If you want your life to be a magnificent story, then begin by realizing that you are the author and everyday you have the opportunity to write a new page
- Mark Houlahan -Monday...Martingale Monday that is! I'm getting closer to Quilt Market and the excitement builds. Even with all that is ahead that must be done, and sleep that is lost and stress of getting it all together, I have to say I love it and I'm so blessed to be doing work that I love dearly.
Here is the quilt from my book that I wanted to share with you today.This quilt has some personal feelings attached to its beginnings. It all begins with this!
This glass basket belonged to my fabulous Grandmother. Katherine Margaret Sly, nicknamed "Kitty". (yes I said Sly..my maiden name Wys my married name no vowels my whole life, only impostors, HAVE MERCY!). Kitty was an artist, she painted and taught piano lessons her whole life. She went to art school and the Conservatory of Music. She taught me so much! I loved spending time with her because she would draw and create with me all the time. Her love and encouragement was a force in my life that I draw such inspiration from all the time. This glass basket was hers and became the first, in what has grown to be quite a collection of glass baskets...none as special as " Kitty's Basket".
Here is my quilt so named "Kitty's Baskets." I have to tell you that when I planned this quilt I thought..Can I make a group of flowers from Neutral fabrics..without it looking like dead flowers from a funeral home? (my brain on overload). I'm happy with the results and I'm happy that the quilt is HAPPY LOOKING. I arranged the flowers in the baskets so that each basket had a slightly different arrangement (not so symmetrical so to speak). I also hand quilted this project #1 because it was the right thing to do #2 I wanted at least 1 project in my book so show that option. #3 Kitty would have preferred it that way. I used taupe floss and did a kinda big stitchy grid. It was very easy.
I'm sure that Kitty would love it. I'll ask her when I see her in heaven. 
This is another project from the book. A mantle scarf made from grey silk and embellished with white snowflakes and 40 zillion crystals. no 50 zillion crystals. It looks so pretty across my mantle. The photo in the book captures the crystals very well but seeing it in person is AMAZING. I'm very happy with this project. BTW when I appilqued the snowflakes I appliqued them through the top, batting and backing layers so it was "self quilted" as I sewed which made the project go even faster to completion. It is a goooood thing!
On to the prizes. This week I will give a way THREE signed books along with a spool of Neutral Aurifil thread! So we will have three winners this week. WOWZER! Post a comment to this blog and tell me about your grandmother or grandfather or someone who had a profound influence on your life. Kitty would love to hear what you have to say. Please post before midnight EST on Wednesday.I will draw for the winners and make the announcement on Thursday morning.
Come back tomorrow, I will show you that little binding trick.
57 comments:
My grandma has passed, but always had a great influence on my life. She was so much like my mother. Whenever we went to her house there was a house full of aunties and cousins, and grandma was always busy in the kitchen. She had on her apron, and a smile. She had her dish towels pressed and embroidered. She used her apron as a pot holder, and could frost the most fantastic cookies.. YUM! A ton of kids in her house only made her happier. I miss my grandma, and hope I can show my grands the same love.
I just love Kitty's baskets, very soothing. My story is about my dad, my father was diagnosed with ALS when he was 63, it is a debilitating disease that attachs the muscular system. My dad was always a doer, and my mom was the love of his life. My mom had appliqued and hand quilted a beautifule quilt she use wool batting, while they were away on vacation my dsister washed and dried hot water hot dryer. Long story short my dad while ill sat and picked out every stitch in that quilt so mom could requilt it. Now that is true love, I am the lucky owner of that quilt now, and I treasure it.
My grandmother, Barbara was absolutely my total influence for all things sewing and stitching. The Christmas that I was five, she "kidnapped" my doll (which was a baby doll no less) and made a complete wardrobe for her. I found it under her Christmas tree on Christmas Eve. It included a wedding dress and evening gown - for a baby doll!! I still have some of the clothes. She was an incredible seamstress.
It was because of my grandmother that I began quilting. She passed away when I was 8 and the most precious items of hers that my family had was a few of her quilts. I now have 2. I always feel close to her when I quilt.
Oh Kitty's Baskets is a wonderful memory for you! And is beautiful. My Grandma would be my favorite influence/memory. When I was very young I remember getting to spend nights at her house. I got to help her do everything. Shopping, cooking, cleaning as well as jumping on the bed and I loved going in the attic to look at grandpa's arrowheads. But by the time I was 7 or so she lived with us. She was there everyday when we got home from school, played games with us, and gave us all the special attention we needed. And we always gave her the TV sunday nights so she could watch Laurence Welk! I miss my Grandma so much. My mom did also. Mom passed just Friday and I'm so glad to know that mom is now with Grandma!
