Friday, October 28, 2011

Blogger’s Quilt Festival: Anna’s Gift


When I was a kid, I had lots of aunts and uncles. The coolest aunt, naturally, was the youngest and childless one. It’s unfair but true: the one who doesn’t have her own kids has more time and attention to lavish on everyone else’s. I had a time as the Cool Aunt but ceded the title to my younger sister when I had offspring of my own; it’s a privileged position and a very special relationship unlike any other I’ve known.

Anyhow, Cool Aunt had two children of her own in due course; a girl and a boy. They were both neat kids and fun cousins for us. She shepherded her kids all the way into adulthood, then tragically lost her girlchild to asthma. The pain of losing her adult child was too much for my aunt: she lost her smile.

Her boychild continued to grow into his own adulthood; a few years after his sister died, my cousin got married. My aunt was thrilled, of course, but her overwhelming sadness remained. A couple of years later, along came Anna. Ordinary, delightful, sunny Anna. Cool Aunt’s first grandchild has been her saving grace, the one who pulled her up from the depths and brought back her ability to fully enjoy her days instead of trudging through them.

I recently met this child for the first time when we went to her state for a visit; we talked kidstuff together and I played blocks with her. Who am I to her? Nobody special, just a lady who stopped by to play. Who is she to me? She’s the one who made my Aunt find her joy again. The label on the back is very simple, just my initials, town and year; but in my heart this quilt is called Anna’s Gift. The quilt is a special thank-you to a child who will never know how sweet her gift has been, or how many lives she has touched merely by being a child and happy in the world.

















I enjoyed making these gentle curves with the walking foot; see the cool pattern that emerged?













This is my first Drunkard’s Path, the blocks cut on an Accuquilt Studio at a local quilt shop and assembly begun in one of their classes.  Machine pieced, machine quilted with the walking foot. I generally give my quilts away upon completion; when I selected these fabrics I knew it would be a very Happy quilt, but I had no specific recipient in mind. Then I met Anna and realized that she was the perfect fit for its bright colors and happy feel. I hope it gives her a fraction of the warmth she has given to someone dear to me.














Enjoy the Festival; there are loads more quilts and stories to discover!

38 comments:

  1. What a touching story! Your quilt is beautiful and very special. Thank you for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  2. OMG, you made me cry with your beautiful sad story, please don't do that again - I am at work! Gorgeous quilt too.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Such a dear and touching story. :o)

    ReplyDelete
  4. Sally! How are you, my friend! :) I have missed visiting you, sorry and this will need to be remedied! Oh, what a sunny quilt, what a lovely story, and what a special girl. Sally, you are not just anybody to Anna! You are family, and her cool aunt that made her her rainbow quilt! xox

    ReplyDelete
  5. What a really sweet story and quilt!

    ReplyDelete
  6. What a special story and a beautiful quilt. It's times like that I think it's so wonderful to be a quilter because quilts make the best gift from the heart. Thank you for sharing your quilt and story!

    ReplyDelete
  7. What a wonderful story! Your quilt is beautiful and will be a treasure for a sweet little girl!

    ReplyDelete
  8. I am glad Anna got such a joyful quilt!

    ReplyDelete
  9. What a great quilt and such a sweet story. So glad anna has helped your beloved aunt. Thanks for sharing and have a great day

    ReplyDelete
  10. Your quilt looks wonderful. I love the way you have arranged the colours in rows. Your story is very special. Such a wonderful gift.

    ReplyDelete
  11. love the quilt! awesome story too

    Margaret
    www.quiltsoflove.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  12. The quilt is lovely and will be very precious to Anna. I am really touched by your story.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Very pretty, very happy quilt. A great story to pass on with this very special quilt.

    ReplyDelete
  14. The quilt is wonderful, but the joy it carries is the best part and you are a blessing. Thank you for sharing your story. It is an inspiration.

    ReplyDelete
  15. What a beautiful quilt and an absolutely wondeful story to go with it.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Your quilt is perfect for little Anna. Thank you for telling the story in your post.

    ReplyDelete
  17. What a great, bright quilt. Perfect for a little girl who brought so much light back into her grandma's world.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Lovely quilt, and I'm so glad that Cool Aunt has her Anna.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Really nice. Love your story and glad it has a happy ending.

    ReplyDelete
  20. oh my. what a beautiful story behind your quilt. lovely and amazing.

    ReplyDelete
  21. What a touching story and your bright colorful quilt is perfect!
    Thanks for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
  22. What a wonderful story and cheerful quilt!
    Ann

    ReplyDelete
  23. Thanks for sharing such a touching story and the beautiful quilt.

    ReplyDelete
  24. What a touching story for such a beautiful quilt - thanks for sharing! =)

    ReplyDelete
  25. such a sweet quilt, and equally tender story.

    ReplyDelete
  26. What a wonderful story! I know Anna will love her quilt! So pretty and colorful!

    ReplyDelete
  27. What a beautiful, happy quilt and such a touching story. Thank you for sharing both.

    ReplyDelete
  28. Beautiful quilt, with an amazing story. thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  29. We make quilts for so many reasons. Thank you for sharing your story with this beautiful quilt. I'm sure Anna loves it.

    Hazle

    ReplyDelete
  30. Sally, this is a wonderful quilt and such a labor of love. Thank you for sharing this special story with us all.

    ReplyDelete
  31. What an amazing story! I hope she finds out how many lives she has touched. Thanks for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
  32. I love the brightness of this quilt. Such a special quilt with a special story, for a special little girl.

    ~ meagan

    ReplyDelete
  33. what a happy quilt, and a very fitting recipient!

    ReplyDelete
  34. Very pretty colors and a wonderful story to go along. Your quilt is beautiful!

    ReplyDelete
  35. A lovely story...gotta get a tissue. I love when a quilt tells of a journey and wraps someone in love.

    ReplyDelete