Friday, October 26, 2012

The Story Benind 'Meet Me In Paris'

I've decided to enter my Meet Me In Paris quilt over here at
Amy's Creative Side.

The story behind this quilt:

Way back before I even considered myself a quilter...
let alone a quilt pattern designer
this quilt was created amongst great heartache in my life.
I never dreamed it would be the quilt that would not only launch my business but would sustain the business all the way through out.

Someone had shown me how to use that great little
Easy Dresden ruler and away I went.
I managed to get the inside diamond of this quilt finished
and was working on figuring out the setting triangle corners
when one night at Quilt Night with my quilting buds
there was a knock on the door.

The hostess said, "John'alee...it's for you!!"

I got up unaware that  a 19 page restraining order
was going to be shoved into my hands from a deliverer for my 
  ex husband, banning  me from seeing my youngest child
while he tried to put me away for child abuse.

It's ironic that this is the man who walked out on me and my 4 little ones years before when they were only 3, 4, 8 and 10.
And had failed to pay child support...owed me over $110,000
at the time these lovely papers were handed over to me.

I was so embarrassed!
At Quilt Night no less!
No hiding this one.

So the battle began.
And Meet Me In Paris....
almost got wadded up and thrown in the closet.
Almost.
But somehow some way I decided to keep at it.

I now call this quilt, "God's Quilt",
because I really don't know how I pulled it off.
I had no idea that standing up to the judge, my attorney and my husband would end up, but I was determined to not please man, and deny God.

This is what happened.
At court, my attorney came up and whispered in my ear.
"John'aLee this can all be done with. All the judge wants is for you to promise that you will never strike your child again."

My reply: "Nope, I won't do it. The bible tells us how to raise kids,
and I will not deny God to please that man, you, or anyone. I will go to jail before I will lie and say that I'm not going to spank my kid anymore."

Needless to say...
the ex dropped the charges  weeks later when his own dirty laundry started coming out...
and the child became too much for him to deal with.

 Meet Me In Paris, continues to this day,
12 years later to be our all time best selling pattern.

It is not only easy to make...I hear on the road all the time
people say that it is the funnest quilt they have ever made.

For anyone leaving a comment or becoming a new follower....
you will be entered in a drawing to receive a free pattern!
There will be 5 winners!

Here it is in a few other color ways...
Blogger’s Quilt Festival Stats
Finished quilt measures : 100"X100"″
Special techniques used : The EZ Dresden Ruler.
Best Category :Bed Quilt, Home Machine Quilted, Scrap Quilt
Make sure to check out all the other inspiring  'Quilt Stories'
over at,,,
               
 
 Amy's Creative Side ladies!!

You will be inspired to sit down and sew today!

Happy Sewing!

36 comments:

  1. Wow - what a story. And ironic that it is your best selling pattern. It is a beautiful quilt. I actually have that ruler (bought it after I saw a really great demo) and have never used it! :(

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  2. great divorce story! they can be so ugly! the quilt is gorgeous!

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  3. What an amazing story!!! You are one strong woman and an inspiration to us all.

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  4. Thank you for sharing you story and shame on that man! Sigh!!!!

    That is a beautiful quilt and can see why it would be a best seller for you.

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  5. What a hard thing to go through. So happy that it worked out for you. Your quilts are beautiful. Thank you for sharing and being so open.

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  6. This quilt is beautiful. I love it every time I see it. :)

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  7. What a wonderful story of how when we follow God and not man all things work together for good. Your quilt looks beautiful in all the different color ways.

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  8. A lovely quilt and a very inspiring story behind it.

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  9. Isn't it wonderful how stitching holds a lot more together than a few pieces of fabric. I love this pattern, it is so beautiful and it would be fun to win it. Thank you for the opportunity and best wishes for a great future with your designs.

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  10. Good for you! It must have been hard....so glad to hear your testimony. Well done!

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  11. Wow. I have never seen this quilt before and I don't know what to say - it is absolutely amazing and beautiful and inspirational! As is your story. Good for you for standing up for what you knew was right. Please put my name in your drawing, I would LOVE to try this pattern (is it really easy to make?).

