I have a pretty finish to share today. I was waiting for it to be received by its new owner before I shared it with you. I made a scrappy jelly roll quilt, using the pattern by From Bolt to Beauty. Michelle calls it the Ridiculously Easy Jelly Roll Quilt and the name is accurate!
For some time now, I have wanted to make a quilt for my (first) mother in law. I have posted in the past about my first husband. He passed away in 1994. Since his death, I have stayed close to his mom. When she retired, JoAnne moved up to the foothills and lives only 60 miles or so from me. We used to have girl’s day out together fairly often, going to lunch and shopping. She has developed some health issues that make this a bit of a challenge. Between her health and the chronic migraines I deal with, we rarely actually see each other now. But we do talk on the phone, text and generally keep in touch. I am grateful for our friendship.
JoAnne developed some problems with her back which necessitated surgery. She waited and waited because of the pandemic but finally her doctor said she needed to have it taken care of. After surgery, she went home to her son and DIL’s house to recover. Unfortunately, she took a tumble, breaking her leg just one day after getting home. Back to the hospital she went, this time for surgery on her leg. It has been a really rough time for her. I decided I needed to get her quilt finished up so she could cozy up with it while she recuperates.
Making this scrappy quilt was a lot of fun. I had a portion of an older Moda jelly roll hanging around and I cut 2 1/2″ strips from various fabrics that worked with it. For the background I used an off-white polka dot fabric I used to stock in the shop. The soft colors, shades of pink, green, brown and off-white, were selected because I knew they would be loved by my mother in law.
I backed it with a cute text print that is all about family and home. Two things very important to both me and JoAnne. This Kimberbell print is called Make Yourself at Home. (There is still a small amount left in the shop.)
When I was quilting it (on my friend’s Tiarra sit down quilter) I used lots of loops and a variety of flowers. I also tucked in my late husband’s first name. See it above?
Just below his name, I also put his birthday. I thought she would love these bits about Mark to be in the quilt.
In the photo above, my sister in law and her daughter are looking for Mark’s name and birthday. I had tucked a note in with the quilt telling JoAnne I had stitched them in for her.
Today we had a fun gab session on FaceTime and I think she loves the quilt. It makes me happy to have finally made a quilt for her. I don’t know why I didn’t do this years ago. But now was the time – after two surgeries, lots of pain and discomfort, she is going to need to take it slow and heal. The whole experience has been so stressful with the extra layer of nonsense the pandemic adds. When she was in the hospital she couldn’t have anyone with her. This is just the worst. Being in pain and on lots of different medications makes it so hard to think clearly and make decisions. The doctors were, for the most part, pretty good about working with my brother-in-law as he was advocating for his mom. But not having anyone in the room with you is so miserable and lonely. I am really grateful she is home with her son and finally getting better.
The virus is really getting crazy in California. The governor has mandated a 10pm curfew until December 21, 2020. I wish everyone would take it seriously, stay home and keep the darn mask on when they have to be out and about. It is hard – I get that. People are lonely. But until there is a vaccine, it is the only way to keep things under control. What a mess. I hope you are staying safe and healthy. Be careful and try to be patient. This won’t last forever.
I was so inspired by this news of Dolly Parton’s donation to help fund the Covid vaccine. Her generosity is inspiring. We need all the positive news we can find. There is far too much going wrong in the world and it is nice to read about people trying to do good.
Linking up with Brag About Your Beauties, Whoop Whoop, and Finished or Not Friday. Hop on over and take a look. Lots of quilty inspiration to be had on those link ups!
What a beautiful gift, with such heart! Her happy face says it all.
Oh golly, I’m just a bit teary-eyed after reading this post. I love that the two of you still keep in touch and are good friends. It’s wonderful that you have made this quilt for her, when you can’t be with her to bring comfort. It’s like a big hug she can wrap herself in each day. I hope she heals quickly, without any further issues! Lovely post, Bernie!
Bernie this quilt is just beautiful. Love the colors and the pattern, and you did a fantastic job on it! What a sweet gift for JoAnne, and it was so nice to see her reaction to it.
