Dear Stella

S' 10th birthday quilt looks so festive now! A little holiday-ish look? Oh, you might want to bring a cup of tea or coffee and join me with this quilt making business journey!  Many of you know that each year, I make a birthday quilt for my little girl, S. I still love the idea of a year a quilt for S. It indicates the year, the time and almost a bit of story telling! S always loves and proud to share each quilt story when friends visit. Oh.. She will tell you how she loves drag quilts from one place to another, use quilt for picnic blanket, set up a tent with lots quilts to hide under, quilt that she snuggled up..., so on... and for the 10th birthday quilt it just like every other year. It was late!

"Is that Christmas Candy Cane, mommy?" S asked! It was probably the first time S saw quilt blocks lay on the living room floor. " It is a little early for Christmas sewing, don't you think?" S said to me. It was probably back in September sometimes. The quilt layout has been moved around every other day for a good two weeks then finally finalized to the final version. To avoid my indecisive mind, I went ahead and sew the blocks together right away! You know, I really don't like rip sewing seams off!

This is the S' 10th birthday quilt and I was only 7 months plus late! You know she didn't mind it at all! I love how the red and white stripes shifted around this quilt and how the other 25 different prints added the charm to it!  This quilt has two different quilting pattern and was quiet a challenging for me to attempt two designs. For the backing, I used the Far Far Away reprint in cotton; Princess and the Pea.

After finished the quilt { my birthday; it was one of the birthday gift to myself; sew all day long}. I stored the quilt away till next day. I spent the morning pin up the quilt on S' room and photograph it. Did a little bit of cleaning in her room. Around 4p.m. I heard the key turning in the front door then the sound of  "I AM BACK"! Loud and Clear! When S gets home from school, the first thing she always does is find me and with a must tell mama how school day been time then went to her room unpack her backpack! After shared her day, she went to her room and she spoke loudly to me from her room {studio is just right next to her room}, "Is the candy cane quilt for me? I though you love red and white and thought you made it for youself! I had big giggle!  When I walked in her room, S was looking at the fabrics and tried to find the quilt label then I show the quilt label to her and told her it wasn't a fancy one! She gave me a big hug, a big kiss then a big {Thank you, mommy}!

First of all, I would like to Thank my friend, Doe helped me to start out this quilt! She sent me a stack of varies width of red and stripes fabric then from there I ordered a few yards more. I have had the vision of this 10th birthday quilt to be a little bit grown up look; less colors and focus on just two values.  It gives nice strong statement and in a very simple way! Half triangle sewing are great and perfect for interesting composition layouts.  I didn't love all the trimming at the beginning, but I learned to love it after all!

Sometimes, it is hard to believe having a 10 year-old in the house! It feels like having a little friend sometimes, but the 10-year-old is still my little girl! After 10 years parenting, I'd say I am a better parent now,  but not a perfect one! I learn to share with S in good and bad! The good part always covers the bad part! There are always challenging days at our home! Oh, yes! There are name calling and you are in big trouble moments here as well! She tries her way to push the boundaries and rules around as she always does! When she was a little one, she kept good manner up for months.  Now, it seems like she pushes more often! As this pre-teen stage coming around our home, there are much to make it right then make it perfect! More respect, more responsibilities, and more thankful to life!  I hope these will help S in her life time eventually!

I am always thankful when she comes home with a smile and lots to share! The new school has been wonderful! I can't really ask for more! Teachers are kind and school friends are fun! Best of all, she is feeling comfortable and settle-in at HOME again! It really has been a challenging move for both of us! She has been the biggest cheerleader and always my number one fan!

Having the 10th birthday quilt ready for S is a big satisfaction for me! I do think that this birthday quilt making will be a big impact in her life and cheers in the memory lane as she gets older! There will be the 11th birthday quilt soon, then 12, 13, 14,15,16... I do look for that opportunity comes every year! Each year, I noticed I ordered extra yards of fabric for the quilt backing. This year was 5 yards of backing and last year was 3.5 yards. I plan on making the quilt to 80"x90" now, so she has enough room for her long legs! Yes, kids don't get smaller, they only grow bigger! I found this so true as I went through the all the infant and toddler stage boxes last month! I had to show S how wee bit she was and she looked at me, I wore that? Indeed, lots baby clothes have been saved! Someday I like to make a quilt out of clothes I made for her and clothes that were wore in the traditional ceremony.

The 11th quilt fabric has been pulled and I can't wait to share with you the next birthday quilt! I need to order a few more print to contrast some of prints then have been pulled. Lots hope this quilt won't be too late!

{Thank you} for all the comments! I careful read through each one of them! Thank you for all the support and encouragement! I never though how this blog would have reached out so many of you in world wide! I am honored to have so many friends out there and thinking of us and thank you for all your kindness! All from our button of heart!  

Check out S' birthday quilts  2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008,

xxc