Monday, August 18, 2008

Crazy Quilt




Just today I listed all the remnants left from the crazy quilt my mother made sometime in the 80's. She began the project when she traveled to Tennessee to take care of her aging and ill mother. She scoured flea markets, used clothing stores and auctions to acquire a wonderful collection of real vintage velvet

As she sat in the hospital she pieced and embroidery the blocks, and set them together when she came home. We worked together on the many fancy embroidery stitches that decorate the quilt, including family initials on some blocks, symbols on others and a whole lot of love and mother/daughter cooperation. I remember it as being perhaps the biggest project we ever completed as a duo. Mom left this planet in 1992 at the relatively young age of 73, but she is with me still when I wrap myself up in that beautiful quilt that we so painstakingly sewed. I find comfort in its warmth and its beauty, and her memory surrounds me with love.

I hung onto the many pieces of velvet she had collected for all the years that she's been gone, and finally decided that it was time to let it go, to offer it up to others who would appreciate the beauty of fine old velvet fabric with it's brilliant colorsand soft texture. It wasn't easy to sort it out, and a few tears were dropped here and there, but I feel really good that it isn't just sitting boxes now, that it will once again become useful and loved as others use it to create their own wonderful designs.

10 comments:

AltheaP said...

What a treasure you have here, as much for the memories as the heirloom!

Jill said...

A quilt is such a lovely keepsake to remind you of your mom's love.
Blessings and Peace.

Zuda Gay Pease said...

Absolutely beautiful EllieFae!!! And what wonderful memories and love are sewn in that quilt.

The Filigree Garden said...

What a gorgeous quilt and it will bring you so much joy in those memories. Beautiful story about your mom.

Anonymous said...

Beautiful story and a beautiful treasure !! How lucky
you were to have such a wonderful time and share
working together.

Jean Levert Hood said...

how beautiful, both the stories and the quilt. Thank your for sharing such a touching part of your life!

PeggySue said...

I appreciate the emotions surrounding your quilt... may it be a comfort always and in times of most need. Our parents leave us all too early... I will honor and respect the intent these fabrics were gathered with. Thanks for sharing!

Diane ~ said...

You are blessed to have so many wonderful memories of your mother & the added bonus of an oh so very dear heirloom! It's a Beautiful quilt & thank you so much for sharing with us!

nefaeria said...

That is a gorgeous quilt, and I loved the story that went along with it :)

I really dig crazy quilts, but I suck at embroidery.

Love your blog, and I hope you don't mind, Aymi and I have added your to our faves.

SlĂ inte!

Laurel

Rose said...

Nice to be one of your favorites :) I try to keep this blog oriented toward my Etsy shops but do keep a more personal one on LJ.. http://rosegardenfae.livejournal.com/