A birthday quilt: log cabin quilt final step

Finally, the {log cabin quilt} is completed! It started in July 2012 and took 8 months to made it all together. It is not a difficult quilt to make, but I think that's the turn out for most of the quilts I made. I take time to make them and let them sat for a little time.  If you check on the {Flickr} you could see the process photos. Documenting each quilt's process from the beginning of fabric pulling, pattern designing, piecing blocks, more piecing, looking for backing fabric, quilting pattern, then last to the binding fabric. Quilters are busy, but surely enjoy all these decision makings, chatting about the new quilts, rewarding self with a good movie along with sewing and maybe a cup of tea and lots sweets. 

The original plan was have this quilt done before October 2012 and it was planned to be a birthday quilt to myself. It might sound a bit strange to make a birthday quilt to myself. Even though there are many quilts {here} are being loved and used each day, but none of these are for {Chase}. They are family quilts that we share together and rotate throughout the years.

Early on there were few {layouts} that I played around then I took everyone's suggestion on the barn raising layout and the quilt really turn out very sweet {me}. There are 7 different low value prints contrast dark value prints which made this quilt special.  I used up most of my favorite prints that time for this quilt and the dark blue/ retro look stands out its own and that's how I feel being 34, bold and calm{when I can}. Each print is cut in 1.5" wide and roughly 1/2 yard of each prints.

I look forward being 34 when I just turn 30. At that time, it took me a year to prepared graduate school portfolio. I didn't think I would make to any school or able to take care of S and going to school at the same time. However, I got accepted into two schools at the time, but I decided to come to N.D. With all the wavier and graduate teaching assistantship opportunity offer we were able to live and start a simple life.

Before we made our journey to ND,  I math in my head when I will graduate and how old I will be; 34 is the age. To be very honest, I felt 34 is so old at that time, but today I feel perfect being 34.  Graduate school surely taught me a lot more than academically. It also involved real world task, social connections, and a must is stands out for our own work and defense for it. 

In past three years, I gained..............

-  much more gray hair and that worries S a bit. There were Friday nights that I felt asleep on the couch and miss S was trying to pull my gray hair out. ouch.. yes! that woke me up..

-  much more confidence in myself that I will received the degree soon { in a week to have the show up and have my last review}.

- much trust in the friendship that built over the years and hope these friendship remain even after we move away.

- much new hobbies such as collection dishes, sewing pins, and much more... cook books are one of them..

- much fabric stashes.. of course.. a must for a sewer/ quilter. It is always what I buy for myself for birthdays, Christmas, Mother's days... S' birthdays..

- much close relationship with my sister who have been another great supporter throughout my grad study. We skype weekly and she is the the one that I can just {talk} to any little thing.. yes, included S pulling my hair..

- many new friendships via {1/4" mark} and {Flickr} that never reached my head that you come here read, comment, sending emails,  share your stories with me, watch out little S's growth...

- much more comfortable to live what we have and own! Simple and enjoy little things that's happen in our life!

- much respect to miss S for being a kind and sweet girl who has been always the cheerleader and supporter of mine! Thank her allow me to grow and learn to be an cool awesome mama. 

- a respectful citizenship in the new country, which I still am not sure how to introduce myself

so on..

34 is perfect age that I finally feel that I am able to handle events in positive and negative. I hope to keep this post and to remember why 34 is a great year to myself .  When S' turns 34, I will pass this quilt to her and she'll have access to read this post. At that time I will be 59.. closed to 60.. I will make a 60th birthday to myself, but before that I sure many more quilts will be made, loved, and used. I think that's a  good cause of making quilts. It contains stories, love, moments, time, and families as well. I am half way through being 34 and looking forward 35 to arrived!


About the Quilt-

Quilt Pattern: Log Cabin;  BIG book of Scraps Quilts: log cabin diagram
Fabric cuts: 1/2 yards for each fabric print cuts.
Binding: DS Fabric for Joann
Backing: DS fabric for Joann
Quilting: Hand-quilting throughout the entire quilt. The center was quilted 1/4" apart. Then I went with 1/4" away from the seam allowance.
Quilt size: 66"x66"

xxc