18 May 2012

Blogger's Quilt Festival

Hooray for Amy! It's time for the Spring 2012 Blogger's Quilt Festival


Amy's Creative Side

I for one have been thinking long and hard about which quilt to enter this year. I have more finished quilts this time around to choose from, which makes me happy, but it makes for more choices.

But I kept coming back to this quilt.

 The only picture I had was in the snow. So of course I had to retake the picture in springtime!
 Although it does look good on top of the snow.

And now the story. I had my fifth and last child last October. She was born in the middle of law school mid-terms for my husband, and came via emergency c-section. I named her Caroline after my late maternal grandmother, who had passed away last May.

It was my hardest recovery of all my babies. I always struggle with post-partum depression, and this time was just a little bit worse. I can normally count on my body bouncing back pretty quickly, but that wasn't happening. I won't go into gory details. Let's just say it involved a whole lot more visits to the doctor, urgent care and ER than all the others combined.

Enter Pam Kitty Morning, my favorite fabric line. It was bright, cheery, and fun to work with. I wanted to make a Victory Garden quilt, both as a tribute to my Rosie the Riveter grandmother (she's got a great story!) and as a memory of one of the things that got me through this winter. Downton Abbey.
 As silly as it might be, I looked forward to each and every episode. I love British period pieces, and this has been no different. I had two escapes from my fog of depression: working on quilts and watching Downton. Mary is my favorite. Don't hate me, but I love her.

With this quilt, it was a pattern I could do a little at a time and not forget what I was working on. And the blocks came together so well but appeared so difficult that I couldn't help but be tickled at it all. I machine quilted it in an all-over loopy design, taking time and walking away when I had to. And now it's the quilt I get the most compliments on. In fact, my mom wants a king-sized version for her bed.

And now I have a perfect lap quilt to snuggle under while I watch Downton reruns. Do I really have to wait until January? Yikes!

The lovely part is that while the depression is gone, the passion for quilting, or Downton, does not bring back the depressed feelings. Instead, it reminds me that no matter how dark things get, there is always something to light your way out of it. You just have to find it.

Have a lovely time looking at all the quilts during the festival, and thanks for stopping by!

28 comments:

  1. Oooh my goodness me this is my favourite quilt of the festival so far and I love the story that goes with it too although my favourite character is the one Maggie Smith plays - just hilarious!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Great quilt and lovely ending to go with it.

    ReplyDelete
  3. that's fab! As a brit, I approve ;-)

    ReplyDelete
  4. Oh I LOVE LOVE LOVE your quilt! Thanks for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Love this quilt, and the story behind it. Naturally, I am also a Downton fan too!

    ReplyDelete
  6. I love this pattern! My husband is a big anglophile and it just makes me think of him.

    ReplyDelete
  7. very lovely. this is the first one of these that I have really really liked. maybe it's the fabric choices.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Wonderful quilt! I truly believe that quilting has restorative properties and that is why we keep making quilts! They make us and others we love feel warm and loved. Take care~

    ReplyDelete
  9. It's gorgeous.

    And I love Mary, too. I heard we only have to wait until September but I could be wrong... Fingers crossed!

    ReplyDelete
  10. a beautiful quilt with a beautiful story! I'm glad you were able to find the support you needed to get through that difficult time.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Love your quilt. That is a great story and I have never watched that show. Maybe it is on Netflix..? Thanks for your comment on my quilt!! I love that :) Glad to have found ya.

    ReplyDelete
  12. I LOVE your quilt, I LOVE Downton Abbey, and I LOVE Mary! : ) Isn't it funny how we associate a TV show with a quilt? I worked on a patchwork of French fabrics while watching Downtown Abbey, and every time I see the quilt top, I think of the show. Btw, your quilt is outstanding! : )

    ReplyDelete
  13. I love your quilt - I really want to make that one! Thanks for sharing about your troubles after baby no. 5. I know what you mean. Although I didn't have PPD I struggled after the birth of my second baby - he had reflux and colic and all he seemed to do was cry. It took its toll. For me, it was 30 Rock and Pinterest that got me through - you need an escape don't you?

    ReplyDelete
  14. Downton Abbey and quilts - you speak my language, Jennie! I love this quilt, and can definitely vouch for the therapeutic effect of quilting. Cheaper than counselling any day LOL. You've done a fantastic job with this quilt, and I don't know how you did it with a brand new bub to look after (and 4 others as well). You are Supermum in my book!

    ReplyDelete
  15. I love your quilt and the wonderful story behind it.

    ReplyDelete
  16. So Fun!!

    Hope you visit my blog too,

    margaret gunn
    www.quiltsoflove.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  17. Lovely quilt! Thanks for sharing your story. Having a hobby is so crucial...its not just a time user! I'm a Downton fan too...can't wait for next season too.

    ReplyDelete
  18. I'm a Downton Abbey fan, big time. Love your quilt!

    ReplyDelete
  19. I'm a fan of Downton Abbey too, and I love your quilt. This pattern has been on my to-do list for a while, I need to get to it.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Beautiful quilt and beautiful story! You have such a great attitude towards going through a rough time.

    ReplyDelete
  21. I hear ya. My third was the only one when I didn't have troubles afterward. A light at the end of the tunnel helps but sometimes we need a flashlight in the tunnel. Long walks with my little ones in the stroller and reading afted bedtime get me out and back to myself.
    The fabric looks great in this pattern. This line isn't my favorite but it looks so great I'm reconsidering.

    ReplyDelete
  22. This is a beautiful quilt for how it looks and more for how it's helped you become a stronger and healthier person.

    ReplyDelete
  23. I love that show - it's so awesome! I can't wait for the second season. Nothing better than a good show and quilting! :) Your quilt is lovely.

    ReplyDelete
  24. I started looking through your blog coming from sew mama sew. What a great post, close to home for me. I love this: "Instead, it reminds me that no matter how dark things get, there is always something to light your way out of it. You just have to find it."

    Thanks for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
  25. What a beautiful quilt! I, too struggled with PPD many, many years ago. But only with my first baby. (My daughter is 35.) So glad you were able to find something to help ease the pain and help pull you through!

    ReplyDelete
  26. great quilt! and wonderful, poignant story. so glad you've gotten through. quilting is so good for more of us, i think. keeps me busy and thinking good thoughts of whomever i'm making it for--even for me, sometimes! too, i like downton--if nothing but for the clothes and scenery. interesting people in it, that's for sure. thanks for sharing and have a great day. (i live in central washington)

    ReplyDelete

"The more things you do, the more you can do."

Lucille Ball