This Quilt : That Boy

No doubt, if you have been following me long enough, you will have seen this quilt in various stages of completion. From inception, way back when, to updates along the way, through to quilt top finishing, basting and the labourious prospect of hand quilting (the quilt top already being hand sewn. I know). This quilt has a long history - three blogs long, in fact. It seems to have been a constant in my life for a long, long time - the never-ending quilt that sat taunting and mocking me from the WIP pile.

But back in November, with promises of keeping me warm in the afternoons as I worked on it as it draped over my knees, mindful of a nearing deadline, I picked it up again and began to consistently quilt it block by block. Illness, and various other deadlines and meet ups, meant that towards the end of December the pace had slackened again and it was only with a concerted push after the new year, working all spare moments I had that eventually - EVENTUALLY - this project was finally finished. Just in time for the recipient's 12th birthday.






















He was genuinely delighted with the quilt, knowing how long I have been working on it, how much effort I have put into it - seeing it, day after day after day taking up my time and effort. He was so generous in his praise for it, "it's the best thing I've ever had - I love it more than Minecraft", which is high praise indeed, and a sample of what a kind heart this boy of mine has. Because, even if he didn't mean it, he knows the value of this quilt; he knows it's more than just a pile of fabric.

Wrapped at night under it for the first time, he marveled at all the different fabrics, how WARM it was, how orange it was (and delighted to know I picked orange because it's his favourite colour). I told him that any time he was sad, or lonely or needed a hug from his mummy and I wasn't there, that this quilt would be my hug to him. One day when I'm not around and if this quilt is still standing I can still be there to keep him warm and let him know how much I love him.

He hugged it around him and said, "and when I'm a daddy I'll give it to MY son, so that he gets hugs from both of us".

And right then it was all worthwhile. The whole lot of it. The whole five years in the making.

Oh, this boy of mine. Such a good, good heart. Masha'allah.

Elving

As you know as Muslims we do not celebrate christmas (or new year), and regardless of the people who've called me scrooge over the years for denying my children this window into mindless consumerism, we do just fine without it. It's a nice quiet day here. No traffic outside on the major 'A' road for us.

But my family do celebrate and so a little bit of elving has been going on behind the scenes here; it will be a handmade christmas this year. Snippets of fabric, an excuse to buy yarn, little bits of purposeful making. It's all quite lovely. Even with the evils of interfacing trying to gate crash and spoil the proceedings.

Will show more once gift giving is over, but until then, snippets of colour to fill these gloomy days.

Bonfire Night

Traditions: they mark our place in the year, allowing us to see milestones in our lives. We remember this time last year, the year before, and the one before that, all the way back to when they were babes, too young for a night of revelry, happy only to watch from the window and enjoy a cosy night staying up late drinking cocoa.

Once again we brave the night air for fun and adventure, and despite the cold (and rain - boo!) we find it. The boys find a new favourite ride at the fair - facing up to the fact that they are now 'too old' for the little, safe rides and finding the risk of trying something new worth it ("it went 3 and a half G, mum!!!").

The fireworks were, once again, amazing. I have stood on the Hudson watching Macy's fireworks on the 4th July and these are equal to it - yes, they were that good. Worth the cold and rain, and the fact that each year I come home penniless, frigid and tired.

But for two rosy-cheeked, happy happy boys and a day of relaxing after partying hard the night before? Worth every penny and more.

For those of you seeking your adventures tonight, I once again wish you a safe, but extremely FUN night too. Give your children some wonderful memories.

xx

Celebrate :: Eid ul Adha

The end of Hajj, a new Islamic year looming, the final Eid of the year been and gone. A few pretty lights and good food, new toys and a lot of togetherness. A happy Eid was had.

And you?