My OLDER sister will be celebrating her 50th aniversary next july. does anyone have ideas of a quilt pattern to use? I thought about using a wedding picture and current picture, then thought maybe I should do something with her children and grandchildren. saw a quilt somewhere that used hand prints in the quilt.

I have done a search, and found the wedding cake, thought of that for the center block, with maybe pictures of wedding, now and family plus handprints. too much? could add dutch things and Donald Duck as they both have significant collections of those things, they also like to travel and are very active in their church.

I think anything with gold would be perfect. I personally wouldn't want photos on a quilt unless it was a wallhanging. But that's just me.

What if you did something like the game of LIFE. Starting with their wedding, either a picture or a block that represents a part of their lifes, all the way up to present. That way you could incorporate everything.

take a look here - might trigger some ideas:

http://www.google.com/search?client=...H8bo0QGw-JiNDw

I used the American Chain pattern from quilterscache
http://www.quilterscache.com/A/AmericanChainBlock.html

I ironed freezer paper on the center rectangle and mailed it to all invitees with very SPECIFIC instructions on how to sign their name or write a brief note in #2 pencil. I used DMC embroidery floss to hand embroider the sentiments I received. (you found me that summer at the pool with the kids, embroidering away!)

I planned WELL in advance and recieved them ALL back. The finished quilt was hanging behind the cake at the party. My MIL loved it. What was extra special was that 3 of her close friends had passed away after sending me their blocks. She was in tears when she read all the notes. The quilt hangs at the top of her staircase and to date, she has lost many more of her friends/family.

It was not hard to do. Advance planning was key AND I prequilted the borders and attached them similarly to the quilt as you go method.

Also, some of our family had newborns and we had them use fabric paint and copy the footprints onto their rectangles--kids are now in high school! LOL

Good luck..