Every so often I have a blog post idea that isn’t really about quilting, but it’s so much fun I have to find a way to give it a quilty spin. So, here’s the quilting part 😁:
Way back in 2004 the Milwaukee Art Quilters had a challenge entitled Name That Tune. Now I attended high school in the 70s, and my favorite slow dance song way back then was Color My World by Chicago. I immediately came up with a fun way to make that into a quilt, paintbrush, paint and all:
The problem was that the long narrow size requirements left a lot of open space. How was I going to fill the bottom expanse? Well, if I put God’s hands there in the stars the quilt could be subtitled He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands ~ a second tune to name! This presented another problem. I can’t draw hands. So I had my teenage son, Brad, pose for me,
and those hands were quilted in with silver thread:
It ended up being a really fun group of quilts and you can click here to visit the Name that Tune page of the Milwaukee Art Quilters site.
Are you ready for the segue???
A few weeks ago, as the grandkids (Brad’s kids) and I drove down Main Street in Watertown, I pointed out the new mural that was being painted on the side of the florist shop. Sommer replied “I wish someone would let me paint flowers on a building”.
Fast forward to last week. We have an old garden shed in our yard and Mike decided it was time to clean it out, patch the holes and paint it.
He asked me what color I wanted it painted. I bet you can see where this is going. It took a few minutes for that moment in the car to come back to me, and then I realized Mike had to paint it sky blue ~ and we could give Sommer her wish.
Once he had it done I called the kids, and yesterday they came over in their paint clothes. Trey (7) was as excited as Sommer (10). My only request was BIG flowers, otherwise they could do whatever they wanted. Sommer chose the front:
and Trey the left side.
Great grandpa and Great grandma stopped by to supervise.
And Mike took a break from his yard work to take a few photos and tickle Trey.
Once Trey got back to painting, it didn’t take long for the garden to grow,
And the artists to sign their work. Trey decided on big initials
While Sommer did a small initialing near each flower:
Then they went inside the shed to play and make faces at the grown ups. I couldn’t resist a window shot and, while going through the photos that night, I was surprised to see me and Mike in the window too!
A good time was had by all!
It was a cool, but sunny Autumn afternoon, and one I’ll remember for a very long time! These kids really do add color to my world!
Judy says
What a joyful post!
Kay says
It looks great! Great job!
Laura says
That’s so cool. They did a great job. Very artistic like their grandma.
Barb says
Well I have a shed but no one to paint those beautiful flowers. Soooooo lovely!
Cheryl Berg says
We did something like this when my daughter was little for a small playhouse in our yard. I stenciled the number “4” as the house number. My daughter was 4 at the time that she painted flowers and insects on it. She is now 27 and the paint job has held up well!
Beth says
Love this ! What a great opportunity for the kiddos! It is sure to bring a smile to your and their faces whenever they look at the backyard.
Gail says
What a beautiful memory you and the kids made!!
Debbie H says
Oh Chris….how charming! You are sure making memories for those grandchildren that they will cherish for the rest of their lives 😉
Julie Vandermause says
Love it all, What a great Grandma you are!!!! So fun to share all that with us, Thankyou Chris. Are u holding any classes now???
Brenda says
Tears of joy for you and your family!!
Patricia Ehrenberg says
Oh what fun! The simple things in life make the best memories!
Jodi Grzeczka says
What a beautiful and heartwarming day! So happy for you all!
Nancy Hansen says
Love it! Such a fun day.
Dawn Ellen Weideman says
Such artistic grands! That was so wonderful that you offered them the opportunity to share their talents..
Cindy Unruh says
Such a lovely story! The quilt was inspiring and the day painting flowers will be a treasured memory never forgotten I’m sure.