Day 258 - The 30-Year I-Spy Pony Quilt

I don't know much about quilting but I do know that the best quilts tell a story. Often a family story. Sometimes, a family's history.

That's the case here. Our good friends Lola (right) and her daughter Patty (left) show off a family quilt that Lola has dubbed "The I-Spy Pony Quilt". It's a gorgeous combination of exquisite needlework and exceptional quilting that has been more than 30 years in the making.

The story is quite complex but also rather lovely. Thirty years ago, when Lola's son and daughter-in-law were expecting their own son, her daughter-in-law asked various members of the family to stitch pony squares for the baby's quilt. Though several people (including Lola and the daughter-in-law's own mother) complied, the baby quilt was never completed and the lovely squares were wrapped up and left in storage.

Now, thirty years later, the baby for whom the original quilt was intended is married and expecting his first child (who will be Lola's great grandchild). Lola's daughter-in-law decided to resurrect the quilt project, but this time for the new baby. The old pony squares were brought out of storage, several new squares were contributed by family members and Lola was asked to create the final quilt in time for the baby's birth, which is fast approaching.

As is her habit, Lola imbued the final project with a wonderful combination of love and craftsmanship, resulting in the gorgeous quilt you see here. She's also added some really special touches. The initials of the new baby's family members are stitched in the saddles of the various ponies, with the top left pony's saddle left blank to accept the initials of the newborn once he or she is christened.

Lola has also stitched the names of family members who contributed pony squares in tiny letters on the squares each has created, ensuring that the generations and their contributions live on in this beautiful work of art.

Now I am quite confident in my skills as a photographer but I have no problem admitting that no photograph, no matter how carefully planned and how masterfully executed, will ever capture the true beauty of this 30-Year I-Spy Pony Quilt.