weekend? So many nice options! If you live around here, your best bet is the 3rd annual Dallas Art Fair which runs through Sunday. After the Fair, you might as well keep your art buzz going! Have you seen the 2008 documentary, Herb & Dorothy? It's the story of a New York postal worker and his librarian wife who compiled a world class modern art collection. It's inspiring!

Enjoy your weekend!

Asparagus Mushroom Potato Soup - Peachtree Family Cookbook

1 leek, sliced

3 c mushrooms, sliced

3 T butter

3 garlic cloves

6 c red potatoes, quartered, unpeeled

10 c chicken broth

1 t freshly ground pepper

1 lb asparagus, sliced into 1 1/2" lengths

salt to tast

In a stock pot, saute the leeks and mushrooms in the butter and garlic until tender.

Add the potatoes, broth and pepper and cook until the potatoes are soft. The asparagus should be added last and cooked only until crisp tender, about 5-7 minutes. Salt to taste. Garnish with sour cream or creme fraiche. Plain greek yogurt would work too.

Photo by Esteban Cavrico via Flickr

now....where were we?

I sure do hope the past few months have treated you well!

I left you right after Sadie's bat mitzvah and Sailor Glam party.

It was perfect. That's Sadie's hand drawn tat (tatt?).

I went from platinum to brunette with a painful grow out period in between.

I lost, gained, lost, gained and am currently losing the same 10 pounds.

I just can't seem to quit you!

In November I took a full time job in addition to being a quilt maker.

Winter 2011! Ya-hooo! We loved our snow and ice days because it gave us

plenty of time for Valentines!

Another year older. If older is wiser, then perhaps my newfound wisdom

led me to the wonders of Jumbo marshmallows.

Alan and I created this fun recycling mascot for a local elementary school.

Cave danger in the Hill Country. Pitch black. Super scary.

My boy Buster has slowed to a crawl....

What have YOU been up to?

save the words

Did you know that each year hundreds of words are dropped from the English language? Perfectly wonderful, useful words! If you're crazy about words, click on Savethewords and adopt one or two or bunches! Your only responsibility is to use your word in conversation and correspondence as frequently as possible to the best of your ability. I'm in! Here were a few of my faves:

amorevolous - affectionate, doting

aquabib - water drinker

gnathonize - to flatter

aporrhoea - B.O. aka body odor

and the winner...

foppotee - a simple minded person

Go ahead and adopt a few of your own!

You're such a smarty!

swappin manly stories

Sunday Waffles

1 3/4 c. flour

2 t. baking powder

1/2 t. salt

2 T sugar

3 eggs

7 T vegetable oil

1 . vanilla

1 1/2 c. milk

Preheat the waffle iron. Sift the dry ingredients into a medium sized bowl. Separate the eggs, putting the egg whites in a smaller bowl. Beat the egg whites until stiff. Add the egg yolks, oil, vanilla and milk all at once to the dry ingredients. Beat until there are no lumps in the batter. Fold the egg whites into the batter using a spatula. 1/2 cup of batter makes a 9" waffle. Lots of tasty variations....chocolate chips, nuts, berries, etc...

Have a great Sunday!

sailorglamarama wrap up...

Sailor Glam wrap up posts coming soon!

We had a crazy good time!

top pic - Allison V Smith

bottom - fun in the photo booth

fun runner

Are you free the afternoon of November 13th? Say 3-6 ish?

Yes?!? Then please sign up for my burlap table runner

class at Oil and Cotton in Oak Cliff.

Bring friends and a few copies of your favorite Thanksgiving recipe to

exchange with the group.

Class description and fee can be found here.

Wine and local cheeses will be enjoyed during class.

dear dad,

You're the best dad ever! Happy Birthday!

xo, Shari

photos by allison v. smith

please pack your knives

Another great season of Top Chef is over. They've packed their knives and gone. This year's finale took place in Singapore and it was exceptional. It was incredible watching these chef's navigate their way through unfamiliar territory. Very impressive. I especially enjoyed the emphasis on fish and the street food of Singapore. It's worth looking up on Hulu if you missed it. Here's a simple and delicious salmon recipe if you're in the mood for fish. Enjoy your weekend!

