As Ive had a little unintended blogging break the last week, this one might be a long one. So, Ill wait while you get a nice warm cup of coffee or tea...go ahead, Ill wait.
OK, its cold here in Wisconsin...darned cold. Its only been in the 20s but my body just hasnt adjusted to the early cold temps. Last year we were still in light jackets and sweaters, but this year is different. As all years are, aren't they? The only things that seems to keep me warm are warm baths in the evenings once the munchkins are in bed and quilts. Wonderful quilts.
The quilts are out of the high reaches of the closets and on the beds along with the fleece sheets (flannel for Wyatt). This one above is a family quilt from my Great Aunt Grace's collection. Ive always loved the color combination of the two shades of cornflower blue and the scalloped edges. I think it is a very modern quilt for the 1800s time period. I cherish this quilt and cringe everytime the dog jumps on it or the boys start to use it as a roof for their fort. But I just cant bring myself to put it up. Look at the amazingly tiny hand stitching. I wonder if the hands that sewed the carefully cut pieces together thought about the generations to follow as much as I think about the ones who have gone before me.
Quilts were not built to live in closets. They were meant to be used and used and used. Which brings me to this quilt in my slowly growing collection.
This is a cutter quilt I bought at an estate sale for exactly that purpose...to cut. I cant remember now what project it was intended for, but whatever it was has now passed. And I still havent been able to bring myself to cut into it. I just cant do it. So, this one now sits on the back of the couch ready for me to curl up with a boy or two or three so that we can all be snuggly-buggly.
And then there are our new quilts made by a dear, sweet woman, Mrs. Houin who lives in Indiana. Her son and my husband are long friends and have worked together. When I met S he had one of her quilts in dark pine green colors, a traditional patchwork that we still have. He was visiting their family for Thanksgiving I think and she gave it to him. Still to this day I dont think she knows how that gift touched him. It is very evident how much it means to him in his reminder to me "be careful with that" when I wash it. And now she is making quilts for all our kids. She send these two to the older boys a couple of weeks ago. I had seen this vintage inspired fabric used for a tote-bag I think over at Winking Beagle's site and loved it. So, when two entire quilts out of it I wanted to scream. She also made one for Wyatt with a different insect patchworked in each square that we love just as much. Thank you Mrs. Houin, we cherish them and please know that they will be keeping our boys warm and cozy. What a gift.
(*someone had posted a link to a blog which had an entry on repairing quilts and I cant remember it at the moment...can anyone help a girl out?*)
There are more quilts in our home and our life. A small cowboy themed baby quilt made for the older boys by my Aunt Judy as a shower gift which has now been passed down to Wyatt. It lays on the back railing of his crib and is laid over him after he is asleep when I think it might be a little nippy for him even with feety pajamas.
I used to be able to find wonderful quilts and quilt tops at thrift stores and estate sales. But apparently there are many, many others who have joined me in the love of old quilts with a history. Which at first made me sad that I wouldnt be finding those amazing deals that I had once. But on second thought, it should (and does) make me happy. Happy the quilts that once held mamas and babies like ours do will not be thrown away with the the stories they hold in their stitches.
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And also, Ive tried to get back to most of you regarding your wonderfully sweet and thoughtful comments about Zane's broken arm and my mama guilt. They are appreciated more than you know. He has his permanent cast now and is doing great. But he still tells everyone who asks that his mom broke his arm. We are both healing together. Thank you again.
The tutorial on the crocheted rag rugs is almost done along with my rug that is now the size of a small bathroom rug. Maybe by the end of the week. (those of you who know me, that means next week.)
And from a good friend of mine a little assignment on thankfulness:
Assignment:
1. List 5 things for which you are thankful and why -
- my family (esp. the women in my family) - for giving me security to be who I am and the support to do whatever I want to in life
- our wonderful friends- that continue to keep up with us despite our many moves across the country
- my amazing husband - an amazing father and partner who grows with me everyday
- my faith - like an American Express card, I never leave home without it
- my children - our boys who constantly show me a different way (the right way) to look at the world
How would the absence of those things change your life and what would your life look like without
them?
- I cant complete this one...I would be too lonely and sad to even consider the thought. Sorry Dana, maybe Ill do better on the next one.
