This year my grandmother (mom’s mom) passed away at age 92. She lived a full life raising three children, my mom, my Aunt Linda and my Uncle Carl. I always loved visiting her when I was younger especially since there always seem to be kids around. My Uncle Carl is a little less than two years older than me and I had lots of cousins. YES you read that right, my mom and her mom pushed strollers together!
I never knew my grandfather since I was only 2 when he passed. Later in my grandma’s life, she dated my dad’s uncle but they never married. As a kid I never appreciated “old” people and the stories they shared. As I became an adult and a mother raising my own two girls, I became more and more interested in our family history especially since I started scrapbooking and doing geneaology.
Scrapbooking and quilting seem to go hand-in-hand when it comes to preserving memories. As I worked on this quilt on the left, thoughts went through my head about what the woman was like who wore t
he clothing, how many kids did she have, how did she impact their lives, and how did she interact with her grandchildren. I just loved the Grandma sweatshirt on the back.
I make every client’s quilt from beginning to end but the most important part is the prayers I pray over each quilt for the person receiving the quilt.
Recently when my sister and my parents were going through items to sell at a yard sale, I was given the crocheted quilt and an old quilt in the above photos. They came from my Uncle Earl on my dad’s side. I love old quilts and think about who snuggled under them, what kids played “tent” with them, etc.
I am about to embark on one of the hardest quilts I’ve made to date. My friend Kate asked me to make a quilt from her husband’s Tommy Bahama shirts. Her husband, who was also a dear friend of mine died in a jet crash while doing what he loved the most…flying and teaching others military members how to fly. She’s a quilter and has entrusted me to this project. I am super honored, but also very saddened that those shirts will never be worn by him again. I do know that Kate and her daughter Grace will treasure this quilt for the rest of their lives and be covered by the love of a husband and a dad.
Memories are so important in preserving. Clothing of a lost loved one invokes lots of feelings. Why not save clothing of a loved one and make a gift that will always be pricesless to your family! Send me an email or a message so we can plan your next project. suebartlow@me.com | 256-617-3167
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