A Quilter's Legacy..

Let me start off by giving you a little background story... My grandmother was an avid quilter, and she's the one who originally sparked my interest in quilting. I remember every time I stayed at Grandma and Grandpa's house that I'd snuggle up under a pile of quilts to sleep at night. I just LOVED her quilts! They were so cozy and warm and pretty and made me feel at HOME. That's what I believe quilts do... They make a house a home. I loved my grandmother very much. When she passed away, my mom and all her siblings went through my grandmother's belongings to sort through what they would each take, and what they would put in the estate sale. My grandmother had a sewing/craft room in their home (a 1950 farm house that my grandpa built with his own hands), and when my mother and aunts went through this particular room they came across a LOT of fabric and sewing notions. My aunts took a few things (they quilt, and my mother does not), and then they asked my mom if perhaps I would want the rest as I am the only grandchild that quilts. YES, I say...YES!!! ;) Thus, my mom packed up all the remaining contents of my grandmother's sewing room...the items she collected all her life... and saved them for me. She waited a few months to send them to me, when she felt the time was right... Earlier this week she put them in the mail for me. :)

Yesterday when I arrived home from work, I found two packages waiting for me at my doorstep. I have to say, this was the best package I've ever opened or received. My birthday is on Tuesday, so my mom mailed these items to me along with my birthday gifts. What a fantastic way to make my day. :D I spent several hours last night going through all the contents. There were TONS of cut pieces that Grandma was working with for a quilt. And a UFO scrappy quilt. The large box was full of PATTERNS!!! ALL patterns!!! Notice the date of the flower bouquet pattern....1934!!! The best part though is that they have my grandmother's handwriting all over them. And there are patterns from quilts she made all the granddaughters when we were small. And patterns from quilts she entered and won prizes with in the state fairs. This is my quilting dream!!! This is my grandmother's legacy. It means so much to me to have all these remnants, fabric pieces, patterns, notions, etc. from my grandmother. I am a woman who loves tradition and family, so having all these things from her means so much to me. Thank you, Mom!!

So now I'm adding a couple more UFOs to the list... finishing the unfinished scrappy log cabin from my grandma, and also making a quilt of all her fabric pieces. Yay!!! A family quilt!!!

Also, just an update on the pups. Grace is doing much better still, and seems to be quite healthy. Gus seems to understand that she's hurt, and he lays with her and seems to watch after her. They're such sweethearts. I love them so much! :)

Have a great labor day weekend!!!

Shelley