Monday, February 27, 2017

Beginnings and Endings

Beginnings ...
Another Opportunity Quilt!  The reverse side of my "17 in 2017" list is filling in faster than the front!
This little finish is a quick baby quilt for an upcoming shower in mid-March for a young couple who attended our church before moving to a neighboring city.  Since the other members of our ministry group were involved in other projects, I volunteered for this one, went home and sorted through the baby/child fabric bins and came up with this - finishing at 38-1/2 inches square.

Everything about this quilt is from stash remnants with the exception of the sweet tangerine Dear Stella print along the sides. I had purchased this fabric online a few months ago, to include in my grandson's baby quilt, but when it arrived found it was the wrong shade, and more suited to a little girl's quilt.

Just for fun, a little glimpse of my very cluttered sewing space!

The back - two very favorite fabrics I've been saving for just the right quilt. The blue remnant was probably picked up at a yard sale several years ago, every bit used in this quilt.  

A closer look at the back (colors are more true in this photo)

This little quilt was three afternoons in the making, one to piece the front and back, another to layer and quilt (love that serpentine stitch with the even-feed foot!), and a third afternoon to bind.  And I love the soft puffiness of the not-too-dense quilting with the Hobbs Polydown batting.  One last photo of this finish ...

Endings ...
This weekend we had to say goodbye to a faithful member of our little household for 13 years of his nearly 15 years on this earth.  He was the epitome of pure love, a quality we humans can only hope to achieve in our years on this earth.  So many memories, so many raw emotions right now


He was our constant companion and loved rides in the truck and walking along the Oregon beaches with us

He spent many hours alongside me as I worked in the sewing room, and occasionally bombed a photoshoot

He loved his home in the country

He loved life, and never complained, right up until the end when his heart gave out.  He gave us his all, and we tried our best to reciprocate.

10 comments:

Needled Mom said...

I am so sorry. It is so hard to loose a loved pet. The emptiness will take awhile before you realize it is the new norm.

Your finish turned out so cute. The colors are so soft and pretty.

Sherrill said...

Oh ugh, that's always tough to say goodbye. Hope it gets a little easier with each passing day.

Rebecca in AK said...

Oh my, so heartbreaking to lose such a dear friend and companion. I hope you are doing okay. Lovely baby quilt.

Janet O. said...

A very nice little baby quilt. I love that blue background fabric, too. : )
Looks like such a sweet family member. So sorry for your loss.

Debbie said...

You gave us a circle of life in this post. Hugs and condolences on the loss of the family companion. The heartbreak is so deep.
The baby quilt is precious. And I do like the soft serpentine quilting you used. I have heard it said that you can feel the love and hugs in a quilt. The baby will have that quilt and know love.

Barbara said...

So sorry about your doggie. Sweet little baby quilt.

Lee said...

What a pretty guy your pup was! So sorry for you that he is gone.

Kyle said...

I'm so sorry for the loss of your sweet friend and companion. Just to look at his eyes and the kisses for the grandkids says it all. It's nice that you could share the love through a new baby quilt. Well done.

Cathy said...

What an elegant baby quilt! Love those colors and would never think to use them in a baby quilt.

My condolences on the loss of your friend.

Nancy said...

I'm so sorry for the loss of your faithful friend. He looks like a charmer and a dear fellow.

Your baby quilt is beautiful and it looks so warm and cuddly. There's so much I like about it, especially that blue fabric on the back with those gorgeous Queen Anne's Lace-like flowers.