Annual Christmas Party

Every year before Christmas, my Mom gathers all her employees for a Holiday Party that always has me rolling on the floor laughing. Each year is different; sometimes they go out to dinner, perhaps at P.F. Chang's Chinese Bistro; sometimes they hold a potluck dinner, which are my favorite because I get the leftovers; sometimes they order in. No matter what they decide to do, every year is a blast. This close knit family of crazed Quilters and Beaders come together and reflect on the past year, sharing stories that inevitably have the room rumbling from raucous laughter. 

I remember coming back home after my fall semester Sophomore year just in time for the Holiday Party. Mom was holding the party at our house, and I was enlisted to be "Santa's Little Helper." The time came for the gift exchange, the part of the night that everyone anxiously waits for. My job was simple: Make a game that would involve all of the women to be able to trade gifts without knowing who their gift would go to. Having grown up in the shop and knowing these ladies as if they were family, I made the game simple (or so I thought). I read the lyrics to Jingle Bells and made these rules to the game: Every time I said the word "the," they all had to pass the gift in their hands to the right once; and every time I said the word "a," they had to pass the gift in their hand to the left twice.  I tried to choose words that were common enough throughout the song that it would keep them on their toes and really mix up the presents amongst them. Now, the problem with these rules is that some of the ladies cannot remember for the life of them which way is their left or right, let alone how many times to pass it which way! Not even half way through the game, my Mom is laughing her head off, passing gifts every which way. Susie has multiple gifts in her hands. Emily somehow got her own gift back. Joanne and Hester, being the organized ones, are trying to get everyone back on track and listening. Avelia is just watching this all happen. And once again, the room erupts in laughter. We finally settle and everyone ends up with a gift in their lap. Then, like children on Christmas Day, they all rip open their present. This is where the excitement really starts because these women don't hold back with these gifts. Some of the artwork, for it truly is artwork, that is made as gifts is phenomenal: beaded ornaments, chain-mail bracelets, sterling silver necklaces, knitted flowers, embroidered place mats. The joy on everyone's face is priceless; Holiday cheer is truly in the air.

I am glad to call these wonderful people a part of my family, and I hope that one day I can hold my own Holiday party like my Mom's.

Aunt Susie

I had the pleasure of working in the Costume Department of Skidmore College's Theater Department today. If you don't know, I am currently a Junior there double-majoring in English and Theater. But I'm sure my mom has told you that or at least you have read it in her newsletters. Anyways, I was working on making a pillow; picking out my fabrics; making sure that the solid turquoise backing accentuated the autumn brown floral pattern that had light ripples of turquoise. I was pretty proud of myself.

While I was sewing at my station, a flood of nostalgia came over me that skipped my heart a beat. I was making a pillow to match the plethora of pillows I already own when it hit me: All my pillow cases have been made by the same person, my Aunt Susie.

I have never known a world without Susie. From what I can remember, she has worked for Monica's Quilt and Bead Creations since I was in diapers. Yes. It's true. I was once SHORTER than Susie. Now, I am twice her size (that may be a hyperbole, but you get the picture). She is not only an employee, but she really became part of my family. Every Christmas I could count on my Aunt Susie making me a wonderful Christmas present, whether it was a pillow case, a quilt, or some delicious cookies that she made specifically for me. Whenever I had a performance, whether it was Jazz Band, a school recital, or a Middle School/High School play/musical, she was always in the audience. I knew because I could hear her hootin' and hollerin' for me. Her laugh is priceless. Susie would even come to school with me on Grandparents day.

I will never forget about Susie. Every night I rest my head against the warm pillows she gave me and wake up to them nestling my head in love.

I can't wait to come home and see her for Christmas!

What a Boy will do for a Quilt

It has been almost a year since I have made the big move to the East Coast with all my belongings in my Nissan Rouge and what a year it has been. I apologize that I have not kept up this blog, but I will make up for it.
This year has been a roller coaster rider to say the least. I dealt with heartbreak, rigorous courses, multiple jobs/internships, acting in 1 school production and 3 student productions, creating a poetry portfolio, and much much more. But at the end of everyday I would return to my room where I would collapse onto my bed and wrap myself in the wonderful shapes and patterns of my mother's quilts. But not every quilt I own was made by my mother. Over the years, I have collected quilts made by the lovely ladies of Monica's Quilt and Bead Creations. There are three quilts that I carry around with me and one of them wwas made by the talented Patti, who has many of her quilts hanging up in the shop. I call her quilt the "Sunburst" quilt and the story behind getting it is one of my favorites.
Last summer, Natasha and I were asked to manage the Long Beach International Quilt Show. And so, we set off with our cargo van full of fabrics, patterns, purses, quilts, flannel, etc. While setting up the show, I discovered this beautiful quilt with panels of these flowers that were cut and made into blocks. The color pallet was made up of these blends of summer and autumnal tones that perfectly wove together. A ribbon of light blue accentuated all the brown, red,  and yellow shades. It was at that moment that I called up my mother and begged her to let me keep the quilt. Her only response was, "well, if you can sell all those panels and kits then you can have it." And so, with Natasha's help, we sold every single one given to us. After the show, we came back home and found out we out did our own mother! We outsold Monica Ann Gonzales at the Long Beach International Quilt Show. We were ecstatic. I thought that as a reward, mother would give me the quilt. However, we still had panels to sell at the shop. This did not stop me. I made a sign that said, "Please buy the rest of the Panels so Miguel can keep warm on the East Coast", and put it on the quilt, hung it up in my mom's store. Before I knew it, the rest of the panels sold. Seeing as Patti made the quilt, she took it down and presented it to me as I was heading back to the East Coast. It's one of the only quilts I own that is large enough to engulf my tall body (I am 6'3'') and it never ceases to provide me with all the warmth and love I need.
It's great growing up in a quilt store. Your shoulders will always be covered with a quilt and love.