A Lucky Bluebird
Sometimes when I least expect it to, I find myself taken back by how much I miss my maternal grandmother Maurine Moore.
This morning a college reunion was cut short because of yet another bad snow storm in Iowa. We were only 20 miles from home...but I drove 25 miles an hour with the 4-wheel drive on. So, I thought to myself...got to make the most of this extra time at home. What better job to do than clean the sewing room! There have been a few boxes yet unpacked from our almost 2-year-ago move. And, these boxes are not G&V proof. If I want them to be able to crawl safely, the boxes must go. While they were napping I went to work...
I opened a box and found a single applique block ready to be stitched (although after nearly 7 years and a house move, I'm missing one tail feather and the beak pieces).
My grandmother had obviously prepared the pieces...but I don't know why she hadn't moved forward on the project. This little block is just so Grandma. This is when it hits me how much I miss Grandma, how much I want to still talk quilts with her, how much I want to quilt. Not a day goes by that I don't think of her. Her quilts fill our house and warm our hearts.
Grandma loved little nitzy prints in the prettiest pastels. I have a box of her leftover pieces. She would put them together in the most beautiful quilts. Someday I'll have to share photos of the 160+ that she made and I have photographed.
But I also am drawn to the pattern, much as I'm sure Grandma was. Design No. 1098. I'm not sure if she sent for it or not. I'll have to ask one of my AQSG friends that know more about the history of patterns than I do. I have to quote what it says.
"Quaint and dainty and ever so decorative is this unusual design for a lovely applique quilt. A blue material with a tiny print gives you a blue bird for luck. A red print will give you a robin for good cheer. Perhaps you would like to alternate the blocks--a red robin in one and a blue bird in the other. For a truly colorful family of birds, make every third one a bright yellow canary. The apple bloosoms are pink and the leaves two colors of green. The branch is a strip of brown (purchased) bias tape."
As a long-time editor I find charm in the basic instructions, the typed format, the hand-drawings. Why did they make the quilt in apparently separate blocks...why not long rows? The whole package is wonderful. Then my thoughts start jumping to me making this quilt. It would be so adorable for the girls....twin beds, brown walls...wait, that fabric I bought on Thursday at the Quiltng Connection would be perfect!
Although these fabrics caught my eye the minute I walked into the store on Valentine's Day with Henry, I wasn't going to buy them. But, then Janelle made me do it! I had a gift certificate for $20 and I had picked up a couple of things, not really paying attention to the total $ I was spending. When Janelle rang me up I had only $15 of stuff. I needed to spend another $5. I knew exactly what I was buying...I went straight to these bolts and spent my $5 (plus a couple extra). The store owner Jeanne even asked if I knew what I was going to do with them...of course my answer was "don't know. They are just too pretty to not have." And, now I know exactly what I want to do with them. I might have to go back know and buy more of the brown and green pieces. I'm not sure what I'll do about the pink apple blossom yet...but I'm sure that will come to me at some point. Thanks for twisting my arm to spend $5 Janelle!
If Grandma was still alive I would call and talk it through with her. I know she's got her eyes on me now and will guide me in the right direction.
This morning a college reunion was cut short because of yet another bad snow storm in Iowa. We were only 20 miles from home...but I drove 25 miles an hour with the 4-wheel drive on. So, I thought to myself...got to make the most of this extra time at home. What better job to do than clean the sewing room! There have been a few boxes yet unpacked from our almost 2-year-ago move. And, these boxes are not G&V proof. If I want them to be able to crawl safely, the boxes must go. While they were napping I went to work...
I opened a box and found a single applique block ready to be stitched (although after nearly 7 years and a house move, I'm missing one tail feather and the beak pieces).
My grandmother had obviously prepared the pieces...but I don't know why she hadn't moved forward on the project. This little block is just so Grandma. This is when it hits me how much I miss Grandma, how much I want to still talk quilts with her, how much I want to quilt. Not a day goes by that I don't think of her. Her quilts fill our house and warm our hearts.
Grandma loved little nitzy prints in the prettiest pastels. I have a box of her leftover pieces. She would put them together in the most beautiful quilts. Someday I'll have to share photos of the 160+ that she made and I have photographed.
But I also am drawn to the pattern, much as I'm sure Grandma was. Design No. 1098. I'm not sure if she sent for it or not. I'll have to ask one of my AQSG friends that know more about the history of patterns than I do. I have to quote what it says.
"Quaint and dainty and ever so decorative is this unusual design for a lovely applique quilt. A blue material with a tiny print gives you a blue bird for luck. A red print will give you a robin for good cheer. Perhaps you would like to alternate the blocks--a red robin in one and a blue bird in the other. For a truly colorful family of birds, make every third one a bright yellow canary. The apple bloosoms are pink and the leaves two colors of green. The branch is a strip of brown (purchased) bias tape."
As a long-time editor I find charm in the basic instructions, the typed format, the hand-drawings. Why did they make the quilt in apparently separate blocks...why not long rows? The whole package is wonderful. Then my thoughts start jumping to me making this quilt. It would be so adorable for the girls....twin beds, brown walls...wait, that fabric I bought on Thursday at the Quiltng Connection would be perfect!
Although these fabrics caught my eye the minute I walked into the store on Valentine's Day with Henry, I wasn't going to buy them. But, then Janelle made me do it! I had a gift certificate for $20 and I had picked up a couple of things, not really paying attention to the total $ I was spending. When Janelle rang me up I had only $15 of stuff. I needed to spend another $5. I knew exactly what I was buying...I went straight to these bolts and spent my $5 (plus a couple extra). The store owner Jeanne even asked if I knew what I was going to do with them...of course my answer was "don't know. They are just too pretty to not have." And, now I know exactly what I want to do with them. I might have to go back know and buy more of the brown and green pieces. I'm not sure what I'll do about the pink apple blossom yet...but I'm sure that will come to me at some point. Thanks for twisting my arm to spend $5 Janelle!
If Grandma was still alive I would call and talk it through with her. I know she's got her eyes on me now and will guide me in the right direction.
Oh my goodness... your grandmother was a GREAT quilt maker and how LUCKY you are to have that many of them!
The little bird is just too adorable for words and your fabric is perfect. Make up the block of your grandmothers and frame it for the wall in their room... a memory piece.
smooches... glad your reunion was canceled so you could find such a treasure today!
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Love the idea of framing the single block. Thanks!
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This applique design will make such sweet little quilts for your girls. I like Pat's suggestion to make up your grandmother's block to frame for a picture in the room.
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I adore this little pattern, it will be so sweet. Hope you will be showing progress. Squares certainly make it is to take with you.
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This project would be very portable. I'll have to get it ready to take with me when I'm traveling to quilt shows.
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This is so weird ... I have that exact pattern packed in some of the stuff from my mom! Don't know where she got it but I know she liked to pick things up here and there like I do.
When it comes to this kind of stuff, I miss my mom as much as you miss your grandma.
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Well your mother obviously had good taste!
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This blog Is very informative , I am really pleased to post my comment on this blog .
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