Aiken To Quilt

Name:
Location: South Carolina, United States

I have 2 daughters, one married and one away at University. I have been sewing since I was 8 years old, and when I sold my antique business, I started quilting full time. I am also taking exams to become a Certified Genealogical Research Specialist.

Monday, February 13, 2006

Build or Remodel???


I have been so busy for the last week, getting samples for a kitchen redo, that I probably have enough to do my kitchen right now. We decided a month ago, to redo our countertops, and the decisions to be made are astounding. We have a large kitchen, hence, large expense for anything we choose. We finally decided on Corian countertops, yesterday, so now, I have to decide on wall color to paint, after I strip wallpaper, and of course, new curtains, and maybe reupholstered chairs.... then of course I will have to redo the family room, and on and on....I may never have time to sew again!!!!!

The picture is of a minor few of the samples I picked up...

I have the same trouble deciding on fabrics for a quilt, I just keep piling things up until I find something that I like, and it is almost always 20 or more fabrics...too bad I could not "quilt" a countertop!!!!!

Wednesday, February 01, 2006

My Grandma


As a genealogist, I have the rare opportunity to keep all my relatives in my head, at all times. Sometimes, I wish they would skedaddle, but, most of the time, I am glad to "know" them. Today, while perusing some websites about quilts from Tennessee, (where my family originates from), I was really missing my Grandma.

Grandma was illiterate, she could get by, but it was hard. But, she could cook and sew, and she was the one to introduce me to quilts. I remember her coaching my Mom, which really proved fruitless.

My Grandma died in 1989, at 81 years of age. I have learned soooo much about her life in the last few years, things I wish I would have asked her while she was alive.

A few years ago, I finally got a few quilt tops she had done, and some blocks that were never set into a top. I have finished a couple tops for my siblings, and I set some blocks into a top that would be like what she did. I have a top like this, that she did, and my Dad said it was just her way to set quilts.

So, whenever I get to missing my Grandma, I get this quilt, because, it was made by her, and me, she did the blocks 40 years ago, I finished them into this quilt.

Take the time to "interview" your relatives, get them on tape, they forget it is even on, and get out those old pictures, and write on the backs who the people are..... I even record people now. I found out the importance of that, when my Mom had a major stroke, and could not talk. But, I had her on tape, and could hear her whenever I pressed a button.....and I hope you all have a quilt to snuggle with, when you miss your Grandma.