It’s a Moda Bake Shop Day…Ya-hoo…I love having something new out.
It’s a simple design with a repeating block but boy I love this quilt! I think it’s the fabric that makes it sing. It’s Moda’s Rambling Rose by Sandy Gervais.
This quilt has a little story to it. I saw this fabric when it first came out and really wanted to make something with it. On a whim I drew out a design. It was the quilt..only no borders. We had planned to submit it to a magazine, but plans ended up changing…there’s a story to it all so bear with me.
Our daughter Kalissa works at a nursing home. There was a resident at the facility that was a more difficult resident to care for. Kalissa said to me one day that she thought the lady put her call light on just so someone would visit with her. I said, maybe she is….why not make an effort to visit more with her. Well Kalissa did and that was the start of a wonderful new relationship. The lady had an entire photo album of quilts that she had made. They were beautiful including whole cloth quilts that were entirely quilted by hand. Kalissa has said – Mom you have to come visit her and you have to see the quilts. We’ve had two quilts in magazines since the two have become friends. Each time I give Kalissa a courtesy copy of the issue to the lady in the nursing home. The next day Kalissa will come back to care for her and she’ll have picked out her favorite quilts and will discuss them with Kalissa…..
…one day the lady-with tears in her eyes- told Kalissa that she would just love to have a fresh tomato. So Kalissa brought her tomatoes from my garden. The latest thing Kalissa is doing is decorating her room for Christmas…she asked and Kalissa found a small tree at our thrift store to decorate with.
The two have a very close relationship now. The lady has insisted that Kalissa write a “K” on calendar on all the days that Kalissa works. The lady says those are her favorite days. Even on her days off Kalissa often calls the nursing home and talks to her on the phone. I would have never believed that the two could become so close…you might wonder how this story works in with the story of the quilt.
Well while their relationship was building, Kelli and I were working on this quilt. Kelli cut it out. I sewed the center…then I left it sit. Something just seemed wrong with it. I showed it to Kelli and we both agreed..it needed something.
About then Kalissa came home and was upset. She finally got around to asking the lady at the nursing home what happened to her quilts…her family had sold them all. Kalissa couldn’t figure out how the family wouldn’t have let her keep one…the family also sold her entire angel collection. The lady lamented about it to Kalissa. Although Kalissa doesn’t quilt, she knows how much work goes into making a quilt and she also knows what comfort a quilt can bring. She thought the family had almost done a criminal act not to let her keep a few of her very favorite things….to be honest, I agree with Kalissa-it was a crime.
With that…I suddenly knew what to do with the quilt I was working on. I would add borders and see if I could spruce it and give it to the lady at the nursing home where Kalissa works…and that’s what we are doing.
Adding the border made the quilt POP! With the beautiful floral print in the outside border all of the fabric came together…add in some not too bad quilting on my part and now I love the quilt. I love it even more as I know it’s going to bring a smile to the lady in the nursing home.
Kalissa has insisted that Kelli and I go meet this special lady at the nursing home. We are hoping to make that happen this week and when we go, we’re bring her this quilt to keep. The design isn’t fancy but the colors are so pretty. I am hoping it brings a smile to her face!
I took all the left overs from this quilt and made this baby quilt. If you missed it, you might want to check out this link for the free printable pattern.
When I was done, all the remaining scraps were used up! These two quilts make a great pattern set….One big and one baby quilt all made with only two jelly rolls.
What a wonderful thing your family is doing for that lady. You know how much that quilt will be appreciated.
That is the best story ever!
Absolutely beautiful quilt and the ladies with such giving hearts.
What a great story please let us know this Lady.s reaction when she gets the quilt. You guys are amazing.
Shame on that family for selling her quilts, makes me so very sad. The gift your giving her will more then make her day!! What a gift your giving her and I know it will make her so very happy. I’m waiting for the story of how this goes. Thank you for sharing all your stories with us! Have a blessed thanksgiving!
What a wonderful story! You are so generous and your family has learned from your example. Bless you all! I’m sure you are more like family to this woman than her blood relatives. She feels the love all of you freely give her.
People just don’t know how much time, effort, and love go into making quilts. The woman’s family sounds very mean-spirited. What a shame. They should have allowed her to keep a couple of her favorite quilts and angels. People, especially children and other family members, are often the cruelest of all.
I hope you put a label on the quilt with the ladies name on it and a NOT TO BE SOLD on it so the family can’t sell it too. Kalissa, I’m so proud of you for taking the time with her. My Mom is in a nursing home and as you know there are so many who have no or very few visitors except at Christmas. Just breaks my heart to see them so sad.
I love this quilt, and the story that you have told about Kalissa and her friend in the nursing home makes it even more special. I wish all nursing home workers were as compassionate as Kalissa.
I loved your story today! What kindness both of you have shown. May there be more like you in this world.
Lovely quilt and great story. You & your family are the very caring sort which is why you miss taking car of kids – Quilts can bring joy to people and you connect to people so well. Thanks for sharing and making the rest of us realize the joy around us with your Thankfulness of the day.
What a lovely story and your daughter is an angel for visiting and having a special relationship with the nursing home resident. While I think it was cruel to sell the quilts and collection and not let her keep at least one, I wonder if they had to be sold to raise money. Living in a nursing home is very expensive as I know having both my parents living in memory care. I have also seen things disappear from their room, never to be found again. As another side note, if a person has dementia sometimes they say things that aren’t true. Having no knowledge of this woman I have no idea of her situation but wanted to put it out there as a possible explanation. In any case, I love that you and your daughters have this woman in your hearts.
