Trip Around the 18 Year Old World

/ Saturday 6 August 2011 /
I am astonished at how quickly this went together.  The whole top from cutting to piecing went together in two after-dinner sessions.  Wow!  And it's a great stash-buster, too!  The colours aren't as vibrant in this photo as they are in the ones from yesterday, but this is due to the leaden, overcast sky.  I pinned this up to the line before breakfast, just to make sure I got a snap of it before the imminent downpour.  Remember yesterday, when I said I wasn't so sure about the colours of the fabrics I chose - they are growing on me.  It is a low-contrast Kaffe-like composition, just as I intended, so I am warming up to it.  I forgot to measure it, but each square is 3.5" finished, so that makes it about 65" square, more or less.  Again, I used Bonnie Hunter's tutorial for this quilt top, and I recommend it if you are interested in making a TATW.  I will definitely make this again - probably using my precious stash of Marcia Derse fabrics.
Trip Around the World
And about the 18 years referenced in the title of this post: We are celebrating my daughter's 18th birthday this week.  I am astonished at how fast these years have flown by.    From a tiny baby, under 6 lbs, she has grown into a gorgeous young woman, poised, confident and kind.  She is smart, funny, and loyal.  The three of us have always been a close family, with no teenage trauma - I have heard some parents say that the internal squabbling gets so bad that you are relieved when they finally leave the nest.  That's not the case with us.  In three weeks we will be taking her to McGill to begin university - my husband and I have been like deer in the headlights for the last month.  However will we redefine ourselves without her?  I, for one, will be making lots of quilts!  In fact, I remember 18 years ago, getting larger and larger, trying to finish up some quilting projects before my due date - that was the last of my quilting for 15 years.  It is somehow very satisfying that I have taken it up again as she begins to leave the nest - it reminds me that the world is round, just like my quilt.  Happy birthday, dearest Daughter - you will always be my sweet Munkus, my baby girl.
DSC_0102

18 comments:

{ Marsha } on: 6 August 2011 at 08:55 said...

Awesome quilt. Yes they do grow up too fast. I have a daughter 33yrs old, then I started over when she turned 16,knowing she would go off to college soon. And now I have a 16 yr old son and 12yr old son now.

{ ktquilts } on: 6 August 2011 at 09:06 said...

Awesomely gorgeous!!! (The quilt is great too!!). Yay Mom!

{ Dara } on: 6 August 2011 at 09:15 said...

I always call my daughter smookas- it is amazing at how they grow.

{ Scarlett Burroughs } on: 6 August 2011 at 09:22 said...

What a pretty quilt. A wonderful way to get some scraps burned! I've featured this post on Craft Gossip here:
http://quilting.craftgossip.com/?p=10459

If you would like a "featured by" button, you can grab one here:
http://craftgossip.com/link-to-us/

Warmly,
Scarlett Burroughs
Quilting Editor, Craft Gossip

{ Dana - Old Red Barn Co. } on: 6 August 2011 at 09:35 said...

beautiful, beautiful girl! you must be one seriously proud momma!

{ Jennifer } on: 6 August 2011 at 09:49 said...

how many blocks in that quilt top?

happy birthday, eve! a big, exciting life is just around the corner.

{ Leanne } on: 6 August 2011 at 09:52 said...

It is a beautiful quilt and I read your earlier post just now, what a clever approach to making it! Now this quilt is seriously on my list. I hope your daughter has a great time at McGill, with the internet you can still be very close to her from a distance.

{ rooee } on: 6 August 2011 at 09:53 said...

Your daughter and your quilt are both lovely. This post made me smile BIG. thank you.

{ Molly } on: 6 August 2011 at 10:35 said...

Pretty and pretty. I started quilting two years ago when my son went to college. It was a great hobby to help me switch gears from being an active participant in his life to an observer. After a bumpy start I'm really enjoying my new role and can't imagine it any other way.

Life may be all stages and transitions, but it's also a lot of fun.

{ Cheryl Arkison } on: 6 August 2011 at 12:49 said...

Gorgeous and gorgeous!

{ Jean } on: 6 August 2011 at 13:17 said...

Lovely quilt, beautiful daughter. You have a right to be proud; you've done a great job creating both.

{ Debbie } on: 7 August 2011 at 12:00 said...

Lovely quilt. And oh, I feel for you...It definitely IS a transition!!! Wish you the best.

{ elle } on: 7 August 2011 at 20:06 said...

Everything is beautiful... in its own way!

{ Ariane } on: 7 August 2011 at 22:13 said...

Your quilt looks amazing!!! It's been put together so fast!!! It's amazing how fast kids grow!! Your daughter is beautiful and I wish her luck in her new journey through university!!!

{ quiltzyx } on: 8 August 2011 at 01:22 said...

Both the quilt and your daughter are gorgeous! Congratulations.

{ Jennifer } on: 9 August 2011 at 13:03 said...

Just beautiful! The quilt and your daughter. :)

I always read your posts about your daughter knowing my day is coming faster than I realize. *sniff* But what a full cirle you have made in quilting and in life!

Jennifer :)

{ Anita } on: 12 August 2011 at 10:33 said...

This is such a fabulous quilt!!! And wishing you all the best in your new journey with an empty nest. It sounds like you and your daughter have a great relationship so even though she's not home, she still won't be far at heart.

{ Rose Marie } on: 26 August 2011 at 09:01 said...

Love your TATW ....they are just so awesome and really do up in no time at all.

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