Tuesday, August 19, 2008

Friendship Quilt To Remember


A friend of our family whom my mother had taught to quilt several years ago asked Mom if she would participate in a friendship quilt that she is making. She also invited me to put my name on it. She is making the quilt and provided a block for each of us to sign and embroider our name on. It got my mom to thinking about friendship quilts and she pulled out a quilt that her mother had made. My mother is 92 and she thinks this quilt was made when she was in grade school which would make it probably in the 1920's.

I had never seen this quilt before (it always amazes me when she pulls these things out that she's had hidden away for many years!) Anyway, she doesn't really remember the quilt being made, but her mother's, grandmother's, sister's and Mom's own name are all on the quilt and also many other women never heard of by me. She proceeded to point at each name and tell me exactly where that woman lived from their farm and a little bit about each lady.




I wonder as I practice my embroidery stitches (I'm a little rusty) for the current quilt if this women's kids or grandkids will look at it some day and remember some of the people who's signatures are forever saved on her quilt. I think it is a really neat idea and maybe someday (when the quilting genes that I surely possess kick in) I will make something like this for my kids and grandkids.

Monday, August 11, 2008

Time to Start Fall and Winter Projects

Summer is winding down and in some ways I'm glad. I love spring and summer, but with gardening and horse shows, having the grandkids out, etc., I pretty much have to put my craft projects on hold. There just doesn't seem to be enough hours in the day to get everything done!
Well, I'm starting to think about what projects I want to work on first. I guess I do have a few that I need to finish up! The holidays are just around the corner and I've got to get the knitted Christmas stockings done. I'm wanting to finish up some more of the fingerless gloves, too. I think they'll make nice little winter gifts. I'm always on the look out for some soft, fine yarns to do those with.
My neice got married this summer and I'd like to make her a great afghan. Something fluffy and loose made on great big knitting needles . I've picked out a couple of possible patterns at Knitting Pattern Central.
My youngest grandson has outgrown his baby afghan and I probably ought to be thinking of something more suitable for a little boy.
That pretty much fills up my knitting time, but I'll need to get some more quilted ball ornaments done before the holiday season gets here. I'm on the lookout for some great holiday quilt fabrics to make those out of. This angel cat was a popular ornament.
Looks like I won't have much time to be bored through the winter months. That's ok - I love to create pretty things and keep my hands busy during those long evenings of TV watching with my husband.