A friend of my daughters asked me to make a quilt for her boyfriend, it was a scrappy, I spy quilt, where she wrote some of their favorite sayings in some of the blocks. I embroidered the "M" for UofM. This was made with all conversation prints, that she picked out, they were 5x10 inches so like a brick quilt. Well he wrote me a wonderful thank you letter, on how wonderful the quilt was, how could I part with such a great quilt, and also let me know how it would be used and loved. He had in the letter that he was covered up in it as he wrote the letter. I cried when I read his letter.

Now the saddest part, a few years they were traveling nurses, and went to California, she came home one day and he was dead (heart problem) in his late twenties. I could not get off work for the funeral and my daughter say "Mom be glad you didn't go" They had his quilt at the funeral home and talked about how much he loved it...

Then his family took it home after the service which hurt his girlfriend who had paid me to make it, after a few months my daughter told that his family gave it back to her.

I never expect to get high praise for one of my quilts when given in a large crowd. I'm make them for special people in my life. If they get one, they know they are special because I tell them this was made with love in honor of them. I also include the start and ending date. And if they think about it, they'll know I was blessing them for seveal weeks prior to the gifting.

I always strive to make quilts that I think will reflect the taste of the people I am making for. Sometimes I don't know them well.

My brother Patrick is getting married to a woman I really like, but have only met twice. I was at their apartment briefly two years ago. Hmmm. So, I started making a turning twenty quilt I have been thinking about for a while. Somehow, it didn't seem right. I sent a photo of the quilt laid out, and then called.

Patrick will love anything I make, but I really wanted Emily's opinion. It took me 20 minutes to get her to look at my quilts and give me some feedback. She finally confessed that she really loved my 1930's quilt, and loves the ones with white sashing. She felt so badly, and I corrected her- the other quilt will go to someone, or be raffled for a fund-raiser, but what I really want is to give them a quilt that THEY want.

So I am having a ball making a 1930's quilt with white sashing that they can treasure and use.

I also have to say again, I put my prayers and hopes for the recipient into the quilt. I also always tell them it is okay to pass it along if it is not to their taste. There is nothing wasted in my labor and intention- they are still there, and I want the quilt to be USED UP. Loved until it is in tatters. I don't make heirloom quilts. I make quilts to keep folks warm, body and soul.

I didn't get a thank you for one baby quilt I made until the baby was in her twenties. Then she mentioned how "she had loved it to pieces!" I can't wait until she has a baby so I can make another one.