THROWBACK THURSDAY 2

Throwback Thursday 2 is another post about one of my very first quilts.

 

My daughter's heritage from her paternal side of the family is Irish.  When I first started quilting I decided to make an Irish Chain quilt for her.  I used Eleanor Burns pattern.

 

This label says the quilt was made in 1998.  I had just started quilting and was still stumbling along.

 

The fabrics are definitely examples of a tentative quilter.  One light, one medium light, and one medium.  Not much contrast.  Just enough to see the pattern.

This quilt is queen size and was quilted on my domestic sewing machine.  The pictures are current.  She still uses that quilt.

Yes, that is LilBit resting on the pillow!

So many of my quilts live with my daughter and her family.  I am trying to photograph all of them and get them into albums on my computer.  I have some hard copy pictures, but they have not been journaled well at all.


                                               -sandi

WEEKLY UPDATE

My weekly update for projects includes finishing two Improv blocks and getting them quilted together for my QAYG project.  There are seven more to go.

 

I pieced the top for this quilt in 2012 and have just had it quilted by Gayle Grier at A Quilter's Playhouse.  I love that it has no borders.

 

The red fabric I used for the back of the Friendship Star was so interesting to me.  I just loved it!!  I used leftovers to do my back and to write my label.

This was not one of the projects on the  Proposals post, but it just surfaced and I was able to finish it.

I also started working on a scarf with the wonderful Cascade yarn that my friend, Laura, sent to me.

Okay, that is one week's worth of work.  Hope this next week brings me more time to work on my projects.

                                   -sandi

 

 

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY

So, it's Mother's Day.  My precious mother lost her battle with cancer at the early age of 62 and has not been with me through the greater part of my adult life.  I miss her and so often remember things she said and things she did.  She had some funny little  sayings and ways of expressing herself that my sister and I often laugh about.  My daughter remembers her "Gran" as being the adult in her life who never said "No" when she wanted to play in her costume jewelry and sit on her vanity stool for hours trying on Gran's earrings and necklaces and admiring herself in the mirror.  Yes, I do miss her!!  And I know my daughter still misses her, too.

I was a very young woman when I was widowed with an eight-year-old daughter to raise on my own.  Those years of being a single mom were some of the toughest I have ever had.  I was afraid that I was not giving her everything she needed to become a responsible adult who would make her mark and contribution in the world in the best possible way.  Oftentimes I was so very strict and would discipline her to the point that she thought I was demanding perfection.  To me it was not striving for perfection, but, rather, it was pushing her to be the best person she could possibly be for herself.

There were some testy years in there as she spread her wings and I tried to keep her wings clipped a little closer than she liked.

A writing assignment that she was given in high school produced a paper that I still cherish.  I have framed it and I keep it in my studio where I can read it often.  As I recall, it was her Religion Class and the textbook was the Bible.  The students were asked to choose a scripture passage to use for the basis of their theme and to write about a person that had influenced their lives.

I will share what my seventeen-year-old daughter wrote:

                                     A VIRTUOUS WOMAN

A wife, a mother, and a friend, of nobler character one cannot find.
She is more precious than all the treasures of the world.
Her husband admires her and values her opinion greatly.
She loves him and gives to him what he needs completely.
She not only promised to, but she does love, honor and cherish him,
and he the same of her.
She works hard on anything she does, especially caring for her family.
She wishes only the best for her children, and is willing to go to any price to get it, even when they don't realize it.
She may be small in physical height, but to me she stands above any mountain or monument.
She cares for others, and in her job she wishes and succeeds at making people feel good about themselves.
She seems to always know what to say when I need it most, and even when I do not receive her words well, she understands.
She wants me to be independent; and with a teacher and example like her, how could I not be so?
She takes care of the house, the family and the job - and with all these, only the best will do.
She expects much from her children because she gives them much.
She's there with a listening ear and an encouraging word always available to turn to.
Many women do noble things, but she surpasses them all.
She scolds when it is necessary and loves when it is needed and she always cares!
Some say "there's no place like home", I say
There's no place like Mom!"
                                             Heather Neeley
                                            Girls' Preparatory School 
                                             1986
                                            Source:  Proverbs 31


This is the same daughter that now has two sons of her own and I see her excelling in loving and teaching them to be the best that they can be. 

Thank you, my sweet daughter, I love you with all my heart!!

It is indeed a "Happy Mother's Day"!

                                        -sandi

 

THIS IS A SPECIAL DAY!!

Today is my daughter's birthday!!!  This is the most special day in my life!  I remember waiting for her for a long time and when she finally came it was love at first sight.

She had the most beautiful eyes and the sweetest little smile.  It still thrills me to see her face.  There is a natural beauty that comes from the inner soul of a woman of grace.

It has been a few years now since her arrival and we have shared many wonderful times and things.   We have not always agreed on matters, but we have always ended with "I love you."

I have always loved this little mug that she gave me.  I always wanted her to know that I was that soft spot for her to land on when she needed it.  The other thing I hope I have taught her is there is no limit to what one can do.  Just set your goals and go for it.  I am watching her teach her children the same things.

She has proven many times how strong and persevering she is.  She is a highly respected businesswoman in her field and has recently enjoyed another promotion.  She continually sets goals for herself and works until she  accomplishes them.

No matter how successful she is in business, I know that her first priority is her family.  She has two wonderful boys who are growing into fine young men under her tutelage.  Her husband is one of the most caring, giving men you would ever want to have for a role model for your grandchildren.  Together they are building a strong family relationship that will carry these boys into their futures with confidence.  She gives her all when it comes to teaching her children and caring for her family.

So, today, Happy Birthday, Heather!!  I love you so much!


                                                -mom, aka sandi