Where Bluebirds Fly – a completed story

So, it’s finally happened. Yes, the moment many of you and I have been waiting for has arrived. I got my act together and worked and worked and worked and then worked some more… and now I have a beautiful doll quilt. I started dreaming about this quilt long before I even knew that I would be part of the Doll Quilt Swap. I wasn’t certain if I would get into the swap and I wasn’t certain what kind of partner I would have.

Well…my partner said that I could make what I wanted to…but I’m not sure that this is what she expected! LOL. I was so happy to have the creative freedom to make the quilt that I needed to make. That’s right..needed.

Where Bluebirds Fly

This quilt has a fairly obvious reference to the Wizard of Oz, but I wasn’t just trying to make a story quilt. At least not that story. This quilt is about the story of my life for the last several years and my husband’s and my attempts to have children.

Where Bluebirds Fly

We knew that we wanted to have children when we were dating. But thought that we might wait one or two years…I was fairly young and we wanted to enjoy our time together alone for a bit. And we did. We took lovely trips and enjoyed our very long honeymoon stage! But it became clearer and clearer that we would like to try to start a family.

Where Bluebirds Fly

But unfortunately for us, that was not a simple task. What we thought would be effortless turned into years of study, research, surgeries, a miscarriage, more surgery, fertility treatments, prayer, prayer and more prayer. All the while we saw families growing all around us.

Where Bluebirds Fly

We knew that God wanted us to have children and for me to conceive, but the years of waiting were extremely difficult as all the things that accompany being a married couple without children in a world focused on married couples with children. It became difficult to maintain hope when month after month, year after year, we still had the same struggle and felt little control.

Where Bluebirds Fly

And then it happened, on a miraculous Easter Morning I discovered that I was pregnant.

Where Bluebirds Fly

We were in a happy but cautious daze for months. I unfortunately get extremely ill when pregnant and by the end of the first trimester I had already lost 15 lbs. I couldn’t get off my couch to sew!!! 🙁 But that couldn’t take away our joy.

Where Bluebirds Fly

Our baby girl was due December 21st and I was convinced she would be born on Christmas since we had found out about her on Easter. But she proved her independence early by thankfully coming early! She still was our best Christmas present though!

Where Bluebirds Fly

The hardship didn’t end with her arrival for me, but we were blessed with an enormous amount of care from family and friends for months afterwards. And Caitlyn has certainly turned out to be an angel baby. Sweet in every way and thankfully allowing her parents to get a decent amount of sleep.

Where Bluebirds Fly

She is the greatest joy in our life and is truly a miracle. We tell everyone that we waited so long for her because God was working hard on making her so precious.

Where Bluebirds Fly

So this quilt is a representation of our journey. We were on the dark side with that rainbow just barely glimmering above to give us hope. But since Caitlyn joined our life, we are living in the colored side. Every day is magical, seriously. We are so blessed to have her and she has brought color and joy to our life.

Where Bluebirds Fly

When we were waiting for our precious arrival, there was a song that always made us smile. It always made us peaceful and left us happy. That song is Israel Kamakawiwo’ole’s Somewhere Over The Rainbow / What A Wonderful World. I’m sure that you’ve heard it…movies love to use it as a finale song! Well..that is our song. My husband even had a great moment in the hospital when I was (finally!) getting some sleep and brand new Caitlyn was sleeping in my arms. He was video taping and realized that in the background was this song playing on our ipod. He couldn’t have planned the moment better. It was the realization of a dream. The reminder that God fulfills his promises in ways that we can’t imagine.

Where Bluebirds Fly

And so a quilt idea was born as well. “Where Bluebirds Fly” represents this journey. So many of you have asked me how I could possibly give this quilt away after all the work it took. But the reality is that I don’t need this quilt because I am living it. I am in the magical world. I spend every day with this sweet girl.

Where Bluebirds Fly

Where Bluebirds Fly

91 thoughts on “Where Bluebirds Fly – a completed story”

  1. I knew I loved your quilt from seeing it on Flickr but reading your story behind it makes it so much more beautiful! Thanks for sharing and I'm so happy for you and your family! Enjoy your days in the sun!

  2. What a beautiful story, I am so happy for you to feel that you are living under Gods Rainbow everyday! Your swap partner was very lucky to get this too.

