I was beyond thrilled when Erin Cox of Why Not Sew invited me to be part of the blog hop for her new book, Sweet Tweets: Simple Stitches, Whimsical Birds.
I have been a fan of Erin for many years and had emailed her in the past for more information on how to recreate a charming drawing that my granddaughter had made. And then the project got pushed to the side in favor of other things. So I knew this was the perfect opportunity to finally make this mini quilt.
This is the drawing that Charlotte made for me over 2 1/2 years ago. I love all the details--including the fact that we are each wearing our favorite colors--orange for me and purple for her.
I will admit to having a few technical difficulties--my Juki is completely unfamiliar with free motion quilting and she was very uncooperative when it came to learning a new technique--broken thread multiple times, broken needle, etc. I switched over to my Elna and after a massive amount of thread nests on the back, we both finally settled in to something that worked. I was able to relax and enjoy the process. I realize there are still some tension issues, so please ignore the puckering--I might try hand washing and then machine drying to see if the whole thing will pucker.
I added some hand embroidered details, and decided against any quilting in the main portion of the quilt.
Every Christmas, I deliver holiday quilts for their beds--there are four kids in the family and I have more storage space. I copied the note that is on the back of the drawing, exactly the way Charlotte spelled all the words. It warms my heart the way she said they "wore them so many times."
I hold on to these special memories, as she is turning into a young lady, no longer a little girl. She is so sweet and thoughtful, and I feel blessed to have her so close by.
Erin's book has so many charming projects and I'll be trying one of those next. But I'm thrilled to have made this little memory quilt using her techniques. Thanks, Erin!
Martingale is generously letting me give away a digital copy of the book to one of you. So leave a comment and I'll choose a winner on Thursday at 5 p.m. PDT.
Don't forget to check out all the other stops along the way. Erin will be having a big giveaway at the end so mark that on your calendar!
Tuesday, Sept.8 - Erin (Introduction post) Why Not Sew?
Wednesday, Sept.9 - Heidi Fabric Mutt
Thursday, Sept.10 - Debbie A Quilter's Table
Saturday, Sept.12 - Jacque Brown Dog Prims
Monday, Sept.14 - Amy nanaCompany
Tuesday, Sept.15 - Svetlana s.o.t.a.k handmade
Wednesday, Sept.16 - Renee Sewn With Grace
Thursday, Sept.17 - Martingale Stitch This! The Martingale Blog
Friday, Sept.18 - Heather Vintage Grey Handmade
Saturday, Sept.19 - Clara and Jennie Clover & Violet
Monday, Sept.21 - Amanda Jean Crazy Mom Quilts
Tuesday, Sept.22 - Cindy Live a Colorful Life
Wednesday, Sept.23 - Carla Grace and Favour
Thursday, Sept.24 - Mary Molly Flanders
I love the idea of turning a child's drawing into a mini quilt and yours turned out so nicely. I can't wait to try it myself. And this book looks adorable and Love birds!
ReplyDeleteAs if I wasn't intimidated enough by quilting alone! This is a great idea. Beautiful job.
ReplyDeleteAs if I wasn't intimidated enough by quilting alone! This is a great idea. Beautiful job.
ReplyDeleteYou made a beautiful mini quilt from the drawing your granddaughter made; very adorable!
ReplyDeleteThanks for such an endearing review!
ReplyDeleteThis is such a great idea to create a special little quilt from your granddaughter's drawing! Such special memories! I should try this with a drawing my son gave me! Great idea!
ReplyDeleteHow very special to turn her drawing and note into a lovely project like that for her made from love from you. Those are the best, most treasured gifts. I have one from my Godmother who was the "mother figure" in my life and I am a grandma myself now and much older and she passed so many yeaes ago, but I get sentimental and travel back in time quietly in my mind when i curl up with one of my favorite quilts she made for me with hand stitched love notes to me on it. There are no better gifts. They are timeless.
ReplyDeleteHow very special to turn her drawing and note into a lovely project like that for her made from love from you. Those are the best, most treasured gifts. I have one from my Godmother who was the "mother figure" in my life and I am a grandma myself now and much older and she passed so many yeaes ago, but I get sentimental and travel back in time quietly in my mind when i curl up with one of my favorite quilts she made for me with hand stitched love notes to me on it. There are no better gifts. They are timeless.
