Adios 2013 & Quilting Community

As we are just a few hours away from closing the book on 2013, I wanted to share with you about a recent quilt finish and perhaps one of the most important quilts I've made this year.

My husband and I joke that watching his alma mater's football games is like an emotional roller coaster ride. And in thinking about 2013, I would sum the year up as a long roller coaster ride full of loops, and turns, and tunnels. As with every roller coaster, there are ups and downs.  There were definitely some joys along the way, but I'm glad to get off this ride!  :-)

This year, I lost both an aunt and a coworker to cancer.  Both women fought hard and each left behind husbands and two children that loved them dearly.

Following the loss of our coworker, Michelle, this Fall, I felt compelled to make a quilt for her two girls who are just five and one years old.  Michelle's battle was little more than a year and half, but she fought her breast cancer with dignity and a positive attitude that I don't know that I would have been able to muster up. She was an example to all of us at work.  From her, I've learned more about perspective and hope to go through 2014 being more conscious of that - knowing that while things may not always be fun, but there is so much to be grateful for.

I had my coworkers help me piece these blocks in the school's sewing classroom.  That was certainly an experience - as I promised them all they could do it, saying "just put your foot down and drive straight." Well, the blocks weren't perfect, but I made them all work.

I chose the cross block to honor Michelle's faith and then used bright colors as she was always a happy & positive person.  And I wanted this quilt to be fun for her little girls, so bright and dotty was in order.  (And who are we kidding ... dotty is always in order in my projects! :-)

The coworkers who wanted to sign the quilt all signed squares, which I pieced into the back.

It was really fun to see my colleagues light up and say "that's my block" upon finishing this one and sharing it with them before it was gifted.

I had a coworker who is close to the family deliver this for me.  And I hope it was well received and will be enjoyed by her girls for many years to come.

This quilt represents community for me.  And I'm happy to say that one of the bright spots in my year has been finding my own "quilt community" this year.  I've made some awesome friends in fabric who I can laugh with, cry with, and unpick seams with.  :-)  I'm looking forward to a new year of community, creativity, and perspective with you all.

Happy New Year!