This project began three years ago.
Yes...three YEARS ago!
(I'm still looking for a fun way to hang this, but at least it's on the wall)
There are not words to describe this process that pushed four friends to the brink of insanity at times and sheer joy at others.
But thank goodness for our determined Captain...she kept us focused, moving forward and allowed her home to be the epicenter of all this madness. There were no lengths she would not go to get the perfect fabric, the perfect match of thread or sew those crazy tiny blanket stitches when the rest of us gave up. She would even sew for us after we had packed up for the day and left her and the mess behind. When we would threaten to jump ship, she would warm us up with hot cocoa and scrumptious homemade gingerbread cake with real whipped cream topping.
Without her, this project would never have seen its final stitch.
Her crew mates were something else.
One was completely useless. Okay - I take that back. She did iron here and there and cut out necessary pieces of fabric and such. Mostly she watched and talked, which is a good thing because she is a great story teller and she kept smiles and laughter going around in abundance. She did buy us lunch on more than one occasion over the years and that was vital to our sanity. We learned you cannot be successful crafters on empty stomachs! And she was a problem solver. If something got messed up then she could come up with a solution so that no blunder went unresolved. Oh, and she did iron my very long and unruly piece of binding for which I was very thankful. So to say she was completely useless is truly not true at all : )
And then there was the beginner. She could sew of course but wanted to learn a little bit about quilting. We brought her on board because we thought this would be a perfect way to start out...simple, not too daunting and we'd have it done quickly. She had no idea what she had gotten herself into! And she was ever the optimist. She listened to lots of ranting and complaining and never held it against us. She was in it for the long haul, good or bad. After it was all said and done, she even thinks she wants to do another project together. She is a Saint : )
Yes...three YEARS ago!
(I'm still looking for a fun way to hang this, but at least it's on the wall)
There are not words to describe this process that pushed four friends to the brink of insanity at times and sheer joy at others.
But thank goodness for our determined Captain...she kept us focused, moving forward and allowed her home to be the epicenter of all this madness. There were no lengths she would not go to get the perfect fabric, the perfect match of thread or sew those crazy tiny blanket stitches when the rest of us gave up. She would even sew for us after we had packed up for the day and left her and the mess behind. When we would threaten to jump ship, she would warm us up with hot cocoa and scrumptious homemade gingerbread cake with real whipped cream topping.
Without her, this project would never have seen its final stitch.
Her crew mates were something else.
One was completely useless. Okay - I take that back. She did iron here and there and cut out necessary pieces of fabric and such. Mostly she watched and talked, which is a good thing because she is a great story teller and she kept smiles and laughter going around in abundance. She did buy us lunch on more than one occasion over the years and that was vital to our sanity. We learned you cannot be successful crafters on empty stomachs! And she was a problem solver. If something got messed up then she could come up with a solution so that no blunder went unresolved. Oh, and she did iron my very long and unruly piece of binding for which I was very thankful. So to say she was completely useless is truly not true at all : )
And then there was the beginner. She could sew of course but wanted to learn a little bit about quilting. We brought her on board because we thought this would be a perfect way to start out...simple, not too daunting and we'd have it done quickly. She had no idea what she had gotten herself into! And she was ever the optimist. She listened to lots of ranting and complaining and never held it against us. She was in it for the long haul, good or bad. After it was all said and done, she even thinks she wants to do another project together. She is a Saint : )
So many stitches, lots of unpicking and stitching again. So many hours of beginning then working then putting it away for another year. Last year it was put away because I needed to get to Utah to say good-bye to my mom. Just thinking back on all the talking, laughing, crying, sharing, comfortable silence, teaching and learning that were shared over these pieces of fabric fills my heart to overflowing.
I'm so grateful to three wonderful women in my life that turned a supposedly little Christmas project into something so grand and precious.
My love to each of you...Collette, Rachel and Shannon.
And now...
I'm way excited to fill up the pockets and share the countdown with my kids!
I'm so grateful to three wonderful women in my life that turned a supposedly little Christmas project into something so grand and precious.
My love to each of you...Collette, Rachel and Shannon.
And now...
I'm way excited to fill up the pockets and share the countdown with my kids!
4 comments:
Oh, my dear, dear Andrea. Beautifully said. You make me want to go back and do it all over again. And you think I'm kidding, but I'm not. It's been a great journey. Thanks for putting up with me and the whole of it. I love you!
you wrote it perfectly!! Every time I look at it I think of you guys. My angel friends!
Andrea-I am so impressed! This is beautiful!!! That is so much work....tiny stitches, wow!
I had to giggle when you said that Maddie wanted dibs on it after you die...that IS a compliment. ;)
Do you now have the sewing bug or did the opposite happen? haha!
(I think I need this pattern!)
As for hanging it, I use these little ring thingies with a clip on one end. They are in the drapery section at JoAnn's. You clip the one end to the top of the quilt and then the rings hooks onto nails, or pegs, or a curtain rod. They come in a package of ten or so, so you will have plenty to use for your next project. :):):)
I am so happy for you guys. I honestly know how long and hard you worked. I remember being there in the early days. Good thing I never started it with you. I am glad you are enjoying it so much.
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