Grandmothers

I posted this as a comment on Pat Wys' blog, Silver Thimble Talk. She asked readers to "tell me about your grandmother or grandfather or someone who had a profound influence on your life." 
This is what I said:

Both of my grandmothers influenced me greatly. 
My paternal grandmother, Granny Black, had a stroke when I was young (I am thinking I was around 10 years old.) The stroke left her paralyzed on her right side. She taught me to bake so that I could help her with Christmas baking. Once you can follow a recipe to make a cake, you can learn to cook anything! Before she had the stroke, she was a quilter. I do remember playing under the quilt frame on the front porch. 


My maternal grandmother was also a quilter. She continued to make quilts until she was no longer able. She influenced me by showing me that perfection in a quilt is not necessary for it to be loved and used. 


I wish I could talk to each of them again and tell them how they made my life better by their lessons.

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Let me add to that. My maternal grandmother's quilts were not fancy. Sometimes they were planned, but if she ran out of a fabric, she would use whatever else she had to finish it.  Thus I have a sky blue and orange running brick quilt with one piece of a printed cream on one edge.  She also quilted by hand with embroidery floss in a large, sometimes crooked, running stitch.  I cherish these imperfect beauties. 

Here is one that "lives" on the back of my sofa.

 There are memories sewn into this lap quilt. Most of the fabric came from old clothes and such that she cut up to use "just to keep my hands busy." (and don't I know that feeling!) 
Check out the green curtains from Mom's kitchen that ended up in the mix. I don't know what the white lace came from, but I am sure it was another garment , it was not part of those curtains.

Sadly no quilts from my paternal grandmother lasted past my childhood.