Quilt-along finale

A quilt I started back in May.
Oh what a chore it was sewing all those itty bitty teeny weeny squares together.
I thought it would never end.

Let me tell you about the little panic session I had in the middle of making this.
I did a little fabric swap with a nice lady I met through flickr. She wanted half a yard of the background black floral. I said sure and sent it off. Then I started to freak out if I'd have enough black squares to finish this. I cut everything out and set aside strips for the binding and hoped for the best.
Once laid out on the couch I realized I was two squares short.
I had just enough cut squares to make those two blocks and I was good to go.

It had been raining for many days and it was starting to get depressing. I pressed on and finished it on Tuesday. Within half an hour of this depressing photo the sun began to shine.


I plant flower quilts in the back yard!

And the next day I was able to take even better photos.

It took me some time to choose the backing. I had purchased it before the new passport law came in effect. I was limited by my choices of fabrics because I wanted to use extra wide quilting fabric and didn't want to piece together a backing. I went up and down that aisle many, many times. My intention was to find something not so girly. For lack of other options I settled with this one and in the end had to piece a strip to make it a bit wider for the top to fit. And I have grown to love it in all it's girliness.

As I was making this I really wasn't sure I was liking it but then again it was really a pain to keep on sewing those squares. With determination I was able to finish something and learn to love it at the same time.



Most Saturdays when Aaron is gone off with his dad* in the summer I'm invited to spend time with my nieces and nephews. I just love these little people so much and they are family and I have a hard time saying no to those cute little faces. Me being the ever thoughtful aunt loads of some bags with board games and such to keep them occupied while their dad and step-mom do Saturday chores around or outside the home.

I went yesterday with my little bags all loaded up and I brought my picnic quilt too, this was the whole point of making it! Now upon entering the home the step-mom (brother's girlfriend) sees the quilt and is gasping.
You made this?
Yes.
Oh wow it's so beautiful.
Thank you.
You're not bringing this outside are you?
Yes. (grin)
It's too beautiful to put on the ground.
That's the whole point of making it, to use it and create beautiful memories. (No, really I said this)
You can't bring this outside, look at all the work you put in it, it will get dirty.
And I have a washer that can wash it! (big grin)
What if it get's ruined?
Then I'll just make another!!
~~
My value of the quilt is not in the quilt itself but the smiles it creates with those who use it. While playing games on the grass the children couldn't help but stroke it and admire the many different patches in it. That to me is priceless. Another reason I love this quilt is because it's mostly made with scraps and about a 1/3 of these scraps came from many other quilters from around the world. I can sort of remember who sent me what. I also used scraps from other projects and I fondly remember what I used which patch for.

If you can't tell my now I really do love quilt!

Happy Sunday!!
~~~
* I hope this doesn't come off as callous on my part that when Aaron is away I
go spend time with family. I know he should spend time with family as well and
it does make me feel guilty when I go with out him. It is difficult to
devote as much time to my brother's 3 and Aaron at the same time. It's not hard
to do Aaron's care because I throw his stuff in a bag and go. However it is
difficult to keep track of everything and watch the clock and entertain 4 kids
at the same time. Aaron is not developmentally able to play games like the other
3. I'm making excuses yes. It is just hard on me to try to do it all. I try to
invite the kids when they are in town to come here and spend time with Aaron and
it goes smoother that way.