Monday, October 31, 2011

The Tale of the One Armed Quilter

ONCE UPON A TIME in the Great Pumpkin Patch, there lived  a grandmother named Lolly, who thought she could fly.
One dark and spooky night, as she was descending her staircase after a visit to her mysterious sewing closet in hopes of finding just the right fabric to make a tiny baby quilt, she decided to try out her wings. After all, she reasoned, since she was already running it seemed the perfect plan to just skip that last step and fly instead. Lolly's super powers apparently were not engaged properly that night and that is how she became known as "The One Armed Quilter"!
 Now, despite being on a hearty dose of pain medication, Lolly was determined to finish the little quilt because everyone knows that even a premie who lives in NICU needs the loving comfort of a cuddly quilt made by her grandmother. Using the elbow on her now incredibly pink and useless arm to hold down her acrylic ruler, she still managed to cut and sew a sweet little blanket from the Sherbet Pips charm pack she'd found buried in her mysterious closet. 
Lolly even somehow managed to spell out the tiny baby girl's name on the back of the quilt so that it wouldn't get  mixed up with any of the other baby quilts in the NICU. (smile!)
 Baby Lois has lots of little girl cousins who are looking forward to someday playing dolls with her at her grandmother's house...

but, in the meantime she is gradually growing bigger and healthier in her special bed at the hospital.
Even though Lolly isn't allowed to hold little Lois yet, she is happy to see her snuggle with her mommy in the quilt...
and to know that it makes a cute curtain from the overhead lights.
 THE END
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36 comments:

  1. BrendaOctober 31, 2011 at 3:22 PM

    ouch! I hope both grandmother and baby are well soon! cute quilt and what a good use for that charm pack.

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  2. Sujata ShahOctober 31, 2011 at 3:35 PM

    Way to go, Carla! You can fly and quilt with one arm!!
    But most of all, proud grandma of baby, Lois!
    What an adorable little baby!
    Congratulations!
    Don't forget to take care of your arm.

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  3. CitricSugarOctober 31, 2011 at 4:00 PM

    Heal quickly! I always say that broken bones are a good excuse for ice cream frozen yogurt and cheesecake since they need the extra calcium...

    Beautiful quilt for a beautiful babe!

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  4. AnonymousOctober 31, 2011 at 4:32 PM

    Oh dear, Carla. Such dedication from a one-armed grandma! You rock! (Love her name on the back!)

    Heal quickly, dear bloggy friend!

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  5. RachelOctober 31, 2011 at 5:06 PM

    OUCH! I don't like to be obvious, but I really think you should make another quilt with what is left and call it "Flying With the Pips" OK, bad. I know. Hope you are feeling better and adorable Miss Lois gets to come home very soon!

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  6. DiOctober 31, 2011 at 5:11 PM

    Oh dear, Carla, how nasty. Well done for pressing on in true grandmotherly style and not letting a broken arm hinder you from creating your beautiful gift of love for little Lois. May you all live happily ever after. Xx

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  7. felicityOctober 31, 2011 at 5:17 PM

    Yikes! But wow - you are definitely a Super Lolly in my book (Baby Lois's too, I expect).

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  8. KarenOctober 31, 2011 at 5:42 PM

    I've heard of a one-armed bandit but not a one-armed quilter!

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  9. sandraOctober 31, 2011 at 5:54 PM

    Oh wow, were there is a will there is a way. Grammies always find a way to make quilts for grandchildren no matter what shape there in. Hope you won't be to long healing so you can hold that wee grandaughter. Blessings Sandra

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  10. bethOctober 31, 2011 at 5:59 PM

    YOu're an amazing woman!

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  11. FlourishingPalmsOctober 31, 2011 at 5:59 PM

    How stinkin' sweet are those Lois pictures? She just a baby doll! As for you, you flyin' Lolly, you are one don't-cross-my-path quilter! I wouldn't wanna get in your way when it's time to make a quilt for a grandchild!

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  12. LauraOctober 31, 2011 at 6:24 PM

    Wow-gorgeous! You must be so proud - of everything!

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  13. CindyOctober 31, 2011 at 6:25 PM

    You are one determined grandmother and Quilter!! Great story, beautiful quilt and here's hoping you are a quick healer and can hold that sweet baby soon with both arms!

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  14. Mary AnneOctober 31, 2011 at 6:59 PM

    Oh my! I cannot believe that you finished a quilt with your arm in a cast. You ARE Super-Lolly! Baby Lois has a lovely little quilt and a wonderful Grandma!

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  15. charlotteOctober 31, 2011 at 8:03 PM

    Oh, Carla, I hope you are feeling better soon. Lois will need both those loving arms to hold her. Your little quilt is adorable and I love the name on the back. Take care.

