Quilts and other creations in Amy's keeping

 Mom created and gifted so many things. Everything from large, beautiful quilts representing months of work, to smaller items she knew would make life easier or more beautiful. Our master bedroom is made brighter and warmer by this falling leaves quilt she gave me years ago. When it arrived, she phoned me and  emphasized that it should not be left on a shelf as a "work of art", but that she wanted us to use it, enjoy it, and if washing was needed. to go ahead and wash it. As you can see, it has been well loved--it has been on our bed for years. It is hand quilted in patterns that make the veins of the leaves. One day I will take a less-tattered part of it and put in a frame. But not yet!  



This is the wedding quilt that Mom made for Jay and I in 1982. She asked our relatives to each donate a quilt square, and she pieced and hand quilted it. 


These two quilts Mom created when we adopted Katie in 2004. Well-wishers (which included family as well as others who were also waiting on adoption documents) donated the fabric, and Mom pieced and quilted these "Bai Jai Bei" or "100 Good Wishes" quilts, one for Katie (with pieced cats) and one for big brother Ian (with pieced trucks, which she and Dad designed).


Mom made this "Lucky Star Freedom Quilt" for Ian, to take along to his first college dorm room.


This flowers and pinwheels quilt Mom made for Katie-- it arrived for her 16th birthday. 



Besides her quilts, I treasure many other beautiful pieces of Mom's handwork that are  in my keeping: 

Mom made these dolls, and both of them traveled to Africa with the family and my 8-year-old self. I have forgotten the name of the gray haired doll, but her frizzy hair and grubby face show she didn't sit on a shelf much. My Beloved Belindy rag doll and I enjoyed many African tea parties with childhood friends from Kigari College. They were as proud of their store-bought, pale-skinned baby dolls as I was of my home-made, dark-skinned Belindy.

Mom knitted this wool fisherman's sweater for me when I was a teenager. She had me choose the cable types I wanted for it. I think she had to learn how to knit some of them. 40 years later, its still a wonderful warm up for cold days.



Mom wove this Cochrane Tartan wrap. I wore it over my shoulder at more than one formal dinner.


Mom made several handwoven everyday items for our home. This mat was made to soak up spills under my dogs' water bowl. It has been well-used and washed many times,  but I have always loved the interesting colors and patterns she wove into it. 

These are handwoven pieces that Katie and Ian made under her coaching several years ago. 


Mom made this apron for Katie to use while selling cookies to summer tourists at the Sitka docks. Mom told us that she modeled it after aprons she had seen Guatemalan women wear while selling at open air markets. It has hidden money pockets to keep a hardworking businesswoman's earnings safe.


This bluejeans rag runner rug has graced our entryway for years. It has lasted thru multiple washings, and its cheerful colors still makes me smile. 


Some of Mom's handwoven hand towels. 

Mom made so many beautiful and useful things, and encouraged us to do the same. Her first thought seemed to always be "I bet I can make that myself, and it'll be nicer and more fun than a store-bought version!" And she was absolutely right. Thanks, Mom!

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