Monday, November 1, 2010

To Everything There Is A Season


These are our Autumn Purple Ash trees as they looked a few weeks back. I’m so glad we captured their peak fall color before a windstorm laid them bare.


There’s been a flurry of change inside our home as well. Both boys moved out this fall, one out of state, the other into a college apartment. 


What's more, we're transitioning my senior parents from their home of forty years into supervised care. Dad’s dementia and Mom’s tenuous health make it impossible for them to live on their own anymore. Dad moved into an assisted living facility near my brother’s family in Ohio and seems to be adjusting well. Mom, on the other hand, keeps bouncing between hospital and rehab, due to a nasty infection. She can’t make the move under her current circumstances, and I fear she never will.

So, in an effort to keep things “quilty,” I'll share this autumn-inspired piece. I made it in the late 1990s, from reproduction fabrics, or what some people refer to as “Civil War” prints.

Quilt lore has it that many antique quilts were made with dark fabrics to hide dirt and stains between infrequent washings. As the mother of boys, I can appreciate that, but in general, I just love the way dark colors set off more colorful blocks.


These anvil blocks measure 8” and when set on point, strippy-style, make a handsome quilt.


I had it machine quilted by a gal who’s since sold her machine and retired to Arizona. Boy, do I miss her! Working with Robyn was such a pleasure. I could always trust that whatever design she chose would be perfect for the quilt.


Can you see the feathered wreath inside each block?


Anvil Strippy Quilt

7 comments:

  1. Been there and done that with kids and parents. Guess that is why they call us the "sandwich generation". Parenting takes on a differnt meaning at this stage.

    Love your pretty quilt blocks.

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  2. Both of my kids moved out around the time as we were helping my parents move to assisted living so I know what you're going through. On the way home from helping my daughter move into her first place my husband stopped at a bicycle shop and said, "We're getting bikes." I think he was afraid of being alone with me! We've been riding ever since.

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  3. Hugs and blessings to you during this time of transitions ... so many of us have been there/done that or are doing it now. Sandwich generation indeed.

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  4. That quilt is beautiful! Equally stunning are the trees. Thank you for the visual candy today. :)

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  5. I must admit that I did not suffer in the slightest when my nest went empty *s* But I do understand that emotions involved can be very strong. I try to always remind myself to take special joy in watching my girl make her way in the world. Most times she finds success, sometimes she stumbles, but always she makes us proud!

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  6. This sounds like a very difficult bunch of adjusting you all have had to do. I hope your mom recovers well enough to go to the assisted living place. My MIL is in one but she's in relatively good health despite her 91 years, still quite independent, thankfully.

    We've had two birds fly the nest but one came back, and the third is about to go off. I'm enjoying the bounce back of only son...and am really going to miss #2 daughter when she moves out in January!

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  7. your Purple Ash trees are even prettier than the Bradford Pear and Maple trees that I have seen this year.
    I hope your mom is getting better and I'm glad your dad is adjusting well.

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