My grandmother didn't like sewing (I think it was because she always had so much mending to do and that seemed like work!) - she loved quilts and treated them as family heirlooms.....and her kitchen always smelled great! Miss her
Oh I just love Kitty's Baskets! One more reason I really want this book! My grandmother passed a few years ago, and although I miss her a lot, she's always with me in spirit. I have wonderful memories of growing up and spending time with her, and I was lucky enough that my kids got to know her well too before she passed. Memories of those we love are a wonderful thing to be able to share.
Wow Pat, this pattern is beautiful. And what a special tribute to your sweet Grandmother. I never knew my grandparents, as I was a late in life baby for my own parents. However, after my own Mom passed away when I was in my 20's, one of my hubby's Aunts came along side of me and took me under her wing. We did everything together, as she did not have children of her own. She became my children's grandmother. She taught me a lot about loving the treasures we would find at yard sales, or thrift shops. She is now 95 years old and not able to do much, but the memories that she gave me have been priceless.
I never knew my grandparents and my mom died when I was a teenager but a friends mom was my influence, she was a fabulous seamstress(made my wedding gown and bridesmaids gowns,) and was very patient while teaching me the basics of sewing.
LOVE Kitty's Basket and now know I need the book in my library.
Oh, my gosh.......I guess I'm kind of like an "orphan" here since I didn't get to know my one grandmother and my other couldn't even thread a needle...and the grandfathers weren't very inspirational, either. The closest thing I had was a mother (long since gone) who did sew some of our clothes when we were little and she did crochet. Nobody in my family did any quilting, so I guess I am the family "pioneer" in that regard. I am hoping my granddaughters (at least one of them) will enjoy doing quilting and I try to let them do projects with me when they are here.
My grandpa died a few years ago, but he wrote his life history down, and we just had it published as a book for all the family. What a wonderful gift.
What a wonderful treasure (the glass basket)!! I have a few special pieces that belonged to my grandmother that are so special to me, so I understand how you feel about this. I have her glass pedestal cake stand (circa 1930), a glass bowl that she began housekeeping with in about 1920, and a glass painted figurine that lights up. The figurine was a gift to my g-mother from my mom when she went on a trip in the early 1950s.
The quilt is gorgeous, and the mantle piece is spectacular! I love what crystals do for a quilt!
It was really heart warming to read everyone's stories of their loved ones. I grew up with grandmothers that had a love of cooking and remember the smells of something home cooked whenever you entered their homes. I am fortunate to still have my one grandma (92yrs.) around. She was here for Thanksgiving dinner yesterday and though her mind is slipping a little bit she still remembers and gives me little digs and asks how many projects I have on the go. I said to my mom of all things that she has to remember she remembers that....lol
My grandmother taught me the love of books. She read to me all the time and I still can hear her voice when I see certain favorite books.
Unfortunately I only even knew one of my grandparents, my Mum's Mum she lived with my aunt but always came to stay with us at Christmas. She use to play cards with me and always cheated!! Every Christmas when she was leaving she use to say "this will be my last Christmas" and my Dad always use to say "One year you will be right!!!" Linda
HELLO!
My Grandmothers are with Jesus,but had a definite positive influence on my life! They loved quilting and stitching and showed me how to use a needle very young. Plain embroidery was one of my first projects>love stitching to this day! Thanks for sharing!
jldouglas@wispwest.net
Both of my grandmothers influenced me greatly.
My paternal grandmother, Granny Black, had a stroke when I was young (I am thinking around 10 years old.) The stroke left her paralyzed on her right side. She taught me to bake so that I could help her with Christmas baking. Once you can follow a recipe to make a cake, you can learn to cook anything! Before she had the stroke, she was a quilter. I do remember playing under the quilt frame on the front porch.
My maternal grandmother was also a quilter. She continued to make quilts until she was no longer able. She influenced me by showing me that perfection in a quilt is not necessary for it to be loved and used.
I wish I could talk to each of them again and tell them how they made my life better by their lessons.
Oh I love your basket story and the neutral flowers are lovely! Not morbid at all! I SO hope to win a book. I will keep my fingers crossed.
