My first impression for this theme was Ugh! I'm not a witty and clever person - I'll never think of anything punny!! But with much thought and suggestions from several of you, my brain began to swim with ideas. I finally settled on this one as it had a very personal connection to an important event in my life. When it came to mind I knew that would be it !!
I was pregnant with my first child and I, like so many of my contempararies, wanted to have the baby by natural childbirth. My husband John and I dutifully went to Lamaze classes and he was well prepared to be my coach. On my last day of work, which coincided with my due date, I went into labor. The contractions started very erratically around 6 in the morning but I wasn't quite sure this was really "it". So I went to work, trained my replacement and went home. Soon after arriving home, things became more regular and the contractions became closer together. We left for the hospital when they were 5 minutes apart which was near midnight. Much to my disbelief and disappointment I was only dilated 5 centimeters!! There was a lot of laboring to go!! After a shower, much back labor, and rocking on my knees to turn the baby I decided it was time for the drugs. But NO - it was too late now!! So I continued naturally and had Katie at 8 am. That's about 26 hours of labor(but who's counting) and you're probably wondering what the heck this has to do with cake!!
John is a very positive and encouraging person and tried so hard to be a good coach providing strength, support and optimism. BUT, he also can go to sleep at the drop of a hat and kept nodding off between contractions. I HAD TO WAKE HIM UP when a new contraction started to be my coach!! Each time, his head would pop up and he'd cheerily say, ITS A PIECE OF CAKE, NEDRA!" This was his way of telling me you're doing great - it'll be ok. Silly me, each time he said it, I wanted to STRANGLE HIM!! From my perspective, this was NO PIECE OF CAKE!!
The piece is fused and machine quilted. A shiva paintstick was used to darken the top of the cake to look more like icing. If you look closely, "It's a girl Katie" is written on the pink baby rattle to honor our first child.
Oh, Nedra, I just KNEW this theme word would cause all you Mavens to rise to the occasion, and you certainly did! Your experience with labor and your first baby, incidentally, was similar to mine, so I really identified. This quilt is not only clever, but it is so beautifully and artfully constructed!
ReplyDeleteVery punny ( a bit painful ), fun & whimsical. Love all of your fabric choices, especially the black & white background!
ReplyDeleteWonderful. Labor was so hard. Love your fabric choices
ReplyDeleteNedra, this is such a funny story and clever quilt! I can totally understand as I had the same length of natural labor with my first one! What were we thinking! As always, your design and quilting are gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteLove the retro feel of this! Composition and colors are perfect!
ReplyDeleteWhat a surprise! As a labor and delivery nurse for 21 years, I can relate to the tension and angst all parents experience during this greatest and worst time. Your fabrics and quilting show beautifully what most women feel. Piece of Cake? NOT
ReplyDeleteLooks like a good one to me! We've all done really well with our pun theme.
ReplyDeleteNedra - PS - Love the rattle with "girl" in this piece!
ReplyDeleteLoved your story & Loved your quilt ! I feel like we could have been journeying together as you described your labor and delivery experience, and as Carolyn said, "What were we thinking" !
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