Thursday, November 04, 2010

off kilter

This quilt is my entry for the Blogger's Quilt Festival.

I made this quilt earlier this year (during my blog hiatus) for my nephew. He's 16 now and he's a special kid. I love him to pieces. Our bond started when he was 6 and I was a new mother of a 2 month old colicky baby. It was deer hunting season, and we were up visiting my in laws. My husband was out hunting. I was trying to keep it together and not start screaming and crying myself. My nephew who could walk and talk and tell funny bits of stories was a breath of fresh air! He and I went out to build a snowman, and I found out he had NEVER built a snowman before. I couldn't believe it. It was great bonding time and I guess that landed me on his good list. For some reason or other, I've been there ever since.

Last year my husband and I got the chance to take him out to practice driving. It was neat to share in that huge life milestone with him. We don't live very close to each other, and we don't see each other that often, so it's a treat when we do.

The quilt was made using Cheryl's gratitude quilt along. Susan named the quilt. (I LOVE the name!) It was a 100% stash quilt. This is one quilt that I am actually anxious to give away, because I think he's gonna love it.

62 comments:

Katherine said...

"Off Kilter" is a great looking quilt for a special young man. Fun to hear your story behind the making of it. I bet your nephew will cherish it.

Anonymous said...

I love it when quilts have a special place in our hearts... your nephew will love it!!

The Vegetarian Hunter said...

Its awesome! I love that it is all stash fabric. There is no way your nephew will not love this! Great job and the name really is perfect!

JanetK said...

Great quilt - he will love it and you'll feel so happy!

LJ said...

I love this quilt!

Irina said...

It is so beautiful! I love the colours, I love the movement in it.

Brandi said...

That is so fun! I love it!

Chara Michele said...

What a great quilt! Your nephew is going to love it!

Lisa said...

Love the colors. Your nephew is very lucky!

Brandon and April said...

first time commenter... I think this is my favorite one you've ever done! it's soooo great! Love the colors, the pattern. too cool!

Deborah said...

Great quilt! Love the colors and the design!

Jocelyn said...

How very sweet. It's wonderful to give a quilt to someone you know will use it and appreciate it. Love the colors.

Kriza said...

what a great quilt, and lovely story. I bet he'll cherish it forever!
Kristina

Kimberly Whispell said...

Oh I love it, that is definitely a quilt I will have to make!

Em said...

Love the simple wonky flavor, shows off fabrics nicely!!! Lucky nephew!

Princess and the Pea said...

oooh I lurve the colours in that. Sea shades - my favourite!

Rhonda said...

I like this quilt, the angles seem to balance each other out. That will be nice to give it to someone who means so much to you.

Cheryl Arkison said...

Well, you know I love that quilt! And what a great story too.

Live a Colorful Life said...

The quilt is definitely eye-catching, but the story is even better. I'm sure this will be a very special gift from you to him.

beth said...

quilts are made for giving and this one with the story warms my heart.

Dolly said...

That's gorgeous......and a good story to go along with it.

Wow, does anything beat a blue and green quilt?

pinsandneedles said...

I love it! What get colors and I love the wonky pattern. I'm sure he will treasure it!

Linda said...

Love it! Those special bonds are amazing aren't they? That's how my niece Kayla and I were through a lot of her growing up years. Only I got to be there in the same town with her for a few of those years. Something about our interaction just worked. Still love that kid to death, but we don't hang out like we used to now that she's all grown up.

Leslie said...

i can not tell you how much i love this!!! it is beautiful. i love the story about you and your nephew.

Janet said...

Lovely quilt and great colours! It's so nice to give a quilt away when you're sure it will be loved.

Clair said...

I am sure he will like it! Your relatives (including me) are fortunate recipients of your work.

SewSara said...

ooooh i love it!
great colors and i love the wonky lines. i like the name you chose for it too -- good job!

Anonymous said...

Your work has made me fall in love with quilts and quilting all over again! I don't know how you manage to make each new project yet another WOW, but you do! It's also so refreshing to see someone who understands that the best gifts are those that come from the heart. Thank you for being such a breath of fresh air!
- Sharon

Jeanne said...

