Recently my cousin, J, asked me to create two little quilts.
These quilts are certainly different from my normal style, but very special. After years of infertility, J and her husband chose to build their family through adoption and now have two adorable little boys. Just a few months ago they were shocked to learn, out of the blue, that they are pregnant--with identical twin girls. These special little girls needed special little quilts.
J's mom and my dad were siblings. Her mom passed away nine years ago from a brain aneurism, just one year after my dad died from cancer. Her mom was working on these flower applique blocks before she died. J asked if I would create quilts for her daughters using the blocks her mom hand-stitched. I was honored to have the chance to work on this project.
I struggled with these quilts a bit. I just couldn't decide on the perfect pattern or design to use. I honestly went through three other designs before deciding on this final design. I debated adding other pieced blocks, but finally, I decided that these quilts needed to be simple, just accenting my aunt's work. I used Jenny's Quick Curves Ruler to cut the scallops. After searching and searching for fabrics that matched these flowers, I discovered that Art Gallery had two perfect pinks to match: Cherry Lip Gloss and Crystal Pink.
I wanted the quilts to be almost the same, but with slight differences. Switching the colors of the borders achieved just the effect I wanted.
I quilted little flowers with stipling on the white section.
I used two Michael Miller prints from the Children at Play line for the backings and bindings, again reversing them on the quilts.
I feel my work might reflect my aunt's original intentions for her blocks. I'm thrilled her granddaughters will have something from her. It gives these little quilts so much more meaning. Hopefully, one day, they will know what a wonderful woman their grandma was.
you did those blocks perfect justice. These quilts are stunning! your aunt would be so pleased to see the blocks used for her grandbabies--lovely!
ReplyDeleteyou did a beautiful job!
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness they are the sweetest! How honored you must feel to be asked but your cousin must be really touched by your labor of love through those beautiful quilts. Heirlooms for sure!!
ReplyDeleteWhat lovely quilts and what special meaning they will have for the two little girls. They look beautiful and I am sure you did your aunt proud with her blocks. Thanks for sharing this.
ReplyDeleteCheers!
Rachel
Scrapendipity Designs
what a beautiful story! those little girls will be loved.
ReplyDeleteOh what a special pair of quilts to go with such a special story
ReplyDeleteOh that is SO special, you did a wonderful job well done.
ReplyDeleteThose are beautiful!
ReplyDeleteYou did those blocks such justice! They look gorgeous and I love how they are the same but reversed! The girls will love them and how special is to have something handmade from their grandmother! You did a fantastic job on these!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful quilts!
ReplyDeleteWhat beautiful quilts to go with a beautiful story!
ReplyDeleteThese quilts turned out beautifully! What a sweet story that goes along with them. I'm sure those twin girls will treasure their quilts.
ReplyDeleteI'm curious how you do your bindings, do you put them on with your machine, or hand stitch them? They always look great!
oh yeah - perfectly executed. Such touching backstory, and I think you did it justice. Nice.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great story! I don't think you could have come up with a more perfect design for those blocks, it looks like that was the intention from the start! I'm sure her granddaughters will cherish them for many years to come :-)
ReplyDeleteYou captured the essence of the flowers and have created such wonderful quilts. Best of luck to the new babies and growing family. They are lucky to have you in their lives.
ReplyDeleteWow, what an amazing story and such special quilts. Great job, Kati!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful work Kati! ♥
ReplyDeleteAnd the fabric additions you chose really were perfect.
you did a magnificent job Kati! they look awesome and really accentuate the blocks.
ReplyDeleteCongrats to your friends!
How heartwarming! I'm so glad these precious girls will get the quilts that their Grandmother started for them. I recently did the same thing for my hairdresser. Her mom had died from a long illness and had made all the blocks for a quilt for her youngest son. I was so touched be able to finish the quilt for this woman.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful!
ReplyDeleteThese quilts are beautiful!
ReplyDeleteOMG, these are amazing amazing amazing! What a WONDERFUL gift! I am definitely going to steal this scallop idea with the quick curve ruler! Awesome!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful stories and beautiful quilts!!!
