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Tuesday 17 June 2008

"Sick Quilt"

"At the top of a fresh page, Sylvia started to write 'Sick Quilt' before she caught herself and wrote 'Ocean Waves.' Better to call it by its traditional title, since no one else would be able to identify her mother's blue-and-white quilt with the nickname Sylvia and Claudia had given it. Sylvia was not sure how the family custom had developed, but whenever children in the family fell ill, Mother would take out the Ocean Waves quilt from the cedar chest and allow them to use it on their beds until they felt better. In hindsight, Sylvia assumed the privilege of using the special quilt was supposed to boost the sick child’s spirits and thereby hasten recovery, but she recalled that when she was particularly queasy, the arrangement of blue and white triangles resembled and ocean’s undulating surface enough to make her feel worse rather than better."
(Jennifer Chiaverini, 2003: The Quilter's Legacy)

How appropriate!!! On Sunday I quilted my Ocean Waves quilt – made from Jennifer’s pattern “Eleanor’s Ocean Waves” (UPDATE: The quilting is done by machine). I felt a bit queasy and shakey all day, but thought it was a caffeine over-dose (I had a bit more coffee than usual for breakfast) so I kept on pushing myself to finish the quilting. But as I was quilting the border I noticed I had a fever, and a head-ache that had been steadily progressing… Not saying the quilt was what made me feel worse *lol*

Over the last couple of days I have managed to move myself between the bed and the sofa – drinking heaps of tea and the odd dose of Lemsip - dragging the Ocean Waves with me – snuggling under it when I needed to rest, stitching a tiny bit of the binding down when I felt well enough to keep my hands occupied. And a little goes a long way – the quilt is now finished!!! This is how it turned out:

Exept for the backing (see first pic) everything is from my scrap box and stash – including the batting, which is pieced from larger leftover pieces. And I’m so happy with it! I think it will be a favourite, not only to be used when sick ;o) Now I just need to shake of this flu (or whatever it is...)!!!

I have some more news to share, but that will have to wait for now…
Happy quilting!
Sincerely, Anne Ida

33 comments:

Gina said...

It's beautiful

love and hugs xxx

Unknown said...

I hope you will get better SOON. The quilt is just stunning. Did you quilt it by hand or machine?

Inger said...

Dette ble virkelig bare nydelig. Du gjør så flott arbeid. Et lite spørsmål, har du maskinquiltet det eller for hånd?

Elin said...

Fantastic! You are so talented! And congratulation on the news from Jennifer as well, wow....

Vicki W said...

The quilt is beautiful! I hope you feel ebtter soon.

Anonymous said...

So sorry about your illness. I do hope you are soon all better. The quilt is so lovely.

Rose Johnston said...

Yes, yes, yes I remember this from the book!!! Oh how poignant after u not feeling well this weekend (why did i not rem that before!!)......i love it sweetie, the quilting is amazing!!!! Well done, it looks fantastic!!!
Wrap yourself in it and get better soon!!!
Can i share your news?? Can I, can I lol nah, its ur news!! (bursting!!!)......so proud of u!!!!
Big hugs xxx

Annelies said...

Your quilt is very beautiful Anne Ida. I love the colors you used and it is beautifully quilted.
I do hope you feel better soon.
I think I know what your news is. Congratulations !!

May Britt said...

BEUTIFUL!!!!!!
You've done great work on the quilting. What kind of thread did you use??

May Kristin said...

Wow! Your quilt is absolutely gorgeous! You have done a great job on the quilting! Love it, love it!
Hope you are getting better soon!
I might have a little clue what your news are! I look forward to hear them! Take care!

Hugs

Jeanne said...

Such a beautiful quilt! The blues and white are such a nice combination. I hope you are feeling better very soon.

Sweet P said...

I hope you're feeling better soon! Your Ocean Waves quilt is fantastic!

Chookyblue...... said...

take care and hope you are feeling better really soon........lovely quilts

Wenche said...

It's gorgeous........

I'm reading the books now, and have 2 of the patternbooks.

Cathi said...

Oooh -- Anne Ida, it's gorgeous! I love it. Blue and white is so classic.

Your quilting is amazing! Some day maybe I'll learn how to do something on the machine other than straight lines. Your quilt is inspirational!

Judith said...

How beautifull you have quilted it.

Days and colors said...

Your Ocean Waves is simply wonderful!
You did a great work, I admire your machine quilting!
Sorry to read that you were so sick, I hope you are feeling better by now. A little bit of rest and patience and soon you will be doing even more lovely pieces!
Take care

sewkalico said...

Great job! It's gorgeous, but I won't be making one now LOL. Just kidding! But how weird that you were sick making it? I hope you feel better soon!
Love the backing fabric too!

Trisha said...

Your quilt is stunning!!

Leisha Camden said...

Wow, fantastic!! :-D Sorry to hear you've been feeling under the weather (I know you washed your hands well so it can't be anything you picked up from the turtles! ;-) but you've certainly spent your sick time well. :-) Congratulations on finishing this beautiful quilt! (And on your other great news as well ... ! ;-)

Laila said...

Hi. Hope you are feeling bether. Your quilting are fantastic! And you were not feeling well?? I wonder how your quilting are when you are feeling well. The hole quilt are just great.
Hugs.

Paula, the quilter said...

This is such a lovely quilt.

Valerie the Pumpkin Patch Quilter said...

Wow, your quilting is just wonderful Anne! Really makes me want to sew something!

Mary Johnson said...

Beautiful quilt! I made a two color/two fabric (her choice) Ocean Waves for my sister a couple years ago but I like this scrappy version better.

Stina Blomgren said...

Love your quilting..brave woman......another fantastic quilt at your home...Take care and beat that flu!!

Tracey @ozcountryquiltingmum said...

Oh Anne, I just love eberything about your blog, the way you weave the stories into your quilts and posts-just lovely. You have made me want to make this...and wrap my kids in a special quilt when they are sick!
I just love "your" blue and the whole design, lol Tracey

Gudveig HN said...

Så flott det ble! Du er utrolig dyktig - og tenk at du har quiltet det selv....imponerende!
Ønsker deg god bedring!

Heather said...

Do you have a long arm machine? Or do you do the quilting on your regular machine? You do such beautiful work. I am in love with this quilt. And you have me motivated to make one, though mine will be from my scraps of every color :) Thanks so much for the inspiration!!

I hope you are feeling better now, it is so hard to be ill when there is so much to do.

*karendianne. said...

Woah! Amazing. I knew this would come out spectacular and to know you quilted this yourself is even more amazing!!!

I'm shamed catching up on this so late. :< I am so hopeful you're feeling better.

Belated Hugs of Love, *karendianne.

Christine said...

Sorry to hear you were unwell. Another stunning quilt, Anne Ida. Just beautiful.

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Unknown said...

I came here after reading your Blogger's Quilt Festival post. What a lovely tradition! I think I will start that in my house. I want to tell you that in the US the kids use the word "sick" as a slang term meaning "really, really cool." For example, "That quilt is sick!!" :)