This week as I chip away at my final assignments and projects to complete my Bachelor's of Arts in Anthropology I've been thinking a lot about what I want to do with my life.  This business has also led to me being unable to craft as much as I like, and so since I've been thinking about what I want out of my life, I thought it would be special to share with all of you one of the projects I'm most proud of.  

A little backstory, this was the wedding present for a couple of friends of mine where I decided to be as daring as I deemed reasonable.  Note: I tend to aim high when it comes to artistic goals.

As friends of mine do, one night we were sitting around discussing our ideal quilt, and my friend foolishly said that a perfect quilt would be one that is 120" x 120" (10 ft x 10 ft) because you would never run out of blanket when huddled with a bunch of people on a couch in the winter, and it would give the proper weight that quilt should have.  I silently took notes as my friends detailed this perfect quilt, and later I set out to buy the fabric to make it in time for their wedding.

I love each and every quilt I make, but this one was special.  It was the first quilt I made where I gave myself unlimited freedom to try whatever I wanted with it.  So as it came together, I got to watch a dream come to life.

Those that were spectators of the construction of this center (pictured below) weren't sure if this was going to be lovely or a catastrophe, and at points I wasn't sure myself.

Yet at each step I felt more and more love for what it was becoming, what it did to me to make it, and the way it made people's faces light up.

I particularly enjoy this photo (below) because it shows off my fussy little seams that just about no one but me gets to see normally.

When it was finished the quilt weighed over 10 pounds and caught every single eye it encountered when I took it to the Spin Laundry Lounge to give it a good wash.  

While some of it is definitely covered and clouded by shadow in this photo, it's my favourite photo of the quilt.  It captures how happily the colours worked together and reminds me of the wonderful people the world has.  I don't know a single one of these men kindly holding my quilt, but in a moment of uncharacteristic bravery I asked them to hold it up for me so I could get a picture.  They all were quite excited to see what it was about, recalling stories of grandmothers and mothers making quilts as well and taking pictures of their own- I offered them a round of beers after being so helpful but they politely declined.  They said they were simply happy to help. 

Now that I'm looking at the rest of my life beside the things I've created I know now more than ever that crafting will always be a place I call home.

Prepare for quilts, crafts, and calamities as I move toward my first steps of making my way in this world.

Stay sweet, stay crafty, and stay tuned.