A joyful beginning: there’s a baby on the way! The race is on to try to get the binding done on this Dallas Cowboys quilt before little Noah arrives.
We can’t wait to meet you, Noah! (But a few more days for that binding would be much appreciated, thanks!)
And and ending: someone I care an awful lot about shocked me with the news that her marriage is over, she’s getting divorced. Feeling that I needed to do something for her, I immediately started making quilt blocks.
The quilt will give her something warm and comforting to cuddle up in, a good excuse to take naps. Naps will be good for her. Throwing it across a chair will make any room feel a little happier. Happier will be good. And it will be something new, something that is just hers.
I’m calling it the Tough Chickie Quilt because it’s scrappy (made from scraps) to remind her that she can be scrappy (a tough little fighter) when she needs to be. So often we grow into the labels we give ourselves. Remember you’re Tough, Chickie.
The little bits of flannel, voile, seersucker and corduroy make for lots of textural interest –this quilt will feel good under her hands. Here’s hoping it will help soothe her heart, too.
My mind is full of beginnings, and endings and quilts.
CoopCrafts 
that baby quilt is amazing…I remember seeing a previous post about it (not that I’m stalking your blog or anything lol) did you write the pattern yourself? my dad is a big cowboys fan.
Hi, Amanda! Lol, stalk away! :) I bought the pattern on Etsy: http://www.etsy.com/listing/100313716/one-star-americana-patriotic-mini-quilt I changed the middle of the star, combining areas one, two and three with dark blue for the middle of the star, then a round of white, then more dark blue, then alternating white and gray. This was the first paper piecing I’d ever done and it was pretty easy. (Easy AFTER reading a paper piecing tutorial over and over to wrap my mind around the process!) The quilt is done with the same block, I just tilted it this way and that to give a little “movement”.
Powerful quilt you are making for one tough chickie. A Very thoughtful gesture on your part.
Thank you, Lori. I hope it helps her new space to feel more like home.
I love these, esp. the divorce quilt. I started quilting during my own divorce. Love the encouragement to “be scrappy.” Other metaphors come to mind: She’s going to have to piece her life back together into something beautiful; for a while she’s probably going to feel s(o)crappy, etc. So thoughtful of you to make this for your friend!
Oh, those are great! I love the s(o)crappy and piecing her life back together. :) Very cool that you started quilting during your divorce, it’s a good time to pick up a creative skill, something you can get lost in. And a bonus — something beautiful at the end!