A Quilt that My Grandma Made

We're moving in a little of a month, we're not sure where yet, but our lease will be up. I haven't even began packing, we just have too much stuff. Before tackling the massive task of sorting everything into stacks of what we're keeping, selling, giving, and tossing I made a list of things I couldn't live without...

1. My son
2. My Russell
3. A quilt that my grandma made

My grandma was an avid quilter. A month or so before she passed away, I spent time with her and helped her lay out a quilt that was going to be for one of my aunts. I was amazed at all the detail, thought, and careful planning that went into making a quilt. I truly appreciated the love and dedication she exerted even in her fragile state to ensure that she made a quilt for each one of her daughters.

Although it's been a little over 2 years since she passed away the missing space in my heart isn't getting smaller. I struggle with the thought of  forgetting her.  I never learned how to sew, by the time I wanted to learn from her, there was no time left.

I considered making a quilt when I found out she passed away in August 2008. I looked into it and was overwhelmed. I didn't own a sewing machine nor have money to invest in one. I didn't know where to begin so I gave up.

Last night I visited her Care Page that she updated during her battle with ovarian cancer. I felt like I was reading it all again for the first time, losing her again. I decided then, that a quilt would be the best way for me to relive the happy memories and work through the hard ones. I'm planning to sew an entire quilt by hand. I plan on finishing by August 18, 2011, the 3rd anniversary of my grandma's passing. Throughout the next 10 months I hope to gain a better understand of the person my grandma was in addition to preserving all the memories I have of her.

Grandma & Me 1999

I'm interested in networking with hand quilters, I'm looking for a mentor or two, books, blogs, websites, anything will do.