Jenny’s Quilt
Jul 26th, 2007 by Kathy
Finished just in time to make its way back to Missouri and into my sister’s hands. I stitched the label while I was there, of course. It was good to be home. Good to see my sister. Give her a hug in person.
I haven’t talked about her cancer before. She was diagnosed with colon cancer in March (at the young age of 35 for goodness sakes), underwent surgery and is 4 sessions away from completing her 6 months of chemotherapy. We joke that my sister Liz made phone calls to every cancer resource West of the Mississippi. I quilted. We each do things that help us cope with events that are just too enormous to make any sense of. We love you Jenny.
The hands on the quilt belong to my sister Anna, my sister Liz and her two sons, Caitlin, Leil and me. None of us live in Missouri, this puts us close in spirit.
I’m speechless in describing the quilting done by my extremely talented friend Marybeth O’Halloran of White Lotus Quilting. Every glorious stitch is full of love and warmth and beauty.
More pictures of the quilt on Flickr.
I think I’ll leave it at that.
I’m all choked up. Many wishes for your sister’s health. The hand prints are just wonderful. What an awesome quilt!!
oh, very best wishes for your sister’s recovery. sending you warm thoughts.
Cancer sucks. So sorry your sister has to go through such a senseless battle; so pleased for her that she has her family’s hand on her heart. You’re a lovely, lovely woman. I’ll keep her in my prayers, literally.
Prayers going out to your sister! Its a lovely quilt!
It’s so nice to see such positive energy and love put into such a beautiful, meaningful, and awesome thing. The quilt is gorgeous. My best friend’s mom had colon cancer and beat it, so best wishes for your sister and your family!
My thoughts are with your sister and your family. My little nephew is still fighting cancer in the hospital after surgery and I understand how lost sometimes our entire family could be. While you sewed and quilted, I knitted.
That quilt is gorgeous! I hope your sister recovers quickly and completely.
What a glorious showing of love.
That’s a lovely quilt. How did you do the hands, applique?
I’ll keep your family and especially your sister in my thoughts. May the cancer vanish and never come back.
Stunning, Kathy. What a spirit lifter your gorgeous quilt will be! Best wishes for a complete and smooth recovery for your sister.
I am in awe! That is such a beautiful quilt!
I love the quilt and the love behind its birth is just awesome!
I’ll keep your family in my prayers.
What a horrible thing to go through for your whole family. Colon cancer runs in my fam too and it is just awful awful awful.
Your quilt is such a wonderful, tangible expression of your love and concern–your sister must feel so comforted and protected by it.
Wow. It’s so beautiful. . . .
I’m so sorry to hear about your sister’s health woes…I know your beautiful quilt will help her heal & recover! - Candy
Wow kathy!! You are truly amazing! I’ve been catching up on your blog noticing ALL of the wonderful things you have made lately! THe bag, table runner, raspberry jam, and your stunning kitchen. Your creative energy is really flowing.
I am especially touched by the quilt you made for your sister Jenny. When she wraps this around her, she’ll be receiving a hug and loving touches from everyone she loves. So very comforting and sweet.
Well, the quilt makes me want to cry, so I can’t imagine how much your sister must love it. It’s a work of art in its own respect, and the handprints add such a loving touch; I’m at a loss for words. I’ll be praying for your family, especially for Jenny’s healing.
Kathy, Your post makes me think of the sign at my favorite quilt shop…. ” Those that sleep under a quilt sleep under a blanket of love.”
Each time Jenny sees the quilt (and those hands), she will know how much her sisters love her. I will keep your sister in prayer for a quick recovery.
speechless after looking at the quilt and crying after reading your post–and I’m at work!! warnings please on emotional posts–just kidding, lovely work and sending all my best thoughts to your lucky sister in hopes that she makes a speedy and lasting recovery!
Oh, Kathy, I am so sorry about your sister. The quilt is beautiful and so thoughtful.
hey kathy, your sister and family are in my prayers. colon cancer always strikes a chord with me- most of my in-laws have passed away after fighting it, the youngest was my brother-in-law alex, who died at his farm outside davenport, washington, at the ripe age of 19. he refused treatment, as they didn’t find it until it was all over his body.
he was the only 19 year old i’ve ever known to have realized his aspirations in life, which were to live off the grid and grow organic crops. he was a most amazing person.
Absolutely gorgeous quilt, you can see the love in it.
Oh, I wish your sister the best. This is such an amazing piece:)…and I love the hands, makes it so unique and personal:)…so gorgeous:).
It’s amazingly beautiful Kathy and it will give your sister many hugs when you can’t be there. How wonderful to include the hands of your family.
