I’m up at an early hour for me.
I rolled over and looked at the clock --- 6:15am.
Part of me wanted to roll back in the other direction and catch another hour of sleep, it was late by the time I turned out the lights last night. After shutting down last night’s Quilt-Cam, I was a bit wound up, and it is hard to get the brain to shut off so I can drift off.
The other part of me wanted to run down to the studio and get the binding started for this!
Any idea what this is?
This is a close up of the backing during the quilting process for Celtic Solstice! I had just advanced the quilt to show the first blue stripe of backing! Exciting!
Nope! No sneak peeks at the front yet!
I walked around to the back of the machine to make sure things were rolling up right, and to check the tension on the back of the quilt.
Sew Far Sew Good!
The Behemoth! Trimmed and ready for binding!
Close up of quilting:
Oh cool! It looks great on the back!
The design is Celtic Curlz by Urban Elementz! How perfect is that?
Kind of a teaser, I know – but wait until you see the FRONT!
As I was quilting yesterday, I got to thinking about the quote in this photo:
This photo was floating around Pinterest the past couple of days ---and I saved it because it explains so much. Why some days the points are perfect and everything matches just right and falls into place on THIS part of the quilt ---but as I advanced toward the end, the part I was trying to get together after just finding out about my brother Mark’s brain cancer ----it’s a wonder I could sew at all!
There are a couple mismatched seams that I would call “GLARING”. And I’m not fixing them. They are quilted in. Those are the spots where my heart got derailed.
Some future “quilt inspector” may tsk tsk at the inaccuracy of those places, the wobbly-ness of seams, the chopping off of a few points.
But I will know when I see these humble places that at that moment –seams went awry while sewing through a veil of tears and much heart-trembling.
This is how we hold it together.
Sometimes, just like life –Quilts are just a beautiful mess, and we just keep quilting on while trying to hold on to our sanity.
58 comments:
I know that feeling, Keep on Keeping on!
Every quilt tells a story. Sometimes of happiness sometimes of sorrow. The trials we face are sometimes when we turn to our quilting a sew out our sorrow or frustration. Time will pass and sorrow will fade but our quilt lives on to remind us of times past.
Bonnie thank you for all you do! You are one strong chick!!!!! Can't wait to see the front of this quilt. I am sure it will be stunning!! Have a great and productive day!!!
Such a tease!!!
Looking forward to starting the Mystery Quilt. I have had a rough year and lost a bit of myself and I am using this mystery to try and restart my love for quilting. fake it until you make it.
Mismatched seams and cut off points prove the quilt was made by a human, not a machine and are what keep us humble (as the Amish say).
Your photo reminded me of your box of scraps that you got . Just put them together, maybe she had problems too.
Dan's other half, Sue
Bonnie, I agree with you.........I love the memories that my quilts bring back to me.
Paula in KY
Such a beautiful post! You should save this for one of your books! I need time to savor this.
The last couple of years have been hard but I know if I didn't have my quilting I would go crazy. I don't beat myself up if the points don't match. I can tell where I was at in my life by thoses little mistakes. That is why a quilt is made with love. I hope all turns out ok for your brother. My prayers are with you and your family.
I can't wait to start the mystery quilt. As I said before this is my first one and I am all ready to go. You have a good day and thank you for all you do.
here here!
Cancer hit hard this summer for our family. Dad passed within 4 months of dx, but it was a terminal one. So much "stuff" has happened with no one I can talk to about it....except hubby of course ;-). My point being, if I had not had my quilt therapy during all the chaos that is still ensuing, I have no idea where I'd be today. I love working and focusing on creating and not the chaos! ♡
A beautiful post...the pictures are great but your words about quilting through the troubled times are most beautiful. They brought tears to my eyes. Sometimes sewing pieces of fabric together helps to hold our lives together too. My thoughts and prayers are with your family.
Myrna in KY
bravo
Thanks for sharing your feelings and the quote. The receivers will seldom understand how sewing and quilting can be so comforting for us and the result so full of memories.
"A beautiful mess." So apt--it can apply to our own selves, our quilts, our lives. Thank you for sharing your heartfelt post and your heart itself with us.
