Monday, August 6, 2012

Cousin Quilts

My Mom was from a family of eleven. So I have a whole lot of first cousins just on that side of the family.  Grandma and Grandpa Mc's house was always "home" to my Mom no matter where we lived.  When I was growing up holidays meant family gatherings and that meant playing with my cousins. Seeing them was always the best part of the holiday for me.
Sometimes we would go to the movies in the afternoon. We went bowling, played softball, went to the park. We ran around Grandma and Grandpa's like little maniacs. There was always, hugs, kisses, and laughter.
Like most families these days, we don't get together for holidays anymore (except Christmas). We are spread out from California to Texas to Wisconsin....well you get it right? But when we see each other it is like no time has passed at all. A lot of us are friends on facebook LOL.
I just wanted to explain why my cousins are so very special to me. Why you might ask? Lat year when my Mom died, a couple of my cousins told me that they still have the baby blankets that I crocheted for their kids and that they still use them. I was surprised and touched. I decided that I was going to give each of my first cousins a quilt. (Also my Aunts and Uncles on Mom's side of the family). That will be 29 quilts. (Sadly some the cousins have passed away already and a couple I am not in contact with) .Then I will work on the other side of the family, which is MUCH smaller. And of course the closest in law cousins.
The first three quilts left for the cousins last week.

The hubs is not the best quilt holder. ;)



I know the quilts will have good homes. I hoped they will be loved and enjoyed.

Happy stitching.

7 comments:

  1. What a great idea and so very thoughtful. I know they will be loved and enjoyed! I really like the one with the little Sunbonnet Sue on it but they are all so pretty.

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  2. Wow! That is quite a task to take on! 29 cousins just on your Mom's side? Of course, I saw your boxes with lots of quilt tops in them. Is that what you are going to draw from or are you starting new ones. The quilts are gorgeous! I especially like the first one - very striking!

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  3. Three beautiful quilts and three lucky cousins. That is such a great idea. I too have cousins scattered from the east coast to the west (though not quite as many as you!) - maybe there's a project in there for me too! I'm sure your cousins will love them. And my hubby is no better at holding quilts - he's usually grumbling by the time we're done with just one because I keep telling him to hold it straight!

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  4. LOL, you are in the same boat I am in, but instead of cousins, they are brothers and sisters-there are 9 of us. I give my quilts aways as fast as I can make them (not too fast, recently)! Love how yours turned out. Do you know who they are for when you start them or does the name come to you as you work them? It's a little of both with me, but by the time the quilt is finished, I know who it is for.

    Liri

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  5. Wow, Beth, what a lot of loving work is pictured here! My sis and I set out to make a quilt for each of our nieces and nephews upon their high school graduation - sorry to say we only made it to about 4 or 5 of them (we have tons more who have yet to get a quilt). You've made an awesome start. Are they machine-quilted? (If so that's quite an investment right there.) I can't pick a favourite - each one has its own special charm.

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  6. Such beautiful quilts! And what an ambitious undertaking! I think it's a wonderful idea, but a huge task for that many! My cousins and I shared similar times to what you described as children, and those of us left still share that same closeness. A couple of years ago, I planned to make a Christmas table mat or wall hanging for each of them, but fell off the wagon, really before I got started. I still have most of the fabric --- maybe this year??? Oh me, I better get busy! Your cousins are going to love you even more, if that's possible! ---"Love"

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  7. Your quilts are gorgeous! Your cousins will be very happy. I, too, have made quilts for family members.... 20 over the last 5 years; children (some got 2) spouse, parents, siblings, inlaws, nieces/nephews, and 1 cousin so far...I even made one for a 2nd cousin's husband to auction for a fundraiser to help cover medical bills. I still have a few more to make... and maybe giving one to a distant brother will help re-establish connections. Alas, I have yet to finish mine.

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