Saturday, May 14, 2011

Blogger's Festival

Amy's Creative Side
*Updated note: I noticed on another blogger refer to the Blogger's Quilt Festival as BQF. For some reason the first thing that popped in my head as I was reading was "Best Quilting Friend!" So that's what it is for me now; Best Quilting Friends!
Okay, so I have been absolutely killing myself to get one of my own designs ready to show at Blogger's Festival. However, it looks as if only the top will be finished to show. So I will give a sneak peek at the bottom of this post (I have been asked to do a quilt along for it so anyone who wants to come back for it, you are more than welcome!), and I will show a different quilt instead.

A couple of months ago a friend and I hit the sale section of the fabric in Hobby Lobby. I noticed several coordinating pink-based prints, but I am not a big pink person so my initial instinct was to pass. However, something kept leading my back to those prints so I finally decided to just purchase them for a possible donation quilt through my quilting guild.

When I got home I went online to get some ideas and almost immediately came across Randi's wonderful quilt along for the Road to Spring quilt. I immediately knew that was the quilt, and I immediately knew who the quilt was for. Back in November, my cousin and his wife lost their only daughter, Reagan, who was about a year and a half old.
I incorporated some fabrics I had in my stash and began sewing. I felt like I just knew how the whole quilt was supposed to look. I finished the top easily (though now I see places where I probably should have moved some fabrics around more!) and moved on to the back. The front is a mixture of girly colors, green for grass, pink leopard for when she was 'wild', polka dots, and a cute print that says 'Love' all over it. The back is a letter from me to Reagan.
I know it may sound crazy that I think it's a letter, but hear me out. The top is a synopsis of the fabrics from the front. Where on the front they are just a description of her and about being girly, on the back they are what we will miss about her. I cut out a small block of the "Love" fabric to put near the bottom as a sign-off for the letter. Then I added my label which states the name, that it is in memory of her and that I made it. I found a block of fabric that was just X's and O's that I started to cut a piece out of, but ended up deciding that she deserved all those hugs and kisses so I left it whole and attached it under my label. The very bottom is pieced to show the chaos of what we all feel now that she is gone. I still want to handquilt a couple of hearts on it here and there, but I just finished the binding last night and wanted to get it posted.

At first I couldn't really figure out why I was making a quilt in memory of her. I make lots of things but I really felt strongly led to make this quilt. My aunt told my cousin about it and he loved the idea. He wants it presented to his wife at a fun run they have sponsored in Reagan's name in July. And he wants it placed in a very special place. See, when she passed away, they asked for donations in lieu of flowers. These donations went to Courageous Kids out of Kentucky; they provide camp experiences for children with special needs. Well, undoubtedly the donations brought in enough were enough to 'purchase' a camp bed in her name there at the campsite (they actually name a bed after her). My cousin wants the quilt to go on 'Reagan's bed'. I just cried when I heard this because I didn't know about the bed in her name. I really feel like God just had his own plan with all of this.

So after all of that, I just wanted to show a quick peek at my quilt I am working on. Keep in mind that I have only been quilting less than a year (though I've been sewing for a while) and this is my first design. I was so anxious to get it done so I could actually see it in quilt form, it is far from perfect but I am happy with where it's going.
It's called "X Marks the Spot". This is only the top and I don't have the border on, but I'm getting there. I've been asked to do a quilt along for this one so stay tuned!

23 comments:

Little Island Quilting said...

Fabulous design on the quilt you are currently working on

Rachaeldaisy said...

Such a special story. Your new quilt top is looking wonderful!

Linz said...

That is such a beautiful story and a beautiful quilt! I know you were ispired to make it! Congratulations on a truly beautiful and meaningful creation!!

And I just love X marks the spot! It looks incredible altogether!!! :)

Great job, my friend!

Andrea said...

wrote from the heart .Quilt very special

Kristy Armstrong said...

Very Pretty!

Laurel H. said...

I like your quilt! I have a think for pink. :)

Allie said...

The story of Reagan's quilt brought tears to my eyes - it's marvelous the way the Lord works. Her quilt is just beautiful, and I know it will bless the child who sleeps under it. Your quilt that you designed is beautiful!

Mitzi said...

LOVE the X quilt! Great job. It's funny because I was browsing through the links at the BQF and was totally drawn to the picture of your quilt and didn't notice your name under it then it brought me to your blog! What a great surprise. I love it!

Cecily said...

Oh I just love the pattern, fabrics AND the story! Great stuff - beautiful quilts!

Teje Karjalainen said...

Hello! Reagan's quilt is really beautiful! Very touching story - fortunately the quilt will bring joy to someone on that special bed!
Your new design is great and interesting - well done! See you soon and thank you for your sweet comment on 'Nero's garden'!

Claudia said...

My thought reading your post is, "this is why we make quilts". Thanks for sharing your story and a beautiful quilt.

Janet said...

I believe you were meant to make this quilt, it's a beautiful gesture and a lovely quilt to boot. I love the second one too, it's very graphic and the colours look great together. Thanks for sharing.

felicity said...

So very beautiful - the quilt AND the story! I also love your X Marks The Spot quilt!

Amy said...

I love the quilt! and yes GOD knew about the bed and it needing a quilt on it.I am sorry to hear of the loss. I also am loving the X Marks the Spot quilt!

stitchinpenny said...

I am in tears as I read about Reagan's quilt. It was indeed a collaboration between you and God.

Kelly Rachel said...

Such a beautiful quilt - I'm sure it will be treasured. You are wonderful for being so generous.
I'm looking forward to hearing more about this quilt along - that is a great design!

Editfolt said...

Congratulations! Stunning piece!

The Thompsons said...

What a wonderful quilt and wonderful reason for a quilt. That's what makes quilting so special sometimes.

Nikki said...

Wonderful quilt for Reagan and all the future children it will comfort.

Love your X marks the spot. I have bookmarked you site so I can follow its adventures.

Karen said...

A beautiful quilt and a beautiful story. Congratulations on your wonderful work!

Anonymous said...

wow, I had goosebumps reading your story. It's amazing, right from buying the fabric, your steps were guided! And the X marks the spot is a cool design with many possibilities. No one would guess it's a "first design!"

Cynthia said...

That is a beautiful story! Great work on the quilt! All the thought you put into it makes it that much more amazing!

MariQuilts said...

Beautiful quilt and very touching story. I love the one you are still working on.