The stars have aligned! A finished top!

Oh my - this top was finished at an alarming pace. Two days! I can't believe it! I finished embroidering the last block on Tuesday, Wednesday I sewed the squares together, and by Thursday the quilt top was done! Sandwiched and ready for hand quilting - this little project for my sweet little boy is coming along.

Liam has been taking long naps on the living room couch and I set up my sewing machine on the kitchen table - and whenever I could, stitched and stitched and stitched.

This project has really pushed me to be better. To take chances. Being a self taught quilter, I tend to shy away from new techniques. But I really really loved the quilt in the book  and I wanted to push myself to make it according to the directions. I learned have to make colonial knots from this tutorial  and finally started doing them successfully by the last block that called for them, which was that sweet little yo yo block. I love the texture that embroidery brings to a project. I can't stop running my hands over it.

This is such a thoughtful project that I want to stretch it out a little longer - so this sweet quilt is getting hand quilted. I love the pace of hand quilting. The rhythm of it. How I can work on this project while my son naps with his little feet resting on my leg.

Often times a favorite question of mine is to ask Ross or Liam if they can feel how loved they are. "Do you know I love you? Can you feel it?" When Liam is old enough to understand... and he sees this project... I hope he runs his hands over it and feels just how special he is. How with every stitch came a prayer, a hope, a kiss.  This is one of many projects that are in my head for a little birthday corner for my sweet boy... who will turn one in four months - oh my! Oh how fast time flies. I really want to treasure each and every moment. To remember how he is starting to become more social. To remember how he plays. How he loves to chase balls and tear down towers made from blocks. To remember how he looks for me in a crowded room whenever someone else is holding him. To remember the weight of him in my sling with his head listening to the sound of my heart.

Oh yes - I want to remember.

Linking up to Finish it Friday at Crazy Mom Quilts 

Oh my! I just found out that the Sew The Library link up is still going! It has a new home over at Weekend Doings  hosted by Martha. I love this project! I have two entries in this link up so far and you can read about those projects  here and here .  I am so glad that this project is continuing!  If you are interested in joining along, below is the button that will take you to the information page! Hope to see you there!