Over the past few weeks I’d collected photos for two stories I wanted to share. I occassionally like to share short stories, but for some reason I like to group them in threes. Then, just a few days ago, Carol sent me an email that I felt would be a perfect addition to this week’s post. I hope you’ll enjoy all three.
While speaking to a lovely quilt guild in Oshkosh a few weeks ago, a quilter named Connie came over and showed me a very clever idea for upcycling sweatshirts. She’d originally decorated the sweatshirts with her embroidery machine. Recently she decided they’d been worn enough and it was time to make them into oven mitts. She did a fine job of lining the mitts with Insul Bright™ batting to make them heat proof, and her finishing was very well done.
And here she is with her mitts!
I asked her what she planned to do with them, and she said she was going to hide them away for her family to find when she’s gone. They’re so delightful that I think, if it were me, I might like to see their faces when they get them. But either way ~ they are so clever. Thanks for sharing them with us Connie!
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Recently I was putting things away in a cedar chest and found a pieced runner with a typewritten sheet of paper attached. I don’t remember having it at all, and I was pleasantly surprised by the bit of family history it contained. My parents had visited an elderly relative many years ago and that’s the reason I have it now. There is no back, batt or quilting ~ just blocks and a ruffle.
My mom is a geneologist, so she took good notes when they were with Esther. Here’s the story Mom gave me:
What a delight to have the story to go with the “quilt”. Thanks Mom!
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Then, after last week’s post about words on quilts, Carol sent me this email:
“This is the most heartfelt quilt that I have ever made. Two years ago, my husband was in chronic kidney failure and on dialysis. He was on the transplant list for 3-4 years when the call came that a kidney was available. We were excited for him but also saddened to learn that his donor was a 15 year old girl who died tragically in an accident. Several months later he sent a letter to her parents thanking them. Her mom replied and told us a little about their beautiful daughter Sarah. I offered to make a quilt for them in Sarah’s memory. Sarah loved sunsets and her favorite song was Something in the Orange by Zach Bryan. The quilt I made was inspired by a quilt that I saw on Pinterest (I later found out that the inspiration quilt was made by Nicola Ritter of Perth, Australia). If you zoom onto the bottom left part of the quilt, you can see where I quilted the lyrics of the Zach Bryan song.”
Carol’s email continued:
“A year ago we traveled to Rapid City, SD and met Sarah’s parents. It was very emotional for all of us. Our local TV station did a 2 day news story about our meeting and the quilt.“
To watch the news story please click on the following link:
Carol agreed to let me include her quilt and it’s story in this week’s post, saying she hoped it would encourage others to become organ donors!
Dear Carol, Thanks for sharing your story and your beautiful quilt!
judy raddatz says
Well what a group of stories. So thoughtful. Thank you.
RHONDA FRANK says
Sorry but couldn’t read what Zach Bryan song ? The quilt is so beautiful and an amazing thoughtful tribute ❤
clkquilt says
Something in the Orange is the name of the song.
Jodi Grzeczka says
I can only say “Wow!” Each story is so amazing and accompanied by beautiful quilts. Thank you for sharing, Chris!
Theresa Fama says
Three beautiful stories this month, thanks for sharing them.