There’s no sugar coating it, our family has had a full dose of life reality lately, so it wasn’t a mistake that I pulled this bit of happy colored sunshine out of the pile of unfinished tops to quilt.
I needed some mind occupation.
It seems that each quilt has a memory of its making somewhere along all its steps, and not in a bad way, but quilting and binding Happy Snowballed Sunshine will remind me for a time of my father-in-law John passing.
This quilt and its association with this particular time reminded me of quilting Supernova. Supernova was the quilt that I was working on four years ago yesterday, the same day John got his kidney transplant.
There were tears of joy quilted into that quilt and a few sad ones for the donor’s family too. That generous lady knew that in her passing she could gift a family some of those ‘best of times’ as we call them.
And she did.
But quilting this also made me thankful that I have creative things to do that occupy my mind when I need them.
It also solidified something that seems so obvious, but I’d never really thought about it. My love for fun and funky color combos that lift my mood to happy when I see them, even if the times don’t match.
And the prints that are hard to cut into? Now is the time to use them.
I’ll gift this bit of happy at some point. This quilt hasn’t found its person yet, but that baby will add another dimension to the quilt memory.
(thanks Sounders FC instagram for photo)
And for my happy memory I’ve been reminding myself to remember the healthy John. The John that would sit on my couch drinking a martini telling me funny stories.
He would have liked my happy quilt and he definitely loved sunshine;)
What an amazing post from you today, I love the happy colors and feel honored you shared your memories with us.. I have a quilt I’ve been working on for years. It contains many pieces of clothing from my two children, while they were growing up .. it is the size of a king size bed now, but it;’s time to put the backing on and quilt… Thank you for my own memories of my quilt here in Canada … Take care and happy blogging to ya…
Katie,
Thank you for sharing your love of family. My thoughts are with you and your family.
Warm hugs, Joan
Sent from my iPad
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Thoughts of the love you shared with us will make my day better as I am sure the love you gave to John made many of his days better. Continue to share that love with those around you because it will help them get through this and its reflection will help you.
Warm and loving thoughts to you and your family.
Sincere sympathy on the loss of your father in law to you and to your family. I am so sorry.
Your quilts inspire and move me. I am so sorry for your family’s loss. I hope you will treasure your memories and that joy finds its way back into your lives. Thank you for bringing joy into my life through your quilts, your blog postings, and thank you for inspiring my creative spirit.
Touching – and a terrific quilt!
I’m sure your father in law wants to be remembered with joy (don’t we all?). How fitting to tie his memories in with a bright little quilt, and one that will find its way someday into a new little person’s life! Best wishes to your family during this difficult time.
Sorry about your loss, Katie.
This post really touched my heart. Hugs 🙂
Hi Katie. My name is Kay Fortner. I’m not sure if you remember me or not but I’m from the Walla Walla Quilt guild. You were here in the spring teaching for the weekend. The class was arranged through our President, Lianne. I know you will remember her because the two of you talked many times putting the class together.
First of all, I follow your blog and wanted to say that I am sorry to hear about your father in law. Life is sure hard sometimes. I hope you are all getting through it together.
I have a favor to ask you on behalf of our local Guild. Each year, our Guild members make blocks for the President as a gift to remember the year. When I asked Lianne what kind of quilt she would like, she said a “Katie” style quilt in red and cream colors. I know that she is a big fan of yours, and she would be delighted and surprised if you contributed a block and signed it for her presidential quilt. Is that something you would be willing to do? We are all looking forward to seeing you at our quilt show next year too!
Best regards, Kay
Sent from my iPad Kay Fortner
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😉 send me the details to sewkatiedid@gmail.com
Thank you so much.
I sympathize on your loss. But the idea of a quilt in terms of therapeutic value is great, I should have thought of it last year.
Cathartic, healing, prayerful, tearful, working through, making beauty out of hardships….that’s the gift of quilting to the quilter.
peace
Life seems to have that way of giving us full doses instead of small ones here and there. I’ve been in the same boat lately. Sending positive thoughts your way. Love your quilt, so bright and happy!
I saw your post today and fell in love with your bright happy quilt. I read on and discovered what the quilt meant and was profoundly moved. Like the message above….I too have been in this boat recently….I am quilting for therapy… sending messages with the quilts of love, support and care. It makes me feel good to do so….I think it’s a good way to get off the boat….Thank you for sharing your story and your beautiful quilt. I am going to use my treasured fabric…you have helped me realize what it is for. Best wishes to you and those your love for Peace.
Susan
What a lovely tribute from a lovely soul.
I have had every version of a VW bus. Where did that fabric line come from?
I am sorry for your loss and I am glad that you can find a measure of solace in your happy quilt.
What a lovely, touching post. I’m so sorry for your loss.
I’m sorry for your loss, but thankful for you sharing your thoughts and bright happy quilts with us all. <3
I was touch by your comment about the happy sunshine quilt. I, too, have a happy fishy quilt to celebrate my mother’s creative spirit and my journey toward recovering from a devastating stroke (before healthy, vibrant & young for a stroke) by learning to quilt to help my brain reboot and work again. Creating beauty and joy for others fills me up.
It’s so wonderful we have hobbies, they really are gifts in themselves. I just gifted this quilt to a new ‘family’ baby and had you not commented I wouldn’t have thought about this quilt’s associations with the comings and goings of loved ones in our lives;)