The REST of the Story...

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

And...
            It's about these quilt blocks! After you read this initial story posted in Feb. 2014, I will tell you the REST of the Story!

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.

This is the REST of the Story...

This post is written from my heart to my granddaughter.
                      This is about her family, 
                                                 her ties,
                                                          her family history.

My son and his wife not only announced that they were expecting their first child at age 35 (both), but that the baby was a girl and would be named Eva after his Great Grandmother. I thought this would never happen...but it did.

I hand quilted each fan block back when I used them as a wall hanging in the 1980's

Yes, I had already given the four framed quilt blocks to my son, but found four more while going through my fabric scraps! I had actually forgotten I even had them after 35 years of storage. Especially for me, a person that doesn't get attached to much and is willing to sell just about anything I own.

I hand quilted this heart on the back of the pillow

I promptly called my son in Kansas and asked for the framed blocks back. I was determined that I would give an heirloom to my new granddaughter Eva.

I am not a quilter nor a quilt maker but I have been sewing for almost as long as I have been alive, so it seems. I whipped up this quilt top and found a wonderful lady that goes by Quiltology here in Quincy, IL. She was so sweet and loved the story behind these 1930's blocks that she custom machine quilted it to perfection. Click Here to go to her blog.

I had a deadline to meet...the baby shower, which I would not be able to attend, but sent this quilt and pillow to my daughter-in-law's mother and she brought it to the shower to surprise her.

I was able to find (at Hobby Lobby) special 8 1/2 x 11 paper backed fabric.I just put the fabric/paper in the printer and printed off the written story.  I removed the paper, heat set with an iron and it became washable. I sewed it to the backing fabric before it was machine quilted. It will now stay with the quilt and it's history will not be lost over time.

I also took the time to add tabs on the back along with the binding so it could easily be hung on a wall from a rod if desired.

I am proud that these blocks have survived and can once again surround a baby with love.

For you Eva. I can't wait to meet you in October!

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Motivate Me Monday @ Keeping It Simple 
Show and Share Party @ Coastal Charm
Tuesday
Make it Pretty Monday @ The Dedicated House
Create Link Inspire Party @ The Crafty BlogStalker
Show & Tell Party @ Flamingo Toes
Project Inspired Linky Party @ Cupcakes and Crinoline
The Inspiration Board Link Party @ Homework
From Dream to Reality @ The DIY Dreamer
The Scoop @ Cedar Hill Farmhouse
Inspire Me Tuesday @ A Stroll Thru Life 
Tuesdays at Our Home @ Our Home Away From Home 
Wednesday
Talk of the Town @ Knick of Time
Fall into Fall Wednesday @ DIY by Design 
Wow Us Wednesday @ Savvy Southern Style
Work It Wednesday's @ The Happy Housie
Wow Me Wednesday @ Ginger Snap Crafts
Share Your Cup @ Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson
Thursday
Link Party Thursday @ Bloom Designs Online
Thoughts of Home @ White Spray Paint
Create It Thursday @ Lamberts Lately 
Wildly Original Wednesday @ I Gotta Create!
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Friday
Home Matters @ Life with Lorelai
Handmade Hangout @ Too Much Time On My Hands
What To Do Weekends @ Crafts A La Mode
Feathered Nest Friday @ French Country Cottage
Home Sweet Home @ The Charm of Home
Flaunt It Friday @ Chic on a Shoestring Decorating
Creativity Unleashed Link Party @ One Project Closer
Freedom Fridays @ My Turn For US 
Shabbilicious Friday Link Party @ Shabby Art Boutique
Junkin Joe @ The Cottage Market
Saturday
Weekend WrapUp Party @ Tatertots and Jello 
Saturday Nite Special @ Funky Junk Interiors
Sunday
Share It One More Time @ One More Time Events
That DIY Party @ DIY Show Off