Birthday Table Runner

Did you know that butterflies are symbolic of the afterlife? Even from ancient times butterflies were thought to have been a means for the dead to communicate with the living. This table runner was created for my good friend Janine who also lost her father. Janine is very into butterfly's. Now, she lives only one apt. over and she insists that she sees butterflies all the time. I don't ever see any but it brings me comfort to know that she sees these butterflies and it helps her to feel connected to her father. I believe that it was out fate to find one another. She lost her father to cancer about 5 years ago and she has been able to help me cope with the death of mine. Her father's name is Paul, my father's name is Peter, both saints and we live 5 minutes away from a Saint Peter & Paul Church. She has taught me that you never forget your father and that he lives on inside of you. She gives me hope for better days.

So I wanted to do something special for Janine for her birthday this March and I wanted to incorporate butterflies into the quilt in some way. On a trip to my local quilt shop I found this butterfly fabric and fell in love. I knew that it would be just perfect for Janine, she agreed. I used a 30s fate quarter to make the boarder around a dimples white fabric. I thought that the checkered pink fabric would compliment nicely with the softness of the dimples and butterfly fabric. I also wanted there to be a contrast between the focal point of the quilt and the boarders. I was really happy with how it came out.

I also wanted to be able to use my new Babylock Sophia Embroidery Machine that my husband got me for Christmas. My husband is an amazing man. He knew this Christmas was going to be so hard for me and he wanted to do something special. Personally I just wanted to stay in bed and deal with Christmas next year but he would not let me. We decided on simple presents and I did not expect anything, especially because we were broke this Christmas. I woke up Christmas morning and Benjamin handed me two presents wrapped in tissue paper. I opened one, fabric stabilizer, and was confused, and 2 spools of blue embroidery floss. Now, I did not have a machine that could do embroidery and I was embarrassed that he got the wrong stuff. But I knew that the ladies at the quilt shop would not have allowed him to buy me something that I couldn't use. I thought maybe he wanted me to try hand embroidery.

Then he turned to me and asked why I look so confused. I told him that I don't know how I can use the items he presented me. He asked why. I told him that it was for an embroidery sewing machine (which I had wanted for months) and that I didn't have one. Benjamin looked at me, smiled, and said, "You don't, are you sure, let me check." He went next door and came back with a huge box. I was in total shock, I wouldn't feel my knees. It was even better then the day he asked me to be his wife.

That morning I opened up a brand new Babylock Sophia Embroidery machine and I have not stooped embroidering ever sine. It is so amazing and I love that my hubby picked it out all by himself and surprised me. He is awesome!!

So back to the runner. I really like the vintage designs available today and I feel in love with these vintage butterflies. I am still getting the hang of it but I think that they came out pretty good. Janine's table runner was on her table today when she returned from Italy with her mom. She absolutely loved it and I know that she will enjoy it for years to come.

As I made this quilt I could not stop thinking about new beginnings. A butterfly transforms from a Caterpillar to a butterfly completely reinventing themselves. For me, this quilt represents how we have an opportunity to transform or reinvent ourselves, especially after tradegy. I know both our fathers only want us to be happy and become the people they are proud of. Sometimes that is hard to see in the face of loss. I feel like this quilt has a lot of positive energy. Energy I hope stays with both of us.

Happy Birthday Janine, To many Happy More!!