Sometimes, their friendship was the only one I sought because it was nicer to have that common thread, regardless of the fact that we didn't talk about it all the time. We talked about kids, food, life... all the things a group of women can talk about.
One of those things involved our creative outlets and a few of us were fledgling quilters/sewers. I wanted to do a QOV top or a charity quilt of some sort and realized, this would be a great way for us to all be involved so I posted the idea that participants created a block. From there, I'd add sashing and the quilting.
This was almost 2 years ago. It took almost a year for everyone who committed to this to provide the blocks and another year for me to feel my quilting skills were up to par with doing justice to the pieced top. I wanted/needed it to be good enough. So I waited.
Time marched on and I always had an excuse. My husband started working with wounded soldiers and one day received a call from a mother of a soldier who needed to be involved with something.
He is a paralized soldier and has been down with all the struggles. His mother was struggling, too. Hubby asked if I thought I could make him a quilt. I agreed and pondered appropriate designs which would suit what I felt would mean the most for his situation and all of a sudden, the CinC quilt popped into my head. I asked the group if they agreed we should scrap our original plan of sending to auction as a fund-raiser and instead, provide it to this soldier. I am so happy to say their agreement was quick and completely supportive.
I do not have a picture, but the label reads: "Dear ____, thank you. Thank you for your service and bravery. You are and will always have the love of countless nameless and faceless citizens. With all the warmth, gratitude and prayers for healing and strength that can be sent to you and your family, the quilting members from CinCHouse.com."
The quilt itself and quilting are pictured here. I love this adapted quilting pattern! I wish I had time, I'd love to send his mother a quilt as well but do not have a "spare top" to quilt up really fast to send along this week. I might just include a card thanking her. It's one of those situations where they have small & limited resources, even though they have much love and faith. I'd like her to know she also has prayers and love.
Anyway, that's the story and here's the quilt I'm pretty dang proud of! GOD BLESS THE U.S.A.!
