A Memory Quilt, Scrapbook-Style

Back in August of 2002 I set out to make my mother a special surprise for her 70th birthday, which was in June of the following year. I sent out letters to everyone in my Mom's address book asking for photos that I could borrow, short-term, the idea being that I would copy their pictures onto fabric transfer sheets and assemble them into a memory quilt for her; one that told the story of her life. It was to be a surprise. The response was phenomenal! 

Armed with these two items: a copy of Ami Simms' Creating Scrapbook Quilts, and a generous supply of Photos-to-Fabric sheets, I assembled collage style photo sheets and made numerous trips to Office Depot for the transfer process on their huge, stand-alone, copy machines. At that time, this product was the go-to for photo transferring. The results speak for themselves.

In these detail shots: my Mom, at age 5, at a Christmas party with friends in the late '90's, and Mom and me in 1954. Somewhere I have photos of her on her birthday, opening this big surprise (they're eluding me at present) but, needless to say, she was completely surprised and treasured this quilt for the last twenty-one and a half years. I brought it home; it will have a special place with me here now. The processes may have changed in the last two+ decades. Those transfer sheets are no longer available, I now find a similar product on line and print them at home on my own printer. The technique book, an excellent resource, is no longer being printed but you can purchase one here today. Also, all things considered, I would likely quilt this differently if I were making it again today. But, I'm not; and it's all good!

Their engagement photo, 1951; 

my Mom and Dad were married over 72 years. 

💗

Life is Good!

Remembering the Good Times

I finished up this memory quilt for my SIL in time for Christmas. It's made up entirely of her husband's shirts, Dick passed away a year ago in September. I entitled it "Remembering the Good Times" and hope that she'll gain much comfort from wrapping up in it. 

Here it is loaded on the longarm; a solid combination of wool and flannel shirts, dress shirts, sport shirts, T-shirts and sweatshirts, this quilt has a certain heft to it; she'll stay nice and warm. 💗

Back in the fall, after I had deconstructed all of the shirts, someone found this bin to be a cozy place! (I can't remember if I had posted this pic before, Augie is a funny little pup! ) Anyway, I had already mailed the completed quilt off to her before we unexpectedly traveled north last week and, stopping by to visit her one afternoon, found the quilt occupying a place of honor on the back of her late husband's TV chair. She assured me that there are many good times contained in that quilt to remember! 💗 

Speaking of remembering good times: this was a spring afternoon at our home nine years ago when my parents were visiting. Mom and I had spent the day making pillowcases- eleven in all! She made sets and I made seasonal singles for each of the grandchildren plus one to donate. We loved spending time in the sewing room, stitching up a storm together. Back in those days we'd hop in the car and drive to Mary Jo's in Gastonia, NC to search for fabrics that we couldn't live without. Customarily, we'd stop and eat lunch at a Cracker Barrel restaurant on the way back home. We certainly had plenty of good times~ ones that I'll always remember, especially more precious today. 

Life is Good!

Ah, September!

The weather, at long last, has cooled off a bit! Brisk mornings and clear blue-sky afternoons with a slight breeze have been the norm around here this past week; it's a welcome relief~ I'm SO ready! The Dahlias are putting on a colorful show right now. We made another trip north to New England a week ago, a quick back and forth to avoid Labor Day traffic, it's all good. My mother had been hospitalized again and is now residing at a new (to her) rehab facility where she's very happy. Health-wise, she's weak; but she's content. Following that quick visit we continued south from New Hampshire to Massachusetts where we assisted Mr. G's sister with a recent home move. Having lost her husband a year ago she was ready to sell their home and forge a new path on her own. She's settling in nicely, and so is her dog, Monty; although the move was a bit traumatic for him.
Here are Monty and Augie resting after a full day of emptying boxes and wrestling with furniture! 

I read this one, start to finish, on the road trip. Being of a "certain age" I can relate well to the time period of this one, the Viet Nam war era; it's a good read.

The Barn Star quilt, my abbreviated version (56" X 76"), is together and off the design wall.  I needed to make room for the next project, a memory quilt for my SIL made from her dear husband's shirts. I've spent much time deconstructing them this week and getting everything ready to begin. There's a LOT of usable fabric in a shirt!

Stay tuned for progress on this one. I'm deeply grateful to all who've contacted me inquiring as to my whereabouts during the recent blog post blackouts, thank you! I'm fine, we're great and you're all wonderful to check in on me.

Life is Good!