I began sewing a quilt as you go “stack and whack” style (isn’t that a horrible name?) flannel blanket for Nicholas last October. As is the norm with me, other projects caught my eye and it was tucked away into the closet. I intended it to be a surprise so wouldn’t work on it while he was around. Last weekend, the stars aligned and John took the children to the cottage for the weekend and I stayed home and hosted my sister-in-law who was taking an instructional swim coaching course at our local aquatic centre. She is a serious maker. I can do many different types of craft, but compared to me – Kathy is an olympic level crafter. I learn so much from her and I think that we inspire each other to complete things, improve our skill and have a pretty good time doing it. She helped remind me of the different steps needed to bind a quilt and off I went. By Sunday it was done and on his bed. You know how you build something up in your head so much that it can never live up to the hype? When they arrived home I needed to take Sarah to an oboe lesson so I told Nicholas not to go in his room, that I had a surprise for him and he should wait until I got home. I was so excited to give him the quilt, he had been asking for a blanket and I just knew he was going to love it. Well – telling him there was a surprise and making him wait was a huge mistake and I’m sure some of you have already guessed my error. He thought there was Lego waiting for him in his room. He tried really hard, but I could tell that he was disappointed. :whomp whomp: He does keep telling me that he likes it and has been sleeping under it for days AND the project is done and out of my closet so all in all, it’s a win.
On the stitching front, I had a small finish with the Little House Needleworks Frosty Forest #4 of 9. I’m still working away on my Ink Circles Cirque des Cirques and would love to finish that before Thanksgiving. In Canada, that’s coming very soon…..! This weekend I will also sit down and finally craft an actual letter to Margie in Australia. I won’t wait any longer to find the perfect stationary or worry about my penmanship – time to embrace the now. Is there someone you’ve been meaning to write? Keep me company this weekend and send an actual letter!
When John is away, Oscar curls up in his spot and keeps me company. I stitched the binding on the quilt, he quietly purred and snored with the occasional yawn. It was a good day.
“Cats are connoisseurs of comfort.”
― James Herriot, James Herriot’s Cat Stories
ahhhh….but that quilt is the gift that will keep on giving, and one he’ll be loving long after the Legos are in the yard sale!! Definitely a win-win!!!
Congratulations on finishing the quilt, sorry to say some little people just don’t get the love, thought, effort and time that goes into a quilt. A friend made an outstandingly beautiful quilt for one of her little grand daughters who took one look and said ‘Oh granny made me a sheet ‘ it was then pushed aside and gifts of toys were cause for much excitement. That quilt had some hand aplique,was all hand quilted and used only top quality expensive designer quilting fabrics.
When the child was a bit older she was very interested in the whole process, the quilt was well used and much loved. Kids have no idea what we invest in the making of a quilt, unless they help choose fabric and see the whole process unfold over the time it takes, in some cases…..many weeks .
With your cold weather on the way I am sure it will be used and appreciated very much .
Oh dear, great minds think alike, I haven’t written either.
We are trying to sort out my parents estate, the executor has done nothing in over 3 years and it is now complicated. I am doing a Huge declutter of the whole house and trying to prune like mad in the garden before the big Spring growth takes over, not to mention hand quilting a throw size quilt for a friends Birthday.
I will write in the next day or two, it will be very interesting to take note of lapsed time between posting and delivery ,Australia post is quite slow with domestic mail.
Hello! I’ll send an email when I pop it in the real mail and then I will know the day that it was sent – it will have a long way to travel!!
Love your fabrics and pattern!
My 20 year old son (also a Nicolas) has his batik turtle quilt on his dorm room bed. It is getting faded and worn in the best possible way. I bet your son ends up with an attachment to his quilt, too.
I love this, and it gives me hope!! 🙂