Super Secret Project #1, a/k/a Love Endures

We're going to give this Super Secret Project #1 the code name "Love Endures," not to be confused with "Love Entwined" that I blogged about back in July (and no, I have not started it). I have to be really careful while showing you my progress photos in an effort to not give away the surprise. I don't believe its recipient has a clue that I blog, but I'm still being cautious.

So our youngest son, David, is the instigator of this project. He came to me a couple of months ago and said he wanted to make a quilt for a special someone. He told me his idea for the quilt, which was taking the special someone's favorite things and make a block of each, and putting the quilt together sampler style.

I told him I thought it was a nice idea, but I thought we could try something else. I am a huge fan of Mary Lou Weidman and her story quilts. With all of the items David was wanting in the quilt, I thought this would be a great opportunity to create a story quilt. He finally warmed up to the idea after I showed him some examples of story quilts, and we set about designing the layout and creating the applique patterns. 

We've had so many interruptions trying to get started with the actual creation of this quilt and yesterday morning I was able to piece the background. It's not much, but it's a step completed. David will be over Sunday and we'll slap on the applique elements. Due to time constraints, we're fusing.

The lower portion of the background looks like a grid from a distance, but that's just the repeat of the fabric. This is the ground up close; it's Danscapes by RJR:

The night sky was from my stash and was used in Jack's graduation quilt in 2000--I love it when I can use something up! It's an old Hoffman that they printed in black and also in blue; I have both and David selected the black:

And so it begins! 

I have a bunch of besties coming in this weekend for a bunking party, but will get to work on Love Endures after they leave Sunday. I hope you have a great weekend!

Stay tuned, and happy quilting!