A very nice thing happened - my blogging friend Rosa sent me this gorgeous yellow sunflower center piece a couple of weeks ago as a giveaway gift. It arrived just before Canadian Thanksgiving and has adorned our dining room table since its arrival.( Do check out Rosa's post about making my sunflower) My husband brought home some gorgeous Star gazer lilies the other day to add to the dining room decor. The flowers are very fragrant - I sure notice them when I return home from work each day. 
My husband Bruce was away last week in British Columbia visiting his mother and sister& family. Someone left me a comment on an earlier post, asking to see the texture quilt that I had made for her so here is two views of Mum's quilt. I found this pattern in an earlier post by Laura of adventures of a quilting diva. (I'm sorry that I don't remember exactly when she posted the tutorial) Laura has a lovely blog that she shares lots of interesting quilting ideas in each of her posts.
My mother in law Betty has Alzheimer's and recently celebrated her 87th birthday. She is pictured with Bruce's sister, - It is a beautiful photo of both of them. Don't they look like they are having a lovely time together!!!
Betty was a gifted knitter and enjoyed painting, sewing and quilting. She loved knubbly textures and I hope that the quilt gives her pleasure. I used various fabrics (silk, velvets, lace, velour wool, satin, tapestry, cordoroy, brocade) that were fused to a foundation to stablize the 6 1/2 inch squares. There is a teddy bear fleece back on it and no batting as it is not meant to be used as a blanket. 
Bruce brought back a couple of things from the family storage unit. This quilt was one that I had made for his parents 63th wedding anniversary. It is a harmonic convergence quilt that is made from Ricky Timms book "Convergence Quilts". It has chickadees and cardinals in the fabric and is quite a soft looking quilt. His mother has 3 quilts in her room and this quilt is too large for her single bed. I am always happy enough to giveaway my quilts to my loved ones- it is harder to have them returned to our house. I have a quilt that I made my gran, that my mother gave back to me after my grandmother passed away. For along time, I did not want to look at it, it made me miss my grandmother more! My gran has been gone 6 years now and when I wrap myself in it- I remember how much she loved it and I feel this tenuous connection with her. There is a bittersweetness that does not go away, but it doesn't hurt like it once did. Time has helped to soften the loss and replace the sadness with joyful loving memories.
What happens to your quilts when your loved one passes away? Does someone else in your family get them? Do they get given away? Are they placed with your loved one when you lay them to rest?
Something else that Bruce brought home in his suitcase, was this lovely hooked Cheticamp rug, that comes from Nova Scotia. It belonged to my inlaws, and was given to them as 40th wedding anniversary gift, from some of their friends. We went with my in laws to Cape Breton, and stopped in Cheticamp. It shows the beautiful Nova Scotia shoreline. I have always loved the rug and plan to hang it in our living room. There are some great giveaways going on right now- here are a couple of very nice ones but there are more you may want to check out on my blog list.
Brenda at Pumpkin Patch Primitive Quilt shoppe is having a fantastic fat quarter giveaway. I would love to win this giveaway as my friend Gran. sent me the panel earlier in the fall as a giveaway prize. Just think what I might be able to make with all these fat quarters. It is a wonderful gift for someone - do go and check it out- Brenda will close the giveaway on Halloween night.
Sue has a lovely jelly roll that she is giving away- she needs your opinion on fabric- How fun is that? Go quickly as Sue will draw on October 25th.
Life has been very busy at work - The first 6 weeks of school are busy with assessment and the setting of routines. Our days are full of interesting things -especially as they are beginning to do a major renovation in our school.
We had school pictures this week and are having a storyteller doing a presentation tomorrow. The next couple of weeks will be particularly busy at school with a field trip and a Halloween party. Halloween day at school will be exciting. It is always fun to see the kids in their costumes. I wonder how many superheroes and princesses/ fairies I will have this year? They are pretty excited already!
