Wayyy back in the fall of 1992 I moved to State College, Pennsylvania. This was a huge change for our little family; me, my husband and our three young boys. My (first) husband was taking a break from his job teaching at a local community college in California and studying for his PhD in Instructional Technology. We sold our 20 acre farm in California and moved to a little neighborhood near the university. Neither of us had ever lived in the mid-west, lived in a snowy climate, or relocated to a place so far from family, friends and all that was familiar!
We decided he would go to school and I would have an in-home daycare, making just enough money to get by while he got his degree. I went through the process and got the house and myself licensed and put an ad in the paper. It was nerve wracking, to say the least. Almost immediately, I had response from Rich and Denese. They were in a similar stage of life where Rich was pursuing his PhD and she was working as an attorney. They needed full-time childcare for their toddler, James, becoming one of my first families.
James and my youngest son are two weeks apart in age, both were just turning two years old. The two of them together made for a very dynamic duo. They were both so active, impulsive and basically into everything! It was a wild and very fun time.
As most of you know, my husband passed away suddenly in spring of 1994. During this horrific time, Rich and Denese jumped right in, helping wherever they could. After the kids and I moved back to CA, Rich and Denese came to visit the following summer, checking in on us and providing great comfort to me. When I remarried, Denese and her mom came back to California to be at the wedding. They have always been there, even from a distance, for many years.
Fast forward to several months ago, I learned Denese was diagnosed with breast cancer. She is fortunate in that this cancer is treatable and she will come through it. But we all know it is a miserable experience to go through the surgeries, chemo and radiation that are necessary to quell the cancer.
Of course my first thought was to send Denese a quilt. I wanted her to have it while dealing with chemo and the exhaustion that is so prevalent during this time. So I looked at the quilts I had in process and decided the diamond quilt was meant for her – we are great friends and diamonds are also ‘a girl’s best friend’! So I finished up the top and started quilting it. Of course then my machine went on the fritz and it spent two weeks in the shop.
The quilting design happened organically. First I decided to do a couple of passes on the diamonds, anchoring them down with a few lines echoing the small center diamond. Then I did a pass echoing just half of the larger diamond.
After this was done the straight line quilting began. The lines are free hand, using the last line be my guide for the next line. The widths are similar but not exactly the same, if that makes sense. I almost never quilt a lap quilt so heavily but this seemed to be the right thing for this quilt. Also, the lines don’t go top to bottom. I worked in sections so they loop up and down at various points – boy, I am not writing this clearly, hence why I am not a pattern designer!!
The backing is a gorgeous floral I had on hand. The binding, however, was a trick for me. One would think with all of the many colors on the front, it would be a snap to pick a binding. But the backing has only four colors (green, black, white and pink) and nothing looked right. A trip to the fabric shop was needed and I found this mottled green that looked pretty from both sides.
Post Update: If you are interested in making these diamond blocks, I used the tutorial over at Bonjour Quilts. Here is the link to it. These blocks are a breeze. I offset them by adding space between the blocks as well as a sashing strip between columns.
After a quick wash (with lots of color catchers to protect that white background), the quilt was sent off to Denese. I am happy to say she really likes it. I truly hope it brings comfort to her as she goes through the rest of her treatments. I know the latter parts 2024 will be a better time for her but currently, she has more to endure. Fortunately, she has really good family support to help her get through all of this. Plus one quilt from her best friend out in California.
Sharing to my favorite link ups. See the Link Up tab at the top of the page.
Gorgeous quilt to provide comfort and one amazing story of friendship through all the ups and downs of our years. For someone who says they can’t write pattern instructions you sure can write a beautiful story brought to life. Prayers for her during the holidays to be of good health to enjoy them.
Hi Kathy – thank you so much. Writing a post is easy for me – anything technical…. not so much!
But I am happy to hear from you and your prayers for Denese are appreciated! Merry Christmas.
Supporting each other through life’s up and downs is true friendship. You two are the best! Happy Holidays to all of you and may the New Year bring healthy days! Blessings, Dawn
PS: The quilt is lovely and will bring her much comfort.