Wonderful post ... thank you for sharing with all of us ~ we all face struggles and challenges daily and you have so eloquently put it into our very own words. We love you Bonnie!!
I used to rip those spots out and redo. then I realized in most cases I was the only one who saw them. But now I will treat them with respect Bonnie, they do tell a tale if I let them? Hugs.
My prayers are travelling over the water as I type, we very rarely see 'perfection' in life. So what if a few points don't quite match, I was dx late August with breast cancer, my sewing and visiting blogs has kept me sane. I lose myself in it and them. It takes a while to sink in, I really don't think it has fully yet. Some of the best artist have created the most beautiful works during a very low point of their lives.
A few prayers and a few tears bring out the best in us.
Hugs to you
Peg xx
As I am waiting for this new mystery to begin I am knitting alpaca slippers for my sister in law who is going into the hospital for a 3 week isolation chemo treatment for her cancer. I know that every stitch I do has been a reminder of why I chose this yarn and pattern and all my prayers and hopes for her. Now, I am looking forward to seeing the other side of your quilt and the other side of mine, :-)
Thanks for the wonderful post. Several years ago one of my sons broke my heart..I spent three days crying and sewing strips together into a quilt. When I finished it was the ugliest quilt ever!! I gifted it to my son and he was so thrilled to get it. He still uses it and every time I see it at his house I'm reminded of the healing that happened in my heart while I sewed and prayed for better times. Better times did come, but that quilt reminds me to be thankful for all the good times and to know that when bad times come if we can just hold on it will get better.
Well said Bonnie! The back and quilting looks wonderful!
It is true, if the receivers of our quilts only knew all the tears, thoughts and therapy that happened when we were making a quilt. It is a quiet time, all alone in my sewing room, I do my best thinking there. But sometimes the mind wanders and you have to stop and call it back to task...or those seams go really crazy!!!
Life sure has a way of kicking us - whether we're down or up - doesn't it? I'm so sorry to hear about your brother Bonnie! I'll be sure to lift up a prayer for him and all of you who love him. Thanks for sharing that quote - it is true of most quilters that our hearts and lives are stitched into every one!
Well said Bonnie. Quilting has helped me keep sane, warmed my heart when it has ached and given me 'a reason' to reflex at times too. There are folks who ask us why we quilt ... if you have to ask, you might never be able to understand our answer.
I know your quilt will be and is beautiful!
Warm quiltie hugs from
JulieinTN
reflect that is
wow Bonnie - you have such a way with words - very touching post. It blows my mind your energy level and stamina - and we all get to be inspired by that everyday. Thank you from the bottom of my quilty heart!
I share your sentiments on the quilting process. All quilts tell a story. Thank you. (and thanks for the teaser too! lol!)
A touching and beautiful post this morning. Just keep remembering that we are all in you and your brother's corner and are ready to offer support any way we can
I agree with someone's thought posted here. This post of yours needs to be put in this next book. Many of my quilts have tears in them. My therapy is quilting.
Beautifully written and so true. We need to remember quilting is our way of expression.
Very true Bonnie! When I was rushing to get my mom's quilt done before she passed away, I enlisted about a dozen volunteers to hand quilt it...... some of whom had never quilted before. A LOT of the stitches are hideous ....... but they will stay right where they are bc they were stitched with love from the heart.
very well said Therese!
While everyone strives to be a perfect piercer, there are days when we are human and make mistakes. Family is always more important that a couple of chopped off points.
Beautiful...prayers to you and your family.
Watched my first quilt cam last night. Hubby and the boys went out on Cam night, so I finally got to watch the whole thing. I confess I washed dishes, but you and I had a great time together anyway. ;-) We're renovating so I haven't seen my sewing machine and most of my fabric since June. I miss them! I really want to do Celtic Solstice - I've never done one of your mysteries before. I have the fabric I pulled for Orca Bay handy. Any chance you'll cheat and tell me if I can use those colours for Solstice? I live in Canada and can't find the paint chips you used. Are there Benjamin Moore colours that would be similar? AM I rambling? Yes, I am. Thanks for your post about what we sew into our quilts. You nailed it. (Hugs)
You have a way with words! Whereas I have had a hard time describing what those 'messes' were, you have nailed it. I'll remember this when I'm having a hard time getting things to go just right. Tonight is my youngest daughter's bridal shower and she's getting a quilt full of 384 crumb blocks. She's my granola girl so scrappy is perfect for her. Thanks for the ideas!!
