March 13, 2009
ritafar
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I was supposed to write a blog last week – but I was just getting home from the “Sewing & Stitchery EXPO” in Puyallup, Washington – and then my son Elliott and his wife Emily had our FIRST GRANDCHILD – a beautiful baby girl named Lillian Claire.
One of life’s biggest moments, that’s for sure! And the first thing I thought about was the quilt my own mother embroidered for Elliott when he was born. I know exactly where that quilt is and I’m washing it today.
For me – that’s the best thing about sewing. Because nothing says love better than a gift you make for somebody. When I wrote my book, “Dress Your Dream Bed” – it was right after my mother died. I inherited a whole trunk full of linens – including two unopened boxes of beautiful cotton percale top sheets and pillowcases she received as wedding gifts. I remember sitting on the floor, thinking that my Mom was saving these beautiful bed linens for some special occasion…and 50 years later – she died.
That was my “AH HA” moment. I decided to live in the moment – and use my best stuff, every single day. My whole criteria changed. I started to use Aunt Rozella’s silver for any meal both boys came to. Even if we were just eating pizza – that was the new rule.
Making the family beds became an act of love. I bought beautiful cotton sheets and embroidered the hem. Then I would hang them outside – because the smell of line-dried cotton was also a gift from my own mother – and that wonderful smell always snaps me right back to my childhood.
My plan for Lillian Claire is that she’ll have her own bed here at Grandma Rita’s house. I’ll cover her with the quilt my mother embroidered for her father…and I’ll remember the most important thing is to enjoy THIS moment…