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Wednesday, March 14, 2012

A Memory of Stars - Slice Fifteen

         The March Slice of Life Challenge is with Ruth and Stacey at the Two Writing Teachers blog 


       My mother, grandmother and aunts all created quilts.  My mother was also an artist and loved originating the designs while my aunt created the tried and true quilts that many made, like Sunbonnet Sue and the Log Cabin designs.  Both were crafts people in unique ways, and showed me by modeling that if I chose to, I could do anything.  I did do quite a lot of sewing and crafting during the years I stayed home with my children, but when I returned to teaching, it became harder to find the time.  I admire anyone who takes the time to persist in such a large project as a quilt, like my mom.
One birthday, after my family had moved a few states away, and visited only a few times a year, I received a large box from my mom.  I figured she had packed a gift for me, along with some other 'add-ins' for the kids.  When I opened it, there was this quilt.  I hadn't known it was a project because the last time I'd visited, she had been working on one of the quilts where you embroider squares, then put them all together.  The added surprise is that this quilt displays so many stars.  I have collections of several kinds of stars in my life, in jewelry, cookie cutters, and so on.  This special affinity for stars started with a tease from a grandfather who constantly told me I was so special because I was born with a star on my birth certificate!  Of course, as a young child, I believed him.  It was only in my adult years that I actually saw my birth certificate and realized that what he said was just a loving phrase.  However, my mother remembered this from so long ago, and made the quilt for me-full of stars.  She was a special mom!


The first round words in Ed DeCaria's Madness! 2012 (Kids' Poetry. Under Pressure.)  have been sent out and 64 Poets are busily writing poems.  My poem is in that first round.  Second round words are up today.  It's very exciting!

31 comments:

  1. What a beautiful quilt and memory! My grandmother is a talented quilter as well. You can tell that this quilt was made with love and an extra special touch. What a great treasure.

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  2. You are so lucky to have such talent be passed on to you and now you have this permanent rememberence of it as well as that reminder of how loved you are and how much your family believes in you! It's gorgeous!

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  3. Quilts are such a precious gift, especially when you truly understand how much time and love went into making it. Enjoy!

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  4. That's a sweet story -- particularly the birth certificate story from your grandfather. I bet that made you feel special. It reminds us that simple words can really make an impact, even if the words aren't quite the literal truth ('cause I bet you were a star in their eyes).
    Kevin

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  5. I love the birth certificate story! It's funny how things like that stick with us into our adult life, right?

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  6. Your mother was amazing to create a quilt to surprise you. Every time you look at it you remember. The words of a loving grandfather spoken for a special granddaughter. Nice trip back into your memory.

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  7. Aw, I love the story about your grandfather and what a gift from your mom! I absolutely cannot sew but wish I could. I have several quilts I want made but no talent with which to do it. :)

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  8. That's a work of art covering the table. Gorgeous!

    A great story too!

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  9. Bless your heart and your mother for making this special quilt for you! It is a nice story and so special that you can share with us and your grandchildren! I love the quilt! Enjoy! Thanks for sharing! Happy Slicing! :)

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  10. P. S. I forgot to mention, I had never seen a quilt put on the table- what a clever idea!

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    1. I have lots of quilts, and bed covers too, so chose to use this quilt in part of the year & I have a more spring-like one for spring & summer. Nice padding for the table too!

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  11. What wonderful memories you have of all your family, and a quilt and other stars to remind you of those people, too. All of this made you the wonderful person you are today.

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  12. What a nice way to use the quilt. It's nice to write about fond memories.

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  13. Quilts and memories go together! I love the story your grandfather told you about your birth certificate. Then your mom continued the story with the beautiful quilt. That is odious. Thanks for sharing itl

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  14. aww, how neat that your mom incorporated your star theme into the quilt! I love the fact that she was working on it when you visited and you didn't know. I also love that you believed your grandfather until you saw your birth certificate! Families have such great ways of making you feel special.

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  15. This is gorgeous. Are you using it for a tablecloth? Cool. The poetry madness is definitley in the air!!

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  16. I love quilts. Since I don't know how to quilt, I've made quilt paintings instead. What a beautiful gift your mother gave you, but it's the timing too that warms my heart. Receiving this gift just after moving so far from home must have felt just perfect to you. The story about your grandfather is so sweet. He must have been a charming man with a sweet sense of humour.

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  17. Love that quilt! Star blocks are my favorite.

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  18. What a great story and a beautiful quilt! I have often wondered what little thingsfrom their childhood my kids will remember when they are grown up someday.

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  19. Quilts are all about the story.

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  20. I love grandpa's and their stories for kids. What a special way of making you feel special. And what a beautiful quilt. Your mom gave something equally special.

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  21. Your grandpa's words brought tears to my eyes. How special to be made to feel so special, first by your grandfather's words and later by this surprise of the quilt. This slice is special--in fact I think it might be so special because it is filled with stars!

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  22. Linda, I am a complete sucker for family AND quilt stories. Love the stars! Thanks for sharing!

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  23. As you well know, I am the daughter of a prolific quilter as well - (Otterlanding) and have them stashed all over the place and in layers on various beds. But I love - love - love it when a quilt has a special story which yours certainly has.

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  24. As you well know, I am the daughter of a prolific quilter as well - (Otterlanding) and have them stashed all over the place and in layers on various beds. But I love - love - love it when a quilt has a special story which yours certainly has.

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  25. What a beautiful quilt and memory. I love to quilt too, but you're right there is no time when you are teaching. I love memory slices.
    Tammy

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  26. Linda - I love your writing, your photos, your poems! Thank you. I hope that somewhere you are keeping these all together, offline as well as on. Such treasures. (Have you considered publishing in other ways too?) Star for sure! a.

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  27. Linda,
    I remember sitting in the living room with my grandma while she quilted beautiful quilts. I'd thread needles for her as we'd talk together. Our family loved our quilts with fabrics of our favorite worn-out clothing sewn neatly in the tiny squares of the quilt. We loved them so much that now they are worn from love. I've always been fascinated by quilting, and maybe someday when time allows I will sit and do the same.

    I loved your star quilt....a gift full of memories. Thanks for sharing your story.

    Cathy

    P.S. I'm following the poetry fun. I had a great time voting last night.

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  28. Love the quilt! No one in our family is a quilter, but I always admire those that do quilt.

    And...on a side note...I'm so impressed with your following. I often connect with many other blogs via yours. So fun to find new things to read, so thanks!

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  29. This lady has always been a star, and all its synonyms!

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  30. I wish I had time to write to each of you. You do my heart good every day. I have had company last weekend & this weekend so am trying to find time to comment to those who are kind enough to come my way too, but ... I suspect you are all squeezing the minutes too. Have a wonderful Friday & weekend!

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