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Saturday, November 14, 2015

Rockin' and Stitchin'







































I probably should be bothered by a common "grandma stereotype" - but I'm not. After all, that blissful rocking chair occupancy, the lap loaded with quilting-in-process, the milling about of multiple cats - really does describe what happens at this contented grandma's house. But there's another, more sentimental reason why I'm not offended. A warm childhood memory of mine is the picture of my own beloved maternal grandmother, rocking away, (knitting, not quilting), with her little dog, Tuffy, safely tucked alongside, like a snugly wrapped lap burrito. This welcoming oasis was a place of perpetual sunshine and warmth for me; I'd sit and babble about any old thing that crossed my mind - laughing, narrating, unburdening with abandon - because grandma absorbed every single word I said. She'd smile and nod and shift her ball of yarn and urge me to continue. At grandma's, I could never say or do anything wrong; in fact, I am certain that if anyone had dared make that suggestion, they'd be dismissed with a scowl so penetrating they'd flee the scene for fear of losing their soul.

Grandma has been knitting away, listening, and loving me from heaven for quite a few years. It's my turn now - to rock and stitch and collect cats - and do anything else I want in between. My favorite among those choices, of course, is hosting a place where grandchildren come for their own turn as the most important super star in the world - the place where a word like "naughty" doesn't exist - but descriptions like "precocious" and "ingenious" thrive, along with, "Isn't that just the most clever thing anyone has ever heard anywhere?" Those words rock away with contentment in the sun, under the warming quilt of a grandmother whose offspring, for yet another generation, are incapable of ever doing any wrong!




Yes, I did the make the wall hanging pictured above. Several years ago. It's a Lynette Jensen "Thimbleberries" pattern. I love her work. I bring this one out every autumn. Sometimes it hangs on the wall, other times it covers the kitchen table. There's a risk in doing that, though. Then it becomes more of a resting place for spare sets of paws, rather than one for place settings for people!



Oh my goodness! Look at that scrumptious pair of little fluff-muffins! I just wanna gobble 'em both right up!




24 comments:

  1. Hello, your quilt is gorgeous and what a sweet kitty. It is nice to have a turn at rocking away. HAPPY weekend to you!

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  2. Love the happy grandma post - it is my main effort in life - to be a refuge for my grandsons. They have friends, they have parents, they have cousins - but I'm their grandma and I take it very seriously - with lots of winks and laughs and fun tucked in there too. Love your quilt. My grandsons all say that their Grammy quilts are their favorites.

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  3. This is a beautiful wall hanging...perfect piecing and stitching and I like your little vignette with the fence and pumpkins as well as your fur baby. I had to laugh picturing them all milling about because it is the same here....while Lily stays in her own spot, Jugsy must be at my feet at all times and the cat is always jumping on the table looking for thread or spare bits of fabric to play with.

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  4. Only a grandma could write a post like this....enjoyed it.

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  5. Your description of your grandmother as well as life as a grandma yourself warmed my heart on this chilly winter-like day. I felt like I was there watching your grandma. So sweet.

    And your wall hanging—are kitty with the fluff muffins—are gorgeous!

    Have a blessed day of happy grandma-ing!

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  6. Enjoyed your post. It was nice reading about warm, happy memories. The quilt is lovely also!

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  7. Your post was so inspiring to me. I too remember my grandparents and rocking. In fact I just post my granddad's rocker on FB the other day. I have a lot of hobbies but quilting is not one of them. I envy anyone who does. I have a couple small ones but no biggies. Blessings to you J for your uplifting post.

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  8. You're so right when you say grand children can do no wrong when in the company of their grand mothers. It was the case for me, and it's certainly the case for my children. Lovely memories!

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  9. My dear friend, what a sweet and precious post! Indeed, very inspiring :) It's so good to pop in for a visit! Enjoy your week. Love and hugs!

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  10. Loved reading your post. Stirred some sentimental moments for me too.

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  11. That is such a beautiful quilt. I truly appreciate the work you had to put into it.

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  12. This really hits home as it is exactly what I try and do with Amara -- just listen! She can talk and she must make her parents crazy at times so it seems a Grandma's job to just sit and listen to her babble on about what book she is currently reading or what new video gaming she is playing wither her friends and how this version is different from the last version and on and on and on -- and I smile and nod and beg her to tell me more. I really think listening becomes even more important as they get older!

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  13. I am so impressed with your quilt! It's gorgeous. You've done a beautiful job. And, I'm sure that you're just as wonderful to your grandkids as your grandmother was to you.

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  14. I love this quilt and the colors - beautiful. And, of course, grandchildren are wonderful, smart, creative, beautiful and handsome and your crew exhibits all those qualities. :-) Grandmothers are so open to hearing all of the day's activities and the ups and down of a young person's life without judgment. Match made in heaven for grandkids. :-)

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  15. Love love loved this post! I want to be like that someday!

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  16. What beautiful colors. I would love to learn to quilt and should start with a wall hanging or small dollie quilt. It's something you can enjoy for a lifetime! Hugs!

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  17. I would never be talented enough to do quilting. These are beautiful. Love that beautiful little kitty.

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  18. I love being a grandmother as well. Your quilt is gorgeous and those little fluffmuffin paws are so darn cute! Thanks for sharing with SYC.
    hugs,
    Jann

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  19. A gorgeous quilt! And so sweet with the fur friend's fluff-muffins :) Wishing you a happy day!

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  20. Love your beautiful quilt.
    I think you are a loving grandma.

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  21. How lovely to visit you and read your heartwarming post on grandmas. Life for each one of us filled with happy memories of each one of us spending special times with our grandmas. I can see in my mind's eye you sitting, rocking and enjoying a little stitching whilst one of your grand children bask in your adoration of them. Your quilt is lovely; the hues and patterns are so pretty.

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  22. Beautifully done quilt!! I would be worried to put it on my table. I never knew my grandma's they both had passed away before I was born, but I have a daughter that I hope will bless me with a grandbaby soon

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  23. Thank you for sharing this sweet post with Roses of Inspiration. Seeing those cute white paws again brought a smile to my face. I hope you're able to join the party again this coming Tuesday. Hugs and blessings!

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  24. Oh how lovely! And what a cute kitty cat! And your quilt is gorgeous. I have several friends locally who are quilters so I have a quilting Pinterest board I'm pinning this too. Delightful! :)

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