It's finished!

I've been working on an I-Spy Quilt since February. It's going to be a surprise for a really good friend of mine. I can't wait to give it to her! It is NOT professional by any means, but I think it turned out really cute. I especially like the yellow corners, stitching and ties; I think it goes well with the denim. The only thing I bought for this quilt was the binding. I already had everything else at home. My goal this year is to use up all of the fabric I already have before I buy any more. (There! I put it in writing!)

Zoe and Gabe, my cute and crazy quilt holders.
Gabe was so amazed to see it all come together.
I really enjoyed having the kids watch me and help me as I worked on it.

Close up of one cornerI tried to get it all in one shot...

It's so satisfying to create something. Writing this post made me think of the talk by President Dieter F. Uchtdorf: "Happiness, Your Heritage" . Here's just a part of this great talk:

"The desire to create is one of the deepest yearnings of the human soul. No matter our talents, education, backgrounds, or abilities, we each have an inherent wish to create something that did not exist before. Everyone can create. You don’t need money, position, or influence in order to create something of substance or beauty.

Creation brings deep satisfaction and fulfillment. We develop ourselves and others when we take unorganized matter into our hands and mold it into something of beauty—and I am not talking about the process of cleaning the rooms of your teenage children.

You might say, “I’m not the creative type. When I sing, I’m always half a tone above or below the note. I cannot draw a line without a ruler. And the only practical use for my homemade bread is as a paperweight or as a doorstop.”

If that is how you feel, think again, and remember that you are spirit daughters of the most creative Being in the universe. Isn’t it remarkable to think that your very spirits are fashioned by an endlessly creative and eternally compassionate God? Think about it—your spirit body is a masterpiece, created with a beauty, function, and capacity beyond imagination.

If you are a mother, you participate with God in His work of creation—not only by providing physical bodies for your children but also by teaching and nurturing them. If you are not a mother now, the creative talents you develop will prepare you for that day, in this life or the next.

You may think you don’t have talents, but that is a false assumption, for we all have talents and gifts, every one of us. The bounds of creativity extend far beyond the limits of a canvas or a sheet of paper and do not require a brush, a pen, or the keys of a piano. Creation means bringing into existence something that did not exist before—colorful gardens, harmonious homes, family memories, flowing laughter.

What you create doesn’t have to be perfect. So what if the eggs are greasy or the toast is burned? Don’t let fear of failure discourage you. Don’t let the voice of critics paralyze you—whether that voice comes from the outside or the inside.

If you still feel incapable of creating, start small. Try to see how many smiles you can create, write a letter of appreciation, learn a new skill, identify a space and beautify it.

The more you trust and rely upon the Spirit, the greater your capacity to create. That is your opportunity in this life and your destiny in the life to come. Sisters, trust and rely on the Spirit. As you take the normal opportunities of your daily life and create something of beauty and helpfulness, you improve not only the world around you but also the world within you."

I really love this talk and I love Pres. Uchtdorf. Now I've started making pillows (LOTS of pillows!) for my bedroom and living room...