“Want to join us?”
That was the question in late November last year (this day takes place early in Dec.) which
started my involvement in a project that warmed my heart. Amy (Amylouwhosews) and Rachel (PS I Quilt) brainstormed
the idea of making a quilt for Kim (My Go-Go Life) because her son had just
deployed and because she needed one and because she was making him one of the
same pattern (only in blues and white) and because we all understood deployments
and because, well, we love her.
You see, Kim and I haven’t known each other long in terms of
time but I feel like our souls have known each other through space. We get together and it’s like yesterday was
the last time we spoke. Both of us have been guilty of speaking to the other as
if we had already shared details of our lives over the past few days and then
realizing maybe we didn’t and had to back track. Anyway, I digress (which coincidentally also
happens a lot when Kim and I chat.)
Her son deployed. Rachel and Amy brainstormed the quilt and
invited me for the ride. We are all (including Kim) military spouses who have
had loved ones deploy, we understand deployment but can’t quite fathom it from
the mom’s perspective. We figured the knee jerk instinct to protect and keep
one’s child out of harm’s way must be conflicting with the rational
understanding that her boy was an adult and well trained. Using the Look to the
Stars pattern out of Rachel’s newly released book “Quilts Made with Love” (which
is, of course a fabulous pattern and book!), we all pieced the quilt using
scraps from our stash. Once we got it together, I quilted it with a whimsical
star and loop pattern. It was pieced and quilted using Auriful.
The batting was Pellon's Nature's Touch 50/50 Bamboo/Cotton blend. First time using it and I loved it. Like quilting with butter. From Pellon's blog, "Bamboo Blend Batting has a soft, silky hand and some naturally anti-microbial properties. It is durable, breathable, and comfortable. This regenerated cellulosic fiber has microscopic pores that allow for excellent wicking which draws moisture away from the body. It is an excellent warm weather option. Bamboo’s inherent properties also make it a natural selection for those who suffer from allergies."
As we built this quilt, Rachel and her hubby Shane, who are
in OH, planned a trip to VA for the day we intended to give this to Kim. You see, we used the guise of a sewing day at
my house and Kim was set to come but then her kids had half days at school and
that killed that plan. Meanwhile, Rachel was scheduled to arrive and we had no
contingency plan. Amy was talking regularly to Kim but Rachel and I were
staying mum so as not to draw suspicion. Amy kept trying to figure out a way we
could see Kim on that Friday and eventually, when trying to get Kim to make
arrangements, had to just stop trying to make arrangements to avoid further suspicion.
Thursday night Rachel arrived and we sat down to finish
binding the quilt while Amy worked on the label. My pups, seeing a quilt so close at hand
tried like crazy to lay on it. One made it as far as her nose on Rachel’s
leg. I think this had more to do with
Rachel’s appreciation for having the pup nearby it than the pup’s perseverance, however.
The next morning, plans commenced. We piled into the car, in
the pouring rain and swung over to pick up Amy. At this point, we thought all
we would be able to do is see Kim for about an hour, if we were lucky, at a
local Starbuck’s or something. It was clear she didn’t want folks just “showing
up” at her house. It was one of those
weeks for her and we were trying to
be considerate. That failed. I called
her and told her Amy and I were nearby, could she break and meet us. (Remember,
Rachel’s presence was still an unknown to her.) She checked her calendar and
just had to decline to clear up some work items.
With our silent apologies to her and her employer (ahem,
Alex Veronelli, Auriful – we thank you for your understanding), we just drove
to her house and let Rachel go knock on the door. And we wait. And wait.
Are we too late? Did she leave to go get her kids
already? It’s pouring rain. Rachel calls,
while at the door. Phew! A moment later, out comes Kim. LOVED the look of happy surprise on her face! She greeted everyone and then off to the back of the van to
see our other surprise (Rachel was the first one).
Happiness.
Of course, the whole thing was rushed, she had to get her
kids but once she realized Rachel was here (we didn’t tell her about the third
surprise later, we didn’t want her to feel guilty if she decided to stay home) and
that Amy planned to grab her kids from school and come hang at my place with
Rachel, Shane and I, Kim decided to do the same and joined us later that
afternoon.
We laughed, gabbed, & had to give Kim the details of our
escapade. Kim grumbled good naturedly about us being in trouble. Ultimately,
though, Rachel and I were completely off the hook for the surprise. Amy is supposed to be the one who has trouble
keeping a secret. She got the brunt of it. LOL We were all complicit but like
any good middle child can attest, it’s always best to let someone else take the
heat if it’s so conveniently directed.
(-wink- Thanks Amy! You know I love you.)
Shortly after Kim arrived, I had another arrival. You see,
there’s this quilter out there, maybe you’ve heard of him, John Q. Adams (Quilt Dad)? The
stars aligned & he had some free time that night so he drove up from NC to
say hey! I may have been a little awe
struck by the quilting talent in my home because after welcoming John in, I do
believe my next words were, “You are really tall!”
Uh, duh. –sigh- Suave, I am not so let’s pretend it makes me
cute and move on, shall we?
We all settled back in, gabbed more, ate, gabbed, played a
little in my sewing room. Kim has a thing about trying every kind of sewing
machine she can and really, who can resist playing on a mid-arm once it is in
front of them and the owner has it set up for play time? Not anyone, that’s who!
Finally,
the night came to an end, people departed and bed time called. It was such a good day, planned and prepped
for or not, I love having people visit, but ultimately, the day was made great
by the love we were able to share with one special person. I hope that this fine
lady, who would never hesitate to assist another living soul, one I’m blessed
to call a friend, now knows how much she means to those around her.
Check out Kim's and Rachel's take on this wonderful experience.
I love these girls.
