It's All In The Family

This post is being written from my heart to my son.
                      This is about his family,
                                                 his ties,
                                                          his family history.



And...
            It's about these quilt blocks!

Back in 1981, when I was pregnant with my son, my husband's Grandmother, Eva Jackson Kelly asked me to pick out quilt blocks that I liked and she would make me a baby quilt.

Eva would sit in her chair every evening and hand sew quilt blocks. She had a room dedicated to these quilt blocks and trust me when I say, she must have had hundreds of them. Some even were finished into lovely quilts.

For some reason, I thought I was going to have a boy even though the ultra sound was unclear as to the sex of the baby. So I picked out these small fan blocks and asked her to set them up in baby blue.

I remember what Eva said to me that day. She commented that these blocks were not sewn by her, but by her mother! My son Charlie's Great-Great Grandmother! The white part of each block had originally been bags that her husband got his tobacco in. Mrs. Jackson would take apart these bags and after washing them, would use them in her sewing projects. The colored material used in the fan shapes are all the left-over material that she had from making all the dresses for the daughters and all the shirts for the sons! Can you just imagine the history?

Eva did make that sweet baby quilt set up in baby blue and I did have a boy! Sadly, life happens and our marriage only lasted 8 years and the baby quilt was left with my ex. I really don't know if he kept it or what happened to it. I have asked my son if he has seen it, and he says he hasn't.

Here is a four generation picture of the Kelly men. Eva's husband is sitting and my son is the small child.

As luck would have it, Eva gave me the left-over fan blocks that she didn't need to complete the baby quilt. She said that I could make pillows for his bed. That never happened. With a baby, a farm (with pigs, cattle and wheat) and a job, I just didn't have time back then.

However, back in the late 80's, I set up these quilt blocks in this brown calico fabric and made a wall hanging. I hand quilted each of them as you see them here. I had this wall quilt for years, until one day I just got tired of it and cut them apart.

I eventually found small square frames and framed up four of the blocks so my son, when he was ready, could have these as history from the women in his family.

That time has come. My son is now 32 years old and recently wed. He purchased his own farmhouse and is ready to take on these blocks made even more special for two reasons.

The first is because they were lovingly made and touched by his Mother (me), Great Grandmother and Great-Great Grandmother (both of the latter passed away). Not to mention the history of the fabrics used!

And secondly, because his Grandparents house burnt to the ground a couple of years ago. All his pictures and keepsakes were stored there and all was lost.

It's only what I had kept for him that he has for his family heirlooms from that side of his family.

                                   So this is for you son! Love, Mom

These parties I love to link up to or check out my Blog Parties tab
Monday
Metamorphosis Monday @ Between Naps On The Porch
Motivate Me Monday @ Keeping It Simple  
Make it Pretty Monday @ The Dedicated House
Masterpiece Monday @ Boogieboard Cottage 
Making The World Cuter @ Making The World Cuter 
Sunday's Best @ My 1929 Charmer
DIY'ERS @ Home Coming 
Sunday Showcase Party @ By Stephanie Lynn
Creative Link Inspire @ The Crafty Blog Stalker
Tuesday
Give Me The Goods Party @ So Much Better With Age 
Project Inspired Linky Party @ Cupcakes and Crinoline
Show Me What You Got @ Our Delightful Home
Knick of Time Tuesday @ Knick of Time
The Inspiration Board Link Party @ Homework
Nifty Thrifty Tuesday @ Coastal Charm
Tuesday Treasures @ My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia
From Dream to Reality @ The DIY Dreamer
Tweak It Tuesday @ Cozy Little House
The Scoop @ Cedar Hill Farmhouse
Inspire Me Tuesday @ A Stroll Thru Life 
Tuesdays at Our Home @ Our Home Away From Home 
Wednesday 
Be Inspired Party @ Elizabeth & Co.
Before & After Wednesday @ The Dedicated House
Power Of Paint @ Domestically Speaking
Swing Into Spring Wednesday @ DIY by Design 
What We Accomplished Wednesday @ Green Willow Pond
Adorned From Above Party @ Adorned From Above
Wow Us Wednesday @ Savvy Southern Style
Work It Wednesday's @ The Happy Housie
What's It Wednesday @ Ivy and Elephants
Centerpiece Wednesday @ The Style Sisters 
Wow Me Wednesday @ Ginger Snap Crafts
LinkN Blogs Party @ Put A Bird On It
Party On The Porch @ The Shady Porch
Thursday
Under $100 Link Party @ Beyond The Picket Fence
Link Party Thursday @ Bloom Designs Online
Treasure Hunt Thursday @ From My Front Porch To Yours 
Throwback Thrusday @ Glitter Glue and Paint
Create It Thursday @ Lamberts Lately 
Show Me Extraordinary Thursday Party @ The 36th Avenue
Link'N Blogs @ Delineate Your Dwelling 
Wildly Original Wednesday @ I Gotta Create!
Thrifty Life Thursday @ Revisionary Life
Foodies & Crafties Soiree @ KiddieFoodies
Friday
What To Do Weekends @ Crafts A La Mode
Fabulously Creative Linky Party @ Jennifer Rizzo
Show And Tell Friday @ My Romantic Home
Furniture Feature Friday @ Miss Mustard Seed
Frugal Friday @ Shabby Nest
Feathered Nest Friday @ French Country Cottage
Vintage Inspiration Friday @ Common Ground
Home Sweet Home @ The Charm of Home
Design It Friday @ Finding Fabulous
TGIF Linky Party @ A Peek Into My Paradise 
Flaunt It Friday @ Chic on a Shoestring Decorating
Creativity Unleashed Link Party @ One Project Closer/The Better Half
Inspire Me Please @ Liz Marie Blog
Freedom Fridays @ My Turn For US 
Shabbilicious Friday Link Party @ Shabby Art Boutique
Junkin Joe @ The Cottage Market
Catch as Catch Can @ My Repurposed Life

Saturday
Any Link Goes Party @ Bacon Time With The Hungry Hungry Hypo 
Weekend WrapUp Party @ Tatertots and Jello 
Serenity Saturday @ Serenity You
Saturday Nite Special @ Funky Junk Interiors
Show and Tell Saturday @ Be Different, Act Normal
Sunday
Get Schooled Saturday @ Too Much Time On My Hands
Share It One More Time @ One More Time Events
Mop It Up Monday @ I Should Be Mopping The Floor
Sundae Scoop Weekend Wrap Up Party @ I love Nap Time 
That DIY Party @ DIY Show Off
So Darn Crafty Party @ Sew Many Ways
Think Pink Party @ Flamingo Toes
Sunday Show Off Linky Party @ Twigg Studios
DIY Sunday Showcase Linky Party @ VMG206
Seasonal Sunday @ The Tablescaper
Monthly
Every Room In The House @ A Joyful Cottage
Get Your DIY On @ The Hankful House