Thanks Dawn. It is true that friends often see each other through the ups and downs in life. I am happy to have made this quilt for her and was so grateful during the times she supported me. Merry Christmas to you and your family.
Lovely story. Thanks for sharing. I wish your friend a smooth path to health.
Thank you Annette. I hope she is on the other side of this soon as possible. No fun at all. She will get there though. She is a tough cookie.
that is such a good present for your friend and I hope she will come through treatment and recovery quickly. What an experience you had in your life in Pennsylvania but you came through it all with friends by your side
Yes – I don’t know how people do it without friends and family when tragedy strikes. We all need to be there for each other. Take care and Happy Holidays Karen.
What a great friendship! Glad you had a top ready and it’s beautiful 😻
Thanks so much Pamela!
Your story is very close to me, my daughter being a19 year breast cancer survivor, she has so many friends that have been supportive to her through the years. She is a super star for Relay for Life, and is an advisor for newly-diagnosed cancer patients. I am very proud of her. Your gift to your friend is so meaningful and attention to her is a great comfort…being a best friend is the what;s needed now…and that’s what you are.. Thanks for posting.
Barbara
Thank you Barb. I didn’t realize your daughter was so involved with the Cancer Society. It sounds like you really relate to this post. Hope you will be spending the holidays with your children. Take care and Merry Christmas.
I’m so lucky. I love it and Bernie.
What a lovely quilt for a friend in need. Your story is so touching. The people we meet when our kids are young can often be our most cherished pals later in life. How wonderful to have them in your life through thick and thin. The quilt is perfect and sure to be support for all the tougher days ahead. Nothing like being wrapped in a loving blanket!!
Thank you Elana. It is mind boggling to think our friendship began nearly 30 years ago! Those little boys in the picture both turned 33 this past October. Isn’t it crazy…. But we are still in touch – sometimes long stretches go by without communication but the friendship remains.
Take care. B.
Your quilt REALLY spoke to me, on so many levels. We quilters make quilts because we love it, and it gives us a way to show love, support, and encouragement to others – those who are known and unknown. I’ve never wanted to make one of these as they looked ‘fussy’ to me to make, but your quilt really caught my interest. Looking closely these are pretty easy to make and your organic wavy lined quilting is something I’ve done in the past, too, and loved the effect. The quilting really highlights those colorful diamonds, making those stand out. The quilt design just went to the top of my list of “must makes” – thank you for sharing what I always thought was “not for me”, what a turnaround for me! I absolutely LOVE it! Merry Christmas to you and your family.
Hello Deb – How great you are wanting to make a similar quilt. I used the tutorial from Bonjour Quilts – Kirsty makes it so easy. Half Rectangle blocks with a stitch/flip corner to create the center diamond. Here is a link: https://www.bonjourquilts.com/diamond-quilt/. I will update the post to include this info. I totally forgot when I wrote this. Enjoy it!!
Merry Christmas Deb!
Greetings from State College, where we are having mild temperatures, a smattering of sunny days and very little snow so far! The quilt you have gifted to your friend will be sure to brighten these dull winter days and lift her spirits. Quilting is joy doubled, first for the maker to create and give something that they have put time, creativity, and heart into, then repeated for the recipient, knowing they are valued, loved and remembered with such a thoughtful gift. Blessings X2! Best wishes to your friend!
Malinda – State College was such a wonderful place to live. We really and truly loved it. Neither Denese nor I live there any longer but it was really a wonderful town and university.
I love your philosophy about quilting being joy doubled. This is so true. Thank you for sharing that with us.
Best wishes for a wonderful holiday season.
Denese sounds like an amazing friend and she definitely needs your quilt, Bernie! It turned out beautifully. I really like the quilting you did on it – I need to try something like that sometime. It’s a good feeling to be able to send some comfort to a friend who needs it!
Thank you Diann. I am pleased with the final look of the quilt. Fortunately, Denese seems to love it as well! Just what I was hoping for. The quilting took time but was quite simple. Go for it!
Wow! What a great story. And to have such deep and abiding friendship with someone is such a blessing!
All the best to Denese.
Merry Christmas to you Bernie!
Jesus is the reason for the season.