Your kind heart shows especially well in both your advice to your daughter and in the decision to share the quilt. While my Mother was still alive and in an assisted living facility I saw how many people get very little company. Even surrounded by lots of people they are often lonely for some one on one time with someone they can consider a friend.
Love the story. I’m sure the lady will be tickled pink with the quilt. Thanks for sharing with us.
What a great story!! Kalissa sounds like a wonderful caring nurse!! And that quilt…well there won’t be a dry eye in the house…mine included!! This is why we quilt! Take lots of pictures!! :o))
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Jo, you and your husband have raised a wonderful girl. While you may not think the quilt is fancy (I sure do), this little lady will enjoy it immensely. Thanks for sharing with us and this lady:)
This one sure tugs at the heartstrings. Gotta love your girls. :-)
You guys truly have Christmas in your hearts…what a beautiful story…..how could such a sweet lady have a family like that….I wouldn’t sell my mother’s quilts for any sum—-
That little lady will cry when she gets that quilt—
And this is the reason for this season. A grateful heart that acknowledges her blessings by sharing with someone else. May this truly be a very special Thanksgiving for you and your family. May God continues to bestow blessings upon you . Oh, you so so fruitful with your quilting, forgot to add the quilt was really neat. Will check it out at Moda Bake Shop.
Love the story and the quilt. She is sure to love it also. My husband and I are just finishing a quilt for a friend who has leukemia. We did one a couple of months ago for a friend of our ex-daughter-in-law who has a brain tumor. We enjoy making quilts for people we know need a little comfort in their lives. Keep up the great work. From one Iowa girl to another.
It is a beautiful quilt and will make that gal SO HAPPY! I could not imagine living my last days without quilts. So happy she entered your life—folks come across folks for a reason. Thanks for sharing this story, this is what it is all about!
Love the story and how much Kalissa and her friend are getting along together. I love the pattern; where can I get a copy?
What a lovely quilt and what a lovely story to go along with it – the lady will be so happy to receive this I’m sure :)
Such a pretty quilt and a wonderful story. I’m sure Kalissa’s friend in the nursing home will love it.
What a wonderful story and friendship! thank you so much for sharing it with us. I know you’re going to make her thanksgiving just perfect! Now I need to make this quilt with the intention of blessing someone’s life with it!
Jo, I sitting here with tears running down my cheeks I can hardly see to type! God bless you, Kelli, and Kalissa. You are such special people. So glad I found your blog!
The story about the lady and the quilt you are making her brought tears to my eyes. My mother had to spend her last years at a nursing home but, fortunately, my family lives here. She was so grateful for anything anyone did for her. I still have some of the things that she kept in her room that meant a lot to her. Bless you. ( I need to tell my family not to get rid of my quilts until I am gone!!)
What a lovely bunch of women you are. It truly warms my heart to read that good deeds are alive and well in our crazy world.
Do you have a pattern made up for those cute blocks? Inquiring minds want to know!
Quilty huggs,
Jacqueline
It breaks my heart to hear what happened to this woman’s beautiful quilts. I am thankful you have a caring daughter who loves both her job and the people she serves. I am thankful you and Kelli learned to quilt so you both can give back to those who can’t.
Take care,
Emily
That’s a beautiful, heart warming story to go with a beautiful quilt! And yes it is a crime, a tragedy, a crying shame that the family sold all of her quilts and her angels. This poor woman is literally heart broken! Kudos to Kalissa for being her friend and kudos to you and Kelli for making her this special quilt. Please let us know how the visit goes when you give it to her.
This story brought tears to my eyes. My Mom is in a nursing home. She was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s at age 68. six months before my Dad suddenly passed away from cancer at age 68. She went downhill quick after that. She has been in a nursing home since 2008 and we know about the “good ones” and the ones who are just there for a paycheck. God bless your daughter for being one who truly cares. Those precious caregivers mean the world to families like mine. I’m so sorry to read about the family of Kalissa’s friend selling her quilts and things that meant so much to her – heartbreaking! In this week of Thanksgiving, I’d like to give thanks to caregivers like your sweet daughter and you for making this special quilt.
A lovely story, Jo! Funny how things work out when we just take another step to help others. Great job, Kalissa! The lady will love your quilt, it’s great! Can’t wait to hear all about the presentation. Happy Thanksgiving to you and the whole family!
What a heartwarming story. I was a nurse, working in all areas, for 25 years. I loved caring for elderly folk. This dear lady sounds as though she is quite lonely and I imagine that the time your daughter spends with her has improved her quality of life. As a quilter she will be very moved to receive the beautiful quilt you have made. By gifting her the quilt you will be giving her so much joy…you are truly special people xxxx
Beautiful quilt Jo, I’m sure Kalissa’s friend will love it. That block looks familiar, is it the one you designed for the olfa anniversary quilt? Also, do you know when it will be on moda bake shop?
I am sorry to say that families cannot be trusted to truly care for their parents or elderly relatives. Most of the families I have had to deal with would strip their parent bare of everything and run off with the money…sometimes it is very little money too! Thankfully I see enough families who place love above money to balance things out.
Has this pattern been published on Moda Bake Shop? I love it and it would be perfect for the mother of a friend who is in a nursing home.
Love this quilt. Moda Bake shop has not posted the pattern. Do you know when?
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