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“Hope Grows” Quilt

Lovely bud quilt

This is the quilt I made to give away awhile back. Click here for my current give away. Finally here are some pics and the quilt's special story… 

I wrote here about the loss of my son six months ago. I found out two months after losing him that I was pregnant again. In order not to give in to fear I have committed myself to creating like never before. God has calmed my heart as I have busied my hands making things and it has been very healing to see beautiful things made in the aftermath of such loss and brokenness. I sketched ideas for my very first quilt and a drawing of a single flower, rising out of a vase to reach out a window came naturally. Realizing that this was an image of the hope I was longing for I began to make this quilt. Pictured above is the front and below is the back. Back lb quilt 

I ordered several fabrics for the quilt that ended up not being quite right so I was so excited when I found this Moda fabric that V and Co. was selling in her shop. My process was pretty simple. I sketched my design on big paper the size of the quilt. Then I traced over the flower and vase to make patterns for the appliques before I cut out the large shapes that I would make the quilt out of. I laid the paper and tracing paper patterns directly on the fabric and cut around them leaving a seam allowance. Then I pieced together the front and back of the quilt using basic sewing technique. 


Making quilt

Finally I appliqued the vase and flower on using fusible webbing and hand embroidery. I embroidered the stem and leaves on freehand. Fairy Mommy  then finished up by quilting the layers together and adding a cute binding made out of the scraps! 

Bud detailHere are some detail shots of the quilt. And for all you who may be good at drawing and designing but feel that your sewing skills are sketchy – YOU CAN make a quilt! You can draw out a design, make your own pattern and use basic sewing techniques that are explained in a myriad of fabulous blogs… and then you can send your quilt out to be quilted and bound (I am thankful that I have a wonderful teammate in my mom) I know, I know, learning to quilt it probably isn't that scary either…. But for those of us with a phobia of math, measuring and matching corners, this may just be our niche – freehand quilt pictures?!

Vase detail

Since all quilters are artists, their work must be signed! Here's to you lovely bud blog and all the creations you have inspired in your young life.

and while I hope for healthy babies and many years to watch them grow, my hope and my faith is in God because there is more to life than this world… and I am thankful for His love and the gift He has given us to follow in His creative nature

"And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love."

Words

Check out all the lovely quilts over at the Blogger's Quilt Festival - and you have until May 28th to enter your own quilt! You can also check out the other link ups where I share my projects here.

  • aimymichelle - wow that is beautiful!
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  • Sue - Amen
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  • Marika - Very beautiful quilt work !
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  • Carol Hansen - Beautifully simple. Thanks for sharing your thought process about it. Enjoy the new baby.
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  • Angie Padilla - Touching, heart-wrenching and uplifting all at the same time. Thank you for sharing – it cannot be easy. This new child is a gift, may you enjoy every minute, every day.
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  • Christy - Beautiful, Sharon.
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  • Denise - beautiful quilt…sorry about your little angel…
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  • barb - thanks for sharing your personal story, what a sweet quilt.
    wishing you all the best
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  • Amanda T - Hey There 🙂
    I’m a new follower from Tuesday Tag Along. I hope you’ll stop by and follow me too.
    And while your there feel free to check out my $100 American Express Giftcard giveaway.
    http://mylifewithratsandmore.blogspot.com
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  • Amber D - This is a great idea, I lost my husband back in 2007 from cancer and would have loved something like this.
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  • Kim @ seven thirty three - So beautiful!
    Thanks for linking up with Sugar & Spice.
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  • Asia - So pretty! I wish I had the patience (and time!) for something like that.
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  • Crafty Mummy - Beautiful quilt! Thanks for sharing
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  • Momsy Katsy - New follower from Follow Me Fridays!
    Wishing you and your family a great weekend.
    ~~ Kat ~~
    My Tots Exactly!
    My Tummy Calls
    My Game of Chance
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  • Kelli Campbell - Sharon, I believe we met once briefly…we have a lot of friends in common and I hear your name mentioned often but I never knew about your blog and your art till I happened upon it today through the PW photos of all places.(congrats on that beautiful Coming Home photo posted today -I recognized that flightline right away:)
    I couldn’t leave without commenting to say thanks for the truly lovely words, photos and creations you have shared here. I’ll be bookmarking your blog for sure:)
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  • Beth - beautiful quilt!
    New follower from New Friend Friday- please follow me back at a
    http://helpingunitefatherandson.blogspot.com/
    Happy Friday!!
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  • Zlaty - Very pretty quilt! I am so sorry for your lost and what a blessing to be pregnant again!
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  • malia - I am in awe of your strength and your creativity.
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  • Pam Rosenberg - This is really cool. Traditional with a contemporary twist. The colors and subject matter are perfect. Really nicely done.
    Pam
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  • MageeMommy - Thank you for posting and reminding me of heaven and how God is close to the brokenhearted and binds our wounds.
    PS Such a pretty quilt!
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  • Melissa - Absolutely Beautiful. I am so glad you are finding healing in your creativity 🙂
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  • Cheryl - Beautifully done & is the perfect image of hope. The love you have in you is apparent in your work. Thanks for linking to Craftastic Monday:)
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  • Rose fr FineCraftGuild.com - This is excellent, in fact, so good that I want to invite you to join our new DIY tutorial party that opens today…
    http://www.finecraftguild.com/diy-linky-party-free-pillow-crochet-pattern/
    Early entries get most traffic, so hop over today
    (pssst …there is also a link there for you to get a chance to win $50 silver customizable jewelry gift certificate from wonderful designer Lisa Leonard)
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