Thursday, October 16, 2008

He's An Amazing Man...

...and he's my dad. He recently found out about my blog and the first comment I received from him is that I've never written about him. He's right. So dad, this one is for you.

My dad is a man of deeds. He would do anything for me, but he expects much of me too. My dad builds things. Woodworking is his hobby and he's good at it. For my dad, building things didn't start as a hobby, but as a way of life. My dad grew up in a time where you made what you needed. He lives "do it yourself." I learned how to hammer, nail, drill, drywall, etc. etc. from my dad. He's proud that I never hire anyone to do what I can do myself.

His creations are in the homes of every family member and in many of the homes in his small town as well as in the church. If you can describe it, he can build it. He will build it his own way, but it will be beautiful. (Does this sound a bit like the owner of this blog?) We are much alike, he and I.

A few weeks ago he showed me a picture of a quilt rack in one of his woodworking magazines. He asked me if I might like something like that. We had a short conversation and I shared with him that I was considering taking my quilts to craft shows and displaying many quilts in a small space is a challenge. We discussed how this might be adapted, how wide it should be, that it needed to fold flat and display as many quilts as possible. A few days later for my birthday this is what I received. (actually he made TWO of them.) As you can see it works beautifully for displaying quilts at home too. Isn't it fabulous?





















This is what I've been working on...I've had these euro shams on the bed for months now with no covers on them. Long enough. I don't know if these are too much. I'm trying to decide if I like them. If so, I'll quilt them and make them into shams. Maybe they could be a quilt. A couple more blocks and I'd be done. These honey's are huge! 28 inches square...now that's a BIG log cabin block.





















Lastly, I've won a couple of giveaways. The first was Kajsa's at her blog Syko. I won this cute little house (can you tell she's my inspiration for all the little house things I've been making), and she sent me some more of her fabulous cards. I have a total of 5 now, so I framed them. If you haven't visited her, you really should. Her work is so happy and whimsical. I'm buying more of her cards from her etsy store for Christmas presents. She sent me candy and Marimekko napkins too. It was so sweet of her.
I won a bag at Stephanie's blog. You'll have to wait to see that...(imagine a non blurry picture here). I'm using it as a workout bag. It goes to the gym with me every day. It's amazing what a great bag will do for your attitude and your motivation. Thanks Stephanie! Drop in to Stephanie's to see her newest totally cute creation. You're gonna LOVE it.

38 comments:

Twisted Quilts said...

I love reading about your father. My father died 15 years ago and not a day goes by that I don't miss him. Like your father he gave a lot but he expected a lot. I am get teary thinking about him.

audreypawdrey said...

I am so impressed by that quilt rack! I am also impressed that it only took him a couple of days;it is truly beautiful and your quilts are goreous on it. The cards are beautiful in that frame and I love the shams. Those are HUGE log cabin blocks-very pretty color combination.

Erika said...

Hi Jacquie,
I just finished a post about heroes, I invite people to talk about their personal heroes, and here you are talking about your dad. I mention that on my post update. Seems like your dad is someone very special. Love him tons
Erika

Abby and Stephanie said...

Wonderful post on your dad. Making something yourself is such a great feeling. Great quilt rack. So glad you are enjoying your bag. Blue and green is my very favorite color combination. The shams are gorgeous.

MichelleB said...

LOVE the quilt rack. I so wish I knew someone who had woodworking skills like you dad. I also wish I knew someone who knew as much as he did and drywalling, tiling etc., so he could teach me some things!

Love the shams, too.

Sherri said...

What a wonderful tribute to your father. My Dad passed away 19 years ago...and even though I miss him, I love hearing others talk about their awesome Dads!

Katie R said...

I love that about dads, mine is the same way. The log cabins are beautiful! I love green! and you picked wonderful fabrics

Browndirtcottage said...

oh....how wonderful for you...the rack is "wack"....and so are all your projects!!!

ellen said...

Oh, Dear Jacquie, I think that the nut did not fall far from the tree. What a wonder he is..as you are. What a special and wonderful creation he made for you..in recognition of the beauty that you are and that which you create...little threads, so strong, that connect each other..sometimes disappearing,sometimes obscured, but always there...taking time to unravel...find the end, find the beginning....it will all attach and create a whole.

Alissa said...

How great to have such a supportive father!! Wonderful quilt racks... And I love the pillows! I say keep 'em!

Unknown said...

