The letter below is from my dear friend Linda Pederson who I spend time with when I teach at Aunt Mary's. She has taken my classes and she "gets" story quilts. I think this letter is beautiful and it made me so happy that Linda is a kindred spirit.
I often talk about "being a light in your world" and this certainly is sharing light with people who long to tell their lifetime stories.
She writes-
I just had to write and tell you about the latest impact your story quilt genre has had on my life. I worked on the idea for a quilt about my dad's family in a workshop at Aunt Mary's Quilt Shop -when you stayed with me and I fed you sugar cookies. It tells the story of my dad's family moving from the wheat fields of North Dakota to the forests of Forks, Washington in the late 1920's. At a recent family gathering, I snapped this photo of my dad and his sister and brother holding the quilt, each situated above their quilt character.
Sadly, this October my father had to enter a care facility because of his failing memory. To help ease his adjustment, I brought the quilt to the nursing home and together we talked to several groups of residents about the quilt. With a little prompting, my dad was able to tell the stories behind some of the symbols. Well, what happened next was so heart-warming. Many of the before rather silent and sad-looking residents starting telling stories from their childhoods. Many had memories of their grandmother's and mother's quilting. Consequently, I bring one of my quilts periodically to share so the residents can touch them and remember.
So see what you have generated. I thought you would like to know how your creativity and inspiration has touched others, Mary Lou.
Linda Pederson
-------------------------------------And next....
This darling quilt was made my Martha Mullen who took a workshop from me in Baltimore. WONDERFUL Baltimore. Anyway, this quilt is titled "My Dog is Better Tah Your Dog." Don't all dog lovers feel the same? She wrote and asked what she should enter this in? Should it be traditional, innovative, or wall quilt? What do you think? You helping will give her a good idea of where to put her quilt. I don't enter shows so I haven't as much experience as you all do.