Have a happy Thanksgiving! We are celebrating early on Thursday with Jenni and family before they go to his folks’ house late afternoon. The rest of the family has other plans (and we no longer live close!), so we will look forward to a Christmas get-together with everyone. I can’t wait for my Thanksgiving evening turkey sandwich. 😉
So sweet to add her son’s name and birth date. Her small shows how much she loves it.
I have the pattern and will make one in 2021.
Hi Patricia – You’ll like the pattern. I turned a few things upside down here and there but that is just how my brain is! A little seam ripping took care of it. Thanks for your note. Happy Thanksgiving!
Your gift is beautiful and cozy – perfect for recuperating. What a heartwarming post to read. This just shows so much human spirit in you to care like you do. Wish others had your compassion in life. Maybe we would be in a better place right now and not where we are.
Thanks Kathy. I think (especially in the quilting community) there is a huge amount of compassion and human spirit. It is what draws me into this world of ours. 🙂
Oh Bernie – YOU are the good news. Kindness is so important every day but especially in these crazy times. Beautiful quilt and perfect timing I think! Keep on doing good. It is like a pebble in a pond – the ripple of goodness goes on and on.
I feel the same about you Barb. I was actually thinking of you the other day and hoping you have settled in and are feeling at home in your new place. Take care and stay healthy.
Hi Bernie! What a fabulous post. It just brings tears to my eyes. {{Hugs}} What a wonderful, kind, thoughtful person you are. The quilt carries such love in it that anyone who uses it can’t help but feel all of it. What a great example you are for your daughter, family, and friends. Thank you for sharing this special story and quilt with us. ~smile~ Roseanne
Thanks Roseanne. I think all quilts carry emotion to the person who receives/uses it. Don’t you? That is the cool part!!
Your mother-in-law looks sooo friendly. She must be a real joy to be with. So very sorry for all her pain. Blessings to her and you. The quilt is wonderful and will not only keep her warm, but will remind her of your love for her and her son.
You are spot on Carol. JoAnne is soooo friendly. She is doing better and will appreciate reading your comments when she comes across this post!
What a beautiful quilt and such a sweet gift to your first mother-in-law. I love that you put things in it that would mean so much to her. I love the hidden in plain sight part of quilting – I need to remember to do more of that. Congratulations on a terrific finish and gift.
Though the lettering might be less than perfect, I do love putting in little extra things. Thanks a bunch Kathleen!
Oh, Bernie, I teared up! It reminds me how much I miss my own mother in law, who was just a lovely person. How lucky both of you are. The quilt is beautiful and I’m sure she is just loving it. I hope she heals up quickly after that string of bad luck. She does look happy to be home. Have a lovely day!
Thank you Mari. She is doing much better though I am sure anxious to be up and around more. It has been quite the long haul for her.
What a special quilt. It clearly means a lot to her; seeing the big smile on her face says so much!
I love the picture to Yvonne. Such a happy smile.
That’s a beautiful quilt, Bernie, and the perfect comfort for the special person she is to you! Lovely finish!
Thanks Diann! Hope you and your husband have a wonderful weekend.
You are such a wonderfully caring woman Bernie, and you bring joy into so many peoples lives, such as JoAnne’s! I always wish that we lived closer, so that we could get together for walks. This quilt is lovely, and JoAnne’s smile is full of happiness (I believe). I feel so sorry for her pain and difficulties, but know that this warm and love-filled quilt is just the right medicine. Thank you for continuing to be a bright light Bernie! Always wearing my mask, Laurie 🙂
Love your signature!! I am the same – gotta keep the mask on. 🙂
Such a wonderful, heart-warming post! You are so lucky to have a loving relationship with your (former) MIL. Perfect touches added to this quilt will always give this piece extra meaning to her and cover her with love! I made this quilt pattern, too, but didn’t have as much luck with it. Mine was filled with mistakes, but probably (hopefully?) not noticed by the recipient. Yours is gorgeous, Bernie!
Hmmm, I do believe we are our own worst critics – both in life and quilting. I suspect the recipient of your quilt loves it. I had strips turned around and upside down a few times and had to use the seam ripper more than once. But it finished well over all. I also added some strips to make it wider. Hope you are staying safe and healthy Kathy!
What a beautiful quilt and so good to read your heart warming blog post. Thank you for sharing this Bernie – as you say we all some good news to keep us going in these troubled times.
