Today I rushed through my housework in order to spend time in my sewing room assembling some projects that have been on the go for a while.
Last year I shared HERE about the sudden passing of my dearly loved friend, Pam.
She left behind two teen sons, and two small daughters. After the initial shock I asked her husband if I could have some of her clothes to make memory quilts for the little girls. A couple of months later a box arrived at my door.
You know, I didn't realise at the time just how the grief I thought had lessened, would rear up so quickly at the sight of that box and leave me shattered and raw again.
The box sat unopened in my sewing room for two whole months.I would look at it, feel a tightening in my heart, and know I still could not face what was inside.
When I finally did open the box, I sat on the floor and piece by piece held Pam's skirts and shirts close to my heart and cried. Minutes later, the clothes bundled back into the box, I knew I still could not cut into any of them.
Another month passed before I decided it was time to wash the clothes, and once that was done, back into the box they went. I felt so guilty about this long delay in making the memory quilts, but I simply couldn't progress any faster. Grief kept taking over.
We moved house in January, and it was later that month before I opened the box once more, and this time I gathered strength and cut as much usable fabric as I could from the dozen articles inside. Then, you guessed it, back into the box the pieces went.
Each step has been a process toward healing, and I thank God for the gentleness with which He leads me forward. The other day I objectively looked over the fabrics I'd cut from the clothing.
Pam's clothes are not 'bright' or happy colours, so I really hit a brick wall in how to make pretty quilts for the two girls. Then, in a dream the other night the Lord showed me to use the fabrics for the quilt backings...the girls could have pretty quilt tops with my own fabrics, yet with Pam's clothing making up the back of the quilts these two cherubs would be "wrapped in their mummy".
So today I made one of the quilt tops...
...and tomorrow I will make the other.
Once they are done, I'll open the box again, make two quilt backs, and finish the promise. It's the right time, and my heart is ready.
This week I have been stitching a new Christmas design.
Last year I did a small redwork stitchery for my e-zine, and I loved it so much that I have re-worked it into a larger project in pastel green and salmon, with extra detail and additional blocks...
Honestly, I just love it!
I started with these blocks today...
...and an hour later had the wall hanging pieced and ready to be hand quilted!
This should be all finished tomorrow, then it's time to write the pattern - which should be in stores next month. Nothing like an early start to Christmas stitching, right?!
Thanks for listening today.
{{{hugs}}}
God bless you lots and lots!
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