Hugs, Heidi
Heidi: Thank you so much. I love reading all of these comments with people sending prayers and good energy to Denese. What a sweet community of readers. Nice to hear from you!! Take care, B.
Bernie, this was such a thoughtful gift for a dear friend who does need all the love and support right now. Both of you sound like true gems.
What a wonderful gift for a dear friend. I am sorry that she must go through cancer treatments but hope that they are tremendously successful for her. Heading to PA on Friday, I was born and raised in Reading, and know many who have spent time in State College PA. I never did, which I also find odd. I am happier on the coast, but love some of PA and the farm and Amish sections are just beautiful.
Thanks so much Kathleen. I didn’t know you hailed from PA. It is such a pretty state. The rolling hills and the Amish country are gorgeous. While we do have nice fall colors here in Washington, it pales to that in PA. I loved driving through PA and enjoying the leaves.
I hope you have a wonderful Christmas holiday Kathleen. Safe travels!!
I was diagnosed with breast cancer 7 years ago. The one thing I hated having to do was telling my mother because , when I was seven, my six year old brother died. I `was so scared that she wouldn’t be able to handle that I had cancer. Instead, she looked me in the eyes, told me that she KNEW I would survive. Then she made me a quilt in the few days before I started chemo. Having that quilt felt like having my mother’s arms around me.
I loved reading that you made your friend a quilt, because I know what mine meant to me.
Hi Torry: What a lovely comment. I knew you had gone through this ordeal too. (Too many women have)! How wonderful your mom was to be so supportive and strong for you. I am so glad you beat cancer and are doing well now.
What an amazing quilt for an amazing friend! She is going to love being wrapped up in diamonds!
What a sweet thought – wrapped in diamonds. I like that Terry. 🙂
Beautiful quilt, and your description of the quilting made perfect sense to me. Lovely finishing, it will surely bring her warmth and quilty hugs as she goes through this ordeal. Best of luck to her treatments.
Thank you Carole. This is just what I am hoping for.
What a wonderful story! Isn’t that always our first thought – to make a quilt for comfort? Sometimes I think it comfort us too in the making, with the thoughts and prayers that go into each stitch. The quilt is beautiful and the quilting is genius!
I think you are right Linda – it was a comfort to make it for Denese. I think this is also why I donate so many of the quilts I make – it actually helps me to think maybe I am providing a little bit of comfort to someone who needs it.
Oh goodness, friends like Denese are an absolute treasure. I’m so sorry to hear about what she is going through right now, incredibly thankful to hear that she is expected to make a full recovery, and I will be thinking of her. What a wonderful gift to send to her to help provide comfort during her treatment and recovery.
Thank you Yvonne- some of my dearest friends are people with whom I don’t talk on a regular basis. But when we do, it is so easy to just pick up where we left off. Denese is like that. I am confident she will get to the other side of this but that doesn’t mean it will be easy. Lousy luck I suppose. So
We all need out mammograms (which I know you are good about) and need to appreciate our health.
This is just so lovely Bernie. What a wonderfully quilted gift for your close friend. It’s a tough road and the quilt will help provide hugs from away. I am set to start making one for a friend who is at about the same stage. I agree that the white spaces benefitted by a lot of quilting lines but I would have run out of patience part way thru! Well done. As a relatively new follower I did not realize you had become a widow and were remarried. That’s also a very tough journey.
Hi Bernie- this has been really difficult so far and a he has several months to go yet. Not an easy process for sure.
Yes- I was widowed back in 1994. Mark was 36 when he suffered an aneurysm in his brain stem. Really tough for a long while. But life is great now- not in small part due to the support of family and friends like Denese and Rich.
What a wonderful friendship, Bernie!!! And a wonderful quilt gift, too! The organic quilting lines give it a modern vibe!!!
Thank you Nancy! Take care and all the best in 2024!
That’s a great finish. I hope your friend recovers quickly. I’m sure the quilt will bring her some comfort.
Thank you Anja. I hope she will be stronger soon. Take care and Happy New Year!
What a wonderful comfort that quilt will be for your dear friend. Sending prayers her way.
Thank you Cathie! Hope your holidays were wonderful. All the best to you in 2024.