It takes a village

I am so so pleased to show this quilt.  Mommy Neighborhood is my first ever bee quilt finish.  It is also the first that I have mixed hand and machine quilting. 

Mommy Neighborhood


The texture of the hand quilting portion is pretty amazing.  I only wish I was a better photographer to capture the white on white.

Mommy Neighborhood


But this Mommy Neighborhood quilt is so much more than the fabric choices and the quilting.  I am grateful to my friends that made some blocks for me:  Rachel, Sarah, Jessica, Anna, Keri, Karen, Vanessa, and Veronique.  These and other online knitting friends (Katie, Laura, Suvi, Jennifer, Sindu, Charity, and Sheryl) were there for me during my pregnancy and ever since Henry was born.  They all have children Henry's age and we've become friends through sharing our trials and joys in raising our kids.  They were there for me through insomnia, severe infection, postpartum depression, anxiety attacks and Henry's diagnosis of autism.  Their commiseration, humor, acceptance and encouragement have helped make me into the mom I am today.

Mommy Neighborhood


Hillary Clinton said that it takes a village to raise a child.   
This quilt will hang on my wall and remind me of the village that it takes to raise a mom.  

Mommy Neighborhood


Thank you, thank you, thank you to my friends.


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Notes about this quilt:
  • the green strips of lawn were inspired by this quilt,
  •  I have two tutorials posted for making tiny house blocks if you are interested:  one and two.

25 comments:

The Calico Cat said...

the village that it takes to raise a mom.

Great quote.

The daycare lady taught my husband how to be a dad...

Kritta22 said...

What a beautiful story! The online quilting community is so amazingly supportive. I'm so glad you had friends to help you. What an amazing reminder.

Sarah said...

We love you too Melinda! The quilt is fabulous and I hope to see it in person some day :)

Anna said...

Lots of love to you Melinda and thank you for showing the result of this fantastic quilt! :)

Kleep said...

It may be the pregnancy hormones, but reading this post made me all choked up. And the quilt is beautiful, what a lovely thing so see every day.

Archie The Wonder Dog said...

I love it!!

Veronique said...

Oh Melinda, it's beautiful!

rachely said...

It's amazing! I can't wait to see it in person!

Anonymous said...

i love this melinda. every single thing about it.
the blocks, your quilting, the backstory, and all the mommy love it represents.
-melissa

Anjeanette said...

I just adore this! I adore the quilt itself. I adore the hand quilting. And I adore the story behind it. It does take a village.

Beth said...

Wow Wow Wow! It is so fantastic Melinda! And I love the story too.

Kim with a K said...

I love your quilt and the story as well.

Tamie said...

I love this quilt and have from the first posts. The quilting is awesome.

Prof. S (the enchanted bobbin) said...

Absolutely beautiful, made even more lovely by the fact that it represents so much to you! xx J

Lynne said...

Gorgeous quilt, and sentiment. Really lovely. Thank you for sharing.

Tahruska said...

Thanks a lot, now I have tears in my eyes ;) such praises when you have given as much joy and suppport for each of us back :)

Anonymous said...

That is so awesome! A community of women is so much more important than a village for a child!

Carla said...

This came out amazing - I've loved seeing it in progress and I love it finished!

Heidi Staples said...

Love, love, love it!!

Karen said...

This post made me tear up so much! Love you Melinda!

Cari said...

Wow, that is lovely. What a touching gesture from your friends.

Jessie said...

I get teary every time I hear this story, Melinda! And I think your white quilting came out perfectly in the pic. <3

Teje Karjalainen said...

What a beautiful quilt, so unique design and well made! My favourite house quilt!

Debbie said...

This is super cool! Love that you mixed hand and machine quilting. That I have yet to do.

Pat O said...

Beautiful! The first thing that jumped at me was the UNITY of the houses .... the second thing was the depression/anxiety attacks. Hang in there girl! You can do, and WILL do it. I LOVE your reminder quilt. I think I may do something like this to remind me also! First time visiting your blog! {{{Hugs}}}

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