The Big Huge Giant Project

Ok, so I've been talking about it for months.

More accurately, I've been using it as my excuse for not accomplishing anything else for months.

But The Big Huge Giant Project is done, packed, delivered, all that jazz.

Now, I finally get to share it with you.

I started it in March.

And then didn't touch it for almost 4 months.

In July, it occurs to me that time was moving & the project was not.  

 

Better work on it.

As you can see, I made progress.  I got all of the blocks finished & put together & the borders put on & the backing put together.  Now, it was time to quilt...

The quilting frame has taken up residence in our bedroom as there is no where else in the house where the quilt will remain kitty-free.  Steve is not thrilled with this plan, but he sighs & goes along with it. 

I spent most of August- October hand-quilting the main body, then machine quilted the borders.

Unfortunately for Steve, this meant me chasing him out of the house for the weekend since the dining room is the only place in the house big enough for me to do this.  

Good thing for me that he's an understanding man.  

(The fact that The Rangers were in the World Series for the first time ever & he had tickets to Sunday's game certainly didn't hurt my cause either.)

I got it almost completely done that weekend.

with a little bit of help.

Got the binding put on Monday night and shipped it off to Mom & Dad on Tuesday!

These pictures are ones that Mom sent me of the quilt on their bed. 

This project was a 40th Anniversary gift for my parents. 

 

I used dark red fabrics because the traditional 40th anniversary gift is a Ruby. 

Mom & I are both July babies, so I know she likes red!  

 

I used  a Log Cabin pattern for the blocks because it is a pattern that is traditionally given to new brides (better late than never).  

The meaning behind the block is that there will always be darkness in your life (death, illness, etc)--represented by the dark fabrics, but I wish for you to always have enough joy & light -- represented by the lighter colored fabrics-- to balance out the darkness in your life. 

I know that the last 40 years haven't been perfect for them.  

There have been deaths, divorces, life-threatening accidents, crazy family issues & daily struggles.  

 

But they always kept it together.  

 

And I never, ever, for a minute doubted their commitment to each other. 

They always found the light.  

They created the joy for their family to balance out the dark times. 

 

And they taught me how to find it, when I was convinced that it didn't exist.

I can only hope that they will always be able to find the light, in each other & in their family. 

Happy Anniversary Mom & Dad!!

I hope the next 40 years are just as good!

I love you!