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Saturday, August 7, 2010

Angels In My Garden After 50 Years

Several weeks ago our extended family of 23 gathered in Stone Mountain, GA to celebrate my parents 60th Wedding Anniversary. This is the quilt I made for their 50th. I called it Angels in my Garden after 50 years. If you look closely, the angels are carrying a bouquet of flowers. It was for a wedding gift after all :).
Here's the back. I took one of the blocks from the front (the blue one on the left), added the flying geese sashing and enlarged it.
I love doing back art. I don't always do it, but this is a special quilt.
Almost every block in this quilt has meaning. The 3 flower pots are for me, my sister and my brother.
The red and blue bird are for my dad and his sister. The 3 flowers right below the birds (sorry they're kind of cut off) are for my mom, her twin sister and her older sister. (Notice the two blue flowers are mirror images of each other - that's for the twins). The carolina lily block represents that they live in High Point, NC.
This is the wedding wreath block, with their date.
My dad has a barn and raises goats - so of course there had to be some goats in the quilt!
My mother is a master gardener and loves flowers and color - so the basket of flowers is for her.

Last, but not least, is the signature block. Using leaves that I sent all over the country to be signed, the big sunflower represents their siblings, their children and my only remaining grandparent. The little flower coming off the branch of the big flower is for the grandchildren. If you click on the flower, right in the center you'll see........ the kitty!!! Can't forget him.
This is the original label I made 10 years ago when I gave them the quilt. I asked my mom to bring the quilt to Atlanta. I just said that maybe the new members of the family would like to see it.

What she didn't know (and the real reason for bringing it) was that I'd made a new label for their 60th. Everyone there signed it except for the 2 youngest great grandchildren LOL!

If we get to do this again in 10 years, I'll have to come up with something new. But for now, Angels in my Garden went back home to NC where it is very loved.

So until next time, make something beautiful.
Karen

20 comments:

Quilter Kathy said...

What a special gift! A marvellous family heirloom!

Carla said...

Karen, this such a lovely gift to your parents. I love all the symbolism and that you added to the back with a new label. How wonderful to be celebrating 60 years together!

QuiltSue said...

That is a wonderful quilt, with the way everything there relates back to your parents. I bet they love it, and how lovely to update it with a new label.

Miriam said...

What a wonderful quilt with so much meaning. A beautiful tribute for your parents and the rest of your family. Huge congratulations on your parent's 60th wedding anniversary!!!!

Carol said...

Karen, what a treasure...an absolutely amazing quilt. I love the new label...what a wonderful idea. Congratulations to your mom and dad!

Anonymous said...

Congrats to your parents and wonderful story behind the quilt.

Terry said...

What an amazing quilt! Love the story behind it all! :0)

Lori said...

What a fantastic family treasure!!!

Kim Brackett said...

That's such a sweet tribute to to parents and their life together. You have such a close and loving family. The quilt is so amazing. I really enjoyed seeing all the hand quilting.

Darlene said...

Your family is obviously a blessing to you but you can bet you're a blessing to them. It's beautiful, Karen. I had tears in my eyes reading about all the symbolism.

Laura said...

What an amazing quilt! I loved reading the story behind each block. I'm sure your parents cherish it and congrats to them on 60 years! Wow!

Laura said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
MamaT said...

How sweet. Your parents have had a lot of years with each other! A good example to us all.

Vivian said...

A beautiful story, and a beautiful quilt. You're tricky (resourceful?) to get it back for the purpose of adding that label. That just adds to the love that quilt represents.
(Thanks for pointing out the kitty -- I would have been wondering.)

Janet said...

That is gorgeous! I loved hearing the story behind the quilt. This is what makes quilting really meaningful, thanks for sharing.

Rose Marie said...

Oh lovely .... that quilt has history and your story behind each block was delightful to read!

em's scrapbag said...

What truly lovely gift. Congrats to your parents 60 years is something!

Abby and Stephanie said...

What a special quilt. I know it's loved and treasured. I do love the quilt back too.

Valentina said...

What a special quilt. Beyond words really...
I am so moved by it!
:)
so nice to catch up with you, Karen!

Karen said...

You put a lot of thought into the making of this quilt. Something for your parents to treasure.