All I want for my birthday is a paper quilt.

July 10, 2009 in Uncategorized
Quilt I love quilts. Love, love, love them.

There is an old one in my closet, now sheer as a piece of phyllo, whose straight lines served as roads for many Matchbox cars in my childhood. There is the one my mother made me, her first. And many more. I am drawn to them.

I've thought for a long time about how I'd like to commemorate my 50th birthday. And I'd like to celebrate it by creating with you a special quilt–a paper one–for my 50th birthday. Which will be in, oh, exactly THIRTY-SEVEN DAYS.

Can you help?

Let's make a paper quilt, you and I. Get a 4×6-inch index card, or cut a piece of card stock paper that size, and make a wee piece of art on it for me. Whatever you'd like. Play! Perhaps in response to 37days or Life is a Verb, a message to me or to the universe, whatever makes you happy. A collage, a painting, a puzzle, fabric, a poem, a photograph, anything! Sign the back (with your mailing address, if you would).

Send it to me by August 10th:

Patti Digh
37days
P.O. Box 18323
Asheville, NC 28814
USA

I will piece them together into a magical paper quilt and be very very happy. I will sit and look at it for the next 50 years.

I would love that. I would dearly, deeply love that.

Love,
Patti, the 49-year-old

About Patti Digh

Patti Digh is an author, speaker, and educator who builds learning communities and gets to the heart of difficult topics. Her work over the last three decades has focused on diversity, inclusion, social justice, and living and working mindfully. She has developed diversity strategies and educational programming for major nonprofit and corporate organizations and has been a featured speaker at many national and international conferences.

24 comments to " All I want for my birthday is a paper quilt. "

  • Reply
    Lisa Call
    July 10, 2009 AT 12:41AM

    Quilts totally are the best :)

  • Reply
    Kathryn Ruth
    July 10, 2009 AT 1:35AM

    For mom’s 60th i bought up a mess of paper angels and mailed them out to family and friends and anyone wanting one to return decorated and written on; and then when the family all got together at a Bed and Breakfast for the weekend, I littered the downstairs of the poor owner’s good house with birthday angels. Which now litter Mom’s house at Christmastime.

    All that to say: brilliant. Can’t wait to see it. So specially put together and yours. Happy Birthday 37 days.

  • Reply
    Mary Buchanan
    July 10, 2009 AT 6:26AM

    I will make a piece of your quilt for you. When I turned 50 I got 50 hearts with what my long time best friend loved about me- I treasure it ALWAYS. I love it that you know how important quilts are- Your best friend, Mary

  • Reply
    Leslie
    July 10, 2009 AT 9:36AM

    Love this idea! I think I’ll be able to make one for you!

  • Reply
    Sherry
    July 10, 2009 AT 9:36AM

    What a truly wonderful idea Patti!! I’m in…just the project for me to re-start my creative juices!

  • Reply
    gwyn
    July 10, 2009 AT 10:02AM

    I too have a thing for quilts. When I was an art teacher paper quilts were a favorite lesson, and I have collected fabric, and paper scraps all my life. I have a crazy quilt i helped my Grandmother make many years ago. It was made from old clothing and random bits. It is really a quite hideous thing, but I love it! Anyhow enough about me, “I” would love to help with your birthday quilt :-)Being a paper collector I just happen to have a bevy of 3×5 cards.

  • Reply
    Carolynn
    July 10, 2009 AT 10:18AM

    I LOVE quilts too. I think it’s the combination of fabulous fabric, colour and artistry all combined in such beautiful workmanship. I have a quilt my late Grandmother made for me, all hand stitched with teeny tiny stitches. I love it. I also have a quilt that I started myself a few years ago that is languishing, unfinished and pressing on my mind…must attend to that.

    It would be an honour to contribute to your paper quilt!

  • Reply
    Johhny P.
    July 10, 2009 AT 12:04PM

    I’m there.

  • Reply
    LauraSue
    July 10, 2009 AT 12:56PM

    Patti, have you seen this? http://operationbeautiful.com/. Woman to woman, it’s amazing.

  • Reply
    tinker
    July 10, 2009 AT 8:18PM

    Having turned 50 a year and a half ago, I think this is a fabulous idea – and dang, I wish I’d thought of doing that, back then!

