Wednesday, April 24, 2013

Forever Gray for Jay

Recently, a man we have known for many years lost his battle with brain cancer.  Jay's family had numerous Gray for Jay events to demonstrate love and support during a difficult time.  I love the way his sisters gathered these spiritual armies to pray and cheer for Jay.

I have struggled with how to express my emotions for Jay and two of his sisters that I dearly love.  I sketched, painted, and finally decided to quilt my feelings of hope in Eternity. Forever. Always.



We are all interconnected.
Always,  Forever, throughout Eternity.



15 comments:

Samantha said...

This is beautiful! I love it and I am sure his family will too. Families are Forever!

Sara said...

Your thoughts were shown beautifully through this quilt!!

Karee said...

Thank you. With fabric we memorialize births, graduations, marriages, and sometimes even deaths. Most gifts/quilts are easy to share with the blogosphere because just as we are inspired by others' creativity, we hope our own efforts will have an impact. This "quilt" representing a life will perhaps let people know we can use our talents for all seasons of our lives. I very much appreciate your kind words.

Karee

Renee said...

This is really lovely! I love the quilt block and what it symbolizes for you. I dear friend of my died of bone cancer in November, but last February I made her a prayer quilt using fabrics her friends and family sent. When she died I added a hanging sleeve and gave it to her mom to hang at her home. It was so bitter sweet.

Karee said...

Thank you. Quilts often have a purpose and that purpose is allowed to change and grow. Oftentimes they change ownership and their previous life adds to the beauty it offers the new owner.

I love that added a sleeve so this symbol of spiritual strength is visible daily, instead of being folded away in a linen closet. Embrace the quilt's purpose and let it strengthen all who see it. Beautiful idea.

Nancy@owensolivia said...

Sorry to hear your loss. This will be well loved!

Sister Hinckley cracks me up. Both of them do. Do you remember when President Hinckley was told by his doctor that he needed to walk with a cane? And that is what he did. He walked with his cane. (Just walked holding it!)

And then there was the time Sister Hinckley said that we need to spoil (within reason) our kids because they won't stay kids forever. My response: She must have said that when she was grandmother!!

Anonymous said...

I already am a fan of yours because you quoted Marjorie Hinckley. When I saw her picture I thought, "Wait! That looks just like Marjorie Hinckley..." and so on. Your quilt is beautiful. I can barely wait in some moments to finish up our teaching year with BYU China Teachers so that I can go home to spoil children, grandchildren, and to sew and quilt again! All of us who can buy any fabric for any craft are just so very blessed. I have a new understanding of richness now. Keep on quilting and keep on givng!

Karee said...

Dear Anonymous:
Thank you.
And talk to me about your experience with the BYU China Teachers program. What city are you in? Do you and/or your husband speak/read/write Mandarin? (Mine does!)
And yes, we are blessed in many ways. Freedom is the greatest blessing; spiritual, social affiliations, education, economic, speech, etc. Oh, yes, and freedom to pursue happiness and for me most mornings that means helping fabric fulfill its destiny!

Jennifer Mathis of Ellison Lane said...

What a lovely way to remember him.

grapes and hearts said...

Thanky you very much for sharing your thoughts. Your wall hanging/mini quilt is one of my favourites in this Challenge! I'm sure it is very much appreciated by his family.

leanne said...

that is a really great quilt for a memory quilt - can I ask you what the block is called ?

leanne said...

that is a really great quilt for a memory quilt - can I ask you what the block is called ?

Stephanie said...

Such a beautiful story behind a beautiful quilt. Is this block based off a specific pattern?

Karee said...

Leanne, I will look it up and post the name of this Carol Doak paper pieced Foundation Factory block.

I love all of the block programs sold at www.QuiltPro.com. Sign up for their specials as each program is often on sale for $10. You can resize each paper pieced block and create quilts of any size.

Karee said...

The pattern is called Necktie and is made with quarter blocks. I used Carol Doak's Classic Blocks #1 cd and found it in Four Patch, then Necktie.