Last night Bruce and I had a lovely date- we went out for dinner ( Vietnamese food) and then saw a Harry Manx concert. He is a blues artist from the west coast of Canada (Salt Spring Island). Harry Manx is playing a piece in Montreal. If you are interested he has other pieces on you tube- just google his name.
Did you love the Virtual Blogging Festival? Amy's button is still at the top of my blog in case you would like to see more of the quilts. I have been working my way through the list but there were over 600 beautiful quilts to see and learn their stories. I feel like I have neglected some of my other blogging friends, as I got caught up in reading the Virtual quilt show posts.
At home this weekend, we are having a large bin come to take away some of the overgrowth and clutter in and out of the house. So far, it looks like the snow will stay away- We hope to make some more room in the basement. Space is a neverending challenge in our little house.
As you can see, life is particularly full just now. There are report cards looming on the horizon, Christmas concert to prepare for... I have been doing a bit of quilting but it is in small spurts of time... I continue to strive for more balance in life but it is a bit of a challenge just now...
Soon it will be November... Where has this fall gone...
Be well,
Warmest regards,
Anna
22 comments:
You've been busy..wow!! I love the quilts pictured in this post. I'm not sure what happens to the quilts I've given away. I do know the one I made my mom is at my brothers waiting for me to pick it up. My only wish is that they not be thrown away!!
Hope you have a wonderful relaxing weekend.
Re what happens to a quilt that comes back to the giver ... in the case of the one that came back from my mother's house, it was carefully taken apart and a new quilt was created from the old pieces (dresden plates). This is one that was juried into an AQS show in 2008.
The ones that have just come back to us from MIL's house ~ one is in use when we sit down to read or watch television. The other two have been donated to Margaret's Hope Chest (they will go to homeless children in the Grand Rapids, MI area - not far from where my sister lives).
I have a number of other legacy quilts that belonged to one or the other of my grandmothers ~ some have been kept "as is" while others have been taken apart and re-created. I treasure their handquilting and respect their joyful use of the colors of their era ... those quilts inspired me from an early age to become the quilter I am.
My hope is that the quilts I create now be meaningful on one or more levels once I no longer need them. [I have a notation in my funeral planning papers that I 'd like for everyone who has one of my quilts to bring it to my memorial service ~ what a glorious riot of colors that would provide...]
Such a lovely post Anna. The fall has just disappeared before our eyes. We only had one pretty leafy week this year -- a big rainstorm came this morning and has knocked most of our beautiful leaves to the ground. Your quilts are beautiful!
Sounds like you've been really busy. Since I started quilting, I have made quilts for family members, and they are all still with us. Course, the quilts may not be!
We only have so much physical presence....and that includes hands on a keyboard typing comments and letters!...but we have spirit and heart...never ending presences..and yours is always there and known to us. We all have to be and do other things at different times and sometimes we just need to 'be'. Lovely stories, quilts, rugs, and a great sunflower mat! Much to share and we appreciated it all :)
I have one quilt that has returned; it was from Auntie and is too big for her bed in the assisted living. I am not sure what to do with it yet. Thanks for stopping by my blog and entering the giveaway for the Kaffe Fassett fabrics.
I enjoy your bog! I hear you fretting about not being able to do everything, all of the time. Been there done that. I love you if you are busy or not. Well, I know that you are always busy even when you are on a "break".
You quilts are lovely and how nice that you get to have some come "home" every now and then.
The sunflower center piece is quite cute, and sunny. I have never seen the "Companies Coming" quilting book. I have to check it out. I think I have most of her books, and even have wondered in the business there in Edmonton.
Your bin for your garage sale sounds like a great idea. You will have to let us all know when the garage sale it, it might be worth a trip to Edmonton. LOL!
It has been a treat to catch up on your comings and goings and I appreciate the pictures.
Hugs
Hi Anna,
Thanks for your lovely comment about my Blogger Festival Quilt. I am saving for a new machine and a large 'throat' is high on the list of prioroties.
