Frost at Midnight: My Secret Mission.....

I can't quite remember when this germ of an idea crept into my life but I can't seem to let a day go by without me thinking about the mechanics of how I am going to accomplish it!

This year, my eldest will be entering into her late childhood years and beginning her young adult years. She will be turning 13! I can't believe how quickly those years have flown by and I really wanted to give her something special to mark the occasion. Something she could treasure for years to come and when ever she happened to look upon this something she would remember being young with all those dreams and aspirations that hadn't yet materialised and also hopefully she would think of me too. (I know - selfish!!)

I have kept a heap of old clothes that belong to both my children that hold special memories for all of us and as I was sorting through them one day I suddenly alighted on the idea of a memory quilt. Although I knew I was going to make something with it all(otherwise I would have given it all away to charity), when suddenly a very clear image of a crazy style quilt popped into my head and I immediately knew that this would be the perfect, perfect gift.

I began by researching some crazy quilts on the internet and got some fabulous ideas from some 'crazy' bloggers and so my idea began to take hold and grow. I decided that I wanted to insert some quotes and inspirational messages so I managed to find some old remnant linen which I could add to the clothes so that when I start stitching, the lettering will be neat and uniform. I made a decision NOT to buy anything for this quilt and make it using only what I have already got while everything has to have a significant meaning to my daughter too. So I trawled through drawers where we kept our 'bits and bobs', like old beads from broken bracelets never mended and pieces of ribbon, labels of clothes, even embroidered shoes that the dog chewed were all collected ~ ready to be a part of her quilt.

I am desperately trying to keep it a secret so that it is a surprise when she receives it but as I am lazy and don't pack everything away in my work room when I am finished ~ I am afraid that she may already have an inkling of what is going on. Well I don't know how I am going to do all the embroidery without her seeing something as she does to tend to sit up and watch a bit of telly with us every now and then. Even though I have only made a few blocks I can see the overall quilt taking shape and am desperately looking forward to starting the embroidery and the embellishing of the quilt.