Skagit Valley Sprint

Skagit Valley Sprint

Friday, May 21, 2010

Blogger's Quilt Festival

This year's entry for the Spring Quilt Blogger's Festival belongs to my Mother-in-law Linda...or at least it will eventually, the top has been finished for some time now, it was even sandwiched and pinned.  Then I tried to put it on my machine for quilting and it really was just too big and bulky to wedge in there without fighting it throughout the entire process.  Perhaps it is a candidate for hand quilting, that is when I gather my resolve and give it a whirl!  I'm just not sure if I should start on this one the first time out!
Anways, the story behind it goes something like this: Linda has had leukemia for about 14 years now and only just in the last 2 years has had to do any real chemo to treat it, I had bought Eleanor Burne's book Egg Money Quilts and saw the version that she made of this in yellows to depict sunflowers for a wedding quilt. Well, Linda happens to adore purple...and once I put it all together, the flowers reminded me of echinacea blossoms (which consequently is a supplement that is known to boost the immune system) how perfect!! I remember when we found out her diagnosis we were all full of gloom and doom and prepared for the worst, but not Linda...nope, she is a testament to will and inner strength, not to mention abiding faith in the Lord.  She told us all that she had too much to live for to succumb to her illness, she had gradchildren to see graduate and get married and great-grandbabies to love.  So now in 2 weeks, my oldest son, her second oldest grandchild, will graduate from high school and she will be here to celebrate with us, just as spunky as ever!!! And it is my prayer that she will see her goal through to the end and that I will kick myself into gear and get this quilted for her so it can infuse it's strengthening powers...Finally, thank you Amy for hosting this years festival...it's your hard work and determination that allows heartwarming stories and those things that inspire us to make the quilts that we do in the first place to be shared amongst us all

19 comments:

  1. I love the purple dresdens. I hope Linda's health continues to be well.

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  2. Maybe let a long arm quilter finish it so she will be able to sleep under it and feel your love. It is a beautiful quilt and I am sure she will really appreciate it. Yvonne

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  3. Beautiful quilt, I would have it machine quilted.

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  4. Very pretty! I love the purples! (and I also share your love of applique!)

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  5. I love this. the colors are fabulous.

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  6. Beautiful quilt and story! I love Dresdens :)

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  7. Love the Dresdens! Maybe you can take it to a long arm machine quilter? Thank you for sharing your story and It's wonderful she is getting to see your son graduate.

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  8. Gorgeous quilt. I'm a huge believer in hand stitching but in this instance I would recommend sending it out to a long arm quilter.

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  9. Very pretty Dresdens! I love the purple and it will be a wonderful gift for your MIL. Best wishes for many more years of survival for her. Thank you for sharing this quilt's story :)

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  10. Beautiful purple Dresden plates--and what a beautiful story. Blessings to her, and her fighting spirit. :)

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  11. Beautiful quilt with a lovely story, Andrea. Just imagine if quilts could talk...?! What love, spirit, strength and inspiration you've stitched into this quilt for your Mother-In-Law! Thanks for sharing and blessings to you and Linda. ; )

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  12. Have you thought about dividing your batting into three sections to do the quilting? This is the method I use for large quilts and it works great. Plus, no such thing as long-arm quilters where I live, so I have to make it work. Ask if you want some more info on this. It is a lovely quilt, and obviously a lot of love has gone into it.

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  13. I think Linda's quilt is stunning- I love the dresden Plate pattern- It is the first pattern that I ever attempted. It was many years again before I quilted my Dresden plate pillow top.
    May your friend Linda continue to get stronger. Her recovery is certain to benefit from loving supportive friends like yourself.
    Regards from a Western Canadian quilter,
    Anna
    http://quiltmomsjourney.blogspot.com/

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  14. Love the color purple & the story. Here is to Linda's continued health and strength!
    Randi
    http://DivaBuzz.designing-diva.com

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  15. wow-that pattern is fab in purple-very rich.
    I love hand quilting but agree you might want to take it to a long armer to finish it for your lovely MIL.
    Come see my antique quilt entries
    http://utahquiltappraiser.blogspot.com
    http://starleyquilts.blogspot.com

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  16. oh, you've done a wonderful job. i saw that segment too--saved it. want to do the yellow for my daughter. this is beautiful in purple--my favorite color. it's so nice you're making it for your mother in law--she will love it so much. blessings to her!

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  17. Andrea, Love your quilt. May it bring health and happiness.

    Since you love applique, check out Sandra Leichner at www.sandraleichner.com and then link to her blog. She teaches a lot in her blog. I was lucky enough to go to a workshop she taught in your neck of the woods-Seattle.

    Enjoy,
    Melanie
    http://weelittlequilts.blogspot.com

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