Teacher Quilts

You might think once my son graduates, I'd be finished making teacher quilts but apparently, it's just almost over. Earlier this year I told Chad I probably wouldn't have time to make quilts for his teachers this semester due to the other commitments I have. He was fine with that but this week, he's brought up a couple of times that he wished we had made quilts for two of the teachers he had this semester. The third teacher is a man and Chad didn't think he'd really be interested in a quilt. Then he said . . oh, and there's Mrs. Cook. I've had her three times and she's never gotten a quilt. He has had Mrs. Cook for three different nine week classes and it always happened that it was not a quarter that ended at Christmas or the end of the year and I just never made her a quilt. Today I noticed Chad going through my stack of quilts. He said he was just looking to see if there was anything he thought his teachers might like. I told him I would make them quilts but they wouldn't get them til next year. He was fine with that. So, I sent them all e-mails and explained that they would get a gift but it would be next year and asked about their favorite colors. So, I have a blue quilt, a red quilt and an "any color" quilt to make. Chad's happy so I'm happy. As I was looking through the pictures of the teacher quilts on my webshots page (they're not all there because I either never took pictures or forgot to post them), a couple of my favorites are: This quilt was was made for Mrs. Orgeron. She was Chad's third grade teacher when he was at Hamilton Christian Academy in Lake Charles. I've liked a lot of his teachers but I think Mrs. Orgeron will always be my favorite. She was so special that her quilt was even hand quilted!! It is made from Wendy Etzel's book, The Collectible Quilt. My next favorite was this Sunbonnet Kitty quilt from Janet Kime's book, The Cat's Meow. I even hand appliqued these cats! I've actually made this quilt twice. The first one was a gift to a friend's daughter probably in the mid-90's either when she graduated or got married . . can't remember. Anyway, this particular cat went to Mrs. Wells who was Chad's 7th grade English teacher. Chad always hated English but he loved Mrs. Wells and he did better in her class than he's ever done in English. Of course, Mrs. Wells loves cats! I know the teachers can all say nice things about Chad now that he's out of their classes but here's what they each had to say in their e-mails back to me:

• I have enjoyed having Chad in class this semester—it was never dull!! One of the lessons I learned from him is how much kids relate to music. I have actually altered some of my lessons to include analysis of song lyrics, in part because of Chad. He is such a positive force and was always very respectful and kind to me.
• I have loved having Chad in class. He is a very special, kind hearted kid!
• I will miss Chad. He NEVER passes me without a big hello.

Now that makes a mom feel good! Judy L.