Ok I have tears in my eyes. I hope God stashed a miracle in that quilt you made for your brother. I know it has prayers from every one of us who follow you and consider your family part of our extended families
agree! LOL!
I thought the sign at the bottom was going to say something Like "remembering what your quilt knows about your in laws!" HA HA HA!!!! That's what my sign would have said....funny
Your post is so real we all go through low places in life with lots of struggles and tears and quilting the pieces keeps us together. And usually we are the only ones who notice our flaws. It's why we love all the antique quilts because the have stories to tell.
Bonnie,your thoughts match my completely on quilts.This summer I set all quilting aside as I cared for my younger brother. He passed away early August and will be forever young. I'm just now getting it together. Easy Street will forever remind me of him.Sending good thoughts and vibes to you and your whole family as Mark wins this battle and of course lots of hugs....May Wolf
No need to say anything, you've said it all.
Thank you Bonnie.
Amen.
I wish your words could be added to the sign in the photo. Very moving and very true. We do what we need to do...
Thank you for this post.
Bonnie,
As some have said you should include what you've said about quilting in one of your books. Prayers for your brother!! Keep the faith! Hugs!
So glad you found that poem and shared it... Our quilts hold so much of our hearts - especially those parts that we don't easily share with others. The worries, the hurts, the losses. Sometimes sewing is as healing for us as for those that the quilts will cover - and sometimes more.
Thanks for sharing, Bonnie.
Hi Bonnie. I have watched two of your quilt cams and have to say I am hooked. I got my tri-recs and the easy angle today. I still need to work on getting my paint cards and getting started on my scraps. I love your paper piecing. It is such an awesome idea. I also like your leader and enders. I am trying to work on doing this. Hopefully I will have something figured out by the start of the mystery quilt. I am currently working on a baby quilt in a jungle theme for a friends granddaughter. Her first great grand child. A boy. Thanks for doing the blog and quilt cam. It is awesome. It has gotten me excited to start quilting again. Lisa
What a great post! And you are so right, we sew a lot more than thread into our quilts. Enjoyed quilt cam last night. I was cutting half hexies with my Go! cutter.
Great post, thank you, Bonnie.
Bless your heart, pointless triangles...headless geese...no one will notice but you! It is difficult to piece accurately when you are blinded by tears and your heart is being squeeze in a vice. Prayers continuing for your brother, you and your family.
Thank you Bonnie, as always you hit the nail on the head.....I'm still trying to finish up Easy Street (my first Bonnie K. Hunter anything)....Am planning to join in for this year's mystery as well. Again Thank you for all you do for all of us!!
I have a double wedding ring lap quilt that I was making for my aunt when I found out she had terminal pancreatic cancer. I was so upset, I turned 2 oval shapes upside down. I left it because it told the story of how I felt-upside down with grief. Thanks for the post-praying for your brother.
The photo of the chips on Bonnie's post were good enough for me to use for pulling my fabric! Just print out that post and use it-I have done that on the last mystery and it worked fine!
Thank you Bonnie, that was beautiful, with tears streaming from my eyes. Bless you, your brother Mark and your family.
thata girl, tammy!
Your words touched my heart and were very true. The sign was inspiring too. Thanks for sharing your thoughts and talents with us all. Love what you did with the backing on the mystery quilt.
I am so sorry to hear about your brother I know you are worried for him and his family
I will keep you all in my thoughts and just know that with todays modern medical miracles there is always hope. My father had a 9.5 cm brain tumor 5 years ago after surgery and treatment he is now 4 + years cancer free and we are all very greatfull for the treatment that gave him back his life. Just never give up there are new treatments on the horizon all the time (my dads treatment was experimental stem cell research and the traditional treatments would not have been effective for his specific type of cancer) take care Bonnie and have a safe trip to Texas I hope you know how much you are appreciated for all you do for the quilting community
Lisa
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