The Class Auction Project

The Pinks go to a public elementary school that raises more than $250,000 each year through its auction. The funds supplement things our tax dollars do not cover: a full-time librarian, art, computers, and a music program.

Each classroom is expected to do an auction project. This year I'm leading the effort for Thing 2's class. I did Thing 1's last year and Eldest Daughter's the previous year.

I've seen some incredible creations during our five years at this school. I would love to have taken home the lemonade stand but alas, none of my children were in that class. There have been hand-painted game tables, intricate birdhouses, tiled garden benches, filled bookshelves and toyboxes. The quality of the output is mind-boggling. A granite sculpture sold for a few thousand dollars one year. It was gallery quality.

This summer I finished my 30th quilt so I guess I can call myself an accomplished quilter. I used to have free time to quilt but having twins changed all that. I just quilt for special occasions now: significant birthdays, babies of close friends, etc.

My favorite quilt story is of the one that now hangs in Neeracha's house. Nine years ago I saw the most beautiful quilt hanging in Habitot, the children's museum in Berkeley. It was up for raffle. I bought 20 tickets because I had to have it. A month later I panicked and realized how heart broken I'd be if I wasn't the winner. So I went back with my camera and photographed it from every angle. Then I studied it long enough to figure out how it was made, drove to every fabric store in the East Bay to get the right materials and replicated it. I had it all done except for the borders when Neeracha became pregnant with her second child and I offered to make her a quilt.

We spent the better part of two hours in her local quilt store picking out a pattern for her quilt and all the fabrics. At the very end of our time together that day I pulled my precious quilt out and chose the right border for it. She took one look at my quilt and said, "I want that one." And so I gave it to her and made another one for myself. I still love it. For those of you who have been to our house, it's the one hanging in the hallway between Eldest Daughter's and Thing 1's rooms. (No, I did not win the Habitot raffle.)

The last quilt I made was for Thing 2 -- it's a bright log cabin design made of fabrics we bought in France. There's a picture of it above.

I've decided to help the kids create a quilt for this year's class auction project. It's been a challenge narrowing down all the options. In first grade the children study community so the design is based on our community. My inspiration came from Freddy Moran and Gwen Marsten's Collaborative Quilting book and this weekend I pieced the first five houses and some trees. They're happy and scrappy and I can't wait to see how it all comes together.