Memories

It's been on my mind for quite some time to create a memory quilt for my Babci (Grandmother) and if I was on the ball, I would have done it for her 90th birthday celebration last July.  I wasn't but I am now.  I've been collecting pictures from back in the day; when my Daddy was a little boy in Poland and such to pictures from the stylish 60s, 70s and early 80s.  ;)  Current pictures as well.  I would like wedding photos of everybody. Myself, Brother, Cousin, Aunt, Father and Grandparents.  My grandparents don't have a "true" wedding photo.  My Aunt tells me there is a composite photo of them somewhere in my Babci's house.  She needs to find it.

I had intended to make a wall-hanging sized quilt for her but I think we're going into lap/twin sized quilt.  I have 16 blocks done so far.  Since the pictures all range in size and I really didn't want to fight to resize the larger photos, I decided to follow the Sweet Pea pattern by Anka's Treasures.  The pattern works well with the different sized pictures.  The larger ones don't have an inner border around them but the end result will all be the same size.  Depending on the size of the quilt, I may or may not put an outer border around the entire thing.

Want to see a close-up of our memories?

Me (age 2) and my cousin (age 5)

One of my favorites in the upper left.  Me (baby) with my cousin and Grandfather

My Daddy and my Aunt.  Not sue how old he is here.  My brother at that age could be his twin

My brother (age 3)

My brother and SIL on their wedding day in the upper right

My Grandparents

I need more pictures.  There is one picture of my grandparents that I want to put in this quilt but I can't find it.  It's in a frame in her house but she tends to move things around and nobody can find it.  On top of that, nobody knows what picture I'm talking about.  In my mind's eye I see it.  She's wearing a red dress or coat and standing with my grandfather.  Sigh.  I need to find it.  I want it for myself.  I would LIKE to keep the quilt to the 30 blocks in the pattern but I've earmarked 26 pictures of my own (!) so I'm thinking it will be growing.  2 blocks need to be re-done.  I screwed up somewhere and they aren't wide enough.  I am happy with the progress.  

I'm using this product for the photos and it's working really well.  Prints out beautifully on my printer.  I just wish it wasn't so expensive.  Thank goodness for Joann coupons!  I'm buying the 10 pack and I need my 3rd package of 10.  The 25 pack is $50.00 at Joann's.  

My goal is to give her this quilt for Christmas.  I'm waiting for more pictures from various family members.  I put a deadline on my request for earlier this month but due to some very unexpected family issues - I'm giving everybody a break.  It's not like I've asked for pictures at least 3 other times earlier this year (I hope my sarcasm is coming over in that statement).

All other projects have been pushed aside so that I can work on this.  It's been going together quick but it's a process with the photo transfer/printing.  When I purchased the fabric for this gift, I bought 3 yards and I'm thinking I will need more.  I HOPE the shop where I bought it still has it!  Unfortunately, the shop is an hour away from my house and I don't see myself getting out that way in the next few weeks. 

That's what I've been up to.  Hanging out in the past and enjoy the fashions we wore.  LOL!!

Enjoy your day!

Jen :)