If I do say so myself...

Okay...I know that pride isn't necessarily a good thing, but I am seriously proud of myself right now and I just have to share...

When I was little I remember sitting on the floor and watching my great grandmother (who was completely blind) hand sew beautiful, warm, and wonderful quilts. I would ask questions about what she was doing and watch as she explained the different stitches she was using. I have always carried this memory with me. In fact, her lessons in hand sewing are likely the reason I can sew at all, considering that sewing in a straight line on a sewing machine is super hard for me...don't ask me why. In fact, using the hand sewing skills that my great grandmother shared with me I have been able to sew 3 Halloween costumes, a purse, and a couple of skirts through the years...but I was never brave enough to try making a quilt.

When I found out I was pregnant I couldn't kick the impression that I needed to sew a quilt. I was terrified to even think about starting one! Hand sewn quilts are a time consuming labor of love and I wasn't sure I would have the initiative to keep going.

However, I realized that through all the shaky times and fears of the first trimester, I needed something to keep my mind off of things. Finally, at about 9 weeks along, I broke down and asked Jeff if we had the money for me to invest in some quilting essentials and start the project. Jeff seemed kind of surprised that I wanted to take on hand stitching something like a baby quilt, but I think he realized I needed something crafty to do for my sanity.

Well, I am super proud to show you my finished product (and it only took me 11 weeks...LOL)

Tah dah!
It may not be perfectly perfect...but I did it! All by myself...no help, just thinking back and recalling how great grandma used to do it. I can't help but be a little bit proud when I think that I hand stitched every square to its neighbors...Jeff actually was a bit surprised that I finished it as quickly as I did....

To be honest, I probably would have finished it faster, but as our move to Idaho Falls approached I ran short on time and motivation so there was a span of about 3 weeks where I didn't work on it at all...

Jeff helped me pick out the fabric. Bless my husband. He spent probably 2 hours with me casing Jo-Ann Fabric for gender neutral fabric. I guess I didn't need his opinion, but it was nice to have it. In fact, he was the one that found this fabric when I was about to give up on my quest.

I think both of us would have to say that our favorite part is this crazy looking owl.
He just looks so shocked and confused...which is kind of how we were feeling as we were realizing the reality of our situation as we shopped for fabric.

Well darlings, I think its safe to say that I am turning into Suzy Homemaker...and I'm loving every minute of it...

Hugs and warm quilts until next time darlings!