I would have to say my husbands grandma Dean was the biggest influence on me. And in so many ways. She was wise, kind, and inspired me to quilt! She lived to be nearly 100 and made literally hundreds of beautiful quilts in her lifetime :)
Pat your book looks wonderful and how exciting to be going to market! What a wonderful story about Kitty, your grandmother and I love the applique baskets! You are not just lucky to live the life you have..........you were meant for it...........you are so talented! My grandparents inspired me with just about everything. They raised 13 children in the Great Depression and I am filled with their stories of family, grief, pain and struggle, yet every member in this family had no grumbles or complaints about their life. They all have taught me so much in that area. I live the same way my grandparents did when I knew them..........they lived in an old house in the middle of the woods and cotton fields..........the same way I live today. Bless you Pat and your wonderful work..........keep it up! blessings,Kathleen
My grandmother (who just happens to still be alive at 103 yrs. old) made a little Dutch girl quilt that I slept under as a child. That quilt made me want to quilt some day. I loved it. She also kept a box of scraps and helped me make doll clothes when I would go visit her.
What a wonderful tribute to your grandmother. She would have loved it, certainly.
Your book has the coolest cover out there! I keep trying to win a copy, and if I don't, it is on my purchase list :)
wow those baskets are amazing! My grandmother always made me feel loved and special and wasn`t afraid to tell me so.
I am so enjoying the quilts from your book and especially the stories behind them. I am a brand-new grandmother and have been thinking alot lately about my own grandmother and my mother who sadly died just two months before the birth of her first great grand-children. Both Nana and Mom were knitters and every child born into our family wore a handknit sweater from them. This spring when Mom found out that my daughter and daughter-in-law were both expecting, decided that they also needed handknit sweaters. Mom could no longer knit herself but she could buy yarn!! So, I am knitting three sweaters (my daughter had twins!!) that will be special hugs from my Mom and me to my sweet grandbabies.
I just love these quilts! Both of my Grandmother's were very creative. Both were magicians in the kitchen. Their influences have lived on in our family. I learned to embroidery from one and crochet from the other. Great memories. Thanks for another chance!
I didn't have a really close relationship with either of my grandmas. One lived in Wash. DC (I left when I was 6) and the other lived nearby but was not a loving, caring grandma (she had a hard life!). I LOVED my great-aunt but only got to see her every once in awhile. She was a GEM! Congrats on the book and thanks for the giveaway!!
I never knew the grandparents on dad's side. His father died when he was a young boy and dad had such a horrible childhood that he convinced his mom to sign the papers when he was 17 to join the military. He never went back. Mom's side...both grandparents came from Spain making life here in the US. My grandmother never finished past third grade as she was needed home to care for her siblings so my grandmother could not read or write but loved to crochet and boy could she! I still have several of her doilies. I can still remember the smell of my grandfather and watching him roll his own cigarettes. He passed when I was 15. I just don't have the memories like most I guess.
I really like the kitty's baskets...just so soothing on the eye and not overly dramatic!
My great-grandmother took me to the weekly church quilting bee when I was small. I would sit under the quilt and play dolls. She was my best friend until she died at 99 years of age. One of my regrets is that my children never had a chance to know this special person. Pam
I absolutely love your Grandmother's glass basket. What a treasure you have! I think the flower quilt you did in honor of Miss Kitty is my favorite and will probably be the first one that I make from your book. I'm sure she's watching you and is proud of all that you've accomplished.
3 of my grandparents were dead before I was born. My paternal grandma was the quintesential (sp) little old Italian lady . all I remember was that she was tiny and wore all black. she could not speak English and I had no knowledge of Italian. We hugged. She had a big bed that needed a stepstool to climb onto it. Because I did not know my grandparents and my children hardly kkne wtheirs. I find it so important to be present in the lives of my grands.
My grandmother was famous for the meringues on her pies, and she cut her pies into fourths - Yummmm!
My Grandma was hilarious! She has some of the funniest little sayings. Like asking if you had done your Christmas shoplifting! She was also a quilter and crocheted a lot of afghans. I have so many great memories of her and my Grandpa.
My grandfather made cheese...a lot of cheese.... and life in the city or in the country revolved around cheese.
My grandmother was the hostess and saw to the entertaining... and there was a lot of entertaining.... business, social and cultural.
