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02/27/2006
Quilt update
A quick update for those of you who bought a chance at Boulder's raffle quilt: the top is finished, a mere two weeks behind my original projection. I'm a bit behind, I know, but I hope you will appreciate my dedication when I confess that I gave up my place on the U.S. Olympic biathlon team and my top 24 spot on American Idol so that I could stay hunched over my sewing machine working on it.
Think of me as the infertile blogging world's Michelle Kwan. Or, if you prefer, Bode Miller. Or even this guy, because, you know, I'm a smiley sort.
I count 1,112 individual pieces. At last count — and at this point please imagine me diving into a swimming pool full of coins, but without the associated compression fractures and resulting quadriplegia, if you'd be so kind — we've raised $3,890.
The next step is to layer the top with batting and backing. Then it gets basted. Then it gets quilted. Then it gets squared, bound, and labeled. Then it gets clutched in my trembling arms, gathered to my heaving bosom, and wept fondly over as I package it for shipping. (As a gesture of goodwill and gratitude, I will keep my snot to myself.) I estimate that it will be finished in about two weeks, and will announce the date of the drawing right around then.
Thank you all so very, very much. More updates to come.
Posted by Julie at 01:55 PM in Needles (the other kind) | Permalink
Comments (56)
Oh Julie, it is absolutely beautiful. As are you, for doing this for Boulder.
Posted by: Jill at Feb 27, 2006 2:01:48 PM
Wow! That's just amazing. I wish I could do something like that. Who ever wins will be very lucky.
Posted by: Jo at Feb 27, 2006 2:04:33 PM
Oh it's so pretty. I want it; I want it; I want it!
Great news about the fundraising.
Posted by: pixi at Feb 27, 2006 2:10:32 PM
What? You're not talented enough to ski 30 miles cross country, be a finalist for AI, and finish a stunning quilt???
And I thought I was good because I made all 3 meals today ...
Lovely, lovely quilt.
Posted by: mar at Feb 27, 2006 2:32:25 PM
Wow, that is SOME kind of beautiful. Congratulations on a truly lovely work of art and making a major difference in a person's life - you are very talented in both areas!
Posted by: Amy at Feb 27, 2006 2:39:02 PM
Can't. breathe... Must. have. it. It's truly gorgeous, Julie; you've outdone yourself.
Posted by: Mandy at Feb 27, 2006 3:13:42 PM
Wonderful! Beautiful job, Julie. Can't wait for the drawing.
Posted by: Flicka at Feb 27, 2006 3:25:49 PM
Simply stunning. I applaud your talent (and your pearly whites). You should hide the winner's name in a meatwad, in true King Cake fasion. Then when Charlie finds it we can all have a parade and flash each other.
Posted by: Paula at Feb 27, 2006 3:33:39 PM
If I win it, you can keep it :) Provided you make me one to replace it using scraps from my wedding gown and my moms for my daughter :)
Posted by: Brandee at Feb 27, 2006 4:04:49 PM
Wow--that quilt is amazing! I've love to see a higher-res. pic. of it. WOW!
Posted by: MusicalMom at Feb 27, 2006 4:47:52 PM
Holy crap. That's gorgeous. I'm lucky I can dress myself in the morning, much less put something like THAT together. You've got some talent there, girl.
Posted by: Leigha at Feb 27, 2006 4:57:38 PM
That is beautiful!! I don't know how you do it with Charlie running around!!!
Posted by: soralis at Feb 27, 2006 5:11:37 PM
Personally, I would treasure the snot laden corner. You're my hero!
Posted by: Lala at Feb 27, 2006 5:13:19 PM
It's a true labor of love and a serious work of art.
Alas, what if I win and I only want it if it comes with snot?
(scratch that)
Seriously, it's absolutely stunning.
Posted by: Heels at Feb 27, 2006 5:23:54 PM
It's beautiful, really really beautiful!
And I know you don't know me from Adam, but I left you an email a week or so ago. I really would love to hear your opinion on the matter if you can spare a minute or two.
Posted by: Just Linda at Feb 27, 2006 6:04:18 PM
WOW! Absolutely gorgeous!
