Mom's Christmas Quilt: 2008.

Every year I make Mom a quilt for Christmas. This year's quilt was particularly special, as it was made from a scrap quilt that my beloved Mother-in-Law started ... yet never completed. I finished the quilt and gifted it to my Mom ... who was always a huge fan of my Mother-in-Law's gorgeous quilts.

I caught her napping under it recently, and snapped a photo that may get me into some trouble later. But I love to see a quilt being used ... and not just displayed.

Happy Monday to all ...

Love,

Jodi

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The Completed "Great-Grandma" Quilt.

~ Great Grandmother ~

For the happiness you've brought
and lessons you have taught,
For the way you've cared
and the wisdom you've shared,
We are thankful and truly honored
to have a great grandmother like you.

With Love,
Mackenzie, Hunter, Emy, Nic
Adina,Isaac
Ana, Lauren, Sophia
& Rylie

Made With Love,

Jodi

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A Quilt for Great Grandma.

In the works :)

This photo shows me matching up fabric photos with corresponding reproduction 1930-40's fabrics. This quilt will be for my Memere to celebrate her 80-something birthday next week. I know she is going to love it. All of her precious great-grandchildren will be featured on it - along with a photo of her - and a dedication of thanks for all that she is to us.

I find it remarkable that so many years ago, my Memere fell in love with an amazing man (my Pepere) and from their love they created a beautiful, nurturing family together. Then their children fell in love and created their own loving families ... and so on again. From one loving couple, so many other lives have sprung ... so many more families have been created and so much more love has been shared. It is wonderful to reflect upon ... especially while I am creating this gift.

And even more wonderful is the fact that 3 out of 10 of my Memere's great grandchildren were adopted into our family. One boy from Haiti (my Isaac), one boy from Russia, and one girl from Kazahkstan. Who would have thought? Amazing.

Hopefully this quilt will be ready by her birthday (fingers crossed) ... and I will be sure to post a photo when it is complete.

Enjoy the day,
Love,
Jodi

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Finishing What She Started ...

My Mother-in-Law taught me most of what I know about quilting and sewing. She gave me such a gift - one that I am forever grateful for. And when she passed away, I inherited many of her gorgeous quilts, her sewing machine, some of her fabrics, and several of her unfinished projects.

I am currently working on completing some of those projects. It is a bitter-sweet task. Many nights I find myself sitting and hand-sewing in the very same chair that she sat and hand-sewn in as well (we inherited the chair too). And though she and I had a complicated relationship, I feel at peace with her when I settle into working on some of her handiwork. And I wonder if she can see me ... and whether she has now come to a better understanding of who I really am ... in the same way that I have come to a better understanding of her. I wonder if she is happy to see that her work is being completed and enjoyed. I sincerely hope so.

Love,
Jodi

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For Brady :

I still haven't seen my nephew yet, but will be presenting him this quilt in person in just a couple of weeks. I can't wait to see that angelic baby face and those sweet baby toes.

Love,
Jodi

P.S. This quilt was made entirely from fabrics left to us by my Mother-in-Law (Brady's Grandmother), thus making it extra special :)

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The Quiltmaker's Gift

A new quilt project for a special someone. I bought this wonderful Mary Engelbreit toile fabric at Mardens (a must stop for all fabriholics in Maine). And then I grabbed some additional sweet fabrics from my stash, as well as a gorgeous pattern from one of my favorite quilt books: Quilts From the Quiltmaker's Gift ... and I am happily stitching my way toward another handmade Christmas gift.

For all sorts of ideas for handmade gifts, you must RUN (don't walk) to this website: Sew, Mama, Sew.
You'll thank me for this link :)

Love,
Jodi

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