My Life Quilt

I have uploaded a picture of what I call my Life Quilt. I started it about four years ago and it has been a learning experience...one that I am looking forward to finishing as soon as possible. The pattern was found in a book entitled, "Teach Yourself To Quilt." This sounded simple enough; however, shortly after I had purchased all the fabric and started into my 2nd or 3rd quilt block, I realized it was not a beginner project!! Yikes...I have made so many mistakes in it and I have definitely lost the original thrill of wanting to see it completed. My husband and I chose the colors to match a wedding ring quilt that we have in our guest room. I'm determined to finish this "puppy" before I pass on...hence the name of Life Quilt. I have learned a lot while working on it. I have invested so much in the learning process by making mistakes along the way that I really don't want to hang it on the wall anymore. This quilt was almost finished (I thought) when I realized every block had to be hand quilted. I have been working on this part for almost as long as it took me to put the whole thing together. I keep poking my fingers and having to stop working until the bleeding stops...but I am determined to finish it. I could actually set another goal for finishing the quilt, but I've surpassed each time limit I've put on this one. (I have also finshed at least four or five simple quilts in the meantime.) I need to finish this one soon. Here goes...I'm going to put a goal of finishing it by 10/31/08. This is my father's birthday and his mother was the quilter in our family who inspired me the most. Thanks Grandma! I'm going to try to do this for you and pops!