Monday, May 13, 2019

A Mother's Day Gift




A lovely welcome to all you lovely, lovelies♥ This Sunday past we celebrated Mother's Day. Those of you whom celebrated, I hope you all enjoyed a beautiful day surrounded by the laughter and joy of your loved ones; those loved ones with whom you have surrounded with boundless love, all these years. For me, I had a beautiful day with my husband, driving over this glorious countryside punctuated by stops at cafes and browsing markets. These days Mother's Day is always bittersweet as both my girls live thousands of miles away. But not to worry.....my wonderful husband went all out to see that I had a fabulous day....and I did.

But the subject of this post is not about my wonderful Mother's Day but a beautiful quilt which was fashioned by one of my sewing girls, for her mum. Holly, has been skipping along the flower-lined front path and opening the bright pink front door of the 'The Kim Sharman School of Stitching Excellence', one afternoon every week since she was eight years old. Holly is now fifteen! Yes indeedy, Holly has been twirling and whirling all things textile for seven years. I have written about the cleverness of Holly many times before but my favourite post regarding her fabulous stitching talent was written here.  It was an impossibly sad time. Holly's beloved dad had just passed away tragically; much, much too soon. Holly was just a month shy of her thirteenth birthday. Though I wrote about Holly's wall hanging two and a half years ago, I am amazed at how, in such a short amount of time she has grown up, and blossoming into a delightful young lady.

That is the thing with 'kids' they just keep growing up, don't they; quicker than quick. How does that happen?? One minute they are so small that when they sit at the sewing machine they have to steady their feet on boxes so their short legs can reach the sewing machine foot. They have chubby little fingers, hair in pig tails, percolating with infectious giggles and fun. And then, as if overnight they are tall, confident young people ready to claim their place in the world, making it a better place. From the very beginning Holly displayed a talent for all things stitching. It truly has been one of the delights of my life to watch Holly  grow from a cheeky little girl to a gorgeous teenager who is funny, (she has the best sense of humour with a quick wit and so very droll) smart, delightful...................so, so many awesome attributes. Truly, Holly is a joy!

Aww.......look how sweet and may I say, little she is!

But........let's chat about Holly's quilt she lovingly designed and stitched for her mum. In February Holly decided to fashion her mum a quilt for her bed. I had bought a couple of  charm packs and a jelly roll in the Sweet Pea and Lily range. This range dances with lovely pattern in a colour range of pinks, purples, greys and greens. As Holly's mum's favourite colour is purple these fabrics seemed to be a match made in heaven.

Holly stitched  four patch squares and bordered each larger square with strips of the jelly roll. In between each block she added a grey and white polka dot fabric for the sashing. We thought a border of strips of the different fabrics would be perfect dancing it's way around the edge. The addition of the grey and white dots really make the blocks pop giving it a modern aesthetic. I found a larger grey and white polka dot for the backing and yet another different grey and white smaller polka dot for the binding.

Holly has been piecing and stitching this pretty since February, with the last stitch on the binding being stitched just last week. As for the quilting I thought it would be fabulous if  it was  professionally quilted. I must say the flowing floral quilting really makes the quilt sing.




There is always a sense of joy and accomplishment when I see a young person start a pretty and work on it week after week till all their patience and determination results in a most beautiful finish. Holly excelled herself this time; but then she seems to excel with every pretty she fashions. With each little stitch she fashioned a quilt of beauty, threading love, and thankfulness, and gratitude to her beautiful and amazing mum. I suppose Holly will one day decide that she wants to pursue other activities on a Wednesday afternoon and will stop skipping along the path that leads to The Kim Sharman School of Stitching Excellence. But that's okay, as it is the rhythm of life. For now though, I will just enjoy guiding this delightful young lady in all things stitching for a little longer. I will enjoy hanging out with her for a couple of hours each Wednesday afternoon, being entertained by her funniness, her keen intellect and her witty insights of her day. Holly truly puts a smile in my Wednesday afternoons.

Until the next time...................


50 comments:

  1. Lovely quilt and pictures !!!!
    Holly is a talented young girl that deserve an "hurray" !!!!
    Have a shinny week !
    Hug
    Anna

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  2. I love the quilt Holly made for her mum... my kids also lost their dad 11 years ago suddenly... it is hard for everyone to lose someone they love! I am glad she found quilting early and had a project to focus on when this happened for her mum.. I hope this quilt brings her comfort too.. I love your photo of her sewing on the binding! SWEET! Glad you had a blessed Mother's Day.. I also live a ways from my kids but my honey made sure I had the flowers I featured on my blog... he picked them in the rain !!! Kathi

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  3. What a talented girl!!!!!!! Holly made a beautiful quilt for her mon and I am sure her mom will love it. Big hugs, Kim.

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  4. Wowie zowie! She's good! I love all the color in your photos. I'm glad you had a lovey Mother's Day, good Kim!

