12/16/2025
It’s taken me a little while to share this; it has brought me so much joy but I just don’t know how to tell the story… the whole story as it should be told. But I’m going to try…
Why do I quilt? Quilting for me is an expression of love, art and creativity. I have been quilting for about 15 years now. I have made many quilts. Some for family, friends, neighbors, veterans, new moms, wedding quilts and even donated to strangers.
Making a quilt for someone brings me so much joy. It brings calmness to my hands and heart. Know that if you get a quilt from me, I made it with my whole heart. From picking out a pattern, choosing the perfect fabrics, making each block with love, quilted with thousands of stitches, stitching down the binding by hand, and a label… it is all done specifically for you. When they say happiness is homemade… it’s the honest truth.
When my youngest son got married my niece Ashley did the photography for free. And I’m going to try to describe Ashley in the best way possible… she is so gifted, so talented… a world wide traveler taking engagement and wedding photos of really important people. Ashley’s photography is done with actual film… with like the old, vintage cameras. Her photography is true art. Capturing all the moments, emotions, feelings and personalities with photos. She does special shoots for Vogue Bridal, international recognition as being literally “the best.”
I wanted to make her a quilt. One, because she is my niece! And also, she shared her art with my family by taking my sons wedding photos; and I wanted to share my art of quilting with her. All the fabrics were chosen very carefully, along with the pattern and colors. There is a reason for each block in the quilt. As per usual, the time to see her at Thanksgiving is getting closer and closer and I felt the urgency to get this quilt completed! We were going to be seeing her soon… which just doesn’t happen very often! It was important to me to give it to her in person.
I am literally frantic about getting this quilt complete. And then the moment hits me where I am doubting myself. Did I pick all the right blocks? Is it the right colors? Did I make it big enough? Will she even like this? I’m tired. I need to pack. And I am wondering if she will even need a quilt in sunny, warm California where she lives.
The trip to Kansas meant I was doing the hand binding in the car. Arriving in Kansas and it’s still not quite done. As I sat in the corner at my sister in laws home, putting the last of the stitches in, adding a couple of buttons for embellishments… alas it is done!
Here’s where it gets emotional:
I folded up the quilt and was able to give to Ashely as she sat with her husband. I set the quilt on her lap and tell her this is for you. And the shock, the tears, the inability to speak… can only be shared in the photos. Photo one is me giving her the quilt, Ashley is crying. Photo two is me saying… you can’t cry until you see the quilt! Photo three is of me now crying. Photo 4-7 is my sister in law and I trying to show Ashely the quilt, but just hugs and tears and moments of happiness and love.
Yeah… I think she really, really loved it. The tears, the joy, picking out all the fabrics, blocks, colors… the late nights… it was all worth it.
This is why I quilt. ❤️🧵✂️
