A Wedding Gift

Forgive me for tooting my own horn here for a bit please.  But I made something.  And I'm really, kinda proud of it, and so I want to share it with you, k?

You see, I have this friend named Mindy, who is one of the smartest, sweetest, kindest people I know.  Mindy is the person at my office who we all call when there is something goofy going on with our computers.  She knows right away how to fix it up perfectly.  Mindy has been dating Jon for like a million years.  One day, not too long ago, like maybe only a thousand years ago, Jon finally decided to ask Mindy to be his wife.  Yay!  Mindy came into work the next day with a rock on her hand and a smile on her face that hasn't quit.

I knew right away that I wanted to make something for Mindy that would be very special.  The wheels in my brain started spinning immediately.  But the wedding wasn't going to be for over a year, so I had PLENTY of time to whip something together.

When word came out at work that there was a shower in the works for her and I hadn't started anything yet, I got a little worried.  I'd still be ok though, because the shower was over a month away. 

I decided on a quilt, so I started scouring the internet for something fun to do.  I picked a pattern and Morgan and I headed to the fabric store to pick out some material.  Alright!  The project has officially started!  Then it sat in the bag for about a week.  Plenty of time, right?

So when I finally decided it was time to get serious, I cut strips and strips of fabric,

And started sewing them together.  Then I ran out of the white fabric with the red flowers, and the red fabric.  So I went back to the store and counted my blessings that I could find the same patterns and buy more.  For the record, that NEVER happens.

Strips were sewn together, and Morgan helped me huge here with cutting them apart as they were attached to the growing squares.  And then I ran out of yellow fabric and brown fabric.  SONOFA!  (I was going to link to the site where I found the pattern for this, but clearly the measurements for how much fabric you will need are not quite accurate.  Google log cabin quilt if you are interested in finding a pattern similar to this!!)What were the chances I'd be able to go back to the store and find more of the same again?  Twice in one project?  I had my doubts.  The higher ups must have known how important this project was though, and how devistated I'd be if I wasn't able to finish it according to plan, because luck was certainly on my side.  I found both patterns again, and was able to get more.

More strips of fabric were sewn together to make squares.

Squares were sewn together to make rows.

Rows were sewn together to make a quilt.

The top was finished and all I could think of was how happy I was with how this was turning out and how I hoped Mindy and Jon would be happy with it as well.

All sewn together and ready to be quilted and bound.

Which was finished approximately 1.5 hours before the shower began.  No sweat.  Plenty of time.

Now for the fun part.  Giving the gift to the bride-to-be!  (Isn't she cute?)

This look.  This one.  THIS makes every single stitch worth it.  Every second of my time that went into this quilt had served it's purpose.  

Yes, I'm sorry Mindy that I didn't have time to clip all the strings and wash your quilt before giving it to you.  I, um, ran a little short on time and really needed to shower before your shower.  hehe.  (and why yes, that IS a birthday gift bag thankyouverymuch.  It served the purpose just fine, I think!)

I didn't think you'd mind too much.

Mindy, I really am honored to know you, and call you my friend.  Like I said in the card I attached to the gift, I hope you and Jon will snuggle under this blanket together for many, many years to come.  I'm so sorry we aren't able to make the journey out to Michigan to watch you and Jon become husband and wife, but know that I'll be thinking of you all day long on that special day.

Love you honey!!

XOXOX

NH