Gramma's Quilt

This sun bonnet baby quilt was made by my grandma.  According to my mom she made it when my mom was a baby, which would make the quilt over 80 years old.  As a little girl my grandma lived in the apartment upstairs in the house that we lived in.  I spent the night with her quite often and she would get this quilt out for me to sleep under.  I remember thinking it was so special when she brought it out. 

Some of the embroidery has worn out, there are a couple of stains, and it is patched on the back side - but for the most part it is still in pretty good shape considering how old it is.  When I think about it - the quilt was quite old when I slept under it.  I have not looked at this quilt in years . . . I forgot about all the beautiful detail in it.

Each little bonnet is embroidered differently.  I am sure the dresses are made out of scraps from other sewing projects. 

This is one of my favorites.  I like the colors in her dress and the little star on her bonnet.  I don't remember my grandma embroidering very often - she crocheted and knitted mostly.  She did teach me how to embroidery though.  She was always so patient when she taught me how to do things. 

I am not really sure what I will do with it.  I may have Richard make a quilt rack to display it or maybe tuck it away safely somewhere to bring out when my granddaughters spend the night with me.  I hope they will have all sort so wonderful memories like the ones I have a of my grandma.

This is another quilt she made.  I was older when she made this one.  It is a cathedral window design - and she was very quick to tell you that each window was a different fabric.  I love all the colors and I cherish the memories I have of Gramma.

baseball quilt . . .

Baseball quilt that I made for Richard . . . not just his cardinal t-shirts, but some of his coaching shirts and other baseball t-shirts that he had.  I love these quilts.  I have seen them made way more detailed than this, but I don't have patience for that.  I just cut out basic blocks.  I have a couple more all sewn together for Luke and Jacob - I just need to get the backs on them.  That seems like something I will get done now that I am off work for the summer.  I also want to put together one using Richard's tennis t-shirts. 

6 + 4 + 3 = 2 (one of my favorite baseball t-shirts)

"The beauty and joy of baseball is not having to explain it.  ~ Chuck Shriver

 

"Grandma Bed"

I decided to use my "grandma" quilts and afghans rather than just have them stashed away in a closet.  For some time I had this quilt on a quilt shelf that hung in my house.  I was concerned that it was getting dirty so decided to store it away.  I decided it really needed to me enjoyed - rather than be stuck away where I never see it.  This quilt was made by my grandma years ago.  It was on my bed when I was very young.

It really is beautiful - and all hand quilted.  I think of her hands working when I look at it.

I have another quilt that she made later - that I now have on the bottom of my bed.  I will have to post a picture of that one sometime.  I believe it is called a cathedral window quilt and each piece is a different fabric.

The pillow cases were embroidered by my mom.  They also were on my bed when I was little.  I remember my room had pink wallpaper with kittens in it. 

The darker wool quilt was made by Richard's grandma and the granny square afghan was crocheted by my mom.  I can remember laying underneath it when I was young.  I loved to use it in the winter when it was cold - because it was really heavy.  I used to pile the blankets during those cold Iowa winters to the point that I could hardly move underneath them.

I will have to see what else I have to add to my "grandma" bed . . . maybe add something that I have made.   Nothing spectacular - but a whole lot of love and memories in this handwork.  It is much more fun to curl up here and read than it was with the store bought comforter that I had on the bed before.  Maybe it's my age . . . but I feel the need to enjoy and use the things that I think are beautiful and mean something to me.  I also find myself telling the kids who made what and the stories behind different items that have been in my family for years.  I like to think that it isn't because I am getting older (although - I am) - but also because they are starting lives of their own and getting to the age where it means something to them too.  I remember sleeping under a quilt that my grandma had made (it was a sun bonnet baby quilt).  My grandma used to get it out when I spent the night with her.  I hope Lily and Charlotte will enjoy sleeping under the "grandma" quilts one day. 

Missing my grandma today . . . .