Your Festival quilt is gorgeous. Love the colours and well done for being able to cahnge partway through and coming up with something that works so successfully.
Happy stitching,
Abbe
Tks Anna for showing off my sunflower candle mat! *VGB*
It was fun making and mailing off - I LOVE surprising peoeple! LOL
I was quite impressed with the Cheticamp rug - I was there many, many moons ago and LOVED that charming village!
As for quilts returned to me? Well, I guess I've been lucky. Family members that have received, so far, my quilty gifts are still with us - THANK GOD! *grin*
Hope you have a great Sunday! Here's it's been raining big elephants and small dinosaurs, all weekend!
:-(
Rosa
P.S. Will try and post a picture of the Company's Coming Quilt book, on my blog. *s*
Thanks Anna, That post was from November 2008: http://quilting-diva.blogspot.com/2008/11/quilting-4-alzheimers-part-2.html
Sounds like you are having a wonderful autumn!
So Sweet P sent you to my blog and I'm here having a peek into the world of quilting! Wow, what a crowd. Weavers are a bit more low key... one day you might try weaving and see what fun we're having too. :)
So it seems you and I have some things in common. Husbands both named Bruce and both like astronomy. (Celestron 11") While I'm on the west coast now, I did live for a time on the prairies! (oh, ya.. there's the middle age thing too...geesh)
Your question about what happens when something you made and gave as a gift comes back home is a good one. Many of our family members are 'of an age' now and they are either returning items or telling us it's in their last wishes to come back to us. I'm okay with it as they used and enjoyed the.... (insert handwoven or quilt here) and the joy of that comes to you. It will help with the mourning later as you smile through tears.
My father in law passed after two crazy years with dementia ravaging him and his mind. Someone had crocheted the cover that kept him comfortable in his last hours. Later I wove blankets and gave them to the care home so that I could pass it forward to another family in need.
Thanks for visiting... don't be a stranger
Such a lovely post! I love the hooked rug and all the sentiments expressed!
Micki
I had noticed you were not posting. Now I read your wonderful long post & have really enjoyed it all.
When my Aunt died, I could not take the quilt back, that I had made her, nor the doll or bag. Perhaps her grandson will have some family who will like those things.
You have certainly been busy! Love the part of your post where you talked about giving quilts to loved ones.
You certainly have been busy! Wonderful picture of your mother-in-law. She looks like a quilt lover! I hope she will find contentment brushing her hands over your texture quilt.
Lovely quilts all of them.. Looks like you've been busy..
What a sweet post you have made. I had not given much thought to quilts being returned when a loved one is gone. I would also think that putting them away for a while might be easier on the emotions. I now have my Grammie's quilts and cherish every faded piece she put into them. My regret is that I did not appreciate them when she was still here. What she could have taught me!A special thank you for adding my blog to your list. I will do the same. Have a wonderful weekend.
You are such a busy lady, I wonder if I could keep uop with you? Gorgeous quilts as always.
We are heading into our summer, which means only 5 or so weeks until our summer holidays. Yay!
Yes, life is going on and you are right in the middle of it! I wonder if you even remember the lazier days of summer. I have to say that what happens to my quilt when I'm gone has been a topic of much thought. I don't have kids. There's a niece and nephews but they are all too young now to "understand" a quilt. Maybe when they get older and married there will be someone that understands. After worrying about it and discussing it with my sister, it was decided that I should just not even worry about it. So, that's what I tell them I am doing.
Love the centerpiece!
Thank you for visiting and leaving the kind comment. I am glad you liked the block - it was really fun to make - quick and easy! :)
Please visit again. You are always welcome at Ivory Spring.
Wendy Sheppard
http://www.ivoryspring.wordpress.com
I have only given quilts to babies, at this point, any sister, and luckily none of them has passed away yet. If I got a quilt back from a grandmother or other ancestor, I wonder if some of my kids or grandkids will like to have them, knowing who it belonged to.
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