November 27, 2006 - Love-made giving....
As much as is possible we are making our Christmas gifts again this year. Last year I found such a joy in praying over gifts as they were made for special friends and family members!
The quilt above was a gift to my 12yo daughter, and because she watched me make it, it was not a surprise (though she was thrilled when I gave it to her!). Behind the scenes I made her a sewing caddy - a copy of one I had made myself and something I knew she really wanted.
The thing I love about making special things is that they go on with the ones you make them for. Unlike consumerable gifts a hand made one has the ability to bring joy for so many seasons. This is especially poignant to me as I have nothing like that from my parents or grandparents. My mother died when I was 3, and I have nothing of hers to cherish - that is something I have always been saddened by. So, to ease that loss I decided years ago to give my children things that will live on past my own life - things that will remind them when I am gone that they were loved by their mother. I think that when you find an empty place in your own life it is much easier to recognise how important it is to fill that place in the lives of others.
I love the stories of pioneer times, such a the Little House books by Laura Ingalls Wilder, where the smallest keepsakes were cherished because of the love with which they were made and given. That is something 'good' to hold close to our hearts. I'd rather a cake baked with love, than a diamond given out of obligation. Know what I mean?
Comments
November 27, 2006 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Robin
The quilt is beautiful!
November 27, 2006 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Robin
The quilt is beautiful!
November 27, 2006 - Hi, thanks for visiting my blog
Posted by jugglingpaynes
And for adding me to your friends! What gorgeous quilts! I've been told before that quilting is easy, but I haven't summoned the courage to learn it yet. I'm still learning to be friends with my sewing machine :o)
I do make homemade gifts, but they are mainly edible gifts--homemade chocolates and cookies. Not really something you can save for posterity. Although I have had people say that a cake or gingerbread house I made was too beautiful to eat!
Anyway, I'll add you to my list so that I can look at your beautiful quilts and get inspired!
Cristina
December 2, 2006 - What Stunning Work!
Posted by JewelSea
You amaze me, Jen! Now I am thinking of all the knitting and crocheting I used to do...... before I had kids! Now that they are older, it would be no problem to get back to it. I would just have to give up something--like websurfing or blog reading! :D
