Coffee Break

Every once in awhile I'll get a picture in my mind of something I want to create and that thought takes over my life. I just can't stop until what I pictured is real and tangible. I never know what's going to send me down a creative path, but when it pushes me, I just have to go on the journey.

This happened to me this past week. I pulled out some quilt squares I'd prepared with embroidery designs to work on while watching a little TV last weekend. I was pleasantly surprised at how quickly I finished the first one and thrilled with the vintage look I'd achieved through my color choice. I quickly started the next block, and as I stitched memories began to envelope me. Memories of Mamo embroidering sets of tea towels with kitties and the Campbell Soup kids. I don't have a single memory of Mamo's kitchen or the kitchen in my childhood home that doesn't have her embroidered tea towels on the counter. I remember her making me a set for a gift at one of my bridal showers many years ago:).

I always loved these towels. The sweet colorful designs made me smile. When I was a really little girl, Mamo would tie one around my waist, stand me up on the stool and let me help her cook or dry dishes. If I fell, ice was wrapped in one and I'd hold it on my bruised head or knee, the softness as soothing as the cold itself. As I stitched my own quilt quilt blocks, I remembered Mamo teaching me to embroider. I could feel her hands guiding mine along as she did long ago. What a wonderful gift she gave me with each stitch she helped me sew.

Well, I spent the week enjoying stitching my coffee themed quilt blocks and with each stitch the picture of what my quilt would look like became more clear. I was so excited to finish them yesterday. Then this afternoon I pieced the other blocks to go with them; happy polka dot star blocks:). What a wonderful way to spend a Sunday afternoon:). I finished my quilt top today and it turned out just as I'd pictured it - vintage and kichty, looking like something Mamo might have made:).