  • Reply
    sarah larson
    July 10, 2009 AT 9:20PM

    Hi Patti- I’m on it. What a great idea…and you are full of them. When I taught American Literature I read “My Mother Pieced Quilts” to the students and had them each make a square to put together to represent our learning community. That’s what I love- from many ONE. And we all are aren’t we. You may end up with a house wrap…Sarah

  • Reply
    jylene
    July 10, 2009 AT 9:39PM

    what a wonderful idea- i love it!

  • Reply
    Lynn
    July 10, 2009 AT 10:41PM

    I’d love to gift you this way. Mine will be on it’s way soon. Happy Birthday in 37 days. Mine was recently and am a bit ahead of you in years. 18 yrs ahead! Just know that life continues to get better and better and better! Enjoy it!

  • Reply
    Roberta Youtan Kay
    July 12, 2009 AT 4:08PM

    Dear Patti,
    HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
    I’ll be sending a contribution for your quilt and I thought you might like to hear a story about my 50th, too. My husband gave me a party and a couple of my friends facilitated a beautiful process for me. They split the group of attendees into two: one half, the Under 50 group and across from them, the people who were over 50 gathered. I was taken to the Under 50 side first and as those friends toasted me by wishing me well and saying goodbye, I was slowly escorted to the other side. As I approached the Over 50 crowd, I was greeted with an enthusiastic and loud bunch of people who were calling out the joys of growing older and how great they all felt as I approached. As they gestured for me to join them, I was enveloped by my close friends’ bodies all around me. It was a great experience – one of those that I won’t forget.
    Roberta

  • Reply
    gabriela Gaudet
    July 13, 2009 AT 12:25PM

    I will make a square for you!

  • Reply
    Honore
    July 19, 2009 AT 2:59PM

    What a fun idea – I’ll try my hand too…and Happy 5-0! Been there and it was special and so is 51, 52,…66 and counting!

  • Reply
    Nicki Lee
    July 25, 2009 AT 4:14AM

    What a terrific idea – I love it! I would love to make you a square! I just turned 57 and can tell you it is true – you’re not getting older..you’re only getting better!

    Nicki Lee

  • Reply
    Heather Plett
    July 26, 2009 AT 7:27PM

    Sounds like a great idea! I’ll try to get one in the mail to you.

    I made a similar request of people recently when I created my tiny new studio/creative sanctuary and the first three installments just arrived. I was so excited, I made a video on my blog to show them off… http://www.fumblingforwords.blogspot.com

  • Reply
    barbara
    July 27, 2009 AT 10:59AM

    I read about this on Lenna’s blog. I’m a bit late in hearing about it, but will most certainly be sending you a quilt piece. For obvious reasons, but also because you share the same birthday date as my sister, who will be turning 62. Hey, 50 ain’t as old as it used to be….embrace it! Considering the alternative, what else can one do?

  • Reply
    Carmen
    July 27, 2009 AT 1:17PM

    i just finished them. they will be in their way sometime this week ;-)
    they are green friendly, made out of all kind of recycled and scraps.
    have fun enjoying and please show us the big quilt result

  • Reply
    Lenna Andrews
    July 28, 2009 AT 9:11AM

    Dear Patti, I sent this to you the other day, hopefully you’ll find it in your mailbox soon. Happy, Happy Birthday! : ) lenna
    http://creativelenna.blogspot.com/2009/07/paperfabric-quilt-square-for-patti-digh.html

  • Reply
    Beth Patterson
    August 6, 2009 AT 2:25PM

    Dear Patti–
    Your 4X6 ‘quilt’ piece is in the mail as of 5 minutes ago. Thanks for inviting us into your process in such a profound way!

    From you readers’ comments above, Roberta’s ceremony was pretty cool! I’m on that ‘past the 50 milestone’ and calling out raucously for you to join us!

    Love–

  • Reply
    smallbluebird
    August 10, 2009 AT 2:47PM

    I, too, love Roberta’s comment. So a loud, joyous shout from the far western edge of the North American continent for you to join us in “50 yr oldness”. Come on in…the livin’s fine.
    Quilt square is being driven to the post office as soon as I finish this comment. Happy happiness to you!

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