Mom's Quilt

I have a sign hanging in my office that says "Success isn't always about winning; sometimes it's about endurance"
Here is endurance!

Finally.  I have finally finished this quilt. OK, it does need a label and a sleeve, but it's finished. I just took the last few stitches on the binding and laid it out on the spare bed for these pictures.....but first, the story behind this quilt.
My mom passed away in a hospice Dec 5,2006 and to honor her and help raise monies for the hospice, I promised my father that I would make and donate a quilt for the annual Treasures of Christmas fundraiser in November. I had some of my favorite quilt books with me at my dads during Christmas and I said, "Pick one and I'll make it" As he flipped through Simple Traditions by Kim Diehl, he saw the name, Remembering Grandma. Decision made!
A lot has happened in my life since losing my mother. I lost my husband, I've moved two times, went from being a full time quilter to a full time office employee, and have won the battle with breast cancer this year. Through this all, I've been working on this quilt.

The border checkerboard has been cross hatched, and a relaxed ribbon motif was put in the outer border.

I quilted the center using templates and rulers. A lot of work, but I think I found the right balance of quilting for the piecing. I feathered the inner border. The cream background fabric on this quilt is Sateen, so it's got a nice sheen to it.

I bought four different blue fabrics until I found this Jinny Beyer print, it was the perfect blend of print and color. I started the quilting and then had to take it off my machine for a while and it was a struggle to get myself back at this. I've used Hobbs Wool for a batt so it has a beautiful drape.
I've missed the fund raisers for '07, '08, and '09. I will not miss 2010. I hope to enter this piece in some shows and have some ribbons to hang on it, hopefully that will garner a higher price at auction. I'm going to ask for a minimum price of $500. There will still be a few stories this quilt will tell before it leaves my home.
Stitch a bit today, each stitch brings you closer to finished!
Sharon