Stars & Banners Quilt: Crystal's Quilt

Almost exactly a year ago I started work on this pattern: Minick & Simpson's Stars and Banners

I didn't know it at the time, but this pattern was created for the Quilts of Valor group and is no longer in print or at least I can no longer find a place where you can buy it.

Ironically I intended this quilt to go to my brother Aaron, who some of you may recall serves on the Army Reserve and was deployed to Iraq for a full year.  When I found the pattern I never knew that it was made for Quilts of Valor but it's so very fitting for him and his family.

So it began as something I thought I could finish within a few months, nevermind that I was, at the time, almost 2 months pregnant.

By the time I took this picture it was March.

But I "pressed" on.

And eventually I had all the stars pieced and pressed and laid them out.

But after April things had to be put on hold.  We had a nursery to finish, two rooms to fabricate in the basement and my ever expanding belly was starting to hinder me both mentally and physically.  So the quilt was put on hold and packed away.

Fast forward to November.  With a new baby waiting off to the sides and sometimes sitting on my lap to sew I dug out the quilt and sewed on the the top bunting.

Amid the jumble of still packed boxes of fabric and general sewing chaos in my new sewing room I had a quilt.

And it was awesome.

 I pieced my backing and basted the whole thing all in one day. It was now December.

But a quilt isn't a quilt until it's well, quilted and bound.

And then I washed,dried, and gently folded it up.  It was ready to give.

I didn't get a chance to get a "cool, stylish" shot of the finished quilt before I gave it away.  It was, afterall, Christmas Eve when I finished it, but my youngest sister Sarah managed to take this snap at its unveiling.

I have a goal to make a quilt for every single person in my family.

It's ambitious, yes, but quilts are something you give to those you love the most.

A Belated Valentine's Post

My grandma gave me a really cool present. Though it makes me feel a bit odd that she's starting to give more stuff away. It's a little reminder that each day is a little closer to an end. I know that's sad, but it's how I feel about it. In any case I'm glad that she's very thoughtful in what she's giving me.

I didn't notice this when I was last in her sewing room, but it used to be my great-great grandmother's sewing chest of sorts. The laquer is chipping badly, but I cleaned it up and used a good wood oil on it to restore it a little. I kind of like the used look on it.



I don't think it's an antique as I can't find any markings on it, however it's old enough. She didn't clean it out when she gave it to me either so it was like digging thru a mini treasure trove of memories which were good and sad at the same time. Good because it showed me how alike we are, but sad because there were things she'd made for my grandpa years ago when her arthritis wasn't so bad.



There were others too. I'm going to buy a few little frames for them and put them up on my walls.



They feel more special to me than the desk itself. It's a piece of grandma and grandpa that I can always have nearby.

Grind

It's Saturday and I'm here at the "9-5" doing my part to keep my job and hold down the workload but it's hard. I've got alot on my heart right now, especially with Aaron being so far away in Iraq.

Lisa over at Lilfishstudios made me a very special and personal gift to send to him.



Thankyou :)

Aaron's Doing A-okay

He's the one on the right, yep that's my bro. Doesn't look like he's sweating his butt off too much :lol: They have to stay in full gear all day, well night actually as that's when he'll be running his missions. Thankfully it's a bit cooler and oddly enough "safer" to do their stuff at night.

Hang in there bud, you'll be home in 353 days :) Love you.

It's okay to let go, but

That doesn't mean it won't hurt. My brother Aaron is getting deployed to Iraq. His ceremony was last Saturday and it was sad and happy all at the same time. My dad is immensely proud of him, mom is worried sick and I, of course, don't want to see my oldest, youngest brother change from seeing death and real violence. But he has to go and we have to let him. Seems like this entire year has been filled with good-byes. He said he'll try and make it back for my wedding which would be a great honor, but I know how the military is and how deployment works. So all I can do is hope he'll be there.
He's in Mississippi right now doing the last of the prep work and he'll fly out the 1st of June if not sooner. I don't know if I'll get to see him one more time before he really leaves this country, but I'm going to make sure I'm there for him. I'll be praying for him every single day he's gone.

I'll miss you, be careful.





I grieve to leave, I grieve to leave this native land.
Across the sea, I'll wait for him to take my hand.
My every breath, my every bone.
Will draw what strength I have from home
and leave a tear
(leave a tear)
upon the rose.

I Reckon There's Some Truth In That

Hooray! Saturday! FINALLY! It's snowing here right now, nothing unusual. I was hoping to stay home sewing and playing WoW but I was informed that there was a gathering over at my grandma's later this afternoon. One of my brother's is being deployed to Iraq come May so he's only been home here and there as he goes off to various camps for training and debriefing. We're all a bit anxious about it, but I mean who wouldn't be. My bro, Aaron is playing it cool though as he always does.

So even though is snowing, bitterly cold out and I'm feeling especially lazy I'm draggin my butt down there to see him because you can't ever see the people you love too much.

All is Well

I've returned from my Grandpa's funeral humbled and a little happy. I know that must seem very weird because who thinks of being "happy" at a funeral. But yesterday I was. I felt content as we laid him to rest yesterday afternoon at the nearby Veterans Cemetery. Almost as if all the crying and sadness could conclude and be buried in the dirt along with the casket. Not that it won't come and go on it's own but it felt peaceful finally.
I know we're only burying a "vessel" as my Grandpa has long since been up in heaven, but that doesn't mean it hasn't hurt any less.

It's made me rethink a bit about my life goals, religion and family. I'm so happy to have such a close knit family. I mean I couldn't imagine trying to cope with this kind of grief alone. Grandma is doing fine, of course still sad, but I think she's pulling thru. 2 of my uncles are keeping with her till this weekend, then one of my sisters will be staying over thru the night on and off to help grandma get used to the house again. In a way I think we all feel better Grandpa has parted after a lifetime of battling diabetes, heart disease, and having only one kidney. He can finally rest and have some fun.

I can just hear him now telling us to stop making such a fuss over him. That it's embarassing him. That's Pop's for you. A quiet, steady presence always there with firm hand on your back pressing you forward.

Miss you Grandpa.

Forgive

My lack of posting has been distant due to family emergencies and now the passing of my dear grandfather.

Tumus will be temporarily closed till Wednesday January 14th so I can help my family and myself get thru this hard time.

Remember it's possible to laugh in every circumstance especially if it helps you remember the good times.