A Quilt Of A Different Kind -

I have a very special sister-in-law.

I consider Alicia my sister-by-choice and sister-by-love as the sister I would choose if given any choice in the matter -

Alicia is married to my brother Scott.  They met in high school - even went to prom together. But through moves that separated them, and life that took them different directions, it wasn't until they were in their 40s that they found each other again and their life together began where it left off.

With photos taken in Alicia's grandmother's living room - the same place they had prom photos taken together so long ago when it all began.

They've been married since November, 2011 - and Alicia's mom started a hand pieced hexagon quilt for them in a technique I'd never seen before.

But as things happen - Alicia's mom became ill and unable to finish it.  She passed away last year.

During the cleaning out process, Alicia found the quilt pieces - mostly assembled but had no way of knowing how to finish it.

I said: "Give it to me!" (As any quilter would do if this were her sister!)

Have you seen this kind of technique before?

Evidently this was the pattern - and many of these little "coaster" type hexie units were already made, just needing to be stitched together.  The stitching together was well underway.

The backing is cut the outside shape of the cardboard template.  The batting and front fabric are cut to the inside line.

The backing is first folded TO the line all the way around, and then folded over the edge of the batting and front fabric and hand stitched down to complete each "coaster" and then they are blind stitched together -

I guess the batting is also caught with the hand stitching that secures the backing as binding around the hexagon shapes?  No quilting stitching is visible on the back.

In going through the bag of pieces and parts - there were some unfinished hexie units that didn't have backing fabric cut.  There was SOME backing fabric in the bag - also uncut - but no way of knowing just what the layout was intended to be as there was no photo or magazine pattern or any other info to tell me what Alicia's mom intended.

We brainstormed a bit, and I offered to piece it as big as the completed units would allow, hoping to bring it to a couch snuggle size, or something that could be displayed at the end of their bed to feel her mom close to them.  I think I achieved that.

I'm 5'9" and it is taller than I am.  Even though it isn't rectangular or square - it has an interesting shape to it and is perfectly cozy to snuggle beneath on the couch.  I figure that out while I was working on it.

It might not be exactly what Sharon intended to gift her daughter and her new husband, but I assembled it as far as it would go with the pieces that were in the bag.

I spent much of my time sitting on mom's couch watching old movies and tv shows with the intent of getting this done before I returned home.  We did it!

And back to my question at the top.  Have you ever seen or made a "quilt" like this? Is it a pattern from a magazine or a pattern for purchase? I'd like to provide credit to whomever the designer is.

Oh, and the black/white & red theme?  Scott and Alicia nad a black and white wedding accented by red roses.  Absolutely beautiful.

First things first for yesterday - taking the helleborus we had dug up in my mom's garden on Monday evening, carried all the way home in my backpack so it wouldn't get squished (And yes, it took two runs through the x-ray machine and a manual search to get me through security!) out of its plastic bag with wet paper towels wrapped around its roots - and dig it a new home next to the other two surviving plants I brought home last year.

Son Jeff was handy with the shovel and we got her in there and gave the little area a good soaking drink.

She's a dark purple variety!

The poor thing is looking a bit shocked, but hopefully will stretch out her roots soon and bloom where she's been planted.

Her sister's blooms have gone from pink to green.  

At the edge of our property between our yard and the neighbor's -

Blooms of brilliant orange!

It's amazing how much changed in just a week.  The dogwood blossoms are all gone, and new leaves have sprouted.

The old ancient rhodie is blooming in time for Mother's Day.

But....it looks like the ice storm did some damage and we'll have to do some trimming out and cutting back. This part makes me sad.

Rhodies are resilient, however - and where she is blooming she is putting forth all of her effort to shine.

And the Dame's Rocket is blooming all along the roadsides in clusters of purple and white.

Trees have leaves.

And SO MUCH POLLEN!!

Best of all - lilacs are blooming.

I long for this scent all year.

It's here.

My Iceland trip in June is full - but there is still time to sign up for a few remaining spots in our September extravaganza to France, Germany and Switzerland including TWO DAYS at the European Patchwork festival in Alsace, France.

I've only ever been to Germany in the winter. (And I'll be going back again in December for the Christmas Markets - wanna come?) and I'm looking forward to a late summer visit to cities I've never been to before.

Find more about the September tour HERE.

The Christmas Market tour is HERE.

And you can always click the All My Tours tab at the top of the blog to see where else we'll be going and when!

Today? The Muddy Creek Misfits are filling the walls and halls at Quiltville Inn, and it is so good to be back amongst the quilters after a week away.

I've got some desk work as I'm still in catch up mode, but I am relegating my afternoon time to bring myk hexie stitching into the Quilting Quarters to catch up on the latest goings on - maybe some porch stitching?

Maybe I can convince a couple of gals into a road hike this afternoon? Rain isn't expected until around dinner time, and temps will be in the high 60s - perfection.  I want to see what else has bloomed while I"ve been away.

How about you?  What's on your plate for today?

Quiltville Quote of the Day -

Keep on shining like you do - and be kind to yourself, too!

Have a terrific Thursday everyone!