Posted by: Julianna at Feb 27, 2006 6:30:10 PM
Okay, so when exactly do I get to win it??? I mean really! I like it.
Erika
Posted by: Erika at Feb 27, 2006 6:30:26 PM
Is there any way to still join the fundraising effort? Because I suck and was so busy at work for a while that I actually didn't read ANY blogs for what must have been weeks... and I missed buying in...:(
And the quilt? If you let me in, and I actually win it... I might have to rearrange my whole house to find a proper place to display it. Cause it's gorgeous...
Posted by: JuliaKB at Feb 27, 2006 8:25:17 PM
It is really beautiful. I wanted to contribute back when you first posted about this, but I could never find where I was supposed to click to do so. Can you please email me and tell me?
Usually I'm fairly bright, but there is no button on the site to donate.
Posted by: kathleen999 at Feb 27, 2006 9:14:01 PM
That quilt is beautiful. And I loooove Scrooge McDuck.
"I love to dive into it like a porpoise and burrow through it like a gopher. I love to toss it up and let it hit me on the head."
Can you believe that they don't make a Scrooge McDuck piggy bank?
So...where do we donate?
Posted by: liz at Feb 27, 2006 9:50:38 PM
You know, until just now I always thought that "quilting" was when the little pieces were sewn together. Now I find that it's another thing. Cool.
And until "Dick" Cheney shot that guy, I kind of thought that rifles and shotguns were the same thing. They're both kind of long, you know, and don't they sort of do the same thing?
Posted by: Marsha at Feb 27, 2006 10:55:45 PM
That is spectacular!
Where (or how) did you learn how to quilt?
Posted by: cai at Feb 27, 2006 11:13:01 PM
It's wonderful. I really, really hope I win...I'm dying to give it to my son. (:
Posted by: Anna at Feb 27, 2006 11:19:21 PM
It's stunning! How long have you been quilting? I would love to learn - but have no idea how I'd work that in between teaching, chasing Chloe, nursing Bradley, cleaning my house, and breathing. :)
Posted by: Leah at Feb 27, 2006 11:23:46 PM
ahahah the mcscrooge image. i love the frame where he looks lovingly at his money and says 'SUK!', because that is a funny word when i don't know what it means in that language.
i think, if i were to ever win a quilt such as the one you are making, i would have to somehow move to a beautiful new condo or house, because it is way too gorgeous to be exposed to this shithole of a duplex.
all i'm saying, is it's great :)
Posted by: heather at Feb 27, 2006 11:47:11 PM
I know Scrooge McDuck would find it hard to believe that people out there in the real world do things like this, but I have truly been handed good fortune - this (and, well, $2.02 from adsense clicks on my site) will go a very long way towards making my dream a possibility.
The beauty of this quilt is matched by the spirit of kindness I have witnessed here. I'm at the end of my IF road, and yet have never felt so much warmth and friendship holding me up as I take these final steps.
Nothing (well, other than my own "damn baby") will make me happier than to have a picture of Julie weeping with this quilt before she sends it off, and of the LUCKY recipient's smile after opening it.
My greatest hope is that a picture or two of this quilt will one day find its way down to your Quilts for Other People's Kids filed under "A quilt for the child of Boulder's heart." Because, someday, if I'm lucky, I'll be telling this story at bedtime about how friends got together to make it possible for my family to have a dearly dreamed for child.
Thank you to all of you, with love from Boulder and husband.
PS - Don't forget to click a link on the sidebar for Julie - won't hurt, might help. All proceeds this month go to RESOLVE. Thank you.
Posted by: Boulder at Feb 28, 2006 5:07:18 AM
I want to see the quilt you made for Charlie!
or is this another case of the shoemakers child going barefoot?
E
Posted by: Emilie at Feb 28, 2006 8:44:12 AM
Julie,
This is absolutely beautiful. Marvelous even.
Posted by: April at Feb 28, 2006 10:13:44 AM
wow. but, really, how do you do it. You work (there's a job in there somewhere, right?). You have an infant. You blog. And, somehow you do that. I really want a schedule. you know, like 5 AM, wake up, sweat and bleed over quilt, . . . Then, maybe I'd figure out how to find some time to, oh, I don't know, sew a missing button on my daughter's sweater?
bj
Posted by: bj at Feb 28, 2006 10:49:44 AM
Julie, are raffle tickets still available? I hope so, because I'd love a shot at that work of art (and I'd love to contribute to Boulder's "shot," as well)! Please advise! Thanks!
