Shared joy, increased

Sometimes I am so very grateful for quilting. That's especially so in those tough moments when you see a person's heartbreak and feel like there's so little you can do or say to lessen that pain. That's when I get to my sewing machine. Making something tangible to give feels like I'm doing something, letting them know they're not alone in their grief. "Shared pain is lessened."

This weekend I happened to be out on my front porch (taking crafty photos for IG, what else?), when my neighbours came out with their older dog. I knew instantly they were taking him to the vet to be put down. They were crying, and then I was crying. Nobody who has every had to make that difficult decision - picking the day you'll say your final goodbye to a beloved pet - has ever forgotten that acute pain. It's been years since I had to do that for my sweet Marie, and still I get teary thinking about that terrible day I had to make a sudden decision.

I picked up a bouquet of flowers that I left at their door for when they returned home, but decided to make a pillow too. A small keepsake that would remind them of their dog Blue. I wanted to get it done in short order to give, so heart blocks seemed perfect. In blue, for Blue. That "woof" fabric was perfect for a beagle who sure liked to woof and howl. I always worry a bit about giving something crafty to non-crafty people, but she seemed really touched.

This project was the perfect time to try out some new thread I picked up at my LQS on sale. One spool was just the right blend of blue to go with the blue hearts and blue crosshatch background, which you can see best in this picture below.

Superior Threads King Tut quilts up beautifully! The colour changes are very subtle and the slightly thicker thread really shows the stitches well. I often shy away from variegated thread because usually I find the colour changes are too dramatic or choppy. This just adds a little glow. I'll definitely be picking up more colours!

I like the second part of that quote from above ... Shared pain is lessened; shared joy is increased.