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!!!!
Yes, he will probably make some woman unhappy someday. Then again, his honesty is refreshing! He might find the right one who will appreciate an honest answer to, "Does this make me look fat?"
ReplyDeleteBottom line, what a great story about him, barring the pneumonia. Glad he's feeling better, and very glad he likes his gorgeous quilt.
Let me tell you - it doesn't get any easier. I was paper piecing numbers. I was visiting my brother and asked my nephew if he would like a wall hanging for his classroom - he was a math/science teacher. He said not in those prints. I had already made two of some of them. So, he didn't get one. I guess he forgot he had females in his class, too. My daughter has asked me to make her a t-shirt quilt from her college sorority t-shirts. She thought she had disposed of all of them. I have two boxes of them. I threw out some ideas so it wouldn't be a plain Jane quilt. Nope! She knows what she wants. She hasn't seen the t-shirts in ages. She wants grey and grey for sashing/cornerstones. She can't decide on one grey let alone two. I had suggested two shades of blue since those are some of the sorority's colors. NO! Then she said she thinks she wants blue backing. When I went to visit last year, she kept looking at non t-shirt quilt patterns. I think she wants a double sided quilt. That's where I draw the line. I'd rather make two quilts for her. So, I tell you this honesty thing doesn't get better as they get older. On the other hand, you don't have to try to figure out where you stand either. She went for over three years without speaking to me. Her husband didn't like me and said some awful things to me. She felt that I put her in the middle and I tried very hard not to do that. On the other hand, I will not let anyone speak to me as he did. He told me that I had never been there for my daughter. Let me see - who put her through college, make trips to help her with homework and console her when she was in college, always went to Mom's day, made costumes for her for date parties at late notice, paid for her wedding. It wasn't her mom who walked out on her during her junior year in high school. I have no idea where he got that idea. He started getting a new appreciation after they had preemies. That was new to me, but I made special trips and helped where I could. He saw that she could still depend on her mom. I'm thrilled that he now loves his quilt. You certainly knew to keep the quilt for him. You are great to teach him that a finished quilt is a SURPRISE!!!
ReplyDeleteOh my! I think I love this little one! Sounds like we will see great things from him! Good job Crissy! Hugs!
ReplyDeleteWhat a gorgeous quilt, I love it! The quilting is fantastic, such a great idea - definitely going to have to give that a try! And most importantly, I'm so glad you're son likes it :)
ReplyDeleteVery nice quilt! I'm glad he warmed up to it, because it's great (and it probably feels get to have it finished).
ReplyDeleteGreat quilt and fun stories about Ryan (well, except for the pneumonia! glad he's recovered!).
ReplyDeleteOh I love this one too! I think I love every star quilt, they are such timeless beauties. I love reading your stories and I'm glad he is better now. And really glad he's staked claim to the quilt! :)
ReplyDeleteOh I love the quilt! What a funny little fish Ryan sounds. Honesty is not a curse, but he might need to learn diplomacy as he grows older!. My daughter is one to bluntly say she doesn't like something, but she's more of a manipulator. She says what she knows we don't want to hear! Now she's 10, we've learnt to ignore her and know we'll find out her true feelings later on. Ah kids, never a dull moment and no wonder we a Mums get worn out. Our brains are tired from trying to figure out how our kids think!
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