Quilt #93 Tori Yorgason donated by Yorgason Clan

Grandma Joni writes:

Quilt #93 is a cousin celebration quilt! The Yorgason cousins wanted to make a quilt for their new cousin coming on the Yorgason side of the family

Baby is coming during a global pandemic so we thought she needed to be celebrated with a Duncan quilt. The Yorgasons helped Grandma Joni make the quilt---even Bennett (2 year old) helped by pushing his foot on the pedal. No kidding! It was quite the adventure

All babies and mommas are special but at this challenging time in history we want to shower this little one with extra love as they bring a "perfect brightness of hope" to his world.

There is love in the stitches for this beautiful new little one.

Quilt #90 Kari Slade donated by Mary Duke

Kari Slade with her quilt

Quilt #90 was given to Kari Slade by Mary Duke. Kari is battling breast cancer during the turbulent time. Kari and Mary came to know each other as Kari teaches the body pump and spin classes Mary takes at the gym.

Due to social distancing concerns, Mary left this quilt on the doorstep with a beautiful note, part of which reads:

Kari, you have always been such an inspiration to me and you continue to be.

An inspiration in physical conditioning, an inspiration in beauty, an inspiration in kindness and the love you share with all, and in our little chats at the gym, an inspiration of faith. Your positive attitude is such a light to all of us.

You are in my prayers often...

A friend gave me the pattern and fabric for the quilt top. The quilting (stitching) was done by a lady named Donna Sine. I asked her to put a weight lifter, cyclist and a runner on the top white stripe. They are a symbol of your strength. Kari, you strengthen all who meet you! I also wanted a little pink breast cancer ribbon somewhere on the quilt. It symbolizes what you are overcoming.The catawampus design running throughout most of the quilt are the curves that life throws at us. The flowers at the bottom represent spring, a newness of life, and of course, the big heart represents YOUR BIG HEART!..

As I made this quilt, I thought of you and prayed for you often, and a quote came to my mind several times as I thought of you. "Occasionally, weep deeply over the life you hoped would be. Grieve the losses. Then wash your face, trust God, and embrace the life you have." 

I love you.

Upon receiving the quilt Kari contacted Mary and sent the photo at the top. She noted that she has read the letter numerous times and each time it brings tears to her eyes.

This quilt reminds me how we are all connected and the goodness we share affects us all. In the stitches of this quilt are prayers for hope and healing. Prayers that we all need today. Kari, all those associated with The Duncan Project add our Love in the Stitches...

Quilt #89 LS

Because this post contains domestic abuse, we will not be sharing the recipients name. This young woman has displayed remarkable courage throughout her ordeal. Her adorable three year old has been returned to her but I suspect the trauma for this sweet family will require light and healing for some time to come.

Her story has been written by a close family member who has provided unfailing support and has witnessed the injustice of this entire ordeal up close.

She writes:

I can’t share the name of the sweet young woman who endured unspeakable pain when her own husband accused her of committing a crime against him because she threatened to leave him.  The police were called by her parents to protect her because she was afraid for her safety.  When the police arrived her abuser weaved a tale that landed her in jail for five days.  After interviewing her abuser for eight hours The Department of Child Safety put her three year old daughter into a foster home.  There she stayed for four months while her mother fought to get her back even though no charges were ever filed against her.  She was treated like a criminal but she fought and held her head high and tried to be kind.  She endured hearing after hearing while onlookers judged her.  The only thing she had done wrong was to give her husband one more chance.  As an onlooker it was heart wrenching to see this unfold but in the end her child was returned to her.  This beautiful quilt reminded a lovely young mother that she was still worthwhile and that somebody still cared about her even though the one who promised to love and cherish her had totally forsaken her.  She will treasure her beautiful quilt for years to come.  Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for this wonderful gift!

I feel so honored to be able to create this quilt for this amazing young mother. Her courage while walking this dark road inspires me. There is so much love in the stitches for both mother and daughter....

Quilt #91 Joan Schneiter donated by the Martin Family

Joan with Toni's husband, children and grandchildren

This block called The
Friendship Star was
a favorite of both
Toni and Joan.

Quilt # 91 was presented to Joan Schneiter by the entire Martin family. Weeks ago Toni's daughter, Ashlee, talked with me about how the family wanted to make a quilt for Joan to show their appreciation for love and support Joan had given Toni and the entire family during Toni's battle with cancer.

Then a few weeks later, I got a message from Ashlee that while she was looking through patterns and fabric in her mothers sewing room,, she just happened upon a quilt topper that her mother had sewn before she was diagnosed. She felt strongly that her mother had led her to this beautiful quilt top. She felt it was as if Toni had meant it to be given to Joan.

