As I sat with this quilt, her wedding gift, in my lap, I thought of all the hopes and worries and happiness we've shared. The giggle fits and camping on the beach and loud singalongs to Les Mis.

I wanted this quilt to symbolize so much: the warmth that our friendship has brought me, the years of letter writing we've engaged in, my hope that she'll enjoy husband-snuggling under a blanket as much as I do.
Making the quilt was a ritual I needed; to stitch our friendship into something tangible, to allow myself to believe in our new lives, to physically labor my prayers and happiness for her into something she could hug.

Separated by 400 miles, I purchased 4 fabrics, 1/2 yard of each while my mom did the same. We met up to exchange fabrics and buy the border. We retreated to our own homes and Mom pieced 5 blocks and I made 7; neither of us using a pattern, just throwing together the 9 fabrics however we wanted.

I'll give it to her today, her wedding day, hoping that all of my thoughts, prayers and wishes make it out of the quilt and into her life.

• Spring Salad Greens from Abingdon Organics
• Strawberries from Bishop's
  
• Farm Fresh Herbed Goat Cheese from Oak Moon Creamery
• Dried Sweet Cherries from the guy at the JC Farmer's market (no signage, no business card)

Not pictured:

• Toasted Rosemary Focaccia from Scratch
• Sumatra from Cooper Coffee Co.

PS. After searching for each of these vendor's websites, I am struck that only 1 has a website or even a small little information page! People, websites are imperative! What do you think is keeping these small businesses from embracing the technology? Lack of knowledge? Perceived cost? This is something I would really love to help other small businesses with and I wonder what the barrier to entry really is!

As I've been spending most of my weekends with quilt in hand, making tiny, tiny handquilting stitches, I'm a little woozy with the quilting bug. Here's a bit of the inspiration that led me down this rabbit hole:

• I've seen a lot of quilts made from blue jeans (in fact Crafting a Green World just posted about them), but this is my very favorite.
• Amanda makes excellent use of some old sheets.
• Jane is the reason I believed I could handquilt my very first quilt, and this post is the reason I wanted to.
• Alicia's quilt is really the first that struck me as something I both wanted to make and wanted to own.
• The insight into Lisa's quiltmaking (art making!) is remarkable.
• Malka's post on quiltiness convinced me (before I even started) to make this quilt as “quilty” as possible.

I'm 7 out of 12 blocks, and then I'll do a few rows around the border, and then it's time for the bias tape (which I hear is pretty fun).

I'll be here all weekend.
And on Saturday, at 11:30, I'll be at the Ravelry meet-up, hoping to (finally) meet Lolly!
Will YOU be there? If so, drop me a line so we can meet up!

PS. The shop will continue as usual, anything purchased Friday – Sunday will be shipped on Monday (which is the usual way it goes)

..for the rest of the week; for a drive to Ohio, for coffe-sipping with Mom, for quilt-making, for a bridal shower, a bachelorette party, and and and…

Enjoy your weekend!

As finals approach, I'm studying for my last Stats test, rewriting my last paper and going to Ohio tomorrow for a weekend of bridal shower fun for my best friend.
Obviously, I need a little chocolate cake and Bill Cosby (this is my very favorite bit of comedy, I have it on record, an actual 78 record!)
Bill Cosby Himself – Chocolate Cake