Posted by: Stacey at Feb 28, 2006 11:02:41 AM
I'm with Emilie--I'd love to see any quilt you have made for Charlie, or for that matter, for ANYBODY. You have such a gift for quilting!
Posted by: giddy at Feb 28, 2006 11:29:40 AM
Stunning. The quilt, and you. Nothing like Bode Miller, btw.
Posted by: libby at Feb 28, 2006 12:04:38 PM
The quilt is absolutely stunning.
Posted by: Noelle at Feb 28, 2006 12:05:28 PM
It is so, so beautiful. Oh and I know EXACTLY where it would go in my house... Please, please pick me! (On a less self-absorbed note, I love that you're doing this for Boulder. It is truly inspiring).
Posted by: isabel at Feb 28, 2006 12:39:23 PM
awesome - all of it.
Posted by: lindsay at Feb 28, 2006 1:14:15 PM
Can we still register for the drawing?
Posted by: StacyG at Feb 28, 2006 1:19:12 PM
It is gorgeous. I can't wait to win it. And if I win, I promise you can come visit it any time you want. I will send pictures and letters and maybe even a phone call on your birthday.
Most importantly, however, is the wonderful about how much $$ you have raised for Boulder. Warms the chilly cockles of my heart.
Posted by: Amyesq at Feb 28, 2006 1:31:18 PM
$3,890? Now that's what I'm talkin'bout where women don't bash each other and support each other!
Posted by: Julia at Feb 28, 2006 1:50:02 PM
I'm having operator error trying to donate/buy a chance at that beautiful quilt. Can you help me?
Posted by: JennyK at Feb 28, 2006 3:20:27 PM
I'd like a shot at it, too, if it's not too late....Beautiful work, Julie!!!
Posted by: Patty at Feb 28, 2006 4:23:10 PM
Wow! Gawdjus quilt! Well, I've never seen a pic of a bad quilt that you've made, lol. The colors in this one are so very striking. Yet, they all blend so beautifully together. Stunning, I tell ya'.
So... I want the crumpled raffle ticket with the edges dog-eared, okay? We all know that the crisp, flat ones never get picked. hehehe =)
Boulder - Your reply made me cry. Good luck.
Posted by: Dani at Feb 28, 2006 4:26:29 PM
I was totally admiring the quilt when I remembered I got a chance at that baby! Maybe I should go get a couple more chances...
Posted by: Sarah at Feb 28, 2006 4:59:09 PM
The quilt is absolutely beautiful, and Boulder's response made me teary.
I've never stopped wanting a swimmable money pit.
Posted by: Orenda at Feb 28, 2006 7:08:39 PM
I TOO want a chance at the quilt/donation. Long time lurker first time poster. Please let me know before I break the internet trying to figure out how to get in on the "action".
Posted by: Broken....but not so much at Feb 28, 2006 7:15:22 PM
Ohhhh I'm so happy for Boulder but still a little bummed my two chances are so dilute...sigh. Want that quilt with every fiber of my being. Oh....want the quilt. Yay for Boulder, and yay for Julie.
Posted by: MFA Mama at Mar 1, 2006 3:16:00 AM
It is gorgeous! Thank you for doing this, Julie! I hope Boulder is cycling soon, I can't wait to cheer her on.
Posted by: Erica at Mar 1, 2006 9:07:51 AM
It's so pretty! You have a real knack for putting the colors together so nicely. I wish I could do that. Heck, I wish I had the time to do that. Looking forward to the drawing!
Posted by: Claudia at Mar 1, 2006 1:48:52 PM
that is just breathtaking. would you be willing to share the pattern?
Posted by: mamamarta at Mar 1, 2006 4:55:51 PM
Absolutely gorgeous. I don't have the patience. :)
Posted by: Laura at Mar 2, 2006 2:49:11 AM
What pattern is that? It's absolutly gorgeous!
Posted by: TempestTeapot at Mar 2, 2006 9:11:01 AM
