Squirrel quilt and other news

I promised you the squirrel quilt...

Mom's great grandmother Crego made it. 

It appears to be a summer bedspread because it is just one layer. Mom isn't sure if that was the intention or if perhaps it was just never made into a proper quilt. It is beautiful in any case and barely used at all.

 

Each of these quilts in my mother's possession are such treasures! It is so wonderful to be able to share them here with other's who appreciate the incredible time and effort put into making them. 

 

Etsy was once again an easy place for me to get some new supplies, this time baker's twine in 4 colors from nicabee. 

 

I made a skirt for Lilly from the curtain fabric I picked up awhile ago. She has only worn it once so far, under another dress. She is really into the layered look these days... and it wouldn't have photographed well.

I have also been sewing up a storm and there are a few new dolls in the shop today and more on the way soon. I just loved carrying my babies around in a sling, mei tai, or wrap. Ever since I began making dolls a few months ago I have been wanting to make some baby carrying mamas. For these I have cut into some of my US fabric purchases of Amy Butler, Kaffe Fassett and Martha Negly fabrics. The slings are sewn into the mamas (ouch!) and the babies are nestled in quite snugly, but they can also be taken out and played with!

I hope that your weekend was really good! I am looking forward to another week of lovely Norwegian summer and mom is coming to visit us in 2 weeks!

Comments

[inge Bekaert]

Hello,

i'm still visiting all the other teaparties, but I come back for a closer look...
I carried my youngest daughter for two years in an South-American wrap.( she's 15 now...). I wish I knew how to use a wrap when my two elder sons were born... because I would never carry a baby in another way again ! Maybe when I have grandchildren one day...
I love the dolls with the babies.. so I'll come back.

greetings
Inge from belgium

[méri]

:)

(in this post i've learned a word i was looking for long ago - twine, baker's twine - i use it to embroider some round bags and i didn't know how to express it in English! Thanks)

[Tina]

Thank you for sharing the squirrel quilt and the lovely dolls you make. I just love the mamas with their babies!

[Melanie]

The quilt reminds me of that Aesop's Fable about the fox and the grapes. It is so lovely.

[Julie]

Awww I just love those mama dolls, so adorable.... Beautiful quilt too, your mother's great grandmother was obviously a very talented lady, what a wonderful heirloom!

[Tonje]

Those baby carrying mamas are just the cutest!

[Oiyi]

I love the dolls with the baby. Lovely.

[AscenderRisesAbove]

stopping by via fanciful twist. beautiful work. wonderful photos... that one with the girl chasing the bike. adorable

[asnipofgoodness]

I love love love the mommas and babies dolls.....so cute, and what a great idea!!! that quilt is such a wonderful treasure!!! It needs to be enjoyed, and yet I am sure that is a bit scary with all that sentiment tied into it!! Great post, thanks for sharing!

[jeanette hegaard]

So sweet with the babies - one day, when you have made some in other colours, I have to buy one :)

[nathalie]

just stopping by to say HELLO! i know i have been lost in the midst of classes and more classes. but i shall resurface soon.

[Stacy A]

Emily, what an unbelievable quilt! From a distance it all looks painted on, but no! It is all applique! So much work went into it. And such an interesting interpretation of a squirrel. With no computers or printers or clip art etc., they really had to use their mind and imaginations to make these creations. Very special indeed!

Oh Emily, you did it again! Look at those baby mammas. I love the colors and especially the different faces that give a whole new perspective to each doll. Your work just looks flawless and so unique. They are going on my Christmas list! And seeing that skirt you made makes me want a little one. (shhh, don't tell hubby, or he won't let me come back LOL) It is darling. I hope your weekend went well. Those photos of your town are so beautiful, especially on a clear day. Love Stacy

[Jannelle]

The quilt is divine, what a wonderful idea with your wee dolls, the babies are gorgeous!

[Anja]

The quilt is beautiful. Love the colours.

And mama dolls - so lovely!!!

[Jean C.]

Emily, really great quilt! What a treasure your family has with all the quilts! Is this one as you said just one layer of fabric? Is it a quilt top that hasn't been finished into a quilt yet? We have had a few of those in our family.
Your dolls once again are cute. I can see kids enjoying them.
Hope that your enjoying holiday with your son!

[frazzy dazzles]

Your mothers and their little ones are just so beautiful. Their faces are so lovely! Jen

[Joanna]

I have been playing around with the idea of a mother and baby doll but thats a lot better than anything I have done!

[Caroline Inckle]

I love the quilt!
Fabulous bold colours and shapes, it's really lovely.
CX

[Rebekah]

what an awesome family heirloom! I love looking at the intricacies of the piecing and stitching!

[Jenni]

mum & bub & babysling gorgeous.

[Jennifer]

What an amazing quilt! You have such a rich history of talented women in your family. The dolls are so sweet by the way.

[Sarah]

The squirrel quilt is fab! The dolls carrying their babies are such a lovely idea - if I have another child I want to use a sling like that!

[amandajean]

the squirrel quilt is so beautiful and in such great shape. what a treasure.

your baby toting mamas are precious! i love them.

[Mel Goodsell]

oh my goodness, your dolls are so so beautiful...they are the sweetest little things I've ever seen.
Thanks for stopping by my blog - I'm so glad you did because your blog is really gorgeous!
Melx

[elvis robertson]

your baby carrying mums are delicious - well done xx

[Cele]

Wow The squirrel quilt is Stuning. The contrast of the red and white are beautiful.

[Dawn]

I love these. These dolls are everywhere these days and I like this new "twist" with the babies.

[jude]

beautiful quilt! so simply exquisite. and love that bakers twine!

[Petchy]

Oh my goodness, those Babywearing dolls are SO cute!!!

[Andrea K. Brown-Ybarra]

I was looking up Squirrel stuff for my daughter and stumbled upon your site. I am also a very avid quilter and a graphic designer. So, you quilt holds double interest.
I agree with the blogger who said this may be an unfinished quilt top that never made it to the quilting frame. In the past, it was often the practice to place the "nice" finished quilts or the nicer, unfinished, pieced quilt tops, over the beds when company was expected, to cover old comforters or blankets as a quick fix to shabby decor. This was a common practice with my own family's quilts. Often the only room in the house with such a nice quilt on it was the "official" guest room, of which the drapes were always closed to eliminate light fading. Please consider protecting your quilt from further fading and check websites for proper storage of linens and quilts/quilt tops.
The workmanship is lovely. It's too bad the original maker didn't get it quilted by her own hand. It would have improved it's value overall.
Are you sure that is a squirrel and not a peacock? What makes me ask is the "arm"/"wing" positioning. Most squirrels in Toll painting or other folk art renditions are usually hold a nut or arms are in front of the body "reaching" when feeding on food/plants, etc. The "tail" could be the relaxed and not courting position of the peacock's tail when "grazing/feeding". Plus, the plant has berries and flowers and is vining-usually indicating a low plant to the ground which many birds feed on. As a peacock is not common on quilts, it still has great artistic significance. Artistic impression aside, as to which animal you believe it to be, the only way to be sure is to have a professional appraiser determine the date and provenance of the quilt top's history.
As you have affectionately already named the quilt "the squirrel quilt" it will probably have no other family reference or internet reference. Please enjoy your treasure and bless you for sharing it with the rest of us total strangers. Please consider archiving it with a quilt museum where many more will come to treasure as you have.

[coach purses]

When the door of happiness closes, another opens, but often times we look so long at the closed door that we don't see the one which has been opened for us.