Tuesday, September 22, 2015

Sweet Tweets

The giveaway is now closed. 
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
Saturday, Sept.26 - Erin, Big Giveaway Post!!! Why Not Sew?

82 comments:

05 08
Unknown said... #

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!

annie dee said... #

As if I wasn't intimidated enough by quilting alone! This is a great idea. Beautiful job.

annie dee said... #

As if I wasn't intimidated enough by quilting alone! This is a great idea. Beautiful job.

Anita said... #

You made a beautiful mini quilt from the drawing your granddaughter made; very adorable!

cynthia said... #

Thanks for such an endearing review!

Rori said... #

This 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!

Kbaby said... #

How 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.

Kbaby said... #

How 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.

Kbaby said... #

How 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.

Johanna said... #

This is so cute! What a great memory to have of drawings.

sue said... #

Your little quilt is charming and a wonderful way to preserve some memories.

Miss Jean said... #

Such sweet memories

DeborahGun said... #

Oh this is such a gorgeous idea, and it has turned out brilliantly :-)

Afquilt said... #

This book sounds so wonderful. Love your quilt!

Anonymous said... #

Oh 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! :)
Debby E
samtaylorcjsmimi at yahoo dot com

Unknown said... #

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!

rrjane011749 said... #

Wish I had done something like this with my kids drawings when they were young!

Carol Swanson McCabe said... #

oh my, seeing your project gave me new ideas...will have to do the same!

lutefiskalaska at msn dot com

Kathryn said... #

Lovely story and great project using the drawing. Thanks for showing and sharing them both.

Carla said... #

How cute is that! She will be thrilled to see her drawing come to life.

Sharon - IN said... #

What adorable projects! You are a special grandma!

Ilana said... #

Your memory quilt is so precious. What a wonderful way to preserve your granddaughter's drawing and note. Great job!
hijoffeATgmailDOTcom

Indianna said... #

I love Erin's cute birds but it's fab that you used her techniques for such a gorgeous personal memory quilt.

java diva said... #

That's just adorable! I always love the stories behind art & heirlooms & you combined both. You are such an awesome grandmother.

Lisa England said... #

The 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.

Unknown said... #

Love the quilt and the story. Nancy A: rangerer@sbcglobal.net

OhioLori said... #

What a Special Heart Memory you have made!! A great Treasure for sure!! It is AWESOME!!! Thank you for sharing such a creative idea! :)

Kristy said... #

What a sweet sweet gift! A treasure for sure! Thanks for the giveaway also.

Unknown said... #

That is such a precious quilt you made with that drawing! 💕 thanks for the chance to win'

LakeMGal said... #

What 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.

Lisa E said... #

Your quilt showing Charlotte's drawing is so beautiful. What a great keepsake.

Sarah said... #

I may try this with my kids! What a great idea. sarah@forrussia.org

fiberchick said... #

How adorable!

Vicki H said... #

Adorable. I enjoyed reading your post.

Madeline said... #

I 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!

Grandma Beth said... #

So great to be a Grandma and share the joy and blessing of quilts. ( to wear!💖) Beth

jennie wallick said... #

What an adorable idea to use your children's or grandchildren's art work. This would make a fabulous Mother's Day quilt.

mumbird3 said... #

Very clever use of children's art - so nice!

Patti said... #

I 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.

Debbi said... #

I 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?

Anonymous said... #

There is nothing better than children's art!

Jayne said... #

Oh 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!

Needled Mom said... #

What a great idea and such a cute project, Cindy. Yes, you do need to cherish these pieces as they grow up too quickly.

Patti said... #

Such a sweet project!

wendy said... #

Thanks for the inspiration! I have been wanting to do that same thing with a pic from my grand daughter also. Love it!

Kath said... #

What 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

pippirose said... #

How absolutely adorable! What a lovely idea. :o)

Marianne said... #

What a great way to preserve a drawing!

mary said... #

You have given me some good ideas.

margaret said... #

Such a cute note. I love how children explain they way they see things.

margaret said... #

Such a cute note. I love how children explain they way they see things.

Jennifer Scantlebury Vienneau said... #

Such a cute, heartwarming story! Thanks for sharing!

Stacy V Handmade said... #

Super cute!

Susan said... #

What a sweet idea as a keepsake of your grandchildren's drawings and letters! I can't wait to have grandchildren......

Bethany said... #

This is such a clever project

SandyMay said... #

What a darling little drawing. It is obviously very precious to you. Love how you expanded on granddaughter's artwork.
swalker287 (at) aol (dot) com

claire ross said... #

This is very cute and a lovely keepsake for you both.
Iain.ross30 at gmail dot com

Carla S said... #

I love the drawing . It's so cute. This book looks great ! :)

Kathy L said... #

How charming and how lucky you are.

JudyD said... #

What a cute idea! Having just received a drawing from my granddaughter, this will be fun to try! Thanks for a great idea!

FlourishingPalms said... #

That 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.

kathy a said... #

So cute!

Susan McG said... #

What a keepsake and a great idea. I am anxious to try out the thread sketching technique. Thanks for the giveaway.

MoeWest said... #

That's a wonderful little keepsake quilt! Are you teaching Charlotte to quilt now?

principeta said... #

Lovely work!Love the giveaway,thank you for the chance to win it.

Anonymous said... #

Your little quilt is precious and will help to hold the memory. Thread sketching is a technique I would like to learn. Thanks.

Mara said... #

What a great way to memorialize a child's picture.

Rene' said... #

It'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

Ann Hodge said... #

What a precious keepsake! Love that you are making creative memories together:)

Brenda said... #

That quilt is lovely!

I'd love to win!

bcastiel at excite dot com

Deb B. said... #

What a clever idea to transform a cute picture memory into a little quilt. I am sure the quilt was received with delight!

Laura said... #

Such a cute little quilt! Great idea!

Katy M said... #

What a lovely post :)

Unknown said... #

What a great book and mini. I must try this. I have a lot of paintings of my grandchildren. So fun to do.

Suzanne said... #

It looks like you created the perfect keepsake with that drawing. It's simply priceless.

Subee said... #

I love your idea of preserving a precious child's precious artwork! You have inspired me to give it a try.

Unknown said... #

What a great idea! I'm sure I will be trying this one!

Marcelle said... #

What a sweet story! I love the note on the back. Can't wait to get a closer look at this book.

Marcelle said... #

What a sweet story! I love the note on the back. Can't wait to get a closer look at this book.

Unknown said... #

My 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!

Unknown said... #

My 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!

Patty said... #

What a great idea! It looks so nice.