The Hardest Finish Of my Life

Star quilting by SewBlossomHeart, on Flickr

For months I have taunted and teased with sneak peeks of the gender neutral quilt I was making for my sister. For months I have been planning and quilting first a pram quilt, and then making my Tea For Two quilt with the plan to give it to my sister should they have a girl. For months I have excitedly looked forward to travelling back to Australia to snuggle with my niece/nephew.

On Monday night we first heard the news that there was no heartbeat at my sister's 39 week check up. She was induced on Tuesday. On Wednesday, 30th January at 9am Ariella Jade was born, and Heaven gained a sweet, beautiful little princess. On Wednesday night, I finished binding this quilt. 

For Ariella by SewBlossomHeart, on Flickr

My sister has always loved polar bears, and the second I saw Brrr!, I knew I needed to make my sister something from it. Shortly afterwards, I found out she was pregnant, and I bought it for The Baby Quilt. I added in some Sketch and Painter's Canvas, and Ann Kelle Remix chevron for the binding. It took a few months to make, piecing here or there, trimming, more trimming, playing around with layouts, and procrastinating quilting it as I didn't know how to quilt it. In the end I went for a mix of red Aurifil on top and white Gutermann in the bobbin, except for the stars which was white for both.

Aurifil 40w 2250 by SewBlossomHeart, on Flickr

It was going to be a big surprise, but I'm not up for the emotion that would come with that in person so I sent her pictures. She loves it and thinks it's a very happy quilt.

More polar bears by SewBlossomHeart, on Flickr

I will be wrapping this up, and taking it with me as it belongs with my sister and her husband. We leave Saturday night and arrive back home Monday.

I need to thank each and everyone of you who has bought something from my Etsy or Craftsy stores this week. The sale was a last-minute idea to help raise the extra funds needed to change our flights last minute. I have been overwhelmed with the love and support from friends and family in helping this come about. My sister would also like to pass on her thanks and gratitude for your support at this time - she is really glad I'm coming sooner.

I will be deactivating most of my Etsy stock tomorrow as I won't be here to send anything. As it is, my husband will have to post everything for me next week. But March's Kawaii Japanese Bundle Club will be still be available for purchase, although shipping will be delayed a week or so as I don't get back until the 5th of March. Craftsy has automatic downloads, so you can still get all my patterns there.

Talking of patterns, I am also donating 100% of all sales from my Tea For Two pattern in February to my sister and her husband. It is only fitting, given the cover quilt was to be Ariella's.

Finally, I have scheduled a few posts in for the next few weeks, but my internet access will be sporadic as my accomodation doesn't have internet. So I will be relying on borrowing from family members when I visit them, and I won't be able to respond to comments as usual.

Again, thank you.