It has been a very long time since I added anything to my blog and decided that this was a good way to come back.Over forty years ago my mother purchased this blue and white silk at the Bishop's storehouse. This storehouse is where we purchased almost everything we ever needed. Items were cheaper there and it made it easier that it came out of my Dad's paycheck because he worked for the church. It wasn't very often that fabric of this quality came into the storehouse and when Mom see it she knew it would make a beautiful quilt. I don't think that Tami or I were even dating when the purchase was made. Before putting away in a drawer she pieced the white together and marked it with a pattern. It stayed in the drawer, forgotten until after both of our marriages as well as everyone else in our family. One day Mom was cleaning out the drawers and getting rid of fabric. She ran across it and asked if I would like it. Of course I jumped at the chance and brought it home.
It was placed into another drawer to remain hidden for several more years. The blue made it's appearance every once in a while when my boys would need "water" for their Lego ships. I thought about finishing it for weddings but for some reason I would forget about it.
Last spring I told myself that I was going to finish this quilt and then began to worry that I couldn't find both the while and the blue. Thank goodness they were just in different places. As I looked at the pattern Mom had chosen I thought it was ugly but I knew I couldn't do anything different. This past summer I put it on the frames and began. I had to remove it so I could make Reece's quilts and another temple quilt. One of the first things I did when I returned home from Illinois was to put this quilt back on. It was then I realized Mom's good judgement. The pattern was turning into something very beautiful.
I have a difficult time keeping anything I make for myself. I began pondering who I would give this special quilt to. The first person that came to mind was my niece Mandy. She always was so special to Mom and to all of us. I have given quilts to all of my nieces and nephews as they have married. Mandy will never have that chance. She was the perfect choice. When Mom died I think that she understood that Grandma had returned to heaven but the separation was very difficult for her.
As I delivered the quilt to Tami the other day I knew Mom was happy with my decision. It was very difficult giving something away that was a part of Mom but as I realized this is what Mom wanted my heart filled with happiness. My last words to Tami was to tell Mandy that this was from the Grandma she loved. I know Mandy will use the quilt well. She will feel the comfort and warmth for many years to come and she did with her Grandma's arms.
