That's a very happy little boy.

This year after a number of years collecting various odd pieces of material to make a pieced quilt, I finally asked someone for help. You see I have been terrified to cut the material for 8 years now. What if I did it wrong? How could I pick which pieces to use together? How should I put them together? My perfectionist/OCD tendencies were out of control, and my dream of quilting was never going to come to fruition.

I was told that Sister Gayle Crookston is quite the quilter--she is a 1st place ribbon winner. She showed me some of the pieces she and her hubby have designed and made. They are amazing! She commented that if I ever wanted some help learning I should feel free to ask her. So after many months of working up my courage I asked her for some help. She was just as sweet as could be and helped me out right away. Gayle brought over a pattern for a "little quilt"--it's just 19" x 23". She assured me that only little pieces of material would be required, it would be quick, and I could start over if I messed up without much loss of time or supplies.
           (The quilt actually has the word Baby and a heart embroidered here under the blue flower in white; but alas, you can't really see it in the picture.)


Did she stop there? Oh, no. She went on to offer materials from her stash, which by the way is stocked with some very beautiful and fun pieces. Next she went through the pieces I had collected helping me pick the ones to use. The whole process took only 20 minutes. WOW! I couldn't believe how easy she made it.

So, I did it. All the material was washed. I laid the fabric out on the table. My blood pressure rose. I considered stopping. "No, be brave," I told myself. Now I had someone to be accountable to.  I cut the material. It was invigorating. Being a person of more left-brained tendencies, this feeling of being "creative" was starting to feel quite exciting to me. The quilt was begun.

Now the truly fun part for me. As I was cutting the fabric my little 4 year old Joseph came in. Of course a sharp cutting tool would get his attention.

"What are you doing, Mother?" (yes, he calls me mother.)
"Oh, I'm making a quilt."
"Who is it for?" asks the little boy.
"It's going to be a decoration."
He stops to ponder the situation quietly for a few minutes watching me cut.
Then, "Mother, Baby would love a blanket like that," replies the little boy.

And with that simple request the mother's heart melted.  It was decided then and there that two little blankets would need to be made.  One blanket would be for the mother to decorate with, and the second blanket would be for the little boy's baby doll named Baby.  All fear of cutting fabric or messing it up faded away as I thought of the joy the little boy would soon experience.

This baby doll belonged to the mother once upon a time.  In fact, said baby doll is approximately 35 years old now.  Her days have been many, but none so filled with fun, adventure, and love as those shared with the little boy.  Baby has recently undergone surgery to repair her hands which had fallen apart due to the loving play the little boy shared with her.  He sleeps with her tucked in tight under his arm every night.  He drags her around most places.  One winter he even carried her around the house tucked up the back of his shirt, head sticking out of the top.  He loves Baby.

So, at long last, Baby and Little Jo are enjoying the blanket it took the mother about 8 years to make.  His has only waited since spring of this year.  I credit Gayle Crookston for her hands on support and encouragement, and Little Jo for his sweet request that this accomplishment has happened.  If it weren't for these two people the fabric would still be sitting in the box.

Thank you, Gayle and Joseph.