Friday, January 14, 2011

My Grandmothers top and my ???? year old UFO wrapped up in one!

You can tell that this quilt has been folded up too long in storage.

My grandmother made each of her grandchildren a quilt top. I remember playing with this top as a child.

Then many moons ago my mother gave it to me to quilt. I had never quilted a quilt before...I dabbed in her quilts (I am sure she took out my stitches when I left) but.....

I took on the challenge. I started practicing on a pillow top,

I practiced by makeing each of my sons a quilt.

I even practiced on my own quilt for my bed...

When I felt I was ready I began quilting on this.......

Before I could even begin, I had to repair it...that was a task in itself...I could have made several quilts in the time it too me to repair this one.

Was it worth it...

you bet ya!!



You can see my inexperience....and I wish I had waited longer....but....I am going to try and finish this this year....don't quote me on that...notice I said try....



Then when we were in Texas my husband's aunt gave me these dishes. I told her to give them to her children but she said she knew I would love them. These are hand painted and I am so happy to have them back in my posession. (not a total set of eight).



27 comments:

John'aLee said...

The only way you get good is by just 'doing'!
Love that dresden piece (for Abby Rose).
So Barb...one of my bloggie friends and I both have tried to do the Live Signature thing and can't get it to actually post on our blog posts. Do you by any chance know what we might be doing wrong?
Thanks!

Wacky Woman said...

Oh, you will be so happy to get that quilt finished. Love your Franciscan Ware.

JustCindy said...

I bet the quilting looks just fine and you will be so proud of it when you are done. What beautiful dishes! You are one lucky lady.

luv2quilt2 said...

Inexperience or not - those quilts that came from the family are precious.

Scrappy quilter said...

Love the quilt. Enjoy those dishes, so pretty. Hugs

PaTcHwOrK jEnN said...

I love your dishes. I'll have to go on my pc to look at the quilt.

Michelle May-The Raspberry Rabbits said...

That quilt is an absolute treasure Barb! Wow!
Love those dishes too!
xx, shell

Yvette said...

I have those same dishes!! I knew you had great taste. LOL!

vivian said...

Love the pink in the quilt! I'm rooting for you to get it finished! :)

Needled Mom said...

What a wonderful treasure, Barb! You will be so pleased with it when it is finished.

I have the same Desert Rose dishes. They were some of my grandmother's who had as bad of passion for dishes as I do.

Robin (RsIslandCrafts) said...

Beautiful quilt and it has my favorite star too.

Hands Sew Full said...

What a wonderful treasure! I am sure it will be beautiful when you are done.

Stephanie said...

Beautiful dishes.

Jane's Fabrics and Quilts said...

LOVE the dishes, biy does she know you! The quilt will be wonderful, you are doing it the right way, nice and slow!

Melissa ;-) said...

Quilts, unless meant as art to be displayed and juried, should be products of love. That is what counts. This quilt is a supreme example. A few off stitches can not minimize the love of your grandma that lives in that quilt top!

andsewon said...

Pretty quilt! I am sure you will treasure it no matter the quilting or when it is finally done.
Lovely Desert Rose dishes!
Hugs,
Lola

Sarcastic Quilter said...

What a legacy to fulfil. Good for you! I'm sure it will be beautiful when you are done.

Susan In Texas said...

It's good that you started when you did, 'cause finished is better than perfect, and your quilting is perfectly good anyway. 8) I've seen those dishes before, but I can't remember where. Sounds like a popular pattern.

Happy quilting,
Susan in Texas

Barb said...

great dishes! and i love that bubble gum pink!

Jocelyn said...

My mother in law had those same Desert Rose dishes. They are lovely.

Pamela said...

Isn't it wonderful to be finishing your grandmother's work? I look forward to seeing it. I have 120 Grandmother's Fan blocks that my Great Grandmother made that I will put together someday.

Average Quilter said...

I don't remember that one but the pattern would make a great stack-n-whack

Joanna said...

Barb, my dishes are the Franciscan Desert Rose pattern. I absolutely love them. They are now made by an English company, so at least they can be purchased. I also have some of the glassware.
The pattern your grandmother used for your quilt is so charming. What a treasure for you.

Susan Entwistle said...

I've loved those dishes forever. Lucky you! And how wonderful to be able to add a part of yourself to a family heirloom. You'll do fine with it as you'll be quilting from the heart. Hope to see it finished soon.

JoAnn ( Scene Through My Eyes) said...

The quilt is fabulous - what a legacy.

I have those same dishes - more than service for eight with tons of serving pieces. I inherited them from my granny.

AnnieO said...

It's so wonderful to have these treasures in quilts and dishes that get handed down. I have my grandmother's quilts, and her Franciscan Ware diishes too. Hope you do make your goal to try to finish the repairing on that beauty of a quilt!

Three Birds Inspired said...

Regarding those dishes, about a month ago there was a huge bunch of them at our local Goodwill. Wish now that I had picked them up!