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I know it's been quite a while since I showed you the photo of the top of this quilt all finished and there's some good reasons ... really!! :0) Firstly, I dropped it off to the lovely Quilting Queen, Rosalie who was rather busy at the time, so it was visiting her for a few weeks. Then, by the time I had it back to bind ... I was ambushed by that nasty head cold bug that hung around for a couple of weeks. THEN ... life interfered in general, I've had a few other deadlines and a couple of magazine commissions thrown into the mix ... all in all, "Moon Dance" got put on the backburner. You know how you have projects that really only need a few hours of attention to finish off, but you just can't seem to get motivated? That's where I was at.
I think part of the problem was I'd been told that the quilt was going to be used as a floor rug and after all the hours and weeks of designing, piecing, hand appliquéing and embroidery I'd put into it to make a special cot quilt, it broke my heart a little that it wasn't going to be used for the purpose I'd designed it. I felt like it wasn't going to be respected as much as the work involved deserved. And while I still feel that way a little, I've concluded that this is just one of those risks you take when you put your heart into creating a hand made gift for someone and I just have to let it go. If it is used and loved as a floor rug, as least it's not shoved away in a cupboard.
So ... having worked my way around to this conclusion and finding that I have a way of getting it delivered to my nephew this week, I was motivated enough to get busy yesterday and attach the binding, then spent the night watching James Bond while stitching the binding down, so it was all ready today to take some photos before it gets sent off. Ready for the unveiling??
Ta Da!! Those mischievous little bears are now surrounded by gorgeous quilted stars and swirls thanks to Rosalie once again doing a gorgeous job of machine quilting for me, the checkerboard binding draws all of the colours together and that fabulous giant rickrack border just makes it all pop. So, even though it's been a bit of an epic adventure, it's all done and ready to keep a special little boy cosy. I hope it is loved and appreciated for many years to come and that it reminds my nephew that, even though we may not get to spend much time together as he grows up, due to distance, his Aunty Kris loves him very, very much.
And even though the original quilt is winging off to a new home, I've taken LOTS of photos cos I will be releasing this beary cute quilt as a pattern in the next few weeks. The instructions are already written (Kerryanne WILL be proud of me!!!) and I just have to finalise the requirements list and tweak a few bits of the appliqué outlines and it will be all ready to be launched, so stay tuned if you have a little bear of your own that you want to make a quilt for!
Other than that ... a fairly quiet weekend has been had here at the Meares' Madhouse ... although I DID manage to squeeze in a visit to my home-away-from-home, Quilters Angel where Marion and Steph have had a FANTASTIC three day sale happening over the weekend. Yes ... predictably ... some fabric followed me home and I'll be back soon to show you what was added to my stash ... I forgot to take a photo before I sat down to type this. Hope you've all had a fabulous weekend that included some time spent doing something just for YOU!! Til next time ...
BEAR HUGS!
CHEERS!
KRIS
PS. If you're a relatively new blogger (and perhaps even if you've been blogging for a while!) pop on over to visit Chookyblue's blog where she's posted a few things that DO and DON'T work when blogging. It's well worth a read! BH! KRIS
19 comments:
gorgeous quilt Kris and your nephew will love it to bits.... well done and finished writinf g the pattern.. Wow..
Hugs Dawn x x x
P.S. that stew was divine the other night... family loved it...
Way to go Kris...the quilt is just so darn cute.....you should be so very proud of yourself....I treasure for your nephew...
What a beautiful quilt Kris and I am sure your nephew will love lying on it and playing with the bears.
its a lovely quilt, well done on finising it!
I know what you mean about making something and being appreciated, I made an apron for my Mum for christmas last year,bought the pattern, chose the fabric and all she said was she didn't want to use it as she didn't want to spoil it and could I get her a second-hand one from a charity shop instead! At least if it's used as a rug it will be seen and used everyday.
Josie x
It is a sad fact Kris that some people just don't appreciate how much love and dedication goes into making a handmade gift. Anyone can buy something generic at a store, but it takes someone truly special to go to the trouble of personally designing and producing an original handmade design for someone they love.
I'm disappointed for you that you have been hurt so badly. Please know Kris that your blogging friends do appreciate the beautiful handmade gifts that you make for them and I especially appreciate the beautiful 'just becasue' gift you sent me last week. Perhaps from now on you need to be more choosy who you grace with such beautiful gifts.
Hugs & jugs,
Kerryanne xx
The quilt is truly beautiful. Last year I made a quilt for a friend's baby - it turned out a bit too big for a cot quilt, so it has been used as a rug for him. Mum told me she was so glad I had made it and it had been used so much and he loves it. Kris, your nephew is going to cherish the bears you have made - he may get more use out of it playing on the floor than sleeping in bed:) Hugs!
Hi Kris, From personal experience my daughter never liked being covered in her cot and even now that she has moved to a bed it is rare for her to remain under the covers all night. As a baby she prefered to lay on the floor on something soft and kick around. Therefore any of her quilts, special blankets etc have been well loved but in a different way to the intended purpose. Even thou it hurts to see it being used on the floor maybe look at the positives that it will be well loved and cherised.
Glad to hear you made it to the super salea (don't tell anyone but I went twice). Can't wait to see the purchases.
Hope this makes you feel better.
Ann-Maree, Highfields
Woohoo Kris ... look at you go, not only did you finish this absolutely gawjus quilt but you've written up the instructions already. I'm impressed ... you're a legend ;o)!!!
Hugs,
Joy :o)
just like some of the other comments...rest assured that a floor rug will get much more visual and tactile use than if it was used in the cot. and once it is not needed as a floor rug cause the rug rat is on the move it can then be used on his bed. he is very lucky to have you and GB in his life.
xxrosey
Nephews are for spoiling in whichever way you can.
Sure is one beautiful quilt..Now for a little person for an excuse to get your pattern and make one myself??
ooooh it is just gorgeous. I'm sure he will love it!
Good on you Kris for finishing it off! I'm sure that your nephew will love it! :)
Hi Kris,
The quilt for your nephew is absolutely gorgeous.
Ah, what's wrong with some people that they don't appreciate long hours and costs that goes into hand made gifts.
I have a SIL like that and I've told myself to never bother making anything for her again!
I'm sure your nephew will know how much Aunty Kris loves him.
Hugs,
Anna
What a fabulous gift, Kris; your nephew is a luckly little guy, and I bet he'll eventually pick up that quilt and carry it around with him. How could he resist?
Would you consider sharing your dumpling recipe? It sounds yummy!
Loved your "Dad" post; I hope he reads it. Hugs!
This is gorgeous!! I am sure it will be loved. I made my nephew a lovely quilt when he was born, lots of applique , took hours and was really hurt when it was referred to as that 'mat'!!! and was always dirty! I learnt and when his brother was born I made a very very simple quilt with no extras!! and no I'm sure I'm not still bitter and twisted about it!!!
What a lovely quilt. Your nephew is one luck little boy.
a perfect quilt for a nephew......and wonderful to be finished...........
You never fail to impress me hon...not only with your design, that's a given, but with your willingness to push thru the hurts that come your way (after an appropriate grieving period!! which u are entitled to :-) ) Everyone else has said what I would say to you...it's a shame that you should have to consider modifying future presents based on the careless reception of this one. I would say, give it your best anyway, cos why should the special kid lose out cos his parents are obtuse and far too cavalier with family ties?
Such a lovely bear quilt:-) Your colors are great. My first baby quilt made 8 years ago is now a wallquilt in my GCh`s bed room. So it`s still in use!
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