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  5. Excellent. What a wonderful quilt! Beautiful work.

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  6. What an adorable and talented girl,a blessing in your life! And I think you are a blessing in her life too!Wonderful quilt,I am sure her Mom loved it...I am glad you had a happy day!Thank you for your kindness.Hugs!

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    1. I have it on good authority that Holly's mum loves her quilt, Maristella. Thank you for your beautiful comments. I will tell Holly that I am not the only one who thinks she is adorable and talented, but you do, too. =) Kim Xx

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  7. It was great to read the blog post here about Holly and you who sew together. She is lucky to learn from you and it must be an honor to have a student like Holly. The quilt she's sewn is amazing! Enjoy every Wednesday afternoon! :-)

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  8. WoW!! what a talented and beautiful young girl, you are both so lucky to have each other!! i wonder if her next project could be a quite using fabrics from her dads clothing, she and especially her mom might enjoy wrapping themselves up in it!!!

    i really enjoyed your descriptions of holly, she sounds like a very special girl...and her quilt is gorgeous!!!

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  9. Hi Kim wow Holly did a wonderful job of making her quilt ,what an accomplishment for such a young lady,well done Holly. I love seeing children having ago at stitching ,what a wonderful post Kim and glad you had a lovely Mother's day my friend xx

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  10. How wonderful Kim! Gosh what an amazing job Holly did of her Mum's quilt. You must just get so much joy from your students. I can't wait til I can get Sid up to the table to craft ... something a bit more creative than Lego!! So glad you had such a nice Mothers Day Kim xx

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  11. Oh Kim to be passing on the joy of stitching to other young people coming up is a wonderful thing and Holly sure did a fabulous job on this quilt, I am sure her mother is going to be so happy with her beautiful quilt and will treasure it always! So good that you both enjoy that time together!!

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  12. What a beautiful quilt - and such a lovely young lady. I went back to read about Holly's House as you wrote that before I found your lovely blog. What an amazingly talented young lady she is. And how lucky she is to have you guiding her along the way. Great post Kim. xx

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  13. Thank you for sharing the back story about this beautiful quilt, Kim! What an amazing young lady Holly is xx

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  14. Congratulations Holly! That is such a beautiful quilt and will be much treasured.

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  15. I am the lucky mum that recieved this fabulous quilt, to list all the wonderful and cherished items Holly and kim have created for me in those seven years would take ages but there are four that will be forever my favourites and so dearly treasured this quilt which is still layed out on my lounge room floor so I can admire it more,the house that Holly stitched and the couch throw of my late husbands clothing and cushion to match with a love note from him included, I always wait with excitement for Holly and Kim's next project. I am so proud of Holly and so blessed to have kim as a special part of our family xx

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    1. Hello Holly's mum. =) It is not a surprise at all that your Holly is an amazing, clever and fabulous young lady.....as she has you for her mum; a mum I might add who is amazing and the most incredible example of what a mum is. A mum who each day puts her children's needs and happiness before her own. I am so, so blessed to be a part of your beautiful family. So, so blessed to call you my friend. Oh look....it's Wednesday...that means it is 'Holly And Her Mum Day'. See you later my beautiful friend.....I will have the kettle on for that cuppa♥♥

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  16. Oh my goodness, what an outstanding quilt that Holly fashioned for her lucky Mum!! I'm sure that her Mum cried tears of joy upon receiving this gift. The quilt is a beautiful work of art, Kim, and I know you're so proud of her accomplishments. The colors are just perfect, and the design is simply charming! Great job, Holly, and wonderful teaching, Kim!! xxoo

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  17. What a pleasure it must be for you to watch Holly blossom into a wonderful young lady and a skilled stitcher. You not only grow beautiful flowers but you help your students bloom as well.
    Pat

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  18. This is a beautiful Mother's Day post. Holly did an amazing job on her gift with gorgeous colors too. She has a great teacher! I also loved the post of her house quilt. That certainly has wonderful memories for her. It tells a story of love and family. Her stitching will give her years of joy in her life.

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  19. How exceptional that such a young girl has made this beautiful quilt for Mother's Day! I would be terribly proud of her if I was her mother.
    Amazing, love her quilt. ♥♥♥
    How cuddly to see those girls working on their quilts. ♥

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  20. Wow, what an accomplishment for a young lady! The quilt is stunning. I just love the colors and the floral quilting. What a wonderful gift...I am sure her Mum was brought to tears! And what a fun time for you to have each week.

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  21. Kim - what a legacy! Through your teaching skills you are leaving ripples throughout the lives of people. Fabulous. Holly is indeed a talented young lady, and if her heart is even close to being as beautiful as her quilt, she must be a delight to be around.

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  22. The results are not only a lovely gift for a mother, but a wonderful reward for a mentor. Good job of sharing your passion.

