Quilt #75 Reva Bain

The twins Reva Bain and Rada Morton

Quilt #75 was presented to Reva Bain. This one is a little self indulgent since it was sewn and gifted to my mother on her 85th birthday. I wanted to make her a quilt for this special day but also wanted to recognize something unique about my mom.

Rada, Reva (my sister), Reva (my mom) and me
my mother's favorite, The Olive Garden

My mother has such a generous heart. If there is someone in need and she has the ability to help, she doesn't hesitate. She has known in her life what it means to need a safe place to live for her and her children. As a result she has opened her home to a number of family members as a refuge for extended periods of time. Her home is a peaceful place.

My beautiful Aunt Rada recently lost her husband. She is still grieving and at the same time is struggling with the beginning stages of dementia.

She is now staying with my mom along with my sister who has had health challenges as well. It feels a little "Golden Girl" ish at her house now. I think it gives them all a greater sense of purpose, home and belonging.

 

Add two dogs and a cat to this home and you have quite a party.

There is love and admiration in the stitches for my generous mother.

Quilt #74 Marilyn Mott

Mary Duke, Marilyn Mott and DeAnn Magee. A few tears were shed as this beautiful quilter received her gift.

Quilt #74 was presented to Marilyn Mott. Marilyn is a very gifted, generous quilter. She has developed heart issues and has had at least 7 heart attacks in the last couple of years. For Marilyn, the scare of those heart attacks forced her to realize that she will never be able to use all her fabric in the time she has left. 

 As happens with many of us who love to quilt, the acquisition of beautiful fabric and patterns outstrips a quilters ability to actually use all the fabric we acquire. Drug addicts and quilters share a common term--a stash. In the case of quilters, it is the term for fabric that is not intended for a specific quilt. but the purchaser is convinced it will be NEEDED for a future project. Many quilters can produce numerous quilts from their "stash" without purchasing any additional fabric (I should note that this is rarely done because one of the best parts of quilting is fabric shopping. So fun to dream that it can become addictive. Fat quarters, jelly rolls, layer cakes, oh my...

Marilyn over many years had developed a beautiful. substantial stash worth thousands of dollars. Given her current health, she knew she would be unable to use the fabric. The second thing I should explain about quilters it that giving away this treasured fabric which may have taken years to curate is difficult. and donating it through traditional means, i.e. Deseret Industries, is akin to allowing your child to go to foster care. Marilyn began looking for a  better place to re-home her treasured stash.

Enter Marilyn's dear friend  of many years, DeAnn Magee. DeAnn has for a number of years had her hair done by Mary Duke and one day while getting her hair done is clicked. Mary, her stylist is an avid quilter and DeAnn was able to facilitate Marilyn's desire to see her beautiful fabric go to someone who would put it to good use. 

A number of  us were about to share in the gift of Marilyn's fabric. This quilt was created and sewn by the many grateful recipients and contains fabric almost exclusively  from Marilyn's stash in her favorite jewel tones.

Marilyn and DeAnn continue to use their sewing  skills The currently make small toys in the hundreds which they donate to animal shelters.

There is much love, prayers for improved health and gratitude in the stitches for Marilyn from those of us who have been entrusted with her collection and a promise to make good use of this treasure.