Sunday . . .

Not much happens on Sundays here.

Laundry for one thing. And that reminds me . . . while the blanket is off the bed I decided to snap a few pics. This is the first full-size quilt I made. I picked fabric 5 years ago, I cut fabric 2 years ago, machine pieced 1 year ago, picked backing fabric, had it long-arm quilted, sewed binding and gave it to A last year for her birthday.

The pattern is Yellow Brick Road. After spending lots of time with it I thought it should be called 'beige, blue and blah'. I didn't pick bright yellow fabrics. I guess yellow wasn't a popular color 5 years ago.

Sending it to be long-arm quilted was a task. Trying to pick a pattern for the quilting was a guessing game. I liked this pattern and that pattern, oh and that one was nice too, but I had to pick just one -- a simple flower, not too small, not too big, no points, just a simple flowing flower design. I LOVE how it turned out after sending it through the laundry. I was very nervous about the whole wash and dry process. I thought it might come out in pieces. After spending so much time on one project, I dreaded the not knowing what would happen. But it came out of the dryer crinkly, warm and clean. It will go back on A's bed. She likes it but not as much as "Specials".

A told me last night she loves "Specials" and she will never throw it away. She will keep it forever. "Specials" is the first quilt I made.

I made it many, many years ago, 1990 maybe. I saw the picture and pattern in a magazine my aunt had. I thought it was small enough to give it a try. I couldn't start my first quilting project too big and never finish it. I had to take on a small project. I picked each fabric carefully. The hearts are hand stitched on the white background. The sashing is machine pieced. The batting is poly. (I wish it was cotton.) The hand quilting is very scarce (only around each heart). But it has been loved by A for 9 years now. I ask her if I can fix a few holes. She says, no, she wants it just like it is. "Are you sure I can't put a few stitches in right here?"

"No, it will be fine," she says.

I told A I made it for a very special little girl. "Specials" has been it's name ever since.

As I am writing this post, which has taken most of the day, A said she didn't want me to post a picture. She said it is embarrassing. I told her no one knows it belongs to her. I only use her initial instead of her name. (Good thing I have changed the names to protect the innocent. Can you imagine the legal issues that could bring?)