Bert and Ernie, Can You Tell Me How to Get to Sesame Street?

Ernie: “1-Q.”
Bert: “2-Q.”
Ernie: “3-Q.”
Bert: “4-Q.”
Ernie: “5-Q.”
Bert: “6-Q.”
Ernie: “7-Q.”
Bert: “8-Q.”
Ernie: “9-Q.”
Bert: “10-Q.”
Ernie: “What's that, Bert?”
Bert: “10-Q!”
Ernie: “I couldn't hear you, Bert.”
Bert: “10-Q! 10-Q! 10-Q!”
Ernie: “You're welcome, you're welcome, you're welcome, Bert.”

Bert and Ernie share the basement apartment in the 123 Sesame Street building. Ernie loves to play games, while Bert would rather read a book. Bert has 368 bottle caps in his collection and loves to study his pet pigeon, Bernice. Ernie loves sing in the tub with his Rubber Duckie and use his imagination. He often wakes Bert in the middle of the night to ask him a question, while Bert does his best not to get frustrated. To say they are opposites would be an understatement. But when Ernie is not getting on Bert's nerves and Bert is not being too serious for Ernie, they are best pals. These friends don't always agree, but they always try to work it out.

Bert and Ernie have been a part of Sesame Street since the first episode in 1969. Bert is performed by Frank Oz, and beginning in 1997 Eric Jacobsen also became a principal performer for the character. Ernie was performed by Jim Henson until his death in 1990, and is now performed by Steve Whitmire. When the characters were first created Jim Henson performed Bert while Frank Oz did Ernie, but they switched after not too long, and each performer gave their character a bit of their own personalities.

More Serious Bert Facts:
Birthday: July 26
Best Friend: Ernie
Favorite expression: “Er-nie!”
Favorite Color: Grey
Likes: Brass bands, paper clips, bottle caps, argyle socks, the letter W, and watching the weather forecast on TV
Favorite food: Oatmeal
Dislikes: Being woken up by Ernie, Ernie's jokes

More Mischievous Ernie Facts:
Birthday: January 28
Favorite expression: “Hey, Bert, old buddy? Are you asleep?”
Best Friend: Bert
Favorite Song: “Rubber Duckie, You're the One”
Likes: Singing in the bath with Rubber Duckie, playing the saxaphone and playing tricks on Bert
Dislikes: Cleaning up

Patterns by Michelle Thompson
Piece Count: Bert — 87, Ernie — 133
Block Size: 10"
Fabrics:
Moda Marbles: Bert — Bright Yellow, California Orange, Turquoise; Ernie — California Orange, Cardinal, Bubblegum Pink, Grass Green
Kona Cotton: Snow & Black

I've also finished the label for the back of my quilt.

My layout is getting more filled in.

Or is it? Michelle has finished more patterns.

Uh-oh. I think I just heard my layout getting bigger.

I'm still debating the idea. Help me out, will you?

In the “cons” to expanding the quilt column:
• It will be like going back to square one. I started out with 12 blocks to finish and I will still have 12 blocks to finish {Zoe is almost done} if I expand the layout.
• Each block takes anywhere from 7 to 10 hours.
• I will definitely not have it finished in time for the first two of three quilt shows this spring/summer and possibly not even for the third.
• Each block takes anywhere from 7 to 10 hours.
• My embroidered quilt label will have the wrong month on it {and possibly the wrong year}.
• Each block takes anywhere from 7 to 10 hours.
• Because I don't have a deadline, it is possible for this quilt to end up sitting half-finished until the quilt shows next year.
• Have I mentioned how long each block takes?
• I will need more Moda Marbles for the back. I'll also need some other colors in order to have enough fabric to make more blocks.

In the “pros” to expanding the quilt column:
• I won't feel like I'm leaving anyone out.
• I'm definitely not going to have the quilt finished for the first quilt show and probably not for the second show, anyway. I can ease up the pace a bit and make myself not so crazy.
• I will need more Moda Marbles for the back. I'll also need some other colors in order to have enough fabric to make more blocks
• I won't feel rushed on the machine quilting part and can maybe explore other options besides stippling in the background behind each character.

It would seem that there are more cons than pros to making the quilt bigger. But knowing myself as I do, I think I probably won't be happy with it unless I include all the blocks that are available {except I'm going to have to choose between Guy Smiley and Barkley because there aren't enough spots for both of them}. Perhaps I'm not still debating it after all?

Shay told me that she really likes Sesame Street too, and asked if that made us childish. I told her that I'm sure that it just makes us young at heart. I'll keep telling myself that, because I'm going to have to start watching it so that I can see who Abby Cadabby is.