ReplyDeleteHow very special to turn her drawing and note into a lovely project like that for her made from love from you. Those are the best, most treasured gifts. I have one from my Godmother who was the "mother figure" in my life and I am a grandma myself now and much older and she passed so many yeaes ago, but I get sentimental and travel back in time quietly in my mind when i curl up with one of my favorite quilts she made for me with hand stitched love notes to me on it. There are no better gifts. They are timeless.
ReplyDeleteThis is so cute! What a great memory to have of drawings.
ReplyDeleteYour little quilt is charming and a wonderful way to preserve some memories.
ReplyDeleteSuch sweet memories
ReplyDeleteOh this is such a gorgeous idea, and it has turned out brilliantly :-)
ReplyDeleteThis book sounds so wonderful. Love your quilt!
ReplyDeleteOh what a wonderful idea you had - your little quilt is such a precious memory! Thanks for sharing and for the chance to win this adorable book! :)
ReplyDeleteDebby E
samtaylorcjsmimi at yahoo dot com
What a wonderful gift that she will treasure forever and pass along to her grandchildren someday. Next time will be much easier and in spite of the difficulties you experienced this time, looks like you had fun and did a great job. A project isn't handmade unless there is at least one mistake included. What a great grandma - LOVE IT!
ReplyDeleteWish I had done something like this with my kids drawings when they were young!
ReplyDeleteoh my, seeing your project gave me new ideas...will have to do the same!
ReplyDeletelutefiskalaska at msn dot com
Lovely story and great project using the drawing. Thanks for showing and sharing them both.
ReplyDeleteHow cute is that! She will be thrilled to see her drawing come to life.
ReplyDeleteWhat adorable projects! You are a special grandma!
ReplyDeleteYour memory quilt is so precious. What a wonderful way to preserve your granddaughter's drawing and note. Great job!
ReplyDeletehijoffeATgmailDOTcom
I love Erin's cute birds but it's fab that you used her techniques for such a gorgeous personal memory quilt.
ReplyDeleteThat's just adorable! I always love the stories behind art & heirlooms & you combined both. You are such an awesome grandmother.
ReplyDeleteThe memory quilt is so sweet. You and your granddaughter obviously have a wonderful relationship. I hope to someday have a grandchild to do quilting or crafts with.
ReplyDeleteLove the quilt and the story. Nancy A: rangerer@sbcglobal.net
ReplyDeleteWhat a Special Heart Memory you have made!! A great Treasure for sure!! It is AWESOME!!! Thank you for sharing such a creative idea! :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a sweet sweet gift! A treasure for sure! Thanks for the giveaway also.
ReplyDeleteThat is such a precious quilt you made with that drawing! 💕 thanks for the chance to win'
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful memory quilt - Charlotte will surely treasure it for many, many years! An inspiration, to use the techniques in the book to create our own little treasures. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteYour quilt showing Charlotte's drawing is so beautiful. What a great keepsake.
ReplyDeleteI may try this with my kids! What a great idea. sarah@forrussia.org
ReplyDeleteHow adorable!
ReplyDeleteAdorable. I enjoyed reading your post.
ReplyDeleteI have 2 small grandchildren, and I loved your idea of making a quilt of their artwork. My daughter is an art teacher, and so she is especially proud of what they do. Thanks for the inspiration!
ReplyDeleteSo great to be a Grandma and share the joy and blessing of quilts. ( to wear!💖) Beth
ReplyDeleteWhat an adorable idea to use your children's or grandchildren's art work. This would make a fabulous Mother's Day quilt.
ReplyDeleteVery clever use of children's art - so nice!
ReplyDeleteI would love to win this book. Wish I had some little pictures to try and copy your idea. Great! Everything about this book is cute.
ReplyDeleteI love your little pictures. I would love to do this with some of the work from my children. Are you or Erin going to post a tutorial?
ReplyDeleteThere is nothing better than children's art!
