Those of Delicate Nature Look Away Now

Himself is having a birthday today. I won't say how old, but he is older than me. Ha! And I made him cry this morning. In a good way.

This time last year I received a commission for a quilt for someone, throw size. They want natural colours, autumnal, hints of brights, etc. They had a particular fabric they liked and they showed me. I based the quilt on the fabrics they liked. That's what you do for a commission, right? Himself loved the quilt. It was the first one I made that he genuinely and truly loved. When it came time to deliver the quilt the person it was for lost their job the same week. No sale!

Most people would think that I then turned to my husband and told him that since he liked it so much he could have it. I didn't. My mother liked it too. And I didn't know what to give her for Christmas so I gave her the quilt. Himself went without. I know, I am a horrible wife!

So this week, surrounded by sick children I made another quilt finally. For himself. And when he got it this morning I knew he liked it because he welled up. (Good thing I know he doesn't read this blog!)

You may well wonder why I am telling you to look away if you are someone of a delicate nature. Well this quilt is a b**** quilt. No, not that five letter 'B' word. Worse!

I'll whisper it. It is made with batiks.

There, I said it. The forbidden fabric of the quilting world. But I still had enough left to make another quilt so I crossed over to the other side and made him this.

It's a stack and whack quilt. I don't think that is the proper technical term, but it is how I think of it. A handy dandy way of making a quilt, I must say.

I did a quick stipple on it. There wasn't time to do anything complicated or that I had to ponder about. John was already in his car headed towards us when I finished the last stitches in the binding.

Four feet, one head. Something went wrong here!

I am on day five of sick kids. I ran out of patience and sympathy three days ago. I am not the natural nursing type. I fervently hope they are better soon because I really, really need to be alone. I had to drag them out to Waitrose with me today so that I could get the necessary foods for the birthday dinner. (In our family you can request whatever you like for your dinner on your birthday.) I do not recommend taking children to Waitrose - whether they are healthy or not. It cost me, big time! Far too many tempting things in there and this was one mother who just wanted to get them home again so did not have the willpower to say no the whole time.

I now have pork ribs slow roasting in the oven in a delicious tangy tomato sauce. The starter will be seared scallops with crispy pancetta. And the cake is cooling, ready to be filled with raspberries and cream soon. All this was accomplished while I tried not to tread on the entertainment. Why do children feel that they must be as close to you as possible when they aren't well? So, I cooked and they worked on this under my feet.

And that brings us to the end of the post leaving one last question. What is my Favourite Thing Friday? Well, that is easy this week. Making my man cry - in a good way!!

Susan

PS: Apologies to all those who I traumatised by making them look at b***ks. I shall endeavour to make sure it doesn't happen again.