The quilt was sent off to the quilter and when finished all the quilters in the Martin tribe took turns sewing on the binding.

The quilt is a celebration of nearly 60 years of devoted friendship. A friendship with so many layers beginning in childhood and lasting until Toni's final moments here on this earth. And there is no mistaking that their connection with be enjoyed through the eternities.

The family wrote a poem for Joan to share their appreciation:

In the days since Toni's passing, we have turned to one another

Often times reflecting on the support for our wife, grandmother and mother

Our family's thoughts aligned with one very important goal:

Give thanks to an amazing woman who has play a vital role

A person that's been there all along the way, but especially in trial

Lovingly called an earthly Angel, she was with Toni all the while

Since nearly 60 years ago she's love Toni fiercely, without end

Who else could we mean, but Joan? The world's greatest friend.

Many of our memories as kids include "Mom's best friend Jn oan"

Like when they'd spend hours on end just talking on the phone

There were countless summer picnics and summer days spent with her at the park

One thing we can say for sure: her love has left its mark.

Their epic friendship stood the test of time, including time in college

It's possible, as roommates. they gained more memories than knowledge

Through several moves and life events, they always kept in touch

They were even each other's therapists when life seemed like too much 

Together they had their book club, and discovered many favorite reads

"A Joan in their life" is what Toni always said everybody needs

Lunchtime outings and dinner dates never seemed in short supply

Followed by hours spent talking in the driveway, unable to say "bye"

When things were looking grim, Joan was never far away

Spending countless hours with Tonz during every hospital stay

She offered to take our kids at every turn, treating them like her own

Whether she like it or not she's quickly become our kids' adopted "Grandma Joan"

From tea parties with the girlies to meals cooked for our dad

Joan's friendship and compassion made things seem a little less bad

Through little wins and major setbacks, Joan was always there

With words of support, a listening ear, and a heart filled up with prayer

As quilting partners Tonz and Joan created many works of art

Each piece they stitched together holds a special place in someone's heart

We're certain that Joan's endless love and kindness cannot be repaid

But for starters we knew she needed to have the last quilt Toni made

As their friendship came too quickly to its Earthly end

We hope this quilt will always help Joan feel her North Star Friend

We have all been blessed by this enviable friendship. Toni's love so generously shared in life, is definitely sewn in the stitches for her dearest friend Joan.

Love in the stitches....

Quilt #88 Ashlee Lloyd

Jeannie Thomas, Jan Myrberg, Joan Schneiter, Ashlee Lloyd, Debbie Stringfellow and littles

Quilt #88 was presented to Ashlee Lloyd, our dear Toni Martin's daughter by Joan Schneiter. Toni passed away from cancer in December. She had always planned to be part of this quilt presentation and many of us are sure, she was in attendance.

Joan Schneiter writes:

Ashley and  her mother Toni 

This quilt is a mother/daughter thank you quilt to Ashlee Martin Lloyd. On June 18th, 2019, Toni Martin received a quilt from our book club on her 60 birthday as she was battling stage four melanoma cancer. Ashlee’s quilt is from the scraps of Toni’s quilt. During Toni’s valiant, grace- filled-battle, Ashlee was particularly attentive to her mom, affectionately known to the family as Tonz. Ashlee cleaned, cooked, finished her mom’s projects, and continued to be her mom’s confidant and friend. She said on many occasions, “I do this selfishly because I just want to be with my mom!” Toni and Ashlee had a beautiful mother/daughter relationship. Toni had several difficult hospitalizations during her battle and Ashlee held her mom’s hand through every trial.  She and her mom exchanged three hand squeezes to say, “I love you!” Ashlee, her dad, and brothers were with Tonz until the end of her earthly journey on the morning of December 18th, 2019.

Ashlee is very much like her beloved Tonz: she is funny, loving, kind, a great cook, gracious, creative, and a fabulous mother. Ashlee is part of her momma, and Toni lives on through her children and grandchildren. Toni taught her children to love with fierceness and loyalty. One of Toni’s gifts that she passed on to Ashlee is the ability to humbly listen with intensity. Ashlee is part of her momma just like her quilt is part of her momma’s quilt. 

Karen (Joan's daughter), Jane, Joan, Ashlee and Debbie and littles

My mom, Jane Myrberg, helped me put this quilt together.  Toni saw the finished quilt top in November. I used Toni’s favorite quilter to quilt it, Donna Signs. I think this quilt is also from Toni! My mom finished all but two sides of the binding and on one of our quilt days, Toni’s sisters Debbie and Christy came to help finish it up. Barbara Holt and Christy finished the binding--it was a sweet day. As I watched Toni’s sisters interacting with our quilt group, I thought Toni would be smiling and laughing watching all of us together.  Love is in the stitches that bind us together.

