Sometimes you receive news that just hits you in the gut.  Well I had a wonderful co-worker tell me that not only had she gone through thyroid cancer, she was recently diagnosed with breast cancer.  Knowing she loves Hawaii, I found the fabric and made this quilt.  I say had as I have retired – not that she passed away.

This quilt, which is lap size, could keep her warm while she was going through chemo treatments.  As I was sewing it on my Bernina, quilting it on a long arm and then the binding, I would pray for her to have a complete healing.  She is not a Christian but it made me calm.  I tend to get very irritated when I hear of someone diagnosed with cancer.

Now I live in Southern California so we don’t have much cold weather.  But there are some nights that snuggling under a quilt just makes life so much better.  The fabric was purchased from Beyond The Reef at the Road to California show.  The fabulous staff assisted me with the colors for the Twists.

Another former co-worker is going through PTSD.  I never knew why she left the job but she did disclose later.  Sometimes, especially when they live in another state, you get frustrated as you can’t reach out and give them a hug.  So I quilt.  The last quilt I did arrived at this person’s house just after she heard that her former supervisor/mentor had died suddenly.  I got a picture of her under the quilt with her dog which made me very happy.

This one is called fan dance.  I am a fan of this person so it seemed to be the right quilt to send.  So if you have a friend that is going through a rough time, consider a quilt.  You can sew blocks together, stitch in the ditch to hold the batting to the top and then add some yarn in each block.  Have friends tie a square knot while adding a prayer.  Prayers can be silent, or the person can write it out and attach the card for the recipient.  They will appreciate it.

So keep quilting.  It keeps your hands busy and your heart full.  At least it does for me.

Thank you for reading.