Happy New Year! I have long awaited the arrival of 2011! 2010 had presented many tough times for me personally which in turn effected my etsy shop. Due to many unforseen circumstances I was unable to take on much custom work, but the ones I was able to were very special and significant ones for me! Here is my last custom listing of 2010 which was literally an entire year in the making. My Noel Lap Quilt was indeed one of those once in a lifetime life altering experiences for me. I have taken the liberty of reprinting the listing for this very special quilt! No matter how many times I say thank you to the woman for whom it was made it will never be enough. She gave me a gift of love and hope that I will be eternally grateful!
The Noelle Lap Quilt Is a wonderful blend of 5 ½” squares of black, green and red polka dots, retro square dots, vintage Christmas ornament shapes, funky Christmas trees, and wonderfully warm Christmas phrases. These prints are a fantastic combination of Christmas memories past and a look forward to many memories made in your home!
It is approximately 48” x 54” The reverse side is a wonderfully soft red minky and in its own right, the back, is a fun simple square stitch pattern.
Here is the story behind your quilt:
Your quilt presented a large challenge to me, something I always enjoy, this is the first time I have attempted a quilt of this size, so when you contacted me to say you wanted a lap quilt in these lovely fabrics I jumped at the chance of this challenge. This past year 2010 has been filled with many for me personally.
I quickly sat down at my drafting table to draw a layout in the size you requested and then was able to see how much fabric I needed. I found the fabric and ordered it as I had told you. The day the fabric arrived was very joyous to me because I too have fallen in love with the Christmas fabrics in this color scheme.
I will tell you before I write my story that EVERY stitch in this quilt has been placed with love! This year I have lost most of my physical belongings and became very bitter when faced with this. Through no fault of my own....I have been through bankruptcy, foreclosure, and have lost my husband due to hardship and illness. After being at home with my children for the last four years I needed to quickly rely on my talents of an interior designer to make money in a very challenging financial time. I started my shop on Etsy, while looking for additional work, with fabric I uncovered in my attic…
For a while I couldn't in good conscience pick up your quilt to work on because I was so bitter and angry and didn’t feel it was right to send you something created in that manner. As my situation unfolded and I started to let go of my anger and open my heart to love, love of my children, love of family, love of friends, love of acquaintances and love of those who were strangers coming to my aid. As the love grew in my heart, my entire life began to change for the better. I was able to begin sewing again, able to move forward with my life and begin to repair the damage that had been done. The more I worked on your quilt the more things changed for me, not only in my heart but in my circumstances.
I have found steady work; I work three jobs, but can provide for my children, I have found a new place to live that is warm, safe and secure. I have also found strength in me that I never knew existed. With lots of love and laughter I have been able to endure and rise above. I have left my house and husband behind, all things that have proven to be a far more safe and loving environment for my girls and me.
I have found many different types of love in new friendships , a deeper love in those friendships and family bonds that already existed. I have become a far better, stronger and loving person all due to your commission of this quilt. I am deeply indebted to you for this wonderful challenge! Your quilt has been the glue that kept me bound, and has helped me grow to be so much more of a wonderful human being. So my heartfelt thanks to you for that.
I send you this quilt stitched with only love, I apologize that it has taken me so long to complete your project but wanted you to have this quilt of love. I wish you nothing but strength, warmth and love when you take this quilt into your home and hope that when you use it you are wrapped in love.
Merry Christmas with warmest regards and many thanks!
Thank you again to all my loyal customers of 2010 and to my friends and family who have given me their love and support through this most difficult year. Much love and thanks to you all!