I talked to Ashlee the other day and indicated that she is now an honorary Book Club member. We all feel a sisterhood with these talented, compassionate and lovely women. Love in the stitches.....

Quilt #87 DeAnn Magee donated by Mary Duke

Quilt #87 was donated to DeAnn Magee by her friend Mary Duke.  More and more this project uncovers how we are connected. This is another quilt started by one person and finished by another then given in love to a third person.

The blocks on this quilt were sewn by Marilyn Mott, another Duncan quilt recipient who has since passed.

This is some of the note Mary enclosed with the quilt gifted for DeAnn's birthday:

Happy Birthday to you my kind, fun, sweet, dear friend. DeAnn, when our sweet Marilyn Mott passed away and you didn't end up with the quilt (Marilyn's Duncan Quilt) that you wanted, I was sad. You were such dear friends and she would have wanted you to have it. You and Marilyn were always there for each other. So, I thought maybe I would make you another quilt. So, when I went to look at fabrics that day at Marilyn's house after you left, I found some quilt blocks that she had made but never finished and turned them into a quilt...So Happy Birthday from Marilyn and I.

Marilyn and DeAnn had only been friends for 4 or 5 years but watching them together it seemed like so much longer. They met as Visiting Teaching companions and hit it off so well they became very close and did everything together. As we all know, sometimes friends are family that we choose for ourselves. DeAnn very much misses her dearest friend.

I am touched that love stays in the stitches as DeAnn has something from Marilyn's hand and that Mary's loving acknowledgement and effort gave this invaluable gift.

Love in the stitches...

Quilt #85 Easton Martin donated by Toni's Tribe

Quilt #85 was given to celebrate the birth of Easton Martin. It has a story that reaches back more than a year and underscores the richness of sisterhood.

Last year I was working on this quilt for the Hess family, another Duncan Project recipient. I had sewn the individual half-square triangles and went to my dear friend Toni Martin's to spend the day sewing the blocks together to finish the quilt top. We sewed all day and were just getting ready to put the large sections together when it became apparent that I had made a few mistakes that left a gaping section in the quilt right in the center.

We tried re configuring the sections to see if there was a way to "make it work." We puzzled for almost half hour when Toni's son stopped by with her darling, then 4 years old, granddaughter Kennadee. We all smiled as Kennadee fearlessly jumped right in finding a way to solve this quilt puzzle. Surprisingly she came up with a perfect solution. Only issue is the quilt would have been about half the intended size (when I returned home I found a sad singular square had been left on my sewing table causing the whole fiasco).

Quilt #67 sewn with Toni

I left Toni's house in frustration, knowing I had exacerbated the problem by impetuously re-cutting some of the squares only making the problem worse. Quilts do not always come together easily. Toni vowed to keep working on the quilt if I could get my hands on more fabric. I felt a certain urgency to get a quilt finished for the Hess family. A couple of days later I found another quilt kit  and Toni and I spent a whole day finishing this quilt top.

I ordered more fabric for Quilt #85 and when it arrived, I packed it away with the unfinished quilt to be completed sometime in the future.

Fast forward 9 months later and our dear Toni shares with us that she has been diagnosed with Stage 4 Melanoma. Lots of ups and downs as Toni battles this awful disease.

Toni is an amazing quilter and has sewn beautiful quilts for each of her grandchildren as they were born. As life would have it, Toni had two new grandchildren due at the time of her diagnosis. As her treatment progressed, it became apparent that Toni would need all of her energy for her cancer treatment. Toni would sew again but in this season, it was nearly impossible.

A sweet sister friend and daughter-in-law took over the completion of a quilt for the first of the two grandchildren born, a sweet baby girl named Wrigley.

One day it came to my mind, that we had a quilt with Toni's love already in the stitches. It just  needed a little creative re-working. I felt inspired that we should wanted to find a way to finish this one for Toni's new grandson Easton.

I pulled out the quilt and tried numerous times to determine how to make it whole. The more I looked at the pattern, the more frustrated I became. I really wanted to do this but my limited skill was holding me back.

Enter two more members of Toni's tribe, seasoned quilters, Mary Duke and Terry Powell. They looked at the quilt top with fresh eyes. They threw away the pattern and used their own skill to finish the quilt top. They had it finished in a matter of a couple hours. There is a huge life lesson here.

Many other quilting sisters added their stitches to the binding and it was completed and given to baby Easton. Toni's family and friends are working on another darling quilt for Easton that Toni had originally envisioned.  Meanwhile, this quilt is a testament to the depth, beauty and strength of Toni's sister tribe.

There is Toni's love and that of so many who love her and her entire family in these stitches.