Thursday, January 16, 2014

Judy S.- Strong Memories, Family, and Quilts




As I pondered what to do for “Strong”, I was moving my studio from one building to another. First there is the strength it takes to actually move furniture and fabric (1 yard is 1 lb). But, as I sorted through items and put them in just the right place it was the strength of the memories that amazed me. 

So many of those pieces of fabric reminded me of who, what, where, and when. The fabric with pins on it, called me to make a “Square-in-a-Square” block. When I was young I slept under a quilt my Grandmother had made with that pattern. I found a little leaf and knew that would work well to symbolize my husband. He wanted to be a park ranger and going for walks in the woods has always been a relaxing activity for us. Of course there have been adventures, but that’s for another time. That adorable heart is for our love and the love we share with our sons and now their wives and girlfriend. The women in their lives make my heart happy. 

To pick just one thing to symbolize each son was difficult. To know them from day one brings back lots of memories. For our oldest, since he served in the Marine Corps I used a piece of fabric with the Marine Corps emblem on it. Our middle son is a graphic designer and we got him a cat for his 14th birthday, so the cat is his. When our youngest was 2 he loved trains and everything about them and I had a piece with train tracks on them. The train engine on the fabric was too large. Each one of these squares finished at 1 1/2”.

Of course the log cabin block is in the center, measuring 2 1/2” finished. We have a happy home that we like to share with others. Through the years we didn’t gather around the fireplace hearth a lot, but we did spend many enjoyable meals together at the supper table.



 The two pink blocks go from the simple beginning of my quilting with the 9-Patch block and finishes with the more complex Ohio Star block. Quilting has been a  big part of my journey. Strength in the memories, as well as the strength in the comfort quilts have given us and others, make it the perfect symbol for “Strong”.

This was a jigsaw puzzle. I drew it out on graph paper so that I could piece it together in rows.

    

I like how this photo shows the quilting.
                                             

10 comments:

  1. Judy, what a beautiful concept you've come up with to depict the Strong theme! Each block in your jig saw puzzle quilt is full of significance and meaning. As always, your quilting takes my breath away. Lovely.

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  2. What a "wonderful walk down memory lane" of your family and life you've created in such a small quilt! How special!!
    It was obviously lovingly planned and executed. The quilting is super and frames everything nicely. Well done.

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  3. Love the memories! Beautiful quilt. Thanks

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  4. Hi Judy!!

    Love your way of expressing the theme "Strong" and your explanation of the meanings of each part of this little quilt puzzle. Applause, applause!!

    Your quilting is as lovely as ever and I cherish the quilts, large and small, that you quilted for me when I was still there.

    Hugs from Virginia!

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    1. Is this the Barbara I think it is? To think that the last time we saw each other for too short of a time was in Williamsburg at the Mancuso show. That has been a long time ago.
      Glad you like what you see here.

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  5. I love the quilting which so wonderfully "connects" each of the blocks that so aptly symbolizes your family members and strong memories.

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  6. Hi Judy ! This is my favorite of all the MM quilts you've made :-D I love your narrative, the special significance of each quilt block, and your quilting is gorgeous !

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  7. Nice solution, it's always so nice when the quilts have a story behind them like this one does

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  8. Judy, just when I think your designs can't get any better, you create another masterpiece! This is BEAUTIFUL! It depicts the strength of your family and your love for each other. Love your stunning quilting. What a keepsake!

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  9. Judy, I so loved the narrative, wandering through your life with its pleasures and memories...so beautifully captured here. Perfectly captured here! And of course the quilting is amazing as usual.

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