After a year-and-a-half I have finally finished this quilt for my youngest child, Ryan. It would have been finished long ago, but the problem was he didn't like it. Not at all. (you can read a little more about that here.)
Ryan came into my world 4-and-half-years ago, and I have spent the last 4-and-half-years trying to figure him out. With Ryan, it's all or nothing. He's a 100% boy, a man's man, and doesn't like lovey-dovey stuff. I remember that even before he could crawl, he would demand I carry him everywhere--but I wasn't allowed to kiss him or cuddle him. Nope, I was his minion, and in his baby way he would tell me, "I'm only allowing you to hold me woman because I need to see the world; otherwise I would never allow such close contact." He is very stubborn and demanding--but not in a spoiled bratty way. He's very matter-of-fact, will never scream or throw tantrums, but just give you a serious look that says "I win. You lose". And if his persistence doesn't get him what he wants, he'll flash you an award winning smile that will melt your heart.
The funniest thing about Ryan is that he never sugar coats anything. He will bluntly tell you that your hair looks ugly after a trip to the beauty salon, and asks you why your stomach looks bigger if you've gained a few pounds. And he's not saying it out of spite, he is just painfully honest. It's actually very funny and cute right now (and just a warning--don't ever call Ryan "cute"), and I love him more than I can describe, but I have a feeling that he is going to make some woman very unhappy one day! Lol.
So, getting back to the quilt story, after he expressed his opinion about the quilt I made for him, I put it away and started looking for some fabric he liked better--but he couldn't find anything he really liked. I even tried to persuade him into Rocket Age by October Afternoon, but he wouldn't have it. Then a couple of weeks ago, Ryan got pneumonia. Although it's very, very sad when your child is sick, it is also a great time to snuggle with them...they become so sweet and cuddly--and for me to be able to cuddle with him is an rare treasured opportunity. He was feeling so bad that I thought he might like to use his quilt (it was longarm basted, so other than the raw edges, it perfectly usable). When I showed him he said, "Oh, I like it." He happily used it and nicely asked if I could "fix" it (he didn't like the batting showing). And I was so thankful he was finally excited about it.
Ryan got all better, and then I spent the next two weeks quilting it. I quilted it with wavy stitch on my sewing machine that I discovered on instagram from Amy of Diary of a Quilter, who ironically designed the quilt pattern. It turned out to be such a blessing, because it's SO easy, looks great, and it's still really soft. I still had to bind it, and I got off work early a few days ago and flew home so I quickly finish it up before I picked him up from daycare.
When I went to get Ryan I excitedly told him "I have a surprise for you when we get home!". When we walked into the house I said, "Look, I finished your quilt!".
He said, "But where is my surprise?".
"Well, this is your surprise. Aren't you happy?"
"But I wanted Robo-fish."
(Parenting fail: telling a 4-year old a quilt is their surprise.)
He didn't look at the quilt for the rest of the night, and spent the remainder of the evening sitting on the couch complaining he was cold. I think he just said that to drive me crazy.
Finally, on Friday night, when it was time to go to bed he said, "I can't sleep without my quilt". I was so relieved and happy.
So, this morning I grabbed it off the bed to take some pics of it, and he said, "What are you doing?". I told him I needed to take some pictures for the blog.
He said in his matter-of-fact tone, "Take the pictures and then put the quilt back on the bed. Sound good?".
So, if you're thinking these pics look a little washed out, well you're right. I had to take the pics fast, because I didn't want Ryan to think I was taking advantage of his generosity. :)
Have a great week everyone!!!!