Jacquie, Your dad sounds like a wonderful man, full of wonderful values! Keep on loving him and honoring him the way you are doing now! Cherish what he has taught you. What a beautiful gift for you and the quilts look great on it! The pillows are wonderful and I love the artwork from Syko.

Exuberantcolor/Wanda S Hanson said...

I like a vertical rack like that so much better than the standard quilt rack. I did craft booths for 15 years and wish I would have had one like that. My dad helped me with all kinds of yard and garden projects and apologized to me when he was 89 that he didn't have as much wind as he used to, as he helped me cut down a small tree. Dads and daughters, a good combination.

AnnaVallance said...

Just discovered your blog; beautiful quilts and a great quilt rack.

Rosalyn Manesse said...

What a great quilt rack, and a real true love from your father.

Laurie said...

what a great post! love the quilt "ladder" as well! very neat!!
laurie

Unknown said...

Your dad is as amazing as you! I love having the mentality that I CAN figure it out :) Your pillows are great, love the color combo.

Stina Blomgren said...

That was a fantastic gift from your Dad... great idea... My dad have made me two ladders too ...to hang my quilts on and I love them very much... Your quilts look so wonderful hanging there... :o)

Tine said...

What a talented dad you have. The quilt-racks look great! What a beautiful job he did on those :-)

Jodie said...

He is amazing Jacqui - what a lucky girl you are!!!

Two Dogs and a Quilt said...

The quilt racks are wonderful! What a special gift from your dad.

QuiltedSimple said...

Your dad is amazing - love the quilt rack! And I really like the pillow shams (and yes, 28 inches is HUGE). You really need to go to some craft shows (care to do any in Ohio?).
Kris

Becky said...

What an awesome dad! I love that rack and the way the quilts are displayed.

Meg said...

I love the quilt rack--lucky you! And then I saw the picture of the shams and I just absolutely love them! Those fabrics are wonderful!

Amanda Jean said...

I love, I mean LOVE the quilt display rack. How wonderful. and to have 2!!! lucky you.

I also LOVE the 28" log cabins. how very fun.

and I love Kajsa's work. it is so happy and whimsical.

Di~ said...

Oh My Word! tell you dad he's awesome. That quilt holder is so great. If I could come buy one right now! but I live so far from you, my daughter was in K.C. on Monday, too bad I couldn't get her to bring one to me on the plane! Your projects are so nice, Jacquie!

MelissaS said...

I love love love the quilt squares! Make them pillow covers!

Green Spade Inn said...

your dad is amazing. i hope he is checking back for comments! you are such a lucky gal to have such a sweet father and TWO of those beautiful quilt stands. hope all is well.

Allison said...

I love the quilt rack! Your quilts look wonderful hanging on it. What a great dad.

Nanette Merrill said...

That quilt rack is so sweet and lovely. Your dad sounds like a great man. It brought a tear to my eye because I miss my dad so much. He would have been really proud of my blog. He was so happy that I inherited my mom's talent for sewing. Dads are the best!

Love the shams covers. I think they look great in the living room by the fireplace, too.

We've both had luck with giveaways! Love the houses. Love.

Leanne said...

What a lovely post...Your dad could be my dad sadly mine is no longer here. I miss him terribly but like your dad he taught me lots which I am grateful for, I can hammer and saw with the best of them. Your quilt rack is lovely as are your quilts.

Alice Grace said...

The quilt rack is fabulous! I know you are proud that your Dad was thoughtful enough to think of you and your love of quilting.
The Euro shams are gorgeous! You have such a knack for colors!

Kim said...

Hurray for DAD! Love that Quilt ladder. Excellent work and design. Jacquie, you are a very lucky girl!

CJ said...

Awww, sweet post for your dad. :) My dad built things as well. Wish he was around to make one of those nifty quilt racks for ME! Care to share where your dad found the directions for that??

MightyMom said...

oh that quilt rack is too cool!!! does he sell them?

love the shams. never too much!!

susan said...

oh what a great dad to have! and its great that he helped make you so self sufficient. the quilt rack is beautiful. i love that wood. syko is one of my faves to check out for inspiration when i am feeling uninspired(besides you of course!)

Lisa said...

What a wonderful dad! The quilt rack is gorgeous!!! Lovely quilts!

Rebekah said...

what a cool rack! Maybe he should start an etsy store for all of us quilters out here :)

Randi said...

Awesome quilt rack! Love the pillows, too.