Jiggety jig. 
I had a great week away from home. I now love Freddy Moran more than I did before. She did a trunk show the night before the class...had four HUGE suitcases packed full of the most visually stimulating and exciting (to me) quilts. It was just a joy to see them all in real life. Freddy didn't make her first quilt until the age of 60. Today, at 77, she has made over 500 and is a highly sought-after teacher and speaker. Her third book (second one with Gwen Marston) is coming out soon. I forgot to bring my camera to the trunk show, but I did bring it to class the next day. Here's a pic of she and I that my mom took. 
The quilts we're standing in front of are the same pattern, just different modes of light, medium, dark were used. It's the FreddyDotCom quilt we were in class to make. Mom and I went straight home after class and set up our machines on the dining table with every intention of finishing them right away. Mom made more headway than I did, but I'll catch up!
I thought that in many cases her quilt backs were just as exciting or interesting as the fronts. She has been to Helsinki a few times and is hooked on Marimekko fabric panels. Mom and I ran right home and googled the fabric...found a lot of it offered on this site but yikes on the $40-$50 per yard! SOOOO.... didn't I feel lucky a few days later when Erica and I went to IKEA and I found all these Swedish fabrics for $3-$7 per yard!
Those are shown on a Cal-King bed. Pretty cool for quilt backs, huh? I'm stoked. IKEA is the absolute bomb. I bought SO MUCH stuff I didn't really even need, just because it was so cool and so cheap! Here's a shot of some doo-daddy stuff just to give an idea.
You just can't go wrong in that place. But make sure to wear comfortable shoes and plan on being there four hours! I didn't believe it when Erica told me it would take that long but it sure enough did!
Look at what I got to come home to find waiting in the mail from my SO SWEET and silly lil Doe.
Love ya Doe! You're the best. It all just could NOT be any sweeter! xoxo
I have to close for now but I have lots more to report so will be back SOON. I'll close with my little contribution to the Vintage Pillowcase Challenge over at Handmade Parade. Not that I can participate since I was asked to be a guest judge 
but I still felt like throwin' my hat in the ring o' effort. You know how it goes...
That chair, up until today covered in green fabric and usually buried under an ironing pile, slipped into the pillowcase like a stinkin' glove! All I had to do was sew it up short at the top and create a couple little boxed corners. (the pink dotted fabric is simply folded in at the legs and staple-gunned underneath.) So there you have it.
See ya soon!
I am so jealous. Both Freddy Moran AND Ikea. Sigh....I miss Ikea.
Posted by: Katie | February 21, 2008 at 06:19 AM
I remember attending a Freddie trunk show and talk at the Marin County Quilt show, probably 10 years ago. She said then that she bought the Marimekko fabric on sale at the Crate & Barrel Outlet store in Berkeley. I wonder if it's still there?
Posted by: sophie | February 20, 2008 at 05:01 PM
That Silly Lil' Doe - How sweet is she!
Posted by: Beata | February 20, 2008 at 08:26 AM
OMG! I love those quilts!!! Love those colors!!! I can hardly wait to see what you create with your new machine! congrats!
Posted by: upstatelisa | February 20, 2008 at 01:47 AM
Glad you like the gifties. So happy you got the package just in time for Valentine's. Hope you had a wonderful day.
Love your new banner.
OMG, that lady is amazing!!! I wish I could have been there to meet her, enjoy her quilts and drool over her fabric collection.
The chair is stinken' ADORABLE!!!!
Posted by: Doe | February 18, 2008 at 04:16 PM
Wow, that is sooo exciting that you got to take a class with Freddy Moran, to meet her and see her quilts in person. I'm extremely thrilled to hear she has another book coming out with Gwen Marston - woohoo. Good luck with your quilt.
Posted by: Tonya R | February 18, 2008 at 07:19 AM
Nice seeing you have so much quality time with your Mom. Looks like you are living the fun life Jen!