It's a great quilt, Holly! Love the colors and the wonkiness. (is that a word)

Terriaw said...

This is the coolest quilt! I especially love the wonkiness of the rail fence blocks. Makes me want to do mine over!

What a great story behind this quilt for your nephew! How rare to get to bond with him early on, and then keep that closeness over the years. I bet he is going to be so thrilled to have this quilt from you!

JariJari said...

i love great story behind each quilt. this one is truly special to you

Bee said...

That is a very special story and a super quilt...thanks for sharing:)

Kimberly said...

Wow! What a beautiful quilt -- and a great story to go along with it.

Jessica Christensen said...

I remember thinking I was going to make one of these with Cheryl, but I had to restrain myself since I started a zillion other quilt-alongs too (well, 9). I really love the look of this quilt. You know I'm not a fan of purple, and yet it looks so great in this quilt. Awesome to use things from your stash. I should do that too. ;)

Julie said...

Sweet story, amazing quilt, I'm sure he will treasure it.

Andrea, the little collector said...

I have a nephew like that! Hubster's brother married a gal with 3 kids shortly before we married and at the family picnic before our wedding he and I climbed a tree together. We've been cuds ever since. :)

Cool quilt!

Deb said...

I love this quilt. Zany and colourful! Such a nice story behind it too.

Laura lok said...

stunning. I absolutely love this quilt the colors and the design just grand

Stephanie said...

this quilt is absolutely gorgeous! He will love it, because he knows you love him!!! :o)

AnnieO said...

How special a quilt this is! I love reading the story and agree the name is perfect. It's great to have nephews :) I have 7!

Thanks for sharing your quilt's story.

Allie said...

Great quilt! I love the name. :)

bethanndodd said...

Awww, this is such a great story. I am sure he will treasure it more than he lets you know :)

Nat Palaskas said...

Really love this quilt. I made one of this but was a straight cut. I like the different sizes and shapes you have done with your - Hugs Nat

Vicki said...

beautiful quilt! I love the colors you chose.

Allie said...

What a GREAT quilt! I love the name you gave it, just perfect. This is absolutely my type of quilt - I can only do wonky, lol! He's going to love it. I just hope he doesn't drive like that!

Heidi said...

Just love this quilt! It made me smile. Oh, what a lucky fellow!

Marit said...

Love the quilt and the name. So lively and fun!
; )

Jill said...

Such great movement in this quilt!

Paulette said...

It's a terrific quilt! I love the stories of your nephew. He's going to love this one!

Quilt Monkey said...

Great quilt and a great story to go along with it! I'm inspired to make one like this now. Of course, green is my favorite color, so that might have something to do with it. Thanks for sharing!

Kathy said...

'Off Kilter'....perfect name. Lovely fabric choices. Marked Cheryl's blog. Thank you for sharing.

Munaiba said...

It's a lovely quilt and he sounds like a nice boy too. I'm sure he'll love it.

Heather said...

You're back. Hadn't looked, but wanted to take a look at an older quilt-along you had done. . . and here you are. I will visit again. Thank you.

QuiltSue said...

It's great. I'm sure he's going to love it.

Michele said...

How wonderful to make a quilt totally from your stash! That is something I need to do. I am very new to blogging and I love the great ideas!

pratima said...

So sweet! It is a beautiful quilt!

Mary on Lake Pulaski said...

What a sweet story and what a great quilt!

Robin said...

What a great story! Your nephew is going to love his new quilt. :)

Karen said...

I think your quilt looks great and I love the colours you have used in the design.
I am so impressed that it is all from your stash!
I enjoyed reading your story and I hope your nephew likes his quilt.

Rebekah said...

your nephew sounds like such a sweet guy! I love the off kilterness of this quilt. Beautiful work!

Amy Jo said...

Awesome!!!

Kelli said...

Wow, I love it and I'm sure he will too. It would be hard to give this one away, except for the fact you're giving it to someone special.
Great job as always!