What an amazing quilt! It’s so beautiful. I have a friend that is undergoing chemo right now for colon cancer. She’s only 24 and being so young is bewildering. I hope that your sister makes a full recovery.
This quilt is made with passion and reflects the love and compassion you feel for your sister Jenny. How wonderful you are able to translate your huge talent into something that beautiful, the colours, the pattern! I can’t stop looking at it! The quilt will certainly give her strenght and warmth and I hope she will fully recover.
What a beautiful quilt and present! The applique hands are wonderful and a lovely way to show your closeness. My best wishes for your sister and her recovery.
I haven’t commented before but I love reading your blog.
My first response was “Lucky Jenny” at receiving such a beautiful quilt… then I read about her cancer diagnosis at such a shockingly young age. And I did not think her so “lucky”. I love the touch of the hands… surely with such love as went into this quilt, it has to bring her healing powers. I will keep her in my thoughts. May she beat this.
It is so beautiful it brings a tear to my eye. So full of love. I’m sure when your sister wraps up in it, it will be healing and comforting. My prayers go to you for your family.
This quilt is absolutely beautiful and it is evident that it is made with love.
Oh Kathy. A difficult and scary time for your sister and your family.
I hope that she will be feeling 100% very soon.
xxx
What a lovely thoughtful gesture. I would be like you if something like this happened to my family, I would sew. I love the ideas of the hands. God bless you sister. xx
wow… That was a wonderful and fun quilt!!! It’s like an Alice in wonderland feeling!!! Quilts are wonderful presents - who can resist????
Have a fabtastic weekend!!
totally and completely beautiful, in every way.
It’s beautiful, Kathy! You can see and feel the love that went into making this.
Hi Kathy, I’m another Northwesterner. I recently found your blog and I’ve been enjoying your past entries - in fact, I’m inspired to make a tote by your lovely May ‘06 gift to your mom.
This is a lovely quilt and the love radiating out of it is sure to warm your sister even more that the physical object. My prayers are with her and you all.
Paula (Momma Pajama)
What a beautiful quilt . I’m sure your sister will feel all the love that went into it and be very comforted by it. Best wishes for your sister’s very speedy recovery !!!!
I can feel the love from here. It’s beautiful.
Just fabulous Kathy~! I can understand totally, as you well know!
Kathy,
My thoughts and prayers are with your sister and all your family. Jenny’s quilt is so vibrant with all your love, I am at a loss to discribe it’s beauty. May all your loving hands help Jenny on her journey of healing.
Blessing….
The quilt is incredible. Your sister will be in my thoughts.
I think that is the prettiest quilt I have ever seen. What a treasure!
I’m sending lots of prayers up for your sister. The quilt is just gorgeous.
Wow. Tears………… Beautiful.
So sorry about your sister. But, from her tragedy came a beautiful quilt. Hope all will be well with her and you as well.
What a beautiful quilt - and what a beautiful gift for your sister. I will keep her in my prayers.
What a wonderful quilt!!! I love the hands!!!
My prayers are with your sister and your family.
Jenny’s quilt is beautiful. As she wraps herself in the quilt, the hands on the quilt and the love that went into making the quilt will both keep her warm.
What a cheerful, uplifting and simply amazing quilt. Love and comfort radiate from it. Best wishes to your sister and your family.
That is the most beautiful quilt I have seen in a very long time. I am so pleased to see it finished & to know that it has such a special place in the world. My Dad was diagnosed with Colorectal cancer 5 years ago - it was the hardest thing any of us have ever been through. His final tests for remission are tomorrow. He is doing great & I very much hope your sister will be saying the same in 5 years time. She is obviously surrounded by loving hands & that makes a difference. Thanks for sharing with us.
This quilt is so beautiful! I am a firm believer in wrapping yourself up in blanket/quilt made with love. I always wrap myself in one of my grandmothers quilts when I need to feel close to her. Best wishes and prayers to your sister!!
What a lucky girl to have a family so full of love and compassion for eachother. Too bad everyone couldn’t have sisters like you! I’m sure she must know how much you adore her after seeing that quilt!
Okay, the “transparent” squares are killing me. It’s a beautiful quilt and says a lot. Well done.
Hi!
Quilt is awesome!
I found your blog via a fellow quilter. Just wanted to let you know of a mini-quilt swap I am hosting. We’d love to have you if you are interested. The details are given at the blog link below. If it happens that you are not interested, I’d still appreciate if you could spread the word in the event some of your blog’s readers might like to participate. Thanks!
Margaret
http://fourseasonsquiltswap.blogspot.com/
Wow, I amazed at the beauty of this. It’s amazing what we produce when we’re trying to cope.
[...] When she uses it in her quilts. So alive purple! [...]