With all this goings on with my dads passing, my eye problem, and hubbys upcoming surgery I still had to get this quilt made
I made one for the other GD on her first birthday, so of course had to make one for her sisters first birthday. It does take my mind off a lot of other junk I keep bringing up
Just wanted to show off, I am not a quilterif it is not sewn on a machine, this kid doesn't make it. I like things they can drag around, and get washed, and still get cozy with. This met that, lots of color, and reversible so one side gets dirty, flip it over

Jeannine

When I hear all of you talking about grand parents I recall all my life having my grandmother live with us.I recall people bring her their old dresses and she would cut them into strips and make braided rugs.She would work on the dining room table.She would get out the safety pins, her thimble and needle and thread.She would sell them to have income.She use to have an old singer , trottle sewing machine.She once made me a dress and made my doll a dress to match.The color was pink.I can see the dress like it was yesterday.She would go up town and she would bring me back ginger bread , with choc. icining.She new I loved it.She would always buy me flannel night gowns for Xmas. The one she did and I did with my kids and grand kids was to , really , tuck me in at night.That me me feel so special.I can see her washing clothes with a wash board and tub.She always wore a corsett and when she went up town she wore a hat.She gave alot of herself and asked very little.She did not like tO hear people fighting , she would ask them if they really knew how to talk.In the winter, before bed, she would make me fresh squeezed lemon with warm water and sugar.She was a farmers wife and always had room for one more at her table.During the depression , being a farmer they would give food to others that were not as fortunate.She never had alot but she never cmplained about what she did not have, she made the most of what she had .I recall one time I said a bad word and her hand came around and slapped mein he mouth.She never used fowl language .I was with her the day she died, at home.I was 15 and it hit me hard.I felt s loved by her and so safe.I knew she always had my best interest at heart.I use to call her "MOM" and my mother, "MOTHER".

[ July 31, 2002: Message edited by: may ]

You guys are bring back memories for me also, I was raised in a Traveling Family, dad in construction and always going to where the bigger opportunities were, TX and then California. So I did not get to be raised by grandparents like a lot of you. Saw them once a year, but not the same. My memories are of my summer vacations with them, short but sweet.
In the same way my kids were cheated, with my folks overseas in construction, and us in the US Navy they did not get to see grandparents but sometimes once in 3 yrs. Now I am going to make a nuisance of myself sending things to my GD's, so when they hear "Grammy" sent mail they know it is something even if a coloring book.
The one thing my grandmothers did not do is "Quilt" weird they knitted,& crocheted, but not that. That is one thing I have taught myself, not perfect, but I like the relaxation and creativity it gives me.
My first Real Quilt was for my parents 50th anniversary, all in yellows and golds and I appliqued their zodiac signs, the state they were born in, the trailer we traveled in from Indiana, to Texas, to California in our moving. They loved it, I got it back when mom passed, I wanted to be able to give it to my granddaughters one day.
I love you got those "feedsack" items, they are supposed to be quite the thing to keep and hold on to for heredity.

Jeannine

Awwwwwwwwwww, Kathie! What a beautiful story. I loved hearing EVERYONE'S stories, fatter of mact!

I have several quilts that my Kentucky Grandmother hand-pieced and they were also hand-sewn. Some I have stored in plastic bags. Don't know why! What'm I gonna do with them? Pass them down? Maybe.

Otherwise, there are two that hubby and I use on almost a daily basis. My Grandmother (Daddy's Mother) would have wanted someone to use her quilts.

Oh, by the way, when she'd get her corn meal, flour, sugar, etc. from the grocer "way back then", everything came in a beautiful patterned cotton bag..... the "first" makings for a quilt. She'd usually send me 2-3 dresses every year and all MY Mom had to do was hem them.

Wow. Great memories we're all sharing here.

Jeannine,
Your quilt is beautiful. I'm very impresed. I'm glad you have something you enjoy doing that keeps your mind occupied.

Vicki

Aw, now look what you've done Melissa,now I'm thinking about my Pappaw and Mammaw. Haeli Loves to hear the stories about them. My Pappaw was a preacher, and he could also communicate with animals.If a stray cat or dog appeared on his front porch, he'd tell them"Go around backk and I'll get you some food." Sure enough they would always go around to the back door. He also was an antique clock and watch repairman. He had ticking clocks, cuckoo clocks, and many more all over his house. I remember when it would be nap time, all you could hear was tick tock. My Mom told me , that when I was a baby, and we were living with them while my dad was serving in the Navy, Pappaw would never let me cry. He'd pick me up, take me to the creaky rocking chair(Which I loved), and sing to me. Usually "Angel Band" or "I'll Fly Away". Those are still 2 of my favorite songs.I love you Pappaw and Mammaw.

Aw, Jeannine, you got me thinking about my grandmother and I forgot to tell you how beautiful your quilt is.Colorful and gorgeous!

I need to digress for a moment. I was incredibly fortunate that 3 of my grandparents lived into their 90's and none had any dementia to the end so I had them in my life until my late 20's. 15 or so years ago, on any given Sunday at about this time, my maternal grandparents would have been arriving from at our house with some kind of pie in tow. My father would have picked up my paternal grandmother from her assisted living facility(she lived to age 97 and was vital and independent in most ways till the last year of her life). We would have spent the day visiting, eating, and playing Scrabble. Those days are some of my best memories. My grandparents were incredible people and I miss them so much. thanks for letting me veer off the subject a little. I wanted to share a little of them with everyone. Luv,Melissa

My grandmother could sew anything. She had many skills. I adored her. She sewed many quilts through the years(with a machine for putting the whole thing together). She tried valiantly to teach my older sisters and me to sew-well, not all talents are inherited I guess. I helped her make one quilt-not knowing it would be the last one she'd ever make. I didn't do a whole lot, but I helped. When she gave me that quilt the following Christmas and told me that had been the plan all along -she'd wanted me to always know I'd been part of it's creation-I was more touched than I can say here. I love that quilt. It is definitely one of my most prized possessions and something I will cherish forever. Grandmothers are great, aren't they??

Jeanine, Your quilt is beautiful!!! I love quilts, although I don't make them myself.I have them all over my house.Over the couches, to cover up old upholstery, on all the beds, I even have one on the floor of the living room, to cover up the old carpet and also so I can take it up and wash it when I have the kids here and they spill etc. Quilts just make me feel so comfy and cozy. My Mom used to make quilts and sew all my clothes when I, was a little girl, but she had to give it up when her arthritis took over.I'm not much of a seamstress, but Haeli and I like to do differnt crafts, like making beaded bracelets, drawing , painting, writing poems, etc. I think everyone needs something to take their mind off things for awhile.Mom's calling gotta go.

Jeanne, that is beautiful.I too a a crafter.I have done a few quilts, but nothing like yours.If I did not have the diversion I would not get trough all this.I am not the best sewer but I still find great pleasure in doing it.As a matter of fact I am preparing to replace the backing of a purchased quilt.In stead of removing the old backing I will replace it with a light weight muslin.I love the end results of a project.Thank you for sharing .

Actually Jeanie, quilters use machines. They love their machines and some of their most prized machine can be rather pricey. My Mom does artistic quilts and is a member of a quilting club. I recommend quilting, sewing, crocheting, beading, knitting and etc. for any CG and recommend joining a group of loke interest./ Quilting clubs are all over. You may need to try a group or two to find one with members with similar interest and taste as you but girl it is worth trying especially now.

Jeannine, I love your quilt. As I have mentioned before, I am a crafter also. I agree that doing crafts keeps us from going completely nuts. Kids love to have something we make for them instead of always buying readymade.

Please tell me how you post these pics and I will post some too. M