Today was the end of a long chapter in this crafty mama’s life. It began about a year and a half ago with this. I decided to try something I had never done before. Something I didn’t know I could finish or if I would. And so I started on a very long project that has come to mean so much to me. I’m chuckling now as I read that first post where I predict that it will take weeks to finish. It has been one year and four months. But I finished.
With the completion of this project I join a long line of Texas quilters. I have seen quilts made by my mother, my great grandmother, and her mother. In the end, I needed a little help to get it all done before our departure for Africa, and I asked for it from other crafty moms, including my own, who were glad to help out. They remembered the joy they felt when they first began to sew, or when they finished their first quilt, and they were happy to share that with me. Their eyes sparkled when we came to the end of a square, or row, or section. And sharing this with them made my joy more complete. I also became aquainted with a heavenly little corner of Hanover County, Virginia. If you like to sew, I encourage you to stop by Millstone Quilts in Old Church. If you’ve got the time, bring a book and sit a while next to the creek. It’s so gorgeous there.
So, now the quilt is finished. Working on it has been such a joy. I decided almost as soon as I started it that I would be giving this quilt away. It was just too good as a wedding gift for my dear friend Krystal. She was there when I started it, and many of the fabrics were from clothes that she wore. She understands the history of almost every patch and is able to name where they came from. And she is so precious to our family. So, today, on Jason’s birthday, I gave the quilt to them. They’ve now been married for 6 months and I started it just after they were engaged. I love them so much, and I’m so happy for them to have it. It is such an excellent representation of who they were, who they are, and hopefully as the quilt ages and gets passed from generation to generation… who they are yet to be.
Congratulations Sweetheart. Simply Beautiful!
Hope! Wow! This is beautiful and I love the African Fabrics used this way!
You are awesome, and I love you so much.
oh hopie its gorgeous! Good job! 🙂 Bravo! 🙂
i hope that everytime you look at it you will have a smile in your heart and a good memory come to mind! I love you all heaps and am praying for your safe trip back, and transition time! 🙂
love the photoshoots. this turned out so beautifully, hope. you never cease to amaze me dear friend.
What a beautiful quilt and an amazing journey from piece to quilt. I don’t quilt, but my mom does, and I love to look at the amazing art and color that make up a quilt. What a labor of love! Well done!
simply gorgeous, hope. i’m proud of you!
Unbelievably beautiful! You never cease to amaze me. What a lucky girl Krystal is!
Hope – it’s beautiful! What an awesome gift, filled with love! I’m sure it brought tears to Krystal’s eyes! It’s filled with many great memories for you both.
I’m still processing this and its almost been a week since Hopie excitedly put the fabric-wrapped box in front of me. “This is for you & Jason…your wedding gift.”
I had no idea what untying the knot and opening the cardboard box would expose. LOVE. Like a wave of undeserved love crashing down on me. Insufficient words of thanksgiving. Then the emotions came bursting through my eyes. The embrace of friendship, cross-culture experience, sisterly trust, and the “i know you” (or “I see you” if you’ve seen Avatar) within a family.
A treasure for us, our family and the ones to come. You have woven love into every fabric of your life, and into mine. THANK YOU HOPE!! And Dave, especially for supporting her:) And Miss Kay for helping with the final touches & teaching your daughter how to develop her natural talent.
Amazed. Your KK
This is truly a work of art. A wonderful accomplishment.
I love you, thanks for your visit.
GORGEOUS! WOW! XOXO!
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