I still remember my greatgrandmother sitting at her frame, which hung from the ceiling, with her sister. She and Aunt Bernice would quilt all winter in front of the fireplace. In the spring, they'd hang their quilts out on a line for sale, as folks came from New Orleans and Baton Rouge to buy strawberries. They would buy more fabric from their earnings. They also sold their homemade strawberry jams and fresh eggs,etc. I still have some blocks from them and a few, now quite worn and loved, quilts. She made me my first Sunbonnet Sue quilt. They used a lot of old clothes and new fabrics to make their quilts. They learned from their mother. My mother began quilting in 76 and made me my first Sunbonnet Sue and I remember the bonnets like on Little House on the Prairie that she made and I'd wear to school. I guess that was the thing then and it was cool. Anyway, I guess it's in my blood and those memories come flooding back when I quilt. I bought my own daughter a nice sewing machine a couple years back and she has begun to quilt now.
My pop-pop has been a wonderful influence - while it is not craft related - he always admires my projects. He just is one who takes an avid interest in everything his kids and grandkids do - he is always on the phone to check in with each of us. However lately he fell and broke his hip and has some other complications we are just prayerful that he will get well enough to come home versus being in skilled care. I'd love to have anew book to make aproject to show him when he gets home. i also recently purchased a charm pack of neutrals and am not sure what project to work them into.
My late maternal grandfather had to drop out of school in second grade and work on the family farm (the oldest of 9 kids). He carried a strong appreciation for education (self-educated himself). I was the oldest granddaughter - and he built me a desk our of odds-and-ends lumber so I could study (I was maybe 9 years old). I used that desk until after I entered college. My grandfather was this way with most of his grandkids born before he passed - doing something special for them and with them. He was born in 1897.
My grandmother Willie was a gifted seamstress and a truly awesome lady. I recall her singing hymns as she did work around her tiny house. She sewed many dresses for me and my 4 sisters! She worked as an alterationist until she was in her 80's--she would have kept on but my granddad was ill!
Grandmother Willie worked really fast. She laughingly told us that if her mother wanted something done fast whe would ask Willie and if she wanted it done right she would ask my great aunt Thelma! But I never saw anything that she made (or cooked!) that wasn't the best ever! I miss you Grandmother Willie!
My grandmother Willie was a remarkable woman. She worked as an alterationist until she was in her 80's. She had to retire so she could take care of my granddad. Grandmother Willie was always singing hymns as she did work around her tiny house. She worked very quickly. She told a funny story of how her mother would ask her to do something if she wanted it done fast. She would ask my great aunt Thelma if she wanted it done right. The thing is, I never saw anything that Grandmother sewed, cooked or attempted that wasn't of the hightest quality. I treasure the memories of Grandmother Willie and hope to be just like her when I "grow up".
Just found your blog and it's lovely - and I'm cheered that someone wants to hear about my grandmother! I think she was born with snowy white hair, it's how I always 'see' her, and her blue Norwegian eyes had a twinkle that only an angel could have. Gramma crocheted. Storybook dolls dressed in all manner of costumes, bed covers, tablecloths, antimacassars, doilies. I loved watching her needle fine hook whizzing through the balls of thread while she talked and laughed and watched the pot boil. She loved us all with a heart only a gramma understands. We were all so blest. 30+ years are gone with her, and I still miss her.
My maternal grandfather passed many years ago. He was such a happy person. He loved life. He wore blue button down shirts and always looked dapper. He loved music, dancing and parties. I remember standing on his shoes in the ballroom of the Heidelberg Hotel as he twirled me to the music. I can smell his pipe smoke to this day. Papa was my idol. Just writing this makes me smile.
My grandfather was a very calm man . He spent most of his time in his garden. This garden was always full of beautiful vegetables and between the rows of vegetables he grew flowers so his garden was like a painting. When I hand quilt , I find again my grandfather's serenity . Now things are going too fast and I am not sure that my grandfather would have liked our way of life.
Have a nice peaceful day
I love my Grandma. I wish i could see her more often. She lives in Mexico, so far away. I would love for her to meet our new little boy. Sadly she only gets to visit the US once ever 3-5 years and I'm not always able to travel to CA (from AL) while she is here.
I can honestly say that the picture does not do your basket quilt justice!! It is a beautiful quilt!! My maternal grandmother taught me to bake homemade biscuits when I was 9 years old and also how to make her chicken and dumplings (I was in my 20's). Yes I roll out the dough and cut into strips for the dumplings! I never knew my paternal grandmother, she died when my dad was 7. My aunt took her place as my grandmother and she is the one that taught me to sew and do different crafts! They both are in heaven now, but I still feel like they are standing close by or over my shoulder when I cook, sew, etc. and it brings a smile to my face everytime.
