Monday, April 20, 2009

My Quilt Festival Entry

Here's my entry into the first ever Online Quilt Festival hosted by Amy over at Park City Girl!


This quilt will never win any prizes but the only requirement is that I post my favorite quilt and tell a little about it. It is hard to pick a favorite, because once I get any quilt done, I am so thrilled that I actually completed one and they always end up looking better once quilted that at the time I think that quilt is my best quilt, ever!

But this quilt is special to me. Not only because it was one of my first quilts, but because I made it for my mother shortly after she entered the nursing home. It was actually a kit made to be a baby quilt, but at the time no babies were in the near future and I loved the colors. My piecing didn't turn out too bad, but the quilting and binding definitely shout amateur. Mama was proud of her quilt and all the aids and nurses in the nursing home knew she always kept it nearby, on her bed or wheel chair. It fact it was draped on her casket during her funeral service, comforting the rest of us perhaps more than her. She's been gone for almost three years now, but I think she was pleased that I was trying to carry on some of her quilting and sewing skills. Maybe that is why she loved this quilt.

This quilt now is at this grandma's house and I'll proudly share it with each new grand baby and the story of the great-grandma that they'll never get to meet. I think she would be happy to know that it will comfort them just as it comforted her.

Edited - 4-22-2009

My entry was #416 and there are now over 500 quilting bloggers listed. I wish I had the time to visit them all. There are some AMAZING quilts on there. If you can check some of them out, it is worth the effort. They make mine look pretty sad in a way but you have to understand that this quilt probably endured hundreds of washings in the nursing home laundry!!! So the colors of these fabrics have really held up pretty well.

My thanks to all of you who've left such nice comments on my quilt. I hope I can visit your blogs too. And THANK YOU Amy for hosting this!

Janet

23 comments:

Zonnah said...

It's beautiful! I love the colors you picked.

Jocelyn said...

What a sweet story you have shared. It is a beautiful quilt mostly because it is and was loved. Thanks for sharing.

Michelle said...

Janet,
I love your quilt, and the story behind it is beautiful. It looks so comfy and cozy, and I know it was a great comfort for your mother, as it will be to each new grandbaby.

Be blessed,
Michelle

Terrie Sandelin said...

A beautiful quilt and story. My story, too, was about a quilt and the strong feelings I have about it given that I quilted it while sitting with my father near the end of his life. The memories quilts hold for us are so precious! Thank you for sharing your story.

Nat Palaskas said...

A lovely story to go with the quilt. I like the colors too - natima

Lucy said...

First quilts are special, but yours takes that meaning to another level. So touching...

Wow that link to all those quilts -- I really need to get out in the blog world more....

Cindy's Stitching said...

Very nice colors.

Carol said...

Very pretty quilt. Thanks for sharing the story behind it.

Amy Sp said...

That was a sweet story, and I think the quilt looks great too. And it will always be cherished by you and a reminder of your mom, which is the best part.

Anonymous said...

Beautiful story and a very pretty quilt. It looks like a great snuggle quilt.

JP said...

I think Brooke should enter the quilt she made for Joey in the contest. It too has a lot of meaning behind it!

Quilt Rat said...

Lovely quilt and such a touching story.

Scrappy quilter said...

Awesome quilt with wonderful color combinations.

Allie said...

Your quilt is beautiful! I love the story to go with it. I think it is a great way to remember your Mom and share her with your grandkids too.

Mrs. Goodneedle said...

Nothing is more precious than the connections and love shared through this quilt, it's the biggest winner of all! Well done.

Sarcastic Quilter said...

she loved it b/c you made it for her. She knew you were close by even when you couldn't physically be with her. It's a beautiful quilt and story.

joeks said...

Has it really been three years? I don't think I knew that you made the quilt. Very pretty, and no wonder it's so special!

Unknown said...

Love your stars! Thanks for sharing :)

stitchinpenny said...

Love the colors and the piano keys. A truly wonderful quilt

Anonymous said...

very pretty! :)

quiltmom anna said...

I think that it is a wonderful story about the love you shared with your grandmother. We all need to have special mentors in our lives and it sounds like your grandmother was a special one for you.
The colors are quite lovely in your quilt- it radiates with love..
Regards,
Anna

Cheryl said...

What a wonderful quilt, but the memories and emotions behind it all is what truly makes it so special. What a keepsake for you to have to share with your grandbabies, and knowing how much your mom loved it.

Susan @ Blackberry Creek said...

Janet, your quilt is lovely. I love the colors. What a beautiful reminder of your mom.