Monday, August 25, 2008

What a Pair!

Before we fill you in on the scrumptious creations pictured above, we want to remind you about The Great New Pop'rs Giveaway. Remember--You. Can't. Win. If. You. Don't. Enter!


As some of our long-term readers know, my SIL, Aunt Julie (also known as The Pop'r Queen), is a quilter. She started a lovely tradition three years ago, when our oldest, College Girl, graduated from high school. Auntie J. quilted a Beautiful Blue Keepsake, formally known as Those Fabulous Blues. The next year, when her son, College Boy, headed out the door, his Mom presented him with a Texas Hold 'Em Quilt.

Well, The Wild One has been waiting patiently, and her patience paid off during our beach VAY-kay, when Aunt Julie gifted her with another Off-to-College Masterpiece. The photo above, snapped by Photographer Extraordinaire Aunt Julie, of course, shows both girls at the beach house, exhibiting Auntie J.'s extraordinary handiwork. The Wild One's quilt is the same pattern as her sister's, only in accents of pink.

"I loved seeing the two quilts together," Julie says. "I wonder how many hours of work they represent! I do know that each of them is made of 1,384 two-inch triangles."

Even though she sometimes calls these projects "The Quilts from Hell" because of various techinical difficulties, Julie also recognizes these would have been even more difficult to turn out in her great-grandmother's generation. "Thank goodness for today’s modern cutting and piecing methods," Julie says, "not to mention sewing machines. I cannot even imagine how quilts were made 100 or more years ago! And those women made several, too! They had no books with patterns and directions, or fancy, well-equipped fabric stores, either. Wow!"

Both my girls don't know what they'd do without their Aunt Julie, either. Here's sending all our thanks and love her way! She's a pretty amazing gal, isn't she?

PS: Just got word that the Blog Around the World crew is visiting The Great State of Wisconsin tomorrow! Stay tuned--we've got a lot in store for you, and a Guest Blogger, too!

78 comments:

Caution/Lisa said...

Okay, I love Aunt Julie now. What wonderful gifts! And how clever the photographer is, too!

Melisa S. said...

Those quilts are beautiful!!

Lynda said...

The quilts are GORGEOUS! What a wonderful aunt!

Breanne said...

How beautiful they are - great picture.

Rhonda said...

I love that photo!!! Great job on the quilts too!

Caroline said...

Those quilts are so pretty. My grandmother used to quilt and made my sister, brother, and me quilts when we were younger. They weren't as technically difficult as Aunt J's, but special nonetheless.

Marla said...

this is an awesome photo...

must not be blank said...

Wow--sounds like Aunt Julie can do most anything she sets her mind to--I wish I was as talented as that!

Beautiful quilts, btw!

Lula! said...

I heart quilts in a major way. Especially homemade ones...it's a dying art form.

Dawn said...

Those quilts are wonderful! Lucky girls!

Rhea said...

Those are truly beautiful! Exquisite quilts! Love em! What wonderful work Aunt Julie has done.

Rela Pantaleon said...

Wow, those quilts are a labor of love!

In the next generation, these kids will be able to hand down Auntie Julie's masterpieces to their children (assuming, it is still in 1 piece)

Gina said...

Hey, I've seen you at my mom's "house". Thanks for stopping by and making my day!

Frizzy said...

What beautiful quilts and wonderful gifts/mementos. I learned to quilt last year and have made 2 items. A quilt for my toddler and a table runner. That's where my quilting career ends. I am in awe of people who make such beautiful pieces and can find time and energy to make more. Thanks for sharing and I'm looking forward to more from WI.

Scott said...

Those quilts are beautiful! My mom's a quilter and that is allot of work!

I love the photo....that's awesome!

Ritch in Love said...

i heart quilts!

StitchinByTheLake said...

These quilts are stunning - beautiful colors for two beautiful girls. And so many small triangles - Julie is so right that our generation is blessed with new methods and new tools but it is still a very time consuming task which is only done when you love someone very, very much. blessings, marlene

Corey~living and loving said...

ooooo so pretty! Lucky girls. :)

oh my and yes....those that sewed back in the day....oh my heavens...talent and patience.

WheresMyAngels said...

How sweet is that. Everyone gets quilts made for them but me. My mom, sister, son , inlaws. Everyone but me, oh and my girls. I'm jealous!

Cheryl said...

Those are so pretty! Lots of work. Stop in and say Hi,
Cheryl

Kimmie said...

Amazing picture and those quilts are stunning! Makes me want to learn how to quilt... after I finish learning how to knit that is...

Elisabeth said...

The quilts are beautiful. I don't have the patience for such complicated things! I really love the picture too- what I neat way to capture them both.

Casey's trio said...

What an awesome talent and a gift that your girls will enjoy for the rest of their lives!

Mandy said...

Those are gorgeous! Ok...let's pretend I am your daughter and I am going off to college. Where's my quilt? he he he

Unknown said...

what a lovely family tradition! Aunt Julie sure is talented.
Stop by my blog and enter the drawings this week!

Kristen said...

Those quilts are beautiful! Handmade pieces from family members really are such special gifts. It is obvious that they are filled with love and kindness. I'm sure your daughters will treasure them!

Creative Junkie said...

those are beautiful! I never learned how to quilt but my husband's aunt loves to quilt and has made a quilt for each child in the family. They're such wonderful gifts!

Natalia said...

How absolutely wonderful. Those are the types of gifts that last a lifetime...and beyond.

Sisterly Love Card Co said...

I love quilts and want to learn how to make one!! Love the picture

Nessa said...

How beautiful!

Lorie said...

Those a beautiful! What a great tradition! And what a talent! The picture is great too.

Shanda said...

What a great picture! Those are some beautiful quilts...

