I am BACK!

It's been a while since I have gotten the chance to blog.  I don't need to explain how life can get in the way of getting things done.  My first post after a long absence is about my Aunt Jodi who is so important to me.

My Aunt and I when I was little.

Aunt Jodi, Uncle Trav, My Mom and Me
This is the last time we were all together.

A month ago I found out that my Aunt Jodi was diagnosed with lung cancer that has spread to her spine. There is no cure for this kind of cancer and as the doctor said it's the worst kind of cancer someone can get.  She has finished 14 rounds of radiation and just received her first chemo treatment. She has been in allot of pain and the treatments are to help give her some relief from the pain and quality of life. I can not begin to express how important she is to me.  I spent allot of time with her as a child and I feel it is the reason I am such a strong and resilient women today.  She is the most amazing women, mother and wife.  Her whole life was about making the people around her feel loved and special.  When I needed her a couple of years ago she got on a plane and was here in a week. This is a huge deal because she suffers from sever anxiety and flying is very scary for her.  All I can say is she is a very special lady.  Because I live so far away I haven't been able to be with her so I wanted to give her something to remind her of me and how much I love her. So, I turned to my sewing machine.

Once I decided to give her a quilt I knew this was the quilt she needed to have, Jelly Roll Race Quilt.  I made this quilt over a year ago so all I needed to do was quilt and bind it.  I bought the fabric at Three Crafty Ladies on Sanibel Island, FL.  Whenever I am down there I make it a point to go to this quilt shop.  They have all kinds of fabric that is either beach or ocean related, It's fantastic.  Living in Minnesota makes it very difficult to find fabric like this.  

 I stepped outside of my box by quilting some seashells and leaves on it.  I backed it in grey minky to give it a real soft feel.  I wanted her to have something she could snuggle up with. 

She received it and loves it so much she won't let anyone take it off her.  It gives me some peace to know she has something beautiful to hang on to while she is going though this difficult time,  Losing her will change the landscape of our family but I will cherish the time we have left with her.

LOVE,

LITTLE JODY