The ups and downs of life...

It has been awhile since last we posted... Some of you undoubtedly already know what has kept Vicki away from not only this blog but also the store for a while. Vicki's mother passed away about two weeks ago due to lung cancer.  I know she has appreciated all the cards and prayers during this difficult time for her and her family.  Thank you all!

In the way of things, life has to move on after tragedy and what better story to share with you now than that of Laura?  Laura is a young local woman who came into the store a while back, looking to make something special for her fiance as a wedding gift.  She had never sewn before and was borrowing a machine from a friend.  With a little help from the girls here at BJ's Quilt Basket, she settled on an easy but pleasing pattern, Take 5 Gets the Point.  She told us her fiance liked to fish and enjoyed the outdoors- but did she settle for the traditional fish prints? No!  She headed straight for the batiks!  And didn't she do a wonderful job of picking colors?

 Laura continued to astound us all as the beginner sat down at that borrowed machine and with a little help, powered through block after block- with perfect seams no less! Truly, it comes easy to some it would seem. Now keep in mind that this was a gift to be given to her husband at the wedding- he could not know about this endeavor before that day. So not only was she starting on a large, unknown project, she was also having to keep it a secret! As the days and weeks progressed, we looked forward to visits from Laura as she got the blocks done, laid them out the first time, finished the quilt top, chose borders- then learned how to miter them! 

Then it came time to finish the quilt- and with some assurances from us, handed her precious work over to Sandy, our quilter. 

Stunning, no?

Last but not least, when the quilt was returned, with beautiful leaves and vines holding it all together, we gave Laura another quick lesson in binding- which she had to hurry through as the wedding was only weeks away at this point!

A labor of love!

 She was able to get the quilt on time for the wedding and we understand he loved it.  Who wouldn't?  It's beautiful!  Thank you, Laura, for sharing your enthusiasm and and journey with us- it was really fun to help you along!  Congrats to you both!

Lindsey