Sunday, January 31, 2010

Gonna Take A Sentimental Journey

My aunt made this beautiful star quilt for me when I graduated from High School.





It was on my bed for a long while~ but now sits tucked inside my cedar chest. It was starting to wear thin, and I didn't want it to wear out.

My aunt pieced the quilt top, and then my grandma did all the quilting by hand.



My grandma was an excellent seamstress and quilter. She was able to take very tiny stitches. I tried my hand at a few stitches too, but couldn't do them as neat and tiny as grandma could.


She taught me that the size of the stitch didn't matter, so long as they were all uniform.

This week, I had a great opportunity to see family and friends that I haven't seen for a very, very long time! It was wonderful to see so many people that hold a special place in my heart. Many were old ward members from the ward I grew up in.

The occasion, however, was bittersweet as we were all gathered to pay honor and respect to my dear aunt who passed away the week before.

She was kind and loving~ She always greeted me with a hug and a kiss and always told me "I love you, honey."

When I was in Young Women, she was our camp leader one year. That was the year we all got giarrdia!!! (That's just a fancy word for diarrhea) It was quite the event trying to get home as we had to stop every couple of minutes so someone, or everyone, could run for the bushes!

My aunt and uncle came to visit us when Curtis was in the hospital, even though it was so hard for them. Years ago, my cousin was killed in an industrial accident just shortly after graduating from High School.
Their visit meant so much to me because I knew it took a lot for them to be there.

She was loved, and she will be missed.

This quilt holds many, wonderful memories for me~ of my aunt and my grandma! It's a double bonus! So glad I have it.



A CRAZY QUILT
They do not make them anymore,
For quilts are cheaper at the store
Than woman's labor, though a wife
Men think the cheapest thing in life.
But now and then, a quilt is spread
Upon quaint old walnut bed,
A crazy quilt of those days
That I am young enough to praise.
Some woman sewed these points and squares
Into a pattern, like life's cares.
Here is a velvet that was strong,
The poplin that she wore so long,
A fragment from her daughter's dress,
Like her, a vanished loveliness;
Old patches of such things as these,
Old garments and old memories.
And what is life? A crazy quilt;
Sorrow and joy, and grace and guilt,
With here and there a square of blue
For some old happiness we knew;
And so the hand of time will take
The fragments of our life and make,
Out of life's remnants, as they fall,
A thing of beauty, after all.
~Douglas Malloch



10 comments:

  1. I am so sorry about you losing such a dear, kind Aunt. They are not all like that.
    The quilt is absolutely beautiful. I really cherish handmade items like that. I am glad you are keeping it in your cedar chest where it will stay nice. A beautiful heirloom and reminder of a wonderful relationship.

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  2. What a great keepsake. And can I just say that I LOVE BEING AN AUNT! Besides wife and mother, aunt is the next best job!

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  3. A thing of beauty to be sure! Loved hearing about your love for family...thats what it's all about isn't it?! Beautiful quilt. beautiful treasure to be sure! Come say hi :D

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  4. What a keepsake from such a special aunt! So sorry for your loss. It's cool that she was your camp leader - even if everyone was sick! At least that makes it memorable!
    Beautiful quilt. They don't make 'em like they used to!

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  5. Beautiful quilt and I loved your poem. Hugs to you. I love your words.

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  6. I also have a beautiful quilt that my grandmother made each one of her grandchildren. It is such a keepsake and I love to snuggle in it. She passed away when I was a child, but the memory and love comes through each time I snuggle in my quilt. I'm sorry for the loss of your dear Aunt. It truly is a beautiful quilt that will always bring special memories back each time you look at it - a wonderful keepsake. {{hugs}}

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  7. Now I've got that song in my head. :) I love quilts! Each one has its own story because of the loving hands that made it. So sorry for your loss, but what a beautiful quilt that can provide fond memories of your sweet aunt!

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  8. I'm sorry about your aunt, but that's awesome that you have such good memories of her. That is so great that she made you such a beautiful quilt, which makes it even more special.

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  9. What a great post!
    I love quilts.. and especially heirlooms!
    It is beautiful... and I'm sure a lot of work!

    I am sorry about the loss of your Aunt. It sounds like you have many great memories of her.
    I laughed at the giardia story at camp.. That seems like something that would happen to me.. :)

    Loved the poem. I'll have to copy that.

    Thanks for your kindness and thoughts expressed to me and my family. I cherish my friendships.. and I am grateful for you!

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  10. I am so sorry to hear about your aunt, but how wonderful that you have such good memories.:) The quilt is just lovely- what a treasure! I am so glad to have you as part of my "I Loved Shaun Cassidy" fan Club. I'm not alone! (He is still pretty cute. tee hee) Lori

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