July 26, 2009

Claude's Beaver

Claude When I participated in the Parade of Quilts a couple of weeks ago, it made me think back to some of my early quilts.  I'd only been quilting for a short time when my grandfather was turning 80 and a big family party was planned.  I saw a beaver quilt in a book by Margaret Rolfe (I believe it was A Quilter's Ark), and I knew I had to make the quilt for my grandpa, who had a long-standing love/hate relationship with a family of beavers on his ranch property.


I had no idea what I was doing quilt-wise back then, but when I finished piecing this top, I thought it needed "something more" and bought a book on Seminole piecing so I could make a pieced border to liven it up.   Pretty creative for a novice!  I also took a machine quilting class so I could finish the quilt myself.


My fabric choices back then make me cringe a little now, but Grandpa loved the quilt.  Sadly, my Grandpa Claude passed away in December 2006, but now his little beaver quilt has a new happy home with my mom.



9 comments:

  1. Lisa, this is a fantastic quilt! I love this and I can only imagine how grandpa must have felt. Gosh, this is a treasure. Is it labeled?

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  2. I've seen this quilt in person! I love the story behind it.

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  3. I think it's a perfect quilt for the story!

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  4. I love how the little beaver chopped down a tree. That's too funny. And of course, I really enjoy quilts with such heart-warming stories. Thanks for sharing.

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  5. It's a wonderful quilt, Lisa! I can imagine the shine in your grandfather's eyes when you presented it to him!
    Cheers!

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  6. I loved your "Grandpa" story Lisa. Thanks for sharing. I made a wallhanging once with the same tree but I don't know where it went. Nancy in WI

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  7. I bet your Grandfather just loved this quilt! Isn't it wonderful the memories our quilts bring back?!

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  8. What great memories this wonderful quilt brings to you. You were an awesome piecer even when you started quilting. I am impressed! Wonderful story, Lisa.

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