Salmon Teriyaki - Betsy Eiseman, Lamplighter Family Cookbook

1/2 c soy sauce

1/4 c dry sherry

1/4 c light brown sugar

1 T olive oil

2 cloves garlic, minced

1T finely grated fresh ginger

1 1/3 lbs salmon steaks, 1"thick

Whisk together soy sauce, sherry, brown sugar, olive oil, garlic and ginger. Pour over salmon and marinate for 30 minutes, turning once to coat evenly. Place oven rack 4 inches from heat source. Line a baking sheet with foil and spray lightly with nonstick spray. Remove fish from marinade and place on baking sheet. Broil for 10 to 12 minutes.

Note: This marinade is so tasty! This salmon is great paired with roasted asparagus. For color and added tastiness, top with chopped tomato and grated parmesan.

photo: Fulton Street fishmonger, 1964, mcmahanphoto.com

the meat grinder

No, this isn't a post on Lady Gaga's putrid meat dress from the VMA. But rather, a post on recess. Didn't you just love recess as a kid?!? Our school playground did not resemble the razzle dazzle playscapes of today. No wood chips or squishy surfaces to cushion our fall. No brightly colored plastic equipment to prevent small hands from burning on hot days. Our playground consisted of a metal jungle gym, a bank of swings and the meat grinder. The meat grinder was a slab of black asphalt - the site for red rover, jump rope and all manner of horseplay. It was accurately dubbed the meat grinder because it literally shredded your tender young skin on contact. Hico Elementary recess wasn't for wimps! Aren't you just wild about this incredible swing for 12 made from recycled tires constructed by Jan Korbes in South Africa? Can you even imagine the fun?!? I want one now!

on two wheels

Skidding in on two wheels, here are some random shots from our Summer.

Red in Fredericksburg is filled with cool items in every price range.

Fantastic 3-D puzzle. You have to see it up close to appreciate it!

Great Wall O' Cutters. Der Kuchen Laden, Fredericksburg.

The girls love their cousin Karleigh!

The tooth fairy pays a visit to Harry.

Look at that sweet face!

Incredible mirror. Incredible store. Root Fashion and Aura. Fredericksburg, Texas.

Outside a restaurant at the height of Mel's latest outburst. Funny stuff. Austin, Texas.

Giant creepy baby head from a vintage store in Austin. There's a Twilight Zone episode in here somewhere.

City park bridge in Hico. I've been riding my bike, driving a car or running over this bridge my entire life. I finally noticed just how great it is.

Layers and layers of yumminess.

gator baby

This summer I made a quilt for a baby gator. This little guy was born to a couple of die hard Florida Gator fans and needed the perfect quilt. Here is the play by play of the aptly named quilt, Gator Baby.

Thankfully, I had wonderful school colors to work with! This is the maquette I presented to my client, friend and coworker, Beth. Whenever possible I make a maquette to convey my ideas. I thought the rugby stripe was great for a little boy and made a nice field for a big gator head.

Next, I went in search of reference. I didn't have to look any further than Sadie's bookshelf for our well loved copy of The Enormous Crocodile, by Roald Dahl. Gators and crocs; crocs and gators, I know there are differences, but this illustration happened to work perfectly for the project at hand. Admittedly, my first sketch resembled the Claussen pickle pelican, sans the funny hat. Alan came in and saved the day with a subtle adjustment. Thanks Alan!

Pupil practice and finished eye.

Ric rac teeth. Great idea Deb!

Sweet backing.

I chose a quilting pattern called Toothache to mimic the jagged teeth. We also added the baby's name and other particulars for a personal touch. Thanks for the great project Beth! Tons of fun.

bubbles

I hope you enjoy bubbles in some form or fashion this weekend!

Kids of the 70's? Just for you, as in me. In it's entirety. You're welcome!

Want to mix up your own?

This link has lots of recipes.

photos 1 and 2 by Julianne Swartz via Pia Jane Bijkerk, Sis (my niece) aka Mary Eloise by her Mommy, Sofia bubbly from geekdreams/flickr