Today Amy has kicked off Blogger's Quilt Festival, which she hosts twice a year for quilters to share their quilts and the inspiring stories behind them. I am happy to participate and share with you a quilt I have finished recently which means a lot to me, my daughter's "Happy Birth Day" quilt.
The story of this quilt began at the Long Beach International Quilt Festival. I was about 1 week past my due date and hoping my water wouldn't break while I was walking around the quilt show! There I bought a ruler and a charm pack to start this project from Julie of Jay Bird quilts. I was in serious nesting mode and I wanted to have something sewn to welcome her into the world.
The quilt top came together pretty quickly and I had it hanging awaiting her arrival. Viviana was finally born on August 3. Those first weeks was a blur of holding her, nursing her, sleeping next to her. 
I knew I wouldn't get to my sewing machine, so as strange as it sounds I figured it would get finished faster if I hand quilted it.I had never hand quilted before, but with the help of some friends and online tutorials it wasn't too hard to get started.
So I kept it by my side and I would reach for it and quilt a hexagon here and there when I was sitting in bed or during a car ride.
This handwork was good therapy for me. Moms go thought so much in baby's first month, physically and emotionally, it's hard work! Having this project was a small way giving something back to myself by doing something I enjoy.
So for me, this quilt holds fond memories of the end of my pregnancy and my first month with my daughter. Now I hope it's something she will enjoy.
Today, my baby is 12 weeks old, and my "4th trimester" with her is officially over. Yes, it flew by. No, I can't believe how fast she grew. I love that now she can smile and coo at me, it lights up my heart.
Blogger's Quilt Festival Stats: "Happy Birth Day" quilt
*Quilt Measurements: 21"x32"
*Special Techniques used: hand quilting
*Quilted by: Me
*Best category: Baby quilt, wall hanging, Hand quilted quilt
Be sure to head over to Amy's blog to check out the other amazing quilts that are a part of Blogger's Quilt Festival!
Wonderful quilt and story to go with it.
ReplyDeleteThis so colorful and pretty. And, your daughter is a doll!
ReplyDeleteSuch a great quilt and an adorable baby girl! :)
ReplyDeletebeautiful
ReplyDeleteThe quilt is lovely, the baby is so cute!, and the story is sweet.
ReplyDeletegorgeous quilt and even more beautiful baby... that smile could cure any sadness!
ReplyDeleteLove this quilt, and love this story! What a special treasure for your little girl!
ReplyDeleteLove the quilt and the story is the best! Those first few months are oh so hard
ReplyDeleteSuch a happy quilt! And what a beautiful little girl! Congratulations!!! :)
ReplyDeleteSuch a great story about your pretty quilt and beautiful daughter - the handstitching is really lovely.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely quilt and you have such an adorable daughter! Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful story and equally wonderful quilt and baby!
ReplyDeleteSuch a great gift to have for you little girl to welcome her into the world. Beautiful.
ReplyDeleteAww! I love that you started that for her just before her birth and continued to work on it after. I can definitely see that being very therapeutic. Viviana is an absolute doll. I'm currently trying to finish up my own baby quilt in time for my baby girl. :)
ReplyDeletei couldn't manage much sewing when I was pregnant so I am in awe of your achievement - great job
ReplyDeleteYour quilt is so lovely and colourful. What a great memory it holds for you.
ReplyDeleteFun quilt!
ReplyDeleteMargaret
www.quiltsoflove.blogspot.com
Lovely!
ReplyDeleteLove your quilt! What kind of thread did you use for hand-quilting? I am currently trying to learn and the pattern I am using, reccomends Perle Cotton No8, but it seems very difficult to handle...what do you think? #76
ReplyDeleteAwesome quilt!!! Love the hexagons in all the colors. Great job on the hand stitching! Of course, congratulations on your new little one too ;-)
ReplyDeleteA gorgeous quilt and a gorgeous little girl!
ReplyDeleteLovely quilt for a lovely little girl. All the best to you.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful quilt, and wonderful story!
ReplyDeleteDo you think the Blogger's Quilt Festival needs to include a Favourite Cutest Baby category? Because Viviana is so there...
Lovely! Colors, story, pictures, thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteIm a huge fan of a lot of colour in quilts and this one certainly fits the bill. Love the picture of all those trimmings .
ReplyDeleteI adored hearing the story of how this quilt came to life and Im sure your daughter will enjoy hearing it too. By the way she is an absolute cutie!
Such a sweet memory, and a lovely quilt!
ReplyDeleteAw congratulations! She's gorgeous! What a beautiful quilt with such a beautiful story behind it!
ReplyDeleteVery Pretty, front and back. Love the binding as well. :)
ReplyDeleteGorgeous quilt and gorgeous baby!! Loved the story on how this came about.
ReplyDeleteYour little girl is beautiful. Such a wonderful quilt you made for her. Love the hand quilting.
ReplyDeleteA really lovely little quilt :-)
ReplyDeleteWhat a gorgeous quilt and wonderful story. What a cutie, I'm sure she'll treasure it for years to come
ReplyDeleteYour quilt caught my eye at the festival. What a great story behind it! I love all-solids quilts, and I hadn't seen one like this before.
ReplyDeleteCongrats! I love the gray binding - but especially the picture with the laughing baby - what a treasure!
ReplyDeleteLove this quilt - I am a sucker for rainbow quilts and hexagons -- and the hand piecing really makes it stand out. Great job - and your daughter is adorable. =)
ReplyDeleteYour little daughter is so sweet and I love your quilt! I'm sure she will have wonderful moments with that quilt! x Teje
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful quilt and such a lovely story behind it.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful story AND quilt. The newborn stage is difficult - I'm glad you had this piece to work on!
ReplyDeleteOh, I love your quilt! What a beauty! And the baby is so adorable! I love the pic of her big smile!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful quilt and beautiful baby!
ReplyDeleteAww your baby is just beautiful!! Love your quilt too ;)
ReplyDeleteSuch a wonderful memory to go with a beautiful quilt and a beautiful baby.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful quilt! I love that you quilted it by hand.
ReplyDeletePretty, pretty quilt! Love the colors and the hand stitching. But the story behind the quilt; your adorable baby girl, she is stealing the show!! What a sweet baby!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful quilt, beautiful story, beautiful baby girl! I especially love the secondary pattern of the stars.
ReplyDeleteLove it! Great colorful quilt and cute story. Adorable baby! Congratulations. And that first minth is soooo hard on mommas!!! Thanks for sharing and have a great day
ReplyDelete