Customized Twist

I don't make resolutions. I habitually fail to keep them. But I AM trying to finish projects.

Last night, I crocheted a few rows on an afghan I'd started years ago. Amidst its creamy ripples flow a few textured ones in deep blue. I started the project thinking of waves on a lake... and later, loons – my favorite water fowl. When this project was done, I'd planned to sew a pair of coordinating pillows from a fleece fabric featuring the bird with the haunting call. That was about five years ago – when we'd discussed building a cabin on a little piece of property that we'd bought next to a pond where a loon pair nests each year...

Raising a family and fixing an aging house took priority over starting a cabin project. The afghan fell by the wayside too. Until... my cousin announced his upcoming wedding.

I like to give homemade gifts, especially for weddings and baby showers. That's why I pulled out my work bag, counted the rows left to finish and decided have a go at the afghan again.

Last weekend during the bridal shower, we took a multiple choice test. The game's gist was to guess each of the bride's and groom's favorites: color, animal, bird, pet, instrument, candy bar, number, etc. Of the sixteen items, they had five in common. We scored a point a piece for each correct answer with a total of 32 points possible. The top three scorers got prizes. I was not among the prize winners. But I did win valuable knowledge.

Today while perusing aisles of fabric, I found the perfect "pillow piece" – reflective of not only their favorite colors, animal and bird but also the wetland habitat abutting the couple's new homestead. The fabric's blue color scheme matched not only the afghan's textured ripple but also my intended water theme. (I'll credit prayer on all counts.)

With just nine rows and a pair of pillows to go, I'm on my way to transforming an unfinished project into a homemade wedding gift – with a Customized Twist.

Now, about that loon fleece...