Monday, January 12, 2015

Prairie Cottage Lone Star

 
You were given this life because you were strong enough to live it.
Unknown.
 
Several years ago, my dad spent about three weeks in the hospital.  My mom was undergoing treatment and I was blessed to be able to take her to visit him every day, drive her to treatments and doctors' visits and then spend time at home with her in between trips back and forth.  She was so faithful in going.  Even when she was tired and didn't feel well.  Twice a day.  Once in the morning and then at night. 
Much of the time I was at their house, Mom slept. 
 
 
I took my sewing machine, fabric, scissors, rotary cutting board and cutter, thread and the Quilt Smart Lone Star Printed Interfacing I'd had stashed for a while.
Over the course of those three weeks I managed to piece a whimsy...that as soon as it was finished, got put away because I didn't want to think about how it came to be.
Dad in the hospital.  Mom battling cancer. 
 
 
I was looking for a quilting project to work on this week and pulled the completed Lone Star whimsy out of the pile.  I had forgotten how soft and pretty the fabrics were.  Seeing it again really made me want to finish it and start having happier memories about it. 
 
 
I purchased a full size, flat sheet for the backing because the whole point of pulling something out of the pile was to quilt something...not to have to sew a pieced back.  I'm so glad I chose to go simple.
 
 
I double-echoed the lines in the star and did an FMQ meander in the negative space.  This is the back and I'm so pleased with the look!
 
(thanks to my assistant Ben for braving the cold, ice and slush!)
 
The binding is a very pretty blue floral print to compliment the star's fabrics.  I didn't have enough of the scraps left to make a binding and again, didn't want to have to sew a scrappy one.
It finished out as a healthy sized lap quilt that will be added to the stack to choose from on a cold, snowy, Indiana night.  Love watching a movie with my guys and looking around the family room and seeing them snuggled up in quilts I have made!
 
My dad is better and he faithfully takes care of my mom.  Who still has cancer and is still having treatments.  I admire them both for their commitment to each other and the love that gives them the strength they have needed to live their lives!
 
Come see what other quilters are keeping busy with!
 
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15 comments:

  1. Such a beautiful post, Dee filled with faithfulness, commitment, support and love! Your Prairie Cottage Lone Star quilt is singing the most harmonious of soft tunes. The fabrics are so pretty and soft and your amazing quilting finishes this pretty, oh so perfectly. To snuggle under this beauty would be akin to being blessed with a warm, loving hug! xx

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  2. So Beautiful! Wonderful Fabrics with soft and sweet colours and the big star is gorgeus! x Teje

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  3. Love it Dee! Hope the weather cooperated so I can see you Friday.

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  4. Beautiful quilt. I am sure you are happy to have finished it.

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  5. What a great story. I'm glad you turned this quilt around to something beautiful and fresh instead of allowing it to continue to hold on to the bad memories.

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  6. I love the colours you have chosen, beautiful quilt!

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  7. Beautiful quilt, and a touching story to go with it.

    I might want to borrow your quilting idea. :)

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  8. This is beautiful, I love the star! The quilting is great, and I like how it stands out on the back of the quilt.

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  9. It is beautiful! I am glad that you were able to get it out and finish it and hopefully can attach happy memories to it now. Best wishes to your mom for strength and healing!

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  10. Beautiful writing. I love your lone star. So pretty with this mix of colors and motifs. The simplicity and beauty of the back is perfect.

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  11. I love very much how you quilt it ! beautiful

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  12. Very touching post, and your Lone Star is so beautiful, congratulations Dee!

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