Thank you Allison! Good news all the way around – she is loving her quilt and getting stronger. Stay positive and healthy Allison.
What a lovely quilt story. You brought tears to my eyes. Wishing a quick recovery to you mom-in-law! I know the quilt will help.
Thank you Joan. Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours.
Bernie, bless you for the lovely warm quilt you made for JoAnne. Her smile says it all! I love, love, love word fabrics and immediately went to your store and placed my order for the Kimberbell fabric! I have collected word fabrics for years and try to incorporate “words” into every quilt I make. Thanks so much for this lovely family story, warmed my heart as I was very sad this morning considering our family will not be together for this Thanksgiving, first time ever to not have a house full of love and chatter. I will be watching the mail box for those lovely words….Thank you!
You are welcome Dawn – I saw your order and it goes out today! Our Thanksgiving will also be very quiet compared to what we normally do. Such is life in 2020. Enjoy it anyway as we do have so much to be thankful for. Take care.
Love the quilt. I hope your MIL is feeling better and back on her feet soon. We have had our restrictions tighten up a bit today. I appreciate everyone is tired and struggling, but we all have to buckle down and do what’s needed for the whole of the entire community/society/etc. People need to get it together and fast.
I completely agree Anja. And the thing is, that vaccine is so close. Won’t be widely available right away but it is the light at the end of the very long tunnel we have been in. Hoping people can just hang in there and hunker down for a while yet.
A wonderful story and a beautiful gift. Thanks for sharing this, Bernie. I hope JoAnn is feeling better and is up and about soon x
Thank you Kirsty. She is doing well as can be expected at this point in the process. I know she is really looking forward to a walking cast/boot set up so she can try being up and around a bit. Long ordeal, that is for sure.
Bernie, what a beautiful quilt for your mother-in-law. I love the family photos, name and birthday. It’s all about love. Now for healing! Ouch, I can’t imagine. A quilty hug will help.
Oh my gosh – I am with you. Lots of pain and the second surgery was such a miserable thing to happen. I think she is on the mend though. Thanks Tracie. 🙂
Your MIL will feel very special and loved when wrapped in her lovely quilt.
That is my hope Karen. Thanks so much for your note. 🙂
Bernie, your post has been a delightful, inspiring read as I have my first cuppa and get ready to start my day. Well done! I can feel the love and sense of accomplishment. You have enveloped her in the biggest perpetual hug she could ever imagine!
It looks as though you and I enjoy the same bit of blog reading with the first cup of the day. I am sitting and waiting for the coffee to be ready. Nothing better than that first cup. Thanks Karen. 🙂
Oh I can not tell you how happy this makes me – just knowing you wanted to make a quilt for her, and then having everything actually be the right time – it is just perfect!! and it is the best hug ever!!!
You are so sweet Alycia. The timing did work out quite nicely with all of this. Unfortunate circumstances but yes – a nice hug to be sure.
What a lovely gift, Bernie! And what sounds like a very special friendship. A quilt to recuperate with is fabulous, may it help bring speedy recovery.
Thank you Emily! I do appreciate our friendship – I was telling her that I have known her now for 44 years! I started dating my first husband when I was sixteen. Long, long time ago!
So nice, Bernie! What a great gift at a time your MIL could really use it! I like that you included memories of your DH. That pattern is on my want-to-make list.
Thank you Nancy. It is a great pattern – I know you could quilt one of your gorgeous designs on it too!!
Oh my gosh, Bernie — this whole post is beautiful, not just the quilt but the story behind it and the loving relationship that you still share with Mark’s mom. All of this love that ties families together through thick and thin — THAT’s what we have to be thankful for in 2020. Hugs to you and yours; have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
Thank you Rebecca. I agree – Family is everything. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday!!
Beautiful finish and story. I love the soft colors in the quilt and the personal touches you added through the quilting.
Thank you Cheryl. She is really special to me and I am so pleased to see her loving this quilt!
What a lovely gift. I enjoy the details of the quilting and the personal touches you added. I love that last picture with JoAnne’s big smile with her quilt. Thank you for linking up to Show Me Something!
Thank you Sarah. I only wish I had made a quilt for her a long time ago. Somehow it didn’t happen. So I am really glad I made this one and that she is so happy with it. 🙂