barnbum, i know what you mean about missing your mom and grandma. i lost my mom 5 yrs ago and had not started quilting at that time. i never make a quilt that i don't wish i could show mom and grandma what i'm doing. i know they would be tickled to see me take up their craft.
i often joke that i waited until the women quilters in my family, of which there were many, were gone before i got the quilting bug. so i had to pay good money for lessons :oops: none of them had the modern conveniences that we have. i.e. rotary cutters, computer aided machines, internet support. i don't think i would have the patience to make quilts the old fashioned way. no templates for me :evil:
i think they are looking down and enjoying seeing what we are up to.