Two little AAQI quilts completed and registered yesterday. Now awaiting mailing instructions.
The black and green quilt is named "Role Reversal". I watched my sister-in-law take care of her mother in their home for several years. The parent becomes the child. Two of the 4-patch units are turned so that the green is where the gold should be, representing this switch of position in a relationship with a parent with Alzheimer's.
The blue and brown quilt is named "Early-Onset=Early Retirement". Many years ago our family doctor, who was a soft spoken, kind man, took early retirement. It was a while before we learned that it was because he had been diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer's. The pinwheel blocks represent the cogs that turn, one catching another, causing movement on all of the connecting parts. One thing leads to another--like a diagnosis of early-onset Alzheimer's led to early retirement.
I've kept Gidget busy this week quilting up a lap quilt that I want finished by the end of the month so that it can be gifted.
Just used an all over pattern, but I think the quilting is too dense--not as soft as I'd like. I'm learning.
Yesterday DD#2 and a couple of her friends came over to quilt. (You knew you'd be on the blog, didn't you?) Lots of quilting, talking and laughing. It was fun--come back anytime!
Can you believe how short this post is? I can't. But most of my current projects are gifts and swaps, so they have to stay unpublished for a while yet.
Happy quilting!
Janet O.
Great little quilts. Nice to see some newbee's quilting, are you loving your Sweet Sixteen machine?
ReplyDeleteI like the rope looking quilting design on the light first round border. I think you have developed a knack for machine quilting.
ReplyDeleteYour AAQI quilts are wonderful! You have been a very busy girl! Great things happening at your house!
ReplyDeleteI do love that pattern and will have to add it to my bucket list. I need a ten gallon tub rather than just a bucket!
ReplyDeleteI love your AAQI quilts and the stories they tell!!! Such a big heart you have!! How fun for the girls to come over and spend time!! I think your quilting looks fine on the gift quilt! Well done!! How big are the pinwheel blocks? I'm thinking about a small project and was just wondering!
ReplyDeleteBlessings
How lucky that your daughter and friends live close enough to come by and borrow your machine for a day of fun for all of you! Your quilts are absolutely lovely as always.
ReplyDeleteYour little AAQI quilts are such darling representations of such a harsh disease. You do great work, girl. How fun to have your daughter and her friends to quilt with you. :)
ReplyDeleteLove those three little quilts. A nice touch with the thoughtful names of them! Love that lap quilt too...a very nice pattern design! Love those patched diagonals along with the solid strips. I also like your blue background of your blog!! Very cute!
ReplyDeleteI like your AAIQ quilts and the stories they tell. They should sell fast. I have four in the works, and have more ideas, but I don't have a blog, so when they are registered I'll try to remember to send you the links to them. I was the full time caregiver for my husband who had Alheimers. He died in Dec. of 2000. I'm sorry to see the program is closing, but hope to do some more when I get these done.
ReplyDeleteI am amazed at all the quilting you get done with your Gidget. Nice of you to share the fun too. Are your girls Blog Shy? Great AAQI Quilts.
ReplyDeleteA shorter post makes it easier to comment on! You did it! The AAQI quilts are simple once you get going. I love them!
ReplyDeleteOnce your quilt is washed it may soften up. So much depends on the batting too.
Great little AAQI quilts and so full of meaning. Glad you had some young quilters there - sounds like lots of fun!
ReplyDeleteLet me know when your AAQI quilts are listed. I'd love to get a chance to buy one! They're wonderful! Are you taking in machine quilting yet??
ReplyDeleteI love your little minis Mom :)
ReplyDeleteIt was super fun to come over with my friends! Thanks for the fun morning!
What a gorgeous lap quilt you are making!
ReplyDeleteThat looks like a very cool quilting machine! Do you like it?
Lovely work, as usual Janet!
ReplyDeleteThe quilting looks really good on that lap quilt though, I bet it will soften once you wash it a few times, yes?
How fun to have the girls over for a sewing morning : ) Maybe one of mine will eventually sew, but not so far, waaah! lol
your little quilts area great and will raise a lot of money I'm sure.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Lori, maybe washing will soften it -and using it too of course.
My friend's husband was just diagnosed with dementia - what a shock at 62! Nice quilts and I love the symbolism for each of them. Fun to see the girls enjoying your Sweet 16 - and I love your lap quilt! I'm making good progress on your swap quilt - it's kinda different with a little of this and a little of that - hope you like it when it's all done and swapped (crossing my fingers).
