Two special little quilts

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.