Posted by: Michelle Infantino | February 18, 2008 at 05:19 AM
hi jen - i just recently discovered your blog and i LOVE it -- oh you lucky duck, a class with Freddy would be my idea of heaven -her first book, Freddy's House literally changed my quilting life!! and the fabrics you got at IKEA are making my mouth water - an IKEA is opening up less than 10 minutes from my house in less than 3 weeks - i can hardly wait-- good luck with your quilt --
carolfun
Posted by: Carol Funicelli | February 17, 2008 at 08:37 PM
The quilts are amazing! So exciting to look at. Can't wait to hear/see more. Susan
Posted by: Susan at black eyed susans kitchen | February 17, 2008 at 08:05 PM
I also think that IKEA is the bomb. I moved from California to the mid-west and the closest IKEA is about 6 to 7 hours away. BUT, we still try to make the trip as often as we can.
I love the new banner.
Posted by: Donia | February 17, 2008 at 03:41 PM
The chair looks great! I didn't make it in time to enter the pillowcase contest. Ikea has some great bargains & designs - I like to get their frames for the kids room since they don't have glass in them...we also have a few Ikea pieces, like my bed & entertainment center.
Posted by: tammyCA | February 17, 2008 at 11:11 AM
LOVE LOVE LOVE the new blog header!
Posted by: dawn | February 17, 2008 at 09:23 AM
Wow! Those quilts are AMAZING! I'm so in awe of quiltmaking. I would never have the patience to do it. But to see some of the works of art that are created blows my mind! btw...love the chair...cute!!!
Posted by: Karin (creativechaos) | February 16, 2008 at 09:50 AM
LOL! about the signature dish! OK-I'll settle for something that you LIKE to bring! Just put something down! I know you guys eat! LOL!
Yeah-the kid's book club is really great. I promise you'll have one of the strongest reader's in the class. My kid's do amazingly well in language arts. OK-their mom is a word nerd that has pushed vocabulary on them from day one, but the book club is a HUGE influence on them too! Have a great weekend!
Posted by: Carla | February 16, 2008 at 08:33 AM
Those quilts are delicious and inspiring! I have looked at that Ikea fabric so many times and never once thought of using it for quilts. Brilliant!
Posted by: Lotta | February 15, 2008 at 07:08 PM
Jen, welcome home! Your story about Freddy Moran is so inspiring. I've been a quilter for 30 years, with so many quilts in progress but very few finished. Freddy gives me hope. Maybe I still have time to get it together!
Cheryl
Posted by: Periwinkle Vintage | February 15, 2008 at 05:08 PM
I love Ikea. I've bought those little scissors. They are great for paper projects and you can't beat the price.
Love your pillow case on the chair and the Freddy quilts. Whoa those are bright.
Isnt that silly lil Doe the sweetest. I love those little paper hearts she made. Maybe I can bribe her into sending one my way!!! She's amazing!!!
Glad you had a good time with your mom!
Posted by: redgeraniumcottage | February 15, 2008 at 04:22 PM
Hi Jen! I just love your chair cover!! Im going to post my creation tommorrow i guess since its over!!!Whoo Hoo! Loving that swell fabric!
~blessings~
Ang
Posted by: norththreads | February 15, 2008 at 01:07 PM
Wow, you are so lucky!! I absolutely love the picture of you and Freddy. The quilts that are behind you are to die for....what eye candy!!
I can't wait to see yours and your mother's quilts. Do you know what the new book is titled?
So glad you found IKEA. Don't they have some wonderful fabrics at great prices??
Posted by: Jackie | February 15, 2008 at 07:43 AM
Ha ha, IKEA needs to come with a major warning label :) Those quilts are gorgeous, and you are bound to make amazing things with that cute fabric - so fun!
Posted by: Sue McG | February 15, 2008 at 07:41 AM
omg! all of the fabrics are glorious!!!
hope you had a great valentines day!
oxoxox,
jessi
Posted by: jessi nagy | February 15, 2008 at 07:09 AM
Love the quilts, they are beautiful. My Mom is an avid quilter, she will the pics~
Bristol
Posted by: Bristol | February 15, 2008 at 06:00 AM
Love the new banner. Love the quilts. I had a chance to see Freddy's house on a studio tour a couple of years ago, really lovely.
Can't wait to see your quilt! Glad you had fun.
Posted by: pam | February 15, 2008 at 12:35 AM
P.S. Your new banner is way cool.
Posted by: Kathi D | February 14, 2008 at 09:37 PM
Wow, what a time you had! Freddy sure looks good for 77!!! And those fabrics are great! Didn't I tell you Ikea would be da bomb!
Posted by: Kathi D | February 14, 2008 at 09:37 PM