History cont...

My Grandpa D. passed away the November I was 6. I had a very strong bond with my Grandpa and he was nothing short of perfect in the eyes of a 6 year old. I didn't take it very well and became an angry little girl instead of the bubbly one I was before he died. I remember sitting in my living room in an old tan swirly chair asking my dad why? He answered as best he could, "Sometimes things aren't fair."

The following summer when I was 7 I went down to Herman to spend a week with my Grandma and Grandpa O. I always loved going down to their farm, I always cried when we were leaving. They had DOGS and chickens and cows and tractors and trucks and cookies!!! This was the summer I was introduced to quilting. My Grandpa didn't let my Grandma have her quilting frame up in the summer, there was too much work to be done and there wasn't time for sewing. So in the evenings while listening to the Cardinals or during the day while watching As the World Turns, my Grandma hand stitch and cut out fabric. 

I started with a 2 1/2" x 2 1/2" cardboard square. I traced the square on the back of the fabric and cut it. Oh the days before the rotary cutter. I asked my Grandma that summer why God had to take my Grandpa D. and will the same thing happen to them and my other Grandma?

"Of course it will Tracee, God has appointed us all a day to die, but you can't focus on that."

"Why do you sew Grandma?"

"Because my mother sewed and her mother, quilts are apart of our family often times made out of necessity to stay warm. It brings me joy to be able to give quilts to others, you already have quite a few from me young lady."

"Do you think I will make a quilt one day?"

"Tracee, I think you'll make quilting a part of your life because it's part of the women in our family. Every summer you come down and visit we'll sew pieces of fabric together. Go up to the attic and pick out some scraps let's get started."

I use to pray nightly that God would keep my Grandma O alive until my wedding. I got married 9 years ago and she was there. Although she said, "Your not really married, you didn't get married in a church." My Grandma, she's old school. Here's a picture of her and me at my wedding.

This is probably one of my most treasured photographs.

I've made my Grandma 2 quilts. One for her 90th birthday. I used old photos and blues, she loves blue. I also made one for her 95th birthday, which she was suppose to get on her 95th birthday but she didn't, it's still at the quilters. She doesn't keep my quilts because she's in a nursing home and doesn't want them to get ruined, so my mom has the photo one and I'll give my mom the 95th birthday quilt as well. 

My Grandma has hand quilted everyone of my quilts till about 4 years ago. She also was a German dancer till about 2 years ago. I am very lucky to have a Grandma like her. I find it hard to talk to her lately because she's fading, I end up in tears after I hang up the phone because I know that she doesn't have a lot of time left. She'll be 96 in July. 

I got to see her last June at a St. Louis Cardinal's game. She's also the reason I love baseball and the Cardinals.

I'm hopeful to get Bo's quilt quilted by the end of January, if I don't, I'm off schedule and there are only 28 days in Feb. Yikes!

Good news, I've started Quilt #4.

Here's to my Grandma O.! Cheers!

Comments

[Rochelle]

What a great story! Your Grandma was so right when she predicted quilting would be a part of your life! I love your history - your family is amazing! Love the photos too - pure joy!!

[Dena]

my dad is kinda in the same situation, have you thought about a wall hanging?? know its not the same but its close and she could admire & brag to others about it without the fear of it getting messed up??

[Mcm]

Simply put, beautiful.

[Charlene S]

I am so glad you got a chance to sew with both your mom & grandma. I wasn't that fortunate but I have a few quilts they made. I started quilting January 2011. With two small children and working from home, it's often hard to get to my sewing machine -- my passion. I am one outside border away from getting my 13th quilt top done. 3 have been cross stitched. I am so excited about your project!! My whole family is cheering you on!!

[Liz in MI]

I have been enjoying your blog...I love all the stories about the people you have chosen. I would love to do something similar one day. Keep up the good work!
Liz in MI

[Malini]

Love your goals for this year. Mine are very similar but 24 quilts for this year and 12 completed tops.
Your quilting looks amazing too. How long have been quilting yourself?

[Karyn]

Just stumbled across you tonight and read your entire blog. Can't wait to hear more! Enjoy your gram as long as you can. I"m just a tad older than you. I lost my gram 2 years ago, but still have one grandfather left. I treasure him and spend as much time as I can. Packing up 2 kids that are 2 and 7 months and going to spend some time 2 states away in a non-child proofed house.... worth it!!!