My grandma's name was Ethel. I named my LQ after her because she was a true worker. Granny sponsored the 4H group in our community. When my sister joined, Granny let me tag along. I learned to make my first apron when I was 6. She was always busy in the house or garden. She passed in 2001 at the age of 100. Granny was passionate about women's right to vote and told her 4 granddaughters to vote in every election. I can see her as a suffragette. My aunt recently came across some quilt squares Granny had pieced. I remembered the fabrics as I looked through them... her dress, apron, grandpa's shirt. They will soon be a treasured quilt.
I also love Kitty's Baskets. What a wonderful tribute to your grandmother.
My grandmother was a wonderful cook and baker. Somehow she also had on hand what each of her 4 grandchildren loved to eat. Whenever any one of us would go to visit, she always offered what we loved to eat. I found that amazing.
The night of her funeral, in January, in Wisconsin, we had an unpredicted snowstorm. The winds kicked up, snow was coming down like crazy and then a big clap of thunder! As soon as I heard the thunder, I turned to my sister and told her "grandma made it to heaven". She is cooking up a storm!
Thank you for the wonderful giveaway and bring such "good" memories back to me.
Paula
All four of my grandparents died before I was born so I never knew them. We had a neighbour whose son and family had emigrated and in those days (early 1950's)that meant only letters and very rarely phone calls. She was a substitute grandmother for many of the young children in the neighbourhood and always had a smile and a sweet for us!
My Grandmother (or Grandma) was one of my best friends. My Dad was disabled and operated a TV sales/repair shop. My mother stayed at the shop with him during the day. As a result, I spent a lot of time with my Grandma. She made me Barbie clothes, paperdolls, and always let me play with her jewelry. She made the best 'eggbread' (aka French Toast) ever!!!! I miss her a LOT!
Good job you didn't ask about my mother - she was the least "crafty" person that ever there was I think. Her mother, on the other hand, was into all sorts of crafts from spinning and weaving, embroidery, pottery, etc, which meant I got the chance to try all sorts of things. Unfortunately, she was a piano teacher though, so I also had to learn that!
My grandma wasn't into sewing but was incredible in the kitchen! I still remember her homemade cinnamon rolls, and homemade noodles with chicken and mashed potatoes. Yummy!
Bari
My grandma taught me to embroider and to sew.
My gramms was a weaver from the 'old country' (Sweden). I knew how to read a pattern draft and warp a loom long before I was tall enough to reach the treadles. I was always a little frightened of her. Her English was poor and she yelled a lot. I never appreciated the knowledge she passed to me until I was an adult so was never able to tell her. 50 years later I'm still an avid weaver.
maggie
How ironic that you should ask who was our inspiration. Friday would have been my Mom's 85th birthday. I miss her more with each passing year. She was a beautiful woman and a great seamstress. She taught my three sisters and I to sew and knit before we could read. Mama made several of our wedding gowns and all our prom dresses. All my girls were baptized in the gown she made and so was my granddaughter. Mama didn't believe she was a quilter because she never mastered hand quilting but you should she the machine quilted quilt hanging on my granddaughter's wall. Mama made the quilt for my daughter when she was a baby. Maddie, my 3 year old granddaughter, asked me yesterday if I would teach her to sew. Guess it's time to get the sewing cards out. I so want to be her inspiration.
My grandmother had 15 children - my Dad was the baby of the family.
Grandma is gone but Dad's 84 now and still has three living siblings. I don't know if my grandmother did much sewing or knitting - I kinda think she was too busy looking after children.
I can still remember my grandma, Josie, sitting in the dining room of our house piecing quilts...(wow!...I just had a revelation!...maybe that is why I work out of the dining room so much?!?!!)..She made quilts that were beautiful to me...and that were made to be used!...I still have one!...I am filling up what I call my grandbaby hope chest with quilts now!
My grandma made one of the first quilts in my very very large collection. It was a Trip Around The World quilt, made with scraps. She cut each 2" square by hand, laid them all out, then sewed row by row. It was for my first born. I never knew my other grandma, but she was famous for her embroidery (yes, I do that also). I love the looks of your new book. How exciting to be so close to market, I've been once, when I worked at a quilt shop. I loved it!
I can't figure out how to commewnt on the daily blog pages(s) ... can someone help me ut here? Iopen to the Oct date i first found this site - and here I sit!
Did read the news abut houston - sounds like a ball - however, morarorium on CHEETOS is out of the question. Skip slep, skie eating, maybe even skip the sewing machnine a day now and them, but do not giv euo the Cheetso - they are manna, they are golden eggs/honey/life support. IMHO.
Post a Comment