UFO Table runner

I ran across a kit several weeks ago  that I had purchased at Piper's Quilt Shop in Salt Lake at least 15 years ago, maybe even longer than that.  I really wanted to make it when I bought it but it was stashed away and forgotten.  When I discovered it still in my stash, I decided if I was ever going to make it, I'd better get started NOW.  It was fun to make and I simplified it by downgrading the applique from hand sewn to machine applique.  It cut about a year off the construction part and I think it turned out just as well. 

Will you make me a quilt?

About two years ago I was called to be a Sunday school teacher for the youth, ages 15-18. It was an unlikely calling for me and I was nervous. Our class wasn't huge, 4-5 boys and 1-2 girls on average. To make matters worse, the co-teacher was a seasoned gospel doctrine teacher. I went to his lesson the first week after I was called, just to see how it was done. I was so intimidated and wondered how I could ever teach these kids when every other week they were getting a lesson from this well-respected man. As I prepared my first lesson I realized that I didn't have to teach like Brother Bennett, I needed to teach  using my strengths and talents.
I grew to love these kids in my class. I grew to love my calling, even though I still felt intimidated by it. I missed my class when it wasn't my turn to teach.
One spring day I took my class outside for our lesson. I spread out a quilt on the grass, we all sat down and had a wonderful lesson. This young man asked me if I made the quilt. I told him that yes I did, in fact, it was the first quilt I had ever made. He then had the audacity to ask me if I would make him a quilt. This young man obviously didn't know how much time, money, effort, etc. goes into a quilt. I thought for  a moment before I answered. This young man had really been struggling in school. Many people in the ward reached out to help him. He was just finishing his Junior year and hoped to play football for a college some day. Instead of telling him, "NO WAY", I said, "Jewel, if you'll graduate from high school, I'll make you a quilt". Throughout the next year, there were times I thought I may be off the hook. He kept reminding me, though, about the quilt. I started a little late on the project and didn't get it finished in time for graduation. I am happy to say, however, I finished it last month and was able to deliver it to him at a time when he needed it. Here is a picture.

Jewel did go on to play football in college. "Duke blue" is his favorite color.

She made it!

Here she is with her mission president. He's pretty tall, isn't he?