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  16. Yia YiaOctober 31, 2011 at 8:20 PM

    Love, love, love this fabric and this beautiful quilt...just right for a little love named Lois!!Great job, Lolly. Nothing can stop you, that's for sure!! XO

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  17. UnknownOctober 31, 2011 at 8:44 PM

    Oh, Carla! So sorry you hurt your arm! But I do love the quilt and what a SWEET baby!!!! You need to change your "about me" because it says you have 6 grandkids... Doesn't Lois make 7? ;)

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  18. Plain Ol' VanillaOctober 31, 2011 at 8:50 PM

    I love this! You're my type of grandma.

    Joyce

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  19. lizOctober 31, 2011 at 9:06 PM

    I'm impressed... very impressed!
    I hope your arm heals quickly and that you are soon cradling that precious dear granddaughter of yours! xo

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  20. HeatherOctober 31, 2011 at 9:34 PM

    Ouch!! Sorry your super powers didn't work that night! Your sweet Lois is beautiful. I love the quilt, and that you put her name on it. Great job!

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  21. ConnieOctober 31, 2011 at 9:37 PM

    Wow -- so sorry about the mishap -- can't believe you made that beautiful quilt with one arm and on pain meds -- Wow!

    Hope Baby Lois grows quickly and is home soon to be cuddled by her family.

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  22. Heidi GrohsOctober 31, 2011 at 10:15 PM

    Oh what a luck Lois!!!

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  23. Dirt Road QuilterOctober 31, 2011 at 11:24 PM

    Well you may not be able to fly, but you're still a Super Hero and Baby Lois is probably the envy of the ward with that lovely quilt! Prayers that she will soon be home and cuddling with grandma!

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  24. ScrappyStuffNovember 1, 2011 at 12:55 AM

    oh. SAD! =0(
    mend quick! ... grand-babies love to draw on casts, but they love two armed hugs most!

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  25. MaryNovember 1, 2011 at 6:56 AM

    Oh goodness, Carla! You really can't fly!!! I do think you will make it as a one arm quilter, though. Amazing!!! Lois is so sweet!

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  26. Lucy | Charm About YouNovember 1, 2011 at 8:03 AM

    What a beautiful quilt!! I'm very impressed, that's some perseverance! She look gorgeous and so snuggly!

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  27. laurenNovember 1, 2011 at 4:27 PM

    Lois definitely has the best dressed crib in the NICU! Thanks for being such a dedicated Lolly...someone very small is counting down the days till she can snuggle up with you! :)

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  28. Tessa H.November 1, 2011 at 9:13 PM

    Oh you are such a wonderful grandmother! I love all things crafty and bubbling with love. Thank you for your story and your heart. Blessings on Lois as she continues to grow "in wisdom and stature" to become exactly who He want's her to be to glorify Him.
    And may your arm heal swiftly and smoothly so you may continue with blessing your family and us through your blog.

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  29. JenniferNovember 2, 2011 at 10:15 AM

    You poor thing! But what an amazing and devoted grandma you are. Prayers for your new grandbaby AND you.

    Jennifer :)

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  30. Kelly O.November 4, 2011 at 8:17 AM

    you poor woman! way to persevere!!!

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  31. Live a Colorful LifeNovember 4, 2011 at 9:48 AM

    I'm amazed that you were able to make this sweet quilt. And the name on the back! I love the idea "flying with the pips" in the comment above. Lois is so precious. Praying for all of you.

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  32. pinsandneedlesNovember 4, 2011 at 4:29 PM

    Yikes! That is not a good way to fly but love how you persevered through it all to finish the little preemie pips quilt. Lois is absolutely adorable all cuddled under the quilt. Preemies are special (my first was a tiny preemie.)

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  33. PattyNovember 5, 2011 at 9:49 PM

    Oh, dear Carla! I've missed a bottom step as well. My leap ended up in a broken ankle but that didn't stop me from scootching up and down the stairs to get to my sewing room. Take care of yourself and mend quickly. See you at guild this coming week.

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  34. GigiQuiltsNovember 7, 2011 at 10:04 AM

    Oh my!! I guess that you need some more flying lessons!! HA! I remember once.....many years ago when a certain young man put his hand through glass at Centennial Hall. Nothing stopped him either! Our stories of life are always full of adventure. This will be a great one to pass on to Lois!! Luv ya and praying for a speedy recovery!! Remember the blessings....it is your left hand!!

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  35. JessieNovember 7, 2011 at 7:08 PM

    I'm pretty sure my quilt isn't turning out that nice with two good arms. Great job!

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  36. KarenNovember 9, 2011 at 8:21 PM

    You are amazing!! The preemie quilt is adorable as is Lois!! Hope it's healing.

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