Put forth your effort
With no thought of gain.
Deng Ming~Dao
2 years ago as a Christmas present for Ashley I told her I would make a quilt.
I had absolutely fallen in love with the quilt that Terry made for her daughter Gillian and thought it would be such a nice present for Ashley and Brian as they were planning their future at that time.
So, Ashley and I headed down to Keepsake Quilting to pick out her fabric. For the most part she chose what she loved most with a little color help here and there…. I am pretty good with color, so I have been told. (wink).
So after Christmas, I set about cutting squares and piecing blocks and it seemed that even though I was cranking out a lot of blocks it was taking me so much longer than Terry's had. Granted, she made the throw size and I was making a queen sized quilt, but still??
One day while I was talking to Terry and maybe complained a wee bit about how long it was taking, she gently told me that she had made Happy Hour, whereas I was making Snapshots. Both patterns are from the same book and both patterns are almost identical, except that Happy Hour's pieces are MUCH bigger, so less blocks.
Ey yi yi! Thunk on the forehead!!!
I will admit that I lost interest there for a while, but Ashley kept asking about her quilt and as her bridal shower approached, I really made a concerted effort to get it finished. I sat down and pretty much put the rest of the top together in less than a week…
but then I realized it really needed a border to frame it………(Happy Hour did not..one more step.)
So, I ran down to Keepsake and found some very sweet fabric that made my heart sing….little birds against a brown background. This motivated me once again, but as I was spreading everything out and crawling around the floor, I knew on that day I was not going to be able to complete it myself because of the ongoing back issues I have been dealing with.
What to do?? Well, I called a local woman who does machine quilting and asked her if she would be willing to help me finish this quilt before Christmas. Pat has written a few books and is very talented, so my fingers were crossed. I had all of the pieces and parts, I just couldn't handle putting this large of a quilt together on the floor with my back. Thankfully she said yes and did an amazing job. 🙂
(I now have a setup that will not have me crawling on the floor anymore, thankfully)
Ashley came home this weekend to visit and pick up a few things that I had been storing for her from the wedding and her quilt. She was SO excited!! Crazy kid….if you have ever seen "New Girl" on tv….these two could be sistah's from different mistah's. 😉
There are blocks that I wished I had not put next to each other here and there, but overall, I was so happy with how it came out. This is the very first bed sized quilt I have ever made and I think it came out pretty darn good…for a beginner. 🙂
I think she likes it. 🙂
The Woolen Rabbit 
I LOVE IT!!! It is stunning and Ash looks so happy to have it. Yay! Whose bed is next? 😉
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Echoing Terry! I L.O.V.E IT!! Nice job! Ashley looks so darn cute posing in front of her new quilt.
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Oh Kim. That is gorgeous and the colors are amazing. You did a fabulous job and have created an heirloom for Ashley and Brian. I have made a couple of queen sized quilts and it’s no small task, that’s for sure.
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LOVE it!
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Beautiful quilt!
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Oh Kim! It came out beautifully – Obviously SHE is super happy with it. You should be too!!
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WOW – I’m so glad there are so many wonderful quilts being mede in this decade. I really thought it was going to become a lost art. You are an inspiration!
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LOVE it, too! Your handiwork has such a sweet, funky, happy vibe it can only bring joy (and a long life) to the cute couple!
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What a gorgeous quilt Kim! Something to be cherished. If I can ever put down my knitting needles, I have a quilt or two I want to sew
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You did a beautiful job on this quilt! She’ll cherish it always.
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Wow. That’s all I can say!! ; )
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Sorry to hear about your back issues. Joint replacements make it hard for me to crawl around on the floor, so I really sympathize. one of your commenters mentioned that you are having surgery–best wishes for a great outcome and a speedy recovery! hugs, Jo
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It’s beautiful Kim! I know she will treasure it for many years to come.
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Wonderful Kim! Lucky kids, they will treasure that forever!
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The quilt is beautiful and something Ashley will treasure and pass down to her kids!
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What an amazing present! Instant (well, maybe not so instant in the making, but instant the moment it was done) heirloom. AShley is a lucky daughter.
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I have one just like that…been waiting for the binding with a ‘Road to California’ pattern…for the second time we transfered there, but guess what? We are heading BACK- still have it. My own daughter persuing her navy career…I have hope one day I will finish it& give it to her! (she was born there) Your are an inspiration with YOUR gorgeous quilt!!
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The quilt is stunning …. new age meet old age 🙂 Is gorgeous and what a wonderful piece of history she will have for always.
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beautiful quilt for a beautiful girl — and look at that, you got it done in less than a year !!
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gorgeous!!!
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