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  12. Beautiful quilt..Love reaading your blog...And what a story..hats off to you, good for you for standing up for what was right. thanks for the chance to win...........

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  13. I have read your story before. I still cry at the pain and sadness, and smile at your strength, integrity and success. I would love to be entered in your draw.

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  14. Inspired by your triumph & i love the quilt pattern. I have 4 children myself - blessings!

    Please include me in your giveaway - dresdens are my favorite!

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  15. What a story, John'aLee. You stayed true and came out ahead!
    Lovely pattern. I don't even own a Dresden Plate ruler, but if I won the pattern I would get one! : )

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  16. I love your story, smacking is not IMO child abuse and I'm glad you stood up for yourself and your children and that it worked out. Love the quilt too.

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  17. Your quilt is lovely John'aLee. That is quite a story. I'm glad you stuck to your guns. Thanks for sharing it with us.

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  18. Your quilt looks great and it is lovely to see it in different colour ways.

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  19. Wow. The quilt is wonderful but the story is so horrid. I'm so sorry that you had to go through that but obviously it made you stronger. thank you for sharing it.

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  20. Love your quilt and the story behind it. I just finished a Dresden table topper and have done several Dresden blocks since I finally opened my ruler and found out how easy they are to make. Love your pattern.

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  21. What a lovely quilt; it does look difficult. It's great to hear that many feel that it's a fun quilt to make; I'd like to try. Thanks for having a giveway. Your story was inspiring; I'm glad you stuck to your principles.

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  22. Thank you for telling the truth and for the giveaway!

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  23. Thanks for sharing your story. I was spanked as a child and when my son needed it he was too. We are both no worse for the wear and know that bad behavior has consequences. I didn't beat him. I spanked him. There is a difference. Not many people would stick up for what God tells us to do. Good for you. Your quilt is beautiful.

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  24. What a story!
    I love the quilt especially the red version. Still looking for a nice project to make with a dresden plate ruler! And I can use a new quilt with this cold weather at the moment.
    Fingers crossed...
    Greetings from cold Netherlands,
    Marina Fluit

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  25. I had no idea the story behind this quilt,Amazing!! Meet me in Paris is the first quilt I made and finished for my in-laws 50th wedding anniversary gift! It's also the quilt I want to make again! Love this quilt it was so fun!! Jessica Reynolds

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  26. I love this! Never seen the quilt before or the pattern, but what an inspiration all the way around. Thanks so much for sharing! I'm now a new follower and can't wait to see more.

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  27. I don't think God or anyone gives permission for an adult to strike a child. That said, I admire you for standing up for yourself and not lying in front of the judge.

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  28. What a story for such a quilt! It is gorgeous!!!

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  29. Hello John'aLee, yOur quilt is beautiful , I have always loved a Dresden but have never sewn one. Those times must have been hard for you and you stayed strong for your rights . It is God's Quilt.

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  30. John'aLee... I loved reading your story of the quilt. What an amazing journey and I LOVE the name of the pattern! I would love to be entered in your drawing. We so badly need to meet up one of these days.... we need to just PLAN IT!!! :-) Hugs - Dori -

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  31. thank you for sharing your quilt story. Truly amazing and can only imagine. I've been an admirer of this quilt since I first ran across your blog. One day........

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  32. Wonderful story and believe me I understand. Love this pattern.

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  33. There are so many quilts that have a compelling story behind them. Thank you for sharing yours. It took great courage to stand up your beliefs.

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  34. I met your Hubby and Daughter in Huston a few years back. Somehow I missed you, but had read this story then and was so proud of your conviction and strength. It was great to get reacquainted with the quilt pattern and it's story once again.

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  35. John'aLee we met in Henderson NV a long time ago and I have been meaning to write a blog post about Meet Me in Paris. This post finally got me to do it. Thank you for sharing the story behind it. You had told me it came from a rough time in your life but I never imagined something like this. I have always been inspired by your quilting but now I am inspired even more by your strength! Thank you.
    Anne
    If you want to read my post go here http://annehenrie.blogspot.com/2012/11/meet-me-in-paris-look-back.html

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  36. Always think of you when I see this quilt hanging at a show. I never knew the story behind it. It is the good thing that came from the bad. Good for you.

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