Unknown said...

Oh my GOSH those are GORGEOUS!!! I'm jealous of the girl's having them and I'm jealous of her being able to make them!!!

What A Card said...

Wow, what a wonderful gift! They're luck to have an aunt like that ;)

Tara Bennett said...

Your quilts are impressive indeed!

Kelly Deneen Raymond said...

Wow! Those are beautiful quilts! What amazing gifts. :)

mrsmouthy said...

The quilts are truly beautiful!

Vicki said...

What detail! That truly is a labor of love, and I can't even imagine how many hours went into that. I don't know that I'll ever pick up quilting (even though I love sewing and knitting) because of the time and labor required...and the preciseness...I don't like having to be so precise :)

Melissa Lester said...

What special gifts! That truly is a labor of love!

Mandy said...

I know they will treasure those for a very long time. They are beautiful!

Brooke said...

What a great Aunt! My grandma made on for me and my sis when we got married and now is doing one for my brother (who is not getting married yet). I don't dare use it though! I think I will just put it on display on a quilt rack or something.....great heirloom!

Anonymous said...

Beautiful quilts! I know what she means about the "quilts from hell". I haven't worked on mine in a long time.

Enjoy your SITS day!

Crazy Momma said...

Beautiful! My mother is a quilter and she would be proud of those creations! She made the beautiful quilts that adorn all the beds in the home. I'll have to post pictures....

Rhea said...

Aunt Julie is an AWESOME quilter!

THE Stephanie said...

How sweet! Homemade quilts are the best!

S Club Mama said...

I ADORE these quilts. I really wish I knew how to quilt. I wish my MIL could stand me enough to teach me...or vice versa.

Dana said...

Those quilts are gorgeous. What a lovely gift idea....so sweet and from the heart.

Anonymous said...

Awesome quilts. She's very talented. Happy SITS day!

Leiann said...

Beautiful quilts!! That's a really neat tradition! My mom likes to quilts as does my Grandmother. We used to get a quilt every Christmas (before the family grew). And I love and treasure every quilt I have!

♥ Becky ♥ said...

Those quilts are amazing!!!! I love the pink one!!

Once again, congrats on your featured day at SITS!! :-)

Jacie said...

What beautiful quilts. I've loved quilts since I was a baby. I had a great aunt who quilted the old fashioned way (no modern day equipment)and was featured in Southern Living magazine in the 1980's. When I was a small child, I was lucky enough to be given one of her quilts before she died, and I cherish it. There is just something special about getting a handmade quilt.

Jenni said...

I agree that the quilts are amazing. . .and a heck of a lot of work. I like sewing, but I don't have the patience to quilt.

The Boss Lady said...

Those are amazing. The hours spent on those...it just boggles me.

Anonymous said...

I love this story - it reminds me of my grandmother who made two quilts for me - one when I was about 10 years old and the other when I became a mom. I really miss her :)

katylinvw said...

aunt julie rocks! quilts are the best gifts bc they're instant heirlooms! :)

April Kennedy said...

not only do I love the quilts, i love the backdrop for the photo...both are beautiful!

Michelle said...

Can I borrow Aunt Julie? :)

Sarah said...

Wow! I love quilts, and the photos of them is amazing!

{amy k.} said...

That photo is awesome- looks like it should be in a magazine or framed on your wall! :) Beautiful quilts!

Live.Love.Eat said...

You certainly have a talented family!!! Congrats again on being featured today.

Tiffany said...

What a wonderful tradition!

Melodie said...

My aunt makes quilts, too. She has made some beautiful ones for me and my girls.

Lisa@BlessedwithGrace said...

Love the picture. Such a clever way to display the quilts. They are beautiful. This was a such a nice post, to honor your SIL.

Ash said...

What awesome gifts! I was also bequeathed a quilt when I left for college - a present from my parents who were over 1,000 miles away. I can't tell you how comforting it was, during those inevitable bouts of homesickness, to just wrap myself in it and get lost in a dream of home.

It now proudly resides on my marriage bed. After 20 years, the poor thing could use a little mending, but couldn't we all!

Em

Suzi said...

The quilts are so beautiful. I love that picture, too. Such a unique way of photographing them. :)

Tabitha Blue said...

Oh so beautiful. I cannot sew or make quilts.. nothing even close. I do wish I had an Aunt Julie!

wendy said...

Aunt Julie is quite talented. I love quilts and have vowed to make one of my own one day.......Hers are beautiful!

Happy SITS day!

Unknown said...

What beautiful work, I love the quilts- and your kids have something special made for them so that they are always enveloped in love.
Fabulous.

Anonymous said...

So beautiful! It would have been so nice to have one of those cozy beauties when I was in college. It's really nice that your girls get to experience college life together.

Alison said...

I can't think of a nicer gift--now they have family heirlooms to pass down to future generations.

Amy said...

Love the quilts, they are awesome :D

Michelle said...

Wow, those are gorgeous! What a great idea. I won't even ask if she can make me one ;)

Unknown said...

Beautiful quilts.

I've been having a go at quilting. Your Aunt's work is an inspiration...

jori-o said...

What great keepsakes for your girls!

Staci said...

awesome, i love quilts, i have about a bajillion, my gma is good at that too!!!

Pinktulip said...

What a wonderful gift and family tradition! I truly admire anyone that has the patience and creativeness to make such a work of art!

Le said...

I soooo love the american quilt thing - we don't really have an equivilent tradition here - maybe the old glory box concept - but no not the same really ...

You can just feel and see the love and connection that goes with these heirlooms - beautiful - le

Bebe said...

Those quilts are truly lovely and I can appreciate how much time and talent it takes to do one. They are beautiful heirlooms!
Bebe :)