Grandma Great Hough

This is Josh's grandma. (and grandpa) She lives in Oregon and we don't get to see her very often. She is an amazing woman, and we love it when we do get to spend time with her. Kylee is her 1st Great Grandchild, and Kobi is her 2nd. When Kobi was born 6 1/2 years ago, it wasn't long after that she told me she wanted to make quilts for the girls.

I thought that would be a great idea, I didn't think much about it. Some time had passed and she told me the kind she wanted to make. Excellent. I got online and looked at the pattern and thought they were really cute. It reminded me of a version I had growing up. (I had Holly Hobby, and she wanted Sun Bonnet Sue.)

I was excited, but still not expecting much. I remember her telling me that she had been picking out fabrics, and ordering 1930 fabric reprints. I was able to pick out some of the prints I liked one year when we were up there, early on in this process. She even sent me some of the swatches when we moved into our house almost 4 years ago so that I could paint the girls room accordingly.

Well, a lot of time went on. A few months after Kruz was born, Josh and I took Kruz and we flew to Oregon. She had one of the quilts all pieced together. Oh, the DETAIL. The unbelievable amount of time it was taking to make these quilts just perfect. I often wondered if I really would ever even get them. THEY WERE BEAUTIFUL and I really wanted them, but it was gonna take time.

She began sewing one of them with the sewing machine. SHE DIDN'T LIKE HOW IT LOOKED. She took the stitching out and redid it by hand. She told me that she would do them both BY HAND and that it would obviously take more time.

I said ok and knew, everyone knew, they were mine. Regardless of how long it was going to take, these quilts were going to be mine someday.

She came to Arizona for a visit a couple of years ago and brought one to "try on" the bed. AMAZING. It was gorgeous, but still not finished. Her poor fingers, her poor eyes. I CAN'T even being to imagine the Many Many HOURS it took for these to be complete the way she wanted them.

I wasn't in a hurry to get them. I was actually a little bit scared to get them. What a TREASURE for my girls to have a "Hand Sewn Quilt" from their Grandma-Great. They wouldn't even know the value of them. They won't appreciate the importance of them.

Lots of years went by, I knew she was getting closer. I was patient, I NEVER asked about them. I didn't want there to be ANY pressure for her to get them done. Even though I KNEW she was determined to finish them.


Well, the day came. Josh woke me early one morning before he left for work. (He never does that) He said "Shanen, they're coming." "What's coming?" "The Quilts. Grandma sent an email, they are in the mail, they will be here Wednesday."

I couldn't believe it. I had to read it for myself. Here is what the December 20th email read:

HI...

The Christmas pkg is on the way..shipped out UPS on Friday.. will arrive Wed in the afternoon. We insured it for $1000.00 so I am sure they will take care of it. There is a gift for Kruz in between the quilts.

Have a wonderful Christmas!!! We love you. (send pictures)

Grandma

What only a $1000.??? was freaking out. Wednesday could not come fast enough. Josh emailed her back telling her how excited we were. She replied with this email.

Yes, the quilts are coming at long last!! My eyes will never be the same or my fingers but it is worth it!!....AMAZING.

I tell you what, It wasn't until 8:20pm that I was able to send her an email that a UPS man stood at my door and personally handed me a large box. Incredible. What should I do? Open them NOW, or wait. I was home alone.

I want to record the email I received back from her. She wrote:

"Your kind remarks touch my heart. I loved working on them and felt close to the girls while doing it. The best part for me is knowing you will see they are not abused. Hand stitches are not the same as machine quilting but I am a purist and do not like that method. Karen took pictures and will send them for their memory books. The blocks are a combination of modern fabrics and 1930 reprints which gives them variety.

The UPS people promised me they would be delivered on the 23rd in the late afternoon. I'll bet you were getting concerned! Me too.. I almost booked a flight to bring them if you can believe that.

The quilts are in white plastic bags. (the paper tore) so they could be re wrapped. You could remove them and let them relax before the girls open them.

If you ever store them they should be put into pillow cases so they can breathe..also they should not be washed in a washer with an agitator.....She said a few more thing...like the rest of her grandkids better have boys, and to have a wonderful Christmas."


I can't express how beautiful these quilts are. They are amazing. The amount of time that went into them, well you just can't put a price on it. I will be FOREVER grateful to have possession of these beautiful quilts. Thank you Grandma...........and Karen for all of your love and hard work.


Each Sun Bonnet Sue is different. Not one "square" is the same on both quilts combined. THeir bonnets have such detail and each corner square has something extra.