Make Time To Make Memories

This summer I wanted to make character quilts with Kelley and Kasey as they were the only two children I'd never made one for. They got excited about it and thinking of a color scheme they decided it was time to remove the teddy bear wallpaper and paint their room. We did that and put up a border with horses and a pretty outdoor scene.

Kelley and Kasey did a super job removing the old wallpaper and then Dad painted and we put up the border. Kasey wanted Character Sketch quilts like her brothers all had, so we chose green and blue squares to go between the animal squares. (Full instructions are in Fun Projects for Hands-on Character Building by Marilyn Boyer). We just completed the job and it's been very fun. We used liquid embroidery paints we purchased from a company called Herschners and the girls and I painted all 18 animal squares for each quilt. It was a fun project. Here are some pictures of us making the quilt and the finished product.

Summer is a time that we generally do things we don't get around to doing during the normal school year. Last year we did cake decorating and this year was quilt making. Kelley is now learning to crochet. She plans to make a crocheted afghan for Nate and Tina's new little boy due in November.

Make time for the fun things. Children grow up too fast and we never get those days back again. I see that so clearly as my youngest in now almost 11. For years I had a house full of little ones, toddlers, babies, etc and that time went by all too quickly.

As you begin a new school year, schedule in some fun times!! Academics isn't the most important thing! Relationships are and building relationships takes time. Your kids will always remember the projects you did with them. Learn not to wish away those precious opportunities! They have to be cultivated!!