  3. Lovely story!! Thanks for sharing it with us. I teared up a bit while I was reading it. We're there now. I've got a two year old, but we've been trying for another since she was less than a year old. Month after month. I'm sure it'll happen someday. Thanks for sharing your inspiration – and your creativity. 🙂

  4. What a beautiful quilt representing a much more beautiful story. My husband and I also had difficulty having children. I had four miscarriages, but was able to carry my wonderful son to full term. Just like your Caitlyn, James is the light of our life and was worth all the tears,and heartache that we went through. He's nineteen now and I'm not going to lie, there were times that he drove us to distraction, he a normal boy, and believe me, there were a couple of teen years that were a bit trying. But he is a good man with a kind heart, a wonderful sense of humor and I thank God every day that we were blessed with him. Thank you for sharing your story and give your precious angel a kiss for me.
    Patty

  5. Reading this made me cry– what a beautiful story! I remember the first time we chatted about our babies, you mentioned the struggles you and your husband had on the road to having Caitlyn. You are obviously an incredible mom. It's wonderful to see how happy and appreciative you are.

    And the quilt is awesome too!

  6. Thanks for sharing your story…I read your partner's blog and her post led me to yours…this quilt turned out so well…I am amazed by it…and am glad you got that long waited for daughter.

  7. Angela,

    The quilt you made is stunning! I have been through those "dark days" myself. Thank you for sharing your story and your quilt. I know it can be a difficult one to share. I'm also blessed with a darling little girl that turned out to be a complete surprise for us. God is good! Caitlyn is beautiful!

  8. OMG. I was salivating over this DQ on Flickr and couldn't wait to see who received it. I was visiting Freckled Whimsy's blog this morning and saw her post. After coming to your site and reading your post, this quilt is even more amazing to me! Add to that the generosity of letting it go and you quite simply are an ARTIST! Congratulations on all of it. And thank you again for sharing this vision with the rest of us 🙂

  9. Angela, your quilt is absolutely stunning! You are truly an artist. The story behind it is so touching. Caitlyn is such a beautiful blessing from God. Children are wonderful gifts and bring so much happiness! Our best wishes to you and your family!

  10. I saw your quilt on Speckled Whimsy. I had to come over and read your story. I am sitting here crying. Thanks for sharing. Enjoy every moment with her because they grow up so quickly.

  11. Wow! A friend of mine linked me to your quilt and I've been admiring it for days. It wasn't until I went to blog about my first time quilting that I found your blog about it. Thank you so much being so open about the story of the quilt and for posting it for others' enjoyment! Can't wait to see your Etsy shop when you have the time to get it running again! (I understand the joys and challenges of infant-hood and wish you all the best in enjoying it!)

    I talk about your quilt here:

    http://mamahootdesigns.blogspot.com/2010/09/quilting-for-first-time.html

  12. This is so incredible, Angela. I just had a miscarriage this past weekend and now your beautiful doll quilt is even more amazing to me because of the story behind it. Absolutely gorgeous.

  13. That is such an amazing quilt. you are so talented. i have always wanted to try a landscape/pictureque quilt, but have no idea how to. i love how you have the light and dark merging with each other. and i really love your little witches. i think it's cool that the witch on the back looks like she is conjuring the tornado too. love your quilt.

  14. Followed your link from flickr to your sewmamasew post & just had to read about your doll quilt after seeing the photo! I got tears in my eyes reading your story. I am so glad it had a happy ending, & a new beginning in your beautiful daughter!

    The quilt is an amazing piece of art, & definitely one of the best things I've seen in a really long time. Thank you for sharing it & the inspiration behind it. You are truly an artist!

  15. i finally read this post after so long. i remember seeing your quiltie in the dqs pool when you were working on it & i was so blown away. hearing your story has me in tears…tears of joy for you, your husband, your darling girl. what a wonderful world, indeed.

  16. I watched as this quilt was getting made… only today did I see the final picture and get linked to your post. What a gift that you shared with all of us. Thank you. I get it. Best wishes as a momma!

  17. I saw this quilt a while back. I loved it. The work, the color, the design, the thought and the story that goes behind it. Very beautiful and touching.

  18. I always think that you are important dear. I am trying to print this story, but all I get is the first picture and the first paragraph. Can you send it to me another way so that I can print out your story honey? Thanks Sweetie

    YaiYai

  19. Jennifer at Ellison Lane Quilts

    This post brought tears to my eyes. What an amazing blessing Caitlyn is. What a wonderful story quilt too.

  20. Ok i'm reading this at work and trying not to cry. Not only do I absolutely love this mini-quilt but your story and inspiration for are just beautiful. I'm so happy for you that after all your trials and patience, your miracle finally came 🙂 Thank you so much for sharing this touching story with us!

  21. Angela, I JUST NOW put two and two together and realized that you are the one who made this amazing story quilt. I can't tell you how much your story has touched me. I have shown this quilt (pics on Flickr) to several people as an example of just how inspirational and amazing quilters are.

    I really want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for being talented, generous, honest and patient. You really are an inspiration to not only the quilting community but also the community of women and families that needed to have this story in their lives.

    You are so stinkin sweet!
    Chris

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