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh! The sweetest drawings and note from your granddaughter! You are blessed indeed! I am beginning to think I will never have grand babies, so I will live the joy of it through others like you!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea and such a cute project, Cindy. Yes, you do need to cherish these pieces as they grow up too quickly.
ReplyDeleteSuch a sweet project!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the inspiration! I have been wanting to do that same thing with a pic from my grand daughter also. Love it!
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful idea and project - I never would've thought about doing this. Thanks for sharing this cute piece with us! Too cute!! ktsquiltdreams (at)gmail (dot)com
ReplyDeleteHow absolutely adorable! What a lovely idea. :o)
ReplyDeleteWhat a great way to preserve a drawing!
ReplyDeleteYou have given me some good ideas.
ReplyDeleteSuch a cute note. I love how children explain they way they see things.
ReplyDeleteSuch a cute note. I love how children explain they way they see things.
ReplyDeleteSuch a cute, heartwarming story! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteSuper cute!
ReplyDeleteWhat a sweet idea as a keepsake of your grandchildren's drawings and letters! I can't wait to have grandchildren......
ReplyDeleteThis is such a clever project
ReplyDeleteWhat a darling little drawing. It is obviously very precious to you. Love how you expanded on granddaughter's artwork.
ReplyDeleteswalker287 (at) aol (dot) com
This is very cute and a lovely keepsake for you both.
ReplyDeleteIain.ross30 at gmail dot com
I love the drawing . It's so cute. This book looks great ! :)
ReplyDeleteHow charming and how lucky you are.
ReplyDeleteWhat a cute idea! Having just received a drawing from my granddaughter, this will be fun to try! Thanks for a great idea!
ReplyDeleteThat picture of you and your granddaughter is just precious. Indeed, you are blessed! I think you've done a lovely job reinterpreting her design. What a keepsake.
ReplyDeleteSo cute!
ReplyDeleteWhat a keepsake and a great idea. I am anxious to try out the thread sketching technique. Thanks for the giveaway.
ReplyDeleteThat's a wonderful little keepsake quilt! Are you teaching Charlotte to quilt now?
ReplyDeleteLovely work!Love the giveaway,thank you for the chance to win it.
ReplyDeleteYour little quilt is precious and will help to hold the memory. Thread sketching is a technique I would like to learn. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great way to memorialize a child's picture.
ReplyDeleteIt's so nice to see the close relationship you and Charlotte have! Your rendition of her drawing is lovely! I'll bet your granddaughter got a thrill when she saw it. xoxoxo
ReplyDeleteWhat a precious keepsake! Love that you are making creative memories together:)
ReplyDeleteThat quilt is lovely!
ReplyDeleteI'd love to win!
bcastiel at excite dot com
What a clever idea to transform a cute picture memory into a little quilt. I am sure the quilt was received with delight!
ReplyDeleteSuch a cute little quilt! Great idea!
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely post :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a great book and mini. I must try this. I have a lot of paintings of my grandchildren. So fun to do.
ReplyDeleteIt looks like you created the perfect keepsake with that drawing. It's simply priceless.
ReplyDeleteI love your idea of preserving a precious child's precious artwork! You have inspired me to give it a try.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea! I'm sure I will be trying this one!
ReplyDeleteWhat a sweet story! I love the note on the back. Can't wait to get a closer look at this book.
ReplyDeleteWhat a sweet story! I love the note on the back. Can't wait to get a closer look at this book.
ReplyDeleteMy grandson made a picture for me of superman which I've wanted to copy as a quilt for some time now. He lives far away in Cameroon, Africa so anything he draws for me is extremely precious! Awwww...I bet all grandmas think any drawings by their grandkids are special! Thanks for giving away the book and sharing such a sweet picture! I almost cried reading your blog!
ReplyDeleteMy grandson made a picture for me of superman which I've wanted to copy as a quilt for some time now. He lives far away in Cameroon, Africa so anything he draws for me is extremely precious! Awwww...I bet all grandmas think any drawings by their grandkids are special! Thanks for giving away the book and sharing such a sweet picture! I almost cried reading your blog!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea! It looks so nice.
ReplyDelete