Some of the best gifts are those that are completely unexpected. When you are seven years old, it is easy for the mama to know just what you will like...and surprise you with something you never knew you wanted til you were wrapped up in it.
Forrest, my sweet boy, I have been dreaming of your Seven Year Quilt since I was stitching the first baby one while you were cradled beneath my heart, nudging me from within.
This quilt was what I wrapped you up in when I first looked into your beautiful snowflake eyes, seven years ago. It was made with heaps of love and hopes and wishes and love. It has blanketed you in sleep, in health, in sickness, in fears, and in dreams. It has traveled along with us, making sure it kept you company when we were in strange beds. (Perhaps, it was more for me the comfort it provided. You have always been so content, as long as Papa and I were at hand.)
And I have slowly watched as your toes peek out the bottom of it. I have watched you stretch and grow beyond the edges of your baby quilt.
This past Autumn, I reached into my stash of fabric that I carefully laid away, seven years ago. I also found some more prints that make me think of you...Vikings, gnomes, bicycles, castles, guitars, skiers and skaters and sledders, leaves, rockets, sunshines...and snowflakes.
A new quilt was needed...one that shall see you through many cold winter nights with all your perfect toes covered up well. One that will give you shelter and protection from all the boyhood worries and fears that may arise. For I stitched it up with all the love a mother has for her son...and then some more.
And on the reverse side, I made it a little more teenage boyish, you know, without the cute little gnomes or Vikings showing. Sort of a two-in-one quilt because already, Miss Sunshine is asking when her Seven Year Quilt will be ready.
I had hoped to give this to you on your 7th birthday in the autumn. Seven is important to us for many reasons, mainly because we see that young childhood merges into middle childhood around this time. Children seem so much more grounded on the earth at seven. It was time to put your baby quilt aside as you leaped forward into middle childhood. And, while I missed your birthday by two months, I don't think you minded.
In fact, you seem rather happy to climb under your new quilt at night, telling me it's like you're snuggling with me right beside you. And this mama couldn't ask for a better thank you than that!
Ah what beautiful words for a beautiful quilt for a wonderful boy. You did a great job, dear Mama!!!!!!!!!!!!! So much love!!
Posted by: Diana | January 03, 2013 at 05:55 AM
That is fabulous Jules! What a treasure.
Posted by: Tonya - Plain and Joyful Living | January 03, 2013 at 01:02 PM
wow this is beautiful, well done mama x
Posted by: Laura | January 03, 2013 at 02:30 PM
New to your blog and had to comment on your beautiful quilt. I love the picture of the children investigating the items on the fabrics, precious.
The prints are fabulous! You have inspired me to make a quilt for my own soon to be 7 year old boy.
Tiff
Posted by: tiff | January 03, 2013 at 04:08 PM
He looks thrilled! Beautiful job!
Posted by: Heather | January 03, 2013 at 09:15 PM
Thank you to all of you for your kind comments. It really is a simple quilt, couldn't get more basic than a few square blocks, really. But it was fun to put together.
Tiff...I saw your creations and will look forward to what you make for our son. Please, let me know if you do it!
xo Jules
Posted by: a little crafty nest | January 04, 2013 at 09:24 PM
Oh it is beautiful!!! Just perfect!!
Posted by: Jenny | January 05, 2013 at 06:08 PM
Jules- it is beautiful! I love it, and he looks so very pleased with it. Guitars, bikes, snow, gnomes, vikings and castles- I know our boys would get along! (gosh, 7 is big- look how long he is!)
hugs, Taisa
Posted by: Taisa | January 06, 2013 at 08:26 PM