Friday, June 26, 2015

Hugs and Butterfly Kisses

Remember my last post? The one in which I wondered whether Nod to Gees Bend would be quilted or if I would start another quilt? . . . . As every quilter knows, sometimes life, well life happens and when it does, a quilt must be made! Here's the background. For those that have been following for awhile, you know I have a daughter, you know we have made a quilt together and you know she has Down Syndrome.
She selected the fabric herself. . . chip off the old block huh? LOL
Almost two weeks ago, she called me to tell me she was moving out of her father's house and into a home with three other women. YAY!! I cannot tell you how excited I am for her to be making this transition to more independent living. She will be moving to a smaller town and although will be 30 minutes away from her father, she will be living in the same community as her grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins. She is very excited about this move and the prospect of gaining more independence. No more answering to dad ;) I of course made Cally a quilt when I first started quilting. It's small, made in her favorite colors and she has mainly used it as a wall hanging.
I think this girl needs a proper quilt for her new bed, don't you? :) Nod got folded up and put to the side and I started planning. . . cutting and sewing. Every aspect of planning and making this quilt was done with Cally in mind. First, the focus fabric. . . what to do. . . I just happened to have a FQ bundle of Lizzy House Butterflies that I snagged last month on Massdrop. And then I saw this block called Raspberry Kiss and tutorial. And a quilt was born! I have a considerable amount to say about the making of this quilt, and I will do that in another post. If I put everything in one post, you won't read it all - heck I don't know that I would read it all ;) Let's just say I started with one plan, and ended up with something different and much better! Here's the flimsy :)
It won't fit on my design wall so I took a picture of it laying on the backing prior to basting. It is 86.5"x 98.5". . . At least my math blunders ended up in a bigger, not smaller quilt ;)

The gray text background is On Time in Ink by Whistler Studios (BTW, Hawthorne Threads has this fabric on sale for $4.95 a yard!!!), the white text background is from a text bundle that I bought from Pink Castle Fabrics. The two X (or plus depending on which block you are looking at) block background fabrics are Sunprint Feathers in Charcoal (Allison Glass) and Lazy Stripe in Gunmetal (Tula Pink - True Colors). The purple butterfly stop border is leftover from the backing of Cally's first quilt! :) It worked perfectly, don't you think? I'm thinking binding is going to be from this fabric as well. . .

Here's a close up of a couple of the blocks. Can I just say that Lazy Stripe fabric is fabulous!! I want a bolt!! LOVE! :D
Because one of the FQ in the bundle was just a little short (I used every inch of those fat quarters and having one be off even by a half inch.... meant I was short one block....) so I had to improvise...
I just LOVE the messages on this text fabric! It encompasses all of the positive messages I have tried to instill in my girl throughout her life. This block is placed in the center top border of the quilt. And I intentionally faced the text up - so she could read it when she is under the quilt :) If any of you know what line this particular fabric came from, I'd LOVE to know! I only had a FQ and I was thinking that having it bound in this fabric would be pretty cool too! :) If I can identify the fabric. . .and of course find some to purchase!

I am well into the quilting now :) I'm guessing you'll see a completely quilted and bound quilt a week from today :)

Linking up with Kelly for NTT and Amanda Jean for Finish it Up Friday. There's always so much to look at and be inspired by these linky parties. Head over and check them out!

Until next time, keep on quilting!
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20 comments:

  1. How exciting for your daughter! And for mom to see her grow :) Of course she needs a quilt for her new place, and this one is great. I love that text print but I can't help you - I have no idea who it's by and where to get more. Good luck in your search.

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  2. This was my favorite post read today Judy!!! I'm so happy for you and especially for your daughter. My husband has a brother's with down's and he is in his 60's.....lived most of his life independently...and now still lives in a home with three others. OH>..PS I think the quilt is perfect for her!!!! Yes, love the text print....would love to find some of that too.

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  3. Love your quilt, and I'm sure your daughter will too! Tell her congrats on the big move!

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  4. How exciting for your daughter. I live opposite two houses that each have three Down's Syndrome in them. Men in one, women in the other. They are all in their 50's+ and they are beloved members of the street. I love the text in that extra block. It was obviously meant to be in there. I wish your daughter all the luck

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  5. What a beautiful background! I wish your daughter all the best for her big move :o). And thanks a lot for your lovely words to my kaleidoscope quilt.

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  6. This is a lovely quilt to give your daughter on such an important step. She's sure to love it, and to think of you often whenever she sees it. It must be reassuring to know so many family members will be living near her.
    Thanks for the link to the tutorial for the crosses.

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  7. What a great quilt for your daughter's new bed and she takes a big step. Very nice.

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  8. Love Cally's new quilt and the message in that special block. I'm sure she will love using it. And I love that she will be covered in kisses each night.

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  9. I am so in love with this quilt and the special meaning and messages your fabric selections are going to offer to Cally over the years. I can't wait to see this one finished and gifted - of course Nod had to wait!! :)

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  10. I can feel your pride blowing through the screen! And Cally must be grinning from ear to ear with excitment.. I agree Cally deserves this wonderful quilt that has so much Love and meaning behind it. Well done Cally and Judy!

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  11. I always love to know the story behind a quilt, and your story is wonderful! Thanks for sharing it with us, and your beautiful daughter and her quilt.

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  12. That is so awesome!!! Both the move to independence and the quilt. I love that it got bigger, not smaller due to math - Ha ha - that is how it works all the time right? It was planned!!

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  13. How exciting for your daughter! You've made her a beautiful quilt for her new home. You absolutely had to stop on Nod and do this! :)

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  14. Well, as usual, you nailed another. I love the text fabrics, love the colours, and so will Cally. Being able to incorporate leftover, and meaningful, fabric from her first quilt is just such a perfect touch. :-) Yay for her in this next exciting phase of her life: snuggled under quilty love, she's bound to be successful!

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  15. This is a beautiful finish. The text print is brilliant and will feel well loved & supported snuggling under this quilt!

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  16. I am sure Cally will love the new quilt for her new beginning!

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  17. Wrapping her up in a quilty hug from her mom-just what she needs to take to her new home!!

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  18. That's great, Judy! I'm glad she has an opportunity like that, for independent living. Beautiful choices for the quilt.

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  19. Oh Judy, this is exactly what I needed today. Such a heartfelt and uplifting post.
    Lots of hugs and best wishes to Cally.

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  20. You sure communicated your love to Cally with this wonderful quilt! I love everything about it and think you did an awesome job. Love that neutral background with all the lovely colors. The text fabric could not be more perfect! Can't wait to see what you do with the quilting. I bet Cally loves it a bunch already Judy! And congratulations to her in making the big step!

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