Side Tracked

I've been side tracked.

After a lovely Thanksgiving,

I was happily sewing Christmasy projects

in my cozy little home

surrounded by my perfectly happy little family

feeling rather on top of all things creative and holiday.

Then I got word about a friend.

A friend who is suddenly having crazy health problems. 

He is an amazing, artistic, godly young man

with dreams, vision and passion.

He has been side tracked.

He weighs heavy on my heart.

My projects seem frivolous

when someone is struggling so.

I remember being sick so many times

for long spells

and losing babies. 

It always seemed weird to me that the world kept going when my world stopped. 

Everyone kept working, 

doing laundry, 

going to church, 

playing. 

I was never mad at that. 

I just thought it was weird how somebody could be so knocked off their feet

and the world not stop just a little. 

Well, all that to say, my world stopped a little. 

I prayed.

A lot.

And I made a quilt. 

For Levi.

Down the Rabbit Hole Quilt - Back

Here is the back so far. A row of scraps border a solid Kona cotton. See the beginnings of flowers and leaves? I plan on embroidering around things, and adding stems and whatever else I fancy as I go along. Whew. Now that I have a project prepared for some hand work, I am ready for our trip to the Reno Air Show next weekend where I plan on enjoying my dear quilting friend, drinking spiked hot coco, and watching our kiddos delight in one another's company. Oh. And watch a few airplanes.

Here is a picture of the last time we got together.

It was over a year ago at My Girl and her Love's wedding.

picture by Julie Cahill Photography

Down the Rabbit Hole Quilt

Now for the back....

Here is what I'm up to today:

My pattern-less adventures continue, for as usual, I am just sewing as I go.

It's my version of this quilt by the quiltmakers of Gee's Bend:

No corners or seams matching up, random widths, etc. I do prefer larger pieces of fabrics because the fabrics are pieces of art themselves these days, so my strips are very wide. This should be more easily seen in my next few pictures.

Ok. Pattern-less quilting does have its problems. Like hoping I bought the right amount of fabric to complete the picture in my head. I am better at pictures in my head than I am at math!