From My Mother's Heart

My mother loved gardening, needlework, and painting. During the spring and summer months she worked in her garden for several hours each day. Her efforts were rewarded by beautiful flowers and greenery. During the cold months of the year her time was spent doing needlework projects or decorative painting. She was a master of quilting, crochet, knitting, applique, and embroidery. Beautiful lace edging was crocheted by her hand, and birthday and Christmas gifts were usually of something she created. Reverse applique, hand quilted projects, and beautiful embroidered pillow case sets were just a few examples of her dedication to these home arts. When she tired of stitching she would take a break and get out her paints. Her watercolor was beautiful and she dabbled in decorative painting in oils and acrylics on wooded containers, wall plaques, stools, tables, and chairs. The quilt pictured in this photo is one that she enjoyed creating. The scenes are hand appliqued on each block. That was her 'base' and from there she enhanced the squares with buttons, bows, bits of lace, and other three-dimensional objects. Each month of the year is depicted on this quilt with an appropriate design for the season. I miss my mom, but am so thankful that she left tangible works of heart for me to enjoy and to remember her by.