I’m back to my blog after spending some intense design time getting patterns ready for our local shop hop and a couple of quilt shows coming to our area this summer.
I write frequently about quilts that tell a story through theme, design, and color palette. My patterns are also based on stories that relate in some way to my personal life experiences. In today’s post, I’d like to share a little about how my first fish quilt pattern “Sea Jewels” came to be.
Over three years ago, my son and daughter-in-law decided to begin the process to adopt a little boy from Haiti. They are the parents of my three beautiful grandchildren, two girls and a boy. The process was long and drawn out, and there was plenty of time to dream about the quilt I wanted to create for this little boy. I wanted to capture the colorful personality of the Haitian people as well as the beauty of the surrounding sea. Hence, the idea for this colorful fish quilt pattern.
Just before Christmas, 2008, we were able to put a name and face to the little Haitian boy who would one day join our family. Jeffry was 9 months old at the time, and we longed to be able to hold him in our arms and share in all the milestones of his young life. It wasn’t to be, however, as days turned into weeks, and weeks turned into months while we waited for the adoption process to play out. Jeffry’s orphanage, God’s Littlest Angels, sent us regular updates and photos, while providing a loving home for our special little boy. Jeffry’s other grandmother and I were both praying that our children would have Jeffry in their arms by his 2nd birthday. It began to look unlikely that it would happen by February, 2010, since there were many more steps to complete before the adoption could be finalized.
Then, in January, 2010, a massive earthquake devastated the small country of Haiti. I remember I was quilting at my longarm quilting machine when I heard the news. We soon learned that all the children and staff members at Jeffry’s orphanage were safe! In a matter of days, my son and daughter-in-law were on a plane to Miami where all the adoptive parents were finally able to greet their children who had been released on humanitarian parole. Jeffry was home at last!
I’m happy to report that Jeffry is thriving with his new family! It is an understatement to say that he loves life and is constantly exploring his world through the eyes of a two year old. When he rushes headlong into my arms and greets me with a huge smile, my heart overflows with love. Our prayers were answered—just in time for his 2nd birthday!
Jeffry
Jeffry's Birthday Cake
Jeffry Opening Birthday Presents
Jeffry and Emma
And so, “Sea Jewels” was created in honor of my grandson, Jeffry. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of this fish quilt pattern will be donated to God’s Littlest Angels, the orphanage which houses so many beautiful Haitian children and gives them love and hope.
Fish Quilt Pattern - Sea Jewels
Visit my store if you are interested in purchasing this fish quilt pattern.