"Mountains Every Day" is a wall quilt I made for my dear friend, Sarah, for her birthday last week. She has lived many places in her life, but loves the mountains. All mountains, I think, but especially those in Colorado. In fact, she and her family were just returning from a vacation there last week when I gave her this gift.
I first saw this fabulous quilt from Spotted Stones in December of 2010. I immediately knew that I wanted to make something like it for Sarah. So I tucked the idea away to simmer, and planned to start on it in early summer 2011.
And then - LUCKY ME! - Krista published the pattern for this spectacular quilt in 101 Patchwork Projects and Quilts in April, 2011. I rushed right out to the local Borders store to buy the magazine, and started ordering shot cottons like mad.
The mountains are made by piecing strip sets of shot cottons, and then using pattern provided templates to cut the mountain shapes. I found the pattern to be very accurate and easy to understand with many photos illustrating most steps of the process. Thank you Krista!
I quilted it in almost exactly the same manner that Krista did because I thought it was just perfect, and imitation is the most sincere form of flattery! I love how the different quilting motifs and colors of thread make the back an interesting art piece as well.
Sarah and I have known and loved each other for many years. We first met in 1990 when we were both having homes built in the same development, right next door to each other. That was one of the luckiest days of my life. We lived side by side for over 10 years, having our babies, watching over them as they splashed in their kiddie pools and yard-hopped from swing set to swing set. We spent many hours talking, laughing, crying, and supporting each other as only great friends do.
We still live quite close, although not side by side. We still talk and laugh and support and love each other, only now our conversations deal more with the kids' college, our jobs, and dreams of retirement fun with our husbands. I am so blessed to have such a wonderful friend.
Happy Birthday, Sarah, and THANK YOU for all the wonderful times past and all the great times to come. Love you!
Hi Shelley!! What a fantastic job you've done with this quilt and a lovely story too! Its so special to give your best friend something you've made yourself. Liz from Broderie emailed me about the hexagons - am thinking of changing my technique in the hope of speeding things up a bit!! I've been enjoying your summer sampler blocks - love your colours! Danielle xx
ReplyDeleteCan't believe this post only has 1 comment. This is so very cool!! May have to make it for one of Tom's Colorado family members! I am sure Sarah loves loves loves it. Great job!! The bike landscape quilt I am gonna make is by the same girl.
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