It has been a hot minute since I have had an urge to blog. It has been a fun and busy year and I am not even sure where I want to start. This will be the first of a few updates over the next several days. I’m so grateful for this crazy life I get to live.

If you’ve been following along, you know one of my hobbies is quilting. I really really love it. After I finished my first two quilts, I signed up to be in a double wedding ring quilt class. If you know anything about quilting, this is the mother ship! The Mecca. Why I thought this was a good idea was beyond me. I’m still trying to recall how long this took me. Months and months of dedication and perseverance. All of the little squares had to be cut by hand, not with a rotary cutter, making the task far more intricate than I initially anticipated. The way they were shaped made that tricky, requiring me to measure meticulously and cut carefully to ensure everything lined up perfectly. The sewing of each little square was a learning experience in itself, as I had to familiarize myself with the complexities of sewing on a curve. It took me three months to get the front put together, and then I sat and stared at it for several months, both proud of my progress yet intimidated by the next steps. The edges are scalloped, which I thought would add a beautiful touch, but in reality, it only heightened my anxiety. I was terrified to do the binding on it, unsure if I had the skills necessary to finish this monumental piece. I think I finally finished it close to a year after I started it, and the sense of accomplishment I felt upon completing it was absolutely overwhelming, making all those months of hard work worth every stitch.

But then I had to hide it away, carefully tucking it into a discreet corner of a closet. This was to be a gift for Abby and Jake, a beautiful symbol of love and warmth, and I was saving it for Abby’s bridal shower. So it sat folded for 8 months or so, a labor of love patiently waiting for the perfect moment to be unveiled. Today, my sisters and friends threw the most perfect bridal shower I have ever attended, filled with laughter, joy, and unforgettable memories. (That will be a separate post!). As the day unfolded, I finally got to give my daughter this precious keepsake, which I had poured my heart and soul into crafting. I wasn’t sure if she would understand the hours and hours that went into this quilt, but her reaction made it all worth it. The look of surprise and delight on her face was priceless, and in that moment, I knew that this gift was not just a quilt, but a cherished memory that would be passed down through generations.

Funny side note: I worked on this quilt right in front of Abby many times, and each time I couldn’t help but chuckle to myself at how oblivious she was to my secret project. Do you remember when your kids were little and you could buy them gifts right in front of them, all while they remained clueless? This was the same scenario. She never said, “Hey, what are you working on?” or, “That’s pretty! Who is that for?” It was as if she had a sort of selective vision when it came to my crafting endeavors. One time, she did walk through the room and jokingly asked, “Are you making me a quilt?” to which I simply laughed and rolled my eyes, knowing full well her comment was closer to a playful tease than an actual inquiry. Then this very blanket sat folded in her room for months, patiently waiting for the reveal. It was crazy she never even noticed it was there! She was in and out sporadically since she was busy away at college, and that particular room happens to be where I store my sewing supplies when I’m not using them. Every time she entered, it was right under her nose, yet it remained invisible to her! So funny! The thrill of pulling off this surprise has filled me with a sense of joy and accomplishment. I’m not quite sure if I have it in me to take on another one of these quilts for the other girls…we shall see!!