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  23. What a touching story, Kim!
    Thank you for the link to the back story. Holly’s quilt is fabulous! A lovely combination of fabrics and the professional quilting is really a superb finish! My colour scheme too, you’ve given me ideas now!
    Well done Holly, keep up the great work!
    Hugs,
    Barbara xx

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  24. I remember Holly's quilt in memory of her dad, and now she has made a masterpiece for her mom! She is such a sweet and thoughtful young lady!

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  25. I love this post, Kim! Thank you for sharing a little of your time with this amazing young lady AND her amazing quilt!! I know her mother was thrilled with all the love and loveliness in it. Thank you for sharing your awesome talent with the next generation. Have a wonderful week!

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  26. What a blessing - both for Holly, her mom and for you. The quilt is stunning and even more precious because each stitch was created with love. Gorgeous quilt and a gorgeous young lady!

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  27. WhAt a beautiful young lady, inside and out and what a lovely quilt she made .

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  28. I remember Holly from your previous posts. She really a perfect apprentice to you with all your beautiful sewing. Her quilt is wonderful. You must be very good company sewing together and I hope she will stay in your excellent school for a good while to come :)

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  29. I'm glad your hubby made sure you had a great Mother's Day...it has to be hard for your girls being that far away from their Mum too. I don't know which is more beautiful...Holly or the quilt she stitched for her mother...or YOU for taking the time to share your gift...what a precious post. You may never know, this side of heaven, the footprints (finger prints?) that you have left upon the lives of Holly and her Mum...(and I'm sure there are many others!)

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  30. What a beautiful quilt for her mom and how wonderful that you've been able to pass on your passion to Holly for so many years. You both are blessed by each other. Thank you for sharing your love and passion with the next generation. :)

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  31. Kim, I can imagine that you are an excellent teacher! I only wish that I lived close enough to be under your tutorage. Holly's quilt is simply beautiful! Thank you for sharing your love of all things beautiful to Holly and all of us too. xo

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    1. Oh, I don't know about that, Gina.....but I try. =) Wouldn't it be fun to live close to each other. We could teach other and chat about a lot of things, I imagine. Thank you for your beautiful comments, Gina. Kim Xx

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  32. Holly did an excellent job! What a lovely quilt!
    I am sure she is delighted to have such a wonderful,creative teacher.
    Happy belated Mother's Day, Kim.

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    1. Holly did do an excellent job, didn't she. Thank you for your sweet visit and lovely comments, Dixie. Kim Xx

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  33. Beautiful quilt that this talented young lady has fashioned. I love the colours she has chosen and the finish is just gorgeous. Well done Holly, with the help and guidance of your teacher you have created a wonderous gift for your mum which will be treasured for many years.

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  34. Hi KIm
    What a lovely young lady Holly is. Her quilt is lovely I hope she is very proud of it, such lovely colours.
    Best wishes
    Love Kay cx

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    1. Holly, is a lovely young lady, Kay. When she reads your comment, it will put a smile in her day. Thank you♥ Kim xx

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  35. I do love the photos of her and your other students. Such wonderful concentration as if nothing in the world matters at that moment. Holly's quilt is so lovely!! I can tell from your writing how proud you are of her :)

    -Soma

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  36. A very moving post. And what a beautiful quilt. Holly is very talanted indeed. Anna x

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    1. Holly is clever, isn't she, Anna. Thank you for gifting 'us' with your beautiful comments, lovely lady. Kim Xx

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  37. What a wonderful story and how fantastic that you have given Holly such a wonderful gift. You must be very proud of her.

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  38. Thank You for sharing this touching post concerning Holly and her talent. Holly seems like a very intelligent, caring and sensitive young lady. The quilt is beautiful. God Bless Holly.
    Marilyn

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    1. Holly has all these characteristics, Marilyn....and so many more. She truly is the most delightful young lady. Thank you for your sweet visit, lovely lady. Kim Xx

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  39. Oh dear Kim, what a dear blessing you are to Holly, to show her how to make such amazing and lovely creations! Her quilt is stunning, and what an incredible gifting to her mother with this piece of art that she worked on for so long! How wonderful that you have shared your talents through the "School of Excellence"! You are a gift and a treasure! I'm sorry your girls live so far away, but thankful that your husband made sure you had a lovely Mother's Day! Really enjoyed this post, and the beautiful quilt that Miss Holly made! Blessings and hugs to you :)

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  40. One of my daughters just asked if she could come over for some sewing lessons - I jumped at the chance. She is 27...we did some quilting and sewing together when she was younger - but it has been awhile and I welcome helping her again ♥

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  41. This whole post is simply adorable - what a charming young girl, and a charming teacher. A great delight, and so inspiring. You have started her on a wonderful journey and her mum is going to be so happy for years to come.

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