I've been working hard to get a birthday quilt finished. It all started with a bag of shirts I received from my niece Lisa when my brother-in-law Dennis passed away. Dennis was my late sister Kathleen's husband, and I started to make a quilt for their grandson Adam, in memory of his Poppa. Just a simple four patch, I decided, with red and black frames. Then my beloved Robin passed away late last year, and this got put on the back burner.
Making a start
The birthday invitation to Adam's 30th birthday in March gave me a bit of a shake up. Goodness me, perhaps I can get this finished in time for the birthday. So I worked away, stitching the blocks together.
Hard at work
Gemma is helping while I added the borders
The top was finally done, but being too big for me to comfortably handle, I needed to send it away to get commercially quilted. Would it get done in time? Of course it did! While it was away, I got the binding prepared, and the label. And here it is, all finished in plenty of time. Deborah used a leaf quilting pattern, you can glimpse it in the black border.
All done, ready for Adam
Two extra blocks made a couple of cushions
Gemma a had a trip away as well, to the cattery. She wasn't at all impressed and did a bit of hissing when she arrived. "Don't worry", the owner told me, "I'll spend a bit of time with her to help settle her down". As a former traveling caravan cat, she hardly ever went to a cattery, but now there is no option.
She is not at all happy
The drive up to Hastings was difficult, as I haven't really done long journeys on my own. Obviously, I was a bit nervous, rather tense and ended up with a sore muscle on my side! I drove through drizzly rain, and the never ending road cones on the side of the road. But where were the workers, I wondered? The road cones are set out, together with the signs to reduce speed, with not a single worker on the road side in sight. My little car behaved well on the trip, and as a bonus, I had discovered some petrol vouchers tucked away in the caravan when I cleared it out, so that filled the tank for me. After a couple of stops along the way I finally pulled into the motel, pleased to have arrived. It wasn't the best motel I've stayed at, but I guess you get what you pay for.
My home for the next two nights
Adam was having his birthday celebrations at home on Saturday evening, nice company and a home cooked meal, together with a birthday cake. I'm pleased to say that he seemed very pleased with his 30th birthday quilt, and recognised the fabrics as his Poppa's shirts.
Adam and his sister Kate
Happy Birthday Adam
It was a very pleasant evening indeed and I'm pleased that I made the effort to make trip up by myself. My niece Lisa presented me with this lovely quilting fridge magnet, those words are so true.
A gift from Lisa
14 comments:
So good to have completed Adam’s special quilt for his birthday.
Lovely photos taken of Adam his sister and the quilt.
Well done doing the trip on your own.
Bet Gemma was pleased when you picked her up .
What a treasure for Adam! Shirt quilts hold so much meaning and love. He will feel like his grandfather is giving him a hug every time he uses this special gift. Well done , Jenny! Gail at the Cozy quilter
Lovely memories in that quilt. I’m sure you will remember this weekend for a very long time
Wonderful timely finish on Adam's b-day quilt--it really turned out so well!!
Good for you making that trip --especially when you are not used to traveling distances by yourself;))) hugs, Julierose
Great job on the birthday quilt! I know it will be treasured.
it is hard to make a long drive by yourself when you aren't used to it - especially as we get older - more stops for the bathroom and to walk and stretch a little bit so we aren't real stiff. And then staying in a motel by yourself is new to you too. So many adjustments but you are doing it- proving to yourself that you are strong. I love the quilt I couldn't tell is that flannel or cotton - plaid always reminds me of flannel so I wondered.
Driving yourself a long distance is a huge challenge Jenny, apart from taking Gemma to the cattery. The birthday quilt is stunning, I am sure he will love it more and more as the winter arrives.
I think the pattern you chose for this quilt is perfect for a man, it looks masculine. And how wonderful that Adam recognized the fabrics as his father's shirts. Great colors, too! (I shirt fabric to make quilts, but I've never made one from a particular person's shirts. I think it would make me sad.)
Poor Gemma at the cattery. Was she happy to see you when you picked her up?
Driving a distance alone is so different than going with someone. I'm sorry it was a difficult drive and especially that you ended up with a sore muscle. It's good your car gave you no problems.
I really like Adam's birthday quilt. You did a very good job of it. I can see Gemma does not look very impressed at all with the cattery. Good for you driving the distance to attend the party.
God bless.
Deadlines are so motivating! Well done on finishing the quilt - and undertaking the drive by yourself!
What a wonderful thing to make the quilt for Adam. I’m sure he was delighted. Deborah did a terrific job with the quilting. Poor Gemma. Our Joey used to cry all the way to the cattery, but apparently made himself quite at home once we left and weren’t there to complain to. LOL. You did well to head off on your maiden solo voyage. It just goes to show what you are capable of.
Well done on driving by yourself. You are doing so well ( but don't be too brave ) the adjustment must be huge. Quilty hugs from me.
That is a great finish. What a lovely gift.
I am pleased you enjoyed your family time.
That's a lovely quilt, Jenny! You did such a nice job with it. And kudos to you for making the trip alone. I often wonder the same when I see road cones, slow-downs, and roadwork signs... and no workers. Why did they abandon the job and leave signs up? Weather? Out of materials? No overtime pay? Seems this department of transportation problem is worldwide.
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