ReplyDeleteI too have many family members afflicted with Alzheimers. Your mini quilts are adorable. I love the one you are going to gift. BTW...I've been out of the loop for a while. I love your Rainbow at the top of your blog. Hugs
ReplyDeleteGorgeous little quilts, made from your heart, so lovely of you to do that.
ReplyDeleteAlz has touched my family, so I know how terrible it is..
You quilting looks lovely, love seeing the girls having a go, hope you share many more fun days like that.
Julia
Great projects Janet!! The quilting is great on that lap quilt...love it.
ReplyDeleteMary
Oh, Janet - Your AAQI quilts are wonderful!! While I was taking care of my Dad before his death last May, we always included in our prayers how very, very grateful we both were that he did not have Alzheimer's. Your lap quilt is beautiful and it looks like the girls are having a great time!!
ReplyDeletethe little quilts are adorable--well done
ReplyDeleteLovely meaningful AAQI quilts, Janet. Your lap quilt is also lovely - very effective design/colourways. Neat to see the girls enjoying a play on your Sw16 - great to see younger quilters!!
ReplyDeleteI love the photos that include young quilters, it's so rewarding to see them taking to quilting! Your AAQI quilts are wonderful, LITTLE quilts that have a BIG job to do! From here your quilting looks absolutely perfect, not too dense, I am sure it is in person too!! It will soften up after washing and a spin around the dryer.
ReplyDeleteYour little quilts are so cute. Great work!
ReplyDeleteYour quilts are beautiful, always. The Alzheimer's blocks hit close to home. Some days my MIL is pretty clear-minded and other days she really struggles. The sad part is that some days she understands that she is struggling. She wonders what is happening to her and why. It is a cruel disease. I admit that I have Gidget envy when I look at your pictures. Either the Sweet 16 or Babylock Tiara (same machine as I understand it) is still on my wish list. Alas, college tuition for my kids takes nearly every spare dime I can put aside. I will join the long arm world at some point. In the meantime, I need to be thinking of a name as cool as Gidget!
ReplyDeleteShort but meaningful, for sure! Looking like your sewing space is busier than ever ;)
ReplyDeleteSuch sweet quilts to see here, I always am inspired! You have such a lovely family, too.
ReplyDeleteWhat beautiful words you choose. Your minis are so impressive. Happy for you that you got some DD#2 time! Sandi
ReplyDeleteJanet, I love your AAQI quilts and the thoughts behind them. I am so glad that your daughter and her friend want to learn to quilt. I love when the younger generation is interested in what we are doing.
ReplyDeleteJanet - thanks so much for letting me play with Gidget. It was so much fun, a great learning experience and fabulous company. I am still in awe of your sewing room, your stash and your talent. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteWonderful AAQI quilts Janet! And the names are absolutely perfect!!! Why can't I think of names like that? You need to give me lessons :*) I really like the pattern on your gift quilt - anything with Irish chain type designs really rings my bell. The quilting seems lovely - it's always so hard to find that delicate balance between "not enough" and "too much" quilting, isn't it? I'm sure the recipient will think it is perfect. And what fun to sew with your daughter and her friends!!! Sounds like the perfect day to me!
ReplyDeleteLove your minis, and especially why you made them. Your words are so sweet and kind. It is so great to sew and quilt with you daughters, I loved every minute with mine. Second daughter visited me and we had a one on one with Scrap Booking, she does a great job as well. Until the next.....
ReplyDeleteIt always thrills me to see the next generation quilting!
ReplyDeleteYour minis are adorable!
Pretty little quilts and I like how you linked your design decisions to Alzheimers.
ReplyDeleteMaybe the quilt will soften up after washing. Looks great!
Yes, fun to see young ones quilting!
You might be surprised with the dense stitching. I have a favorite couch quilt that seemed stiff when it was first quilted. It's now been washed how many times and is as soft as could be. It's the quilt in last week's TGIFF and Squeaky loves it too!
ReplyDeleteI'm playing catch-up -- I love bloglovin' for that! I like the denseness of your stitching -- I thought it looked great with the piecing of the top! Like Sarah said, perhaps you'll be pleasantly surprised by the end result!! :)
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