Oh dear. What does this mean?

I recently acquired 16lbs of fabric, which I've taken to calling "mom fabric". It's all fabric my mom either used to make something or had plans for something. Dad very kindly gave it to me last week. I was fine, going through it, until I found a piece of red and white striped brushed cotton with little bits of green on it. Mom had used similar fabric years ago to make herself a Christmas Eve/Christmas Day jumper. The fabric I found was what she used to make a matching jumper for her favorite Granddaughter, Juniper. For 3 Christmases, they had matching dresses. When I found that fabric, I started to cry.

This week, I've been giving a great deal of thought to future quilts I might make, using mom fabric, to give to my dad, my brothers, and my niece. Juniper is not quite 5, so she's never going to have any solid memories of fun times with Grandma. Suddenly that bit of red and white fabric jumped into my memory, and I pictured a block of solid fabric with that fabric cut out and topstitched in place, in the shape of a jumper. That led to the thought of a block with a sewing machine on it, because Grandma once showed her how to sew. And that led to a block with a camera on it, because Juniper once utilized my tripod and camera - at the age of almost 3 - to take pictures of her and Grandma together. Which reminded me of that trip in general to the beautiful Circle A Ranch in NewMexico, which had me designing a block depicting the house where we stayed. Which led me to...

Suddenly I was designing blocks. ME! The non-artist in the family. No, seriously, can't draw a stick figure. And it's all going to be appliqued and I can see it all so clearly in my head and figuring out ways to pull it off, and making a little book with stories and pictures to go with it so she can remember

and it was kind of overwhelming. I felt my forehead to see if I was feverish. Because obviously I've come down with something. Is it terminal? Is it contagious? Someone, please, tell me what this means!

Aww... That touched my heart. What a special treasure this "mom fabric" is to get from your dad!! Thanks for sharing this, I hope you can post pics when you get this quilt going if you have an opportunity.

Oh Meli, how wonderful! I can just see your wheels turning!

Oh Meli, what a wonderful story. The meaning is quite clear to me :). Your mom is helping you design this most special quilt. I too, have been in that place. Just smile and do what she is telling you to do.

You have quilters disease, that's all. Just about everyone here is afflicted with it.

Karen, you crack me up! By the way, the Ranch is just north of you, up in Cuba. It's a fantastic place for a retreat. You should go.

I was wondering where it was. Everything is so dry out here the past few years it's probably a lot different than you remember. We are in need of some serious rain. You'd think that a place that has an annual rainfall of 8" would be used to being dry. I'm not even sure we've had 4 inches so far this year.

All this inspiration from one scrap of fabric. Isn't that amazing!

It's you, using beautiful memories, to create more beautiful memories. Just passing on your life's stories to the next generation. You are blessed with a lot of creativity, you just didn't know you could do it. Emotion is what makes an artist an artist. I can't wait to see this beautiful memory unfold in fabric! God Bless you Meli, let those memories flow right on to fabric and your sewing machine. Hugs, Jan L.

Oh Meli, I have tears in my eyes...that is going to be a beautiful quilt....now I only make what I call utility quilts...but people seem to enjoy my choice of color and pattern...so that makes me an artist and fabric is my canvas....I don't have the talent to put life's pictures into a quilt but obviously you do....take those memories and write your story in fabric. I know you can do it....I wish I could have done this with my mom's fabric but I couldn't even sew when she passed on...what you are doing is so special!

Quick Mell write it all down while it's still clear in your head. Sound like a great memory quilt. Don't forget the pcs

What a beautiful idea :) I hope you take some pictures to share with us because it sounds absolutely amazing and I think your Mom would be proud!

I think we all have a creative side even if we don't think we have the least little bit. It just takes something like this very special moment you had to bring it out in you. Sounds like a wonderful quilt is in the planning stages. Have fun going through the process and show us some pics when it's complete.

You know......yesterday the air was filled with smoke and I really could'nt figure out where it was comming from.........now I know it was Meli"s gear's turning. LOL Great idea's.

tWow, Meli, how wonderful! It's going to be so beautiful. Isnt' is amazing how one piece of fabric can spark such creative thoughts!

Ginny B

Oh what a wonderful quilt it will be, what a treasure chest your father has given, all those wonderful memories you have that is associated the the fabric, I look forward to seeing the quilt you create.

I believe your mom is guiding and helping you. You can do this with her help and it's going to be absolutely wonderful!!

Isn't it amazing what a piece of cloth can do to bring out those sweet memories. Give something to Juniper to cherish the rest of her life - and make certain the stories go along with the quilt.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by carolv

You know......yesterday the air was filled with smoke and I really could'nt figure out where it was comming from.........now I know it was Meli"s gear's turning. LOL Great idea's.

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ROFL!!! Yep, that was me, short-circuiting my brain again.

Thought I'd include some of the pics that inspired this memory quilt.
Attachment 26906
Juniper took a crash course on how to operate my camera. It was on a tripod set at her level. She had her own photo studio going for awhile and loved taking pictures of her and "Gwamma"
Attachment 26907
Here's mom showing Juniper how to sew an eyelet ruffle onto some sheets. Juni was SO excited!
Attachment 26908
Here's the main part of the Ranch house. It's recently been re-stuccoed and painted.
Attachment 26909
This is from Christmas 2010, just a couple of months after our trip to the Ranch. That's me opening a silly present from dad, with the assistance of Juniper, wearing her Christmas jumper. Note mom in the background in her jumper.

Beautiful pictures, and beautiful memories :)

How great that a simple piece of cloth could bring back so many memories for you. Great pictures.
If you can't draw and you are wanting to make appliques of certain things, just google for images of ...whatever you are looking for and you will be able to find a picture of what you want and then I am sure you can make a template for your applique from there.

Good luck. Keep us posted.