ReplyDeletebeautiful! and congratulations to your cousin!
ReplyDeleteKati! These are precious quilts. I adored them when I saw the photo, but the story behind them makes them so special. I'm so glad you were able to make these for your cousin! I know it will mean so much to them to have something made with such care.
ReplyDeleteWell done you on 2 lovely finishes!!
ReplyDeleteI know you are thinking what I'm thinking though! ;)
Kati,
ReplyDeleteI'm in tears. The quilts are so wonderful and I know Mom would be so impressed with your work! Thanks again for making these little quilts for my little girls! You are amazing!
Those are beautiful! And congratulations to your cousin and her family! :)
ReplyDeleteKatie these are precious, and your cousin will treasure them! Special.
ReplyDeleteSo many wonderful things in your post Katy, and your quilts are just perfect.
ReplyDeleteOne of the things that I love about you is the heart you put into your quilts! They turned out great!
ReplyDeleteHi Kati! That was an unique story! Lovely even also sad. I think you made wonderful design for those speacial stitchings and these two quilts bacame so beautiful! They will be treasured by the little girls! I'm thinking - wow - two boys and two girls!
ReplyDeletex Teje
I love these. They are beautiful, and so meaningful.
ReplyDeleteWhat a perfect way to finish these quilts! Beautiful!
ReplyDeleteOh, what a great story and two beautiful quilts! I am wishing your family the very best!
ReplyDeleteHoly moly - TWO sets of twins? I guess when it finally rained for them it really did pour ;-) so happy for them! The quilts are wonderful, so lovely and such thoughtful design.
ReplyDeleteKati, that's a lovely story of hope for so many. What a beautiful gift you've help complete for them. They are true keepsakes for your family. Best of luck to the growing family!
ReplyDeleteI agree with everyone else. Beautiful quilts. Beautiful story. I think your aunt would have loved the quilts. I'm sure your cousin and her daughters will.
ReplyDeleteThose are amazing! The scalloped edge adds sooo much and give the quilts exactly what they needed. Well done!! Bless that family!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful and more importantly, touching. What a wonderful story for quilts I'm sure will be cherished for generations.
ReplyDeleteThese are beautiful quilts for a beautiful story. What a treasure they (the quilts and little girls) will be.
ReplyDeleteYou've made these beautiful blocks even more special, Kati. Congratulations to your cousin - wow is all I can say at the thought of ONE set of twins, never mind two!
ReplyDeleteI love a sweet story with such a happy ending. The quilts turned out beautiful. I know they will be cherished.
ReplyDeleteThese quilts are beautiful. I know there is someone smiling down from above!
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely beautiful, Kati! I know that it was a challenge to finish what your aunt started, but you did it! And you did such a great job. I imagine these quilts will be blessing to the little girls and their mama!
ReplyDeleteKati, those are lovely lovely quilts! How special for those two precious little girls. You did an amazing job!
ReplyDeleteWOW! you did an amazing job!!
ReplyDeleteWhat special quilts! I love the story behind them. I love the colors and the scalloped border. Twins must run strongly in your family. What a blessing!
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ReplyDeleteThese are just so beautiful and special! How lovely to have those blocks from their grandmother! Congrats to J and his family!
ReplyDeleteI had the words "doing justice" in my mind as I decided to comment, and I see several other people had the same thought! I know your aunt's spirit will shine in these quilts for her grandchildren. All those little ones will know what is great about families, no matter how and when they come together.
ReplyDeleteperfect!
ReplyDeleteI love this quilty story. Just love it. Thankyou.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful story! Thank you for sharing it.
ReplyDeleteKati ... these are lovely ... thanks for sharing them and the story behind them ... fabulous news for your cousin ... four beautiful children!
ReplyDeleteA fabulous story and two fabulous quilts. You have certainly turned your aunt's beautiful blocks into two lovely quilts which will be used and cherished for ever. Well done! Your cousin will be thrilled.
ReplyDeleteYou did such a wonderful job with the quilts and what an amazing story!
ReplyDelete