favorite nephew expecting first baby
 

my *favorite nephew* (I can say that because he's the only one- every one else in the family has girls:D) is expecting his first child- so had to make a couple baby quilts- one from me- (his favorite aunt *yup only aunt*) their theme is baby animals-not cartoony- so I made this cute quilt...the second quilt with the stained glass critters is going to be such a huge surprise for him! about 10 years ago while I was working on a stained glass dragonfly quilt he kept coming in the sewing room- hanging out- watching- I kept telling him he could do this if he wanted- (he was about 20 at the time) then one day he came up with these critter coloring book pages- he created each of these blocks- had a little bit of stitching left on one---life happened, he moved to Florida, more life happened- I moved too...but I kept those blocks of his stuffed in a bag (he had put them together with puffy batting & a backing when he stitched the black 'leading') years go by- I still had them in the closet.. last year he moved back home- with a wife- now they are expecting their first...and I dug that bag of critters out of the closet. I finished stitching the last block, cut them each out close to the edges & appliqued them onto this dyed flannel (also from his hanging out days-playing with dyes- this was one of his 'drip cloths') then I added new batting & a backing & quilted it. the critters are really puffy & soft- since they have the puffy batting he had originally added plus the new batting I used on the whole thing. I can't wait to see his face when he opens this one! I bet he totally forgot about them & figures they've been lost for years. :cool:

Both quilts are great! The second one will be a family heirloom for sure!! What a neat idea.

Both quilts are going to be loved, but the history behind the 2nd quilt...that's just fantastic! What a nifty aunt you are! Hope all goes well and that many happy days are ahead for everyone.

wow awesome,very artistic

Both are great, but the 2nd one will have such special meaning for him and his family!! Wonderful job!

Beautiful quilts. Your story gave me 'goosebumps'. I'd love to see his face when he realises.

Wonderful quilts and a wonderful story. He is going to be thrilled.

What a wonderful story can't wait to see what he thinks! darling quilts too!

Awww, so sweet. I bet he will treasure these.

What a great aunt you are and the surprise quilt is such a wonderful gift for both he and the baby ! So nice of you to
do a conventional one to fit the decor better.

Really great job!

Cute!! They will be loved for sure!

Oh you have got to tell us his reaction please!

Love love the story behind the blocks and wow it turned out great..It will be treasured forever. Great job on both the quilts

That is so wonderful, wish I could see his face!!!!

Misty eyed here. He has a lot of talent and so do you. Together you have created a winner.

Great quilts, you did a terrific job. Definitely love the second one. He will really be surprised. Thanks for posting.

Those are two super special quilts - especially the second one - he was a talented kid!

very nice quilts!!!

What a touching story! Your favorite nephew is going to be delighted that his work is in his child's quilt. You will always be his favorite aunt.

That is a very beautiful quilt.

Great story, wonderful quilts!

Wonderful gifts beautifully done.

WOW!!! a man expecting a baby...that's a new one :) :) :) No seriously, you've made 2 beautiful quilts and I can just imagine his face on seeing the 2nd one and I'm sure him and his wife and little sweety, who is on it's way, will just love them!!! Especially if they come from such a loving aunt!!! Thanks for sharing!!!

Oh my, they are just adorable. Wish you could post a picture of your nephew when he sees such a special quilt. I know why you are the "favorite" Aunt. Bless you for making such a wonderful heirloom for him and thanks for sharing with us!!

Memories quilted together make the fabric of our lives better...Great job on both sides. My first quilt was a hexagon, hand quilted, with pieces of fabric I had saved from years and memories past. Each piece a memory of it's own...

what a good aunt to have saved his works all those years. and now it has a story attached!

They're both gorgeous and brings tears to my eyes! I'm sure he'll be so moved!

No wonder you are a favorite aunt. It sounds like you made a lot of memories together. He will be sooooo touched that you kept these all this while, giving them back at a very special time in his new life. You truly are great and both quilts will be treasured. Thanks for sharing

Wonderful quilts.

WOW these are so pretty,good job

What a wonderful surprise for him! That is so nice. They turned out beautiful. He will certainly have a nice story to tell his child someday.

Both quilts are great! The second has such a neat story-and finish- to it! Way to go Auntie!

He will be so surprised with your second quilt - what a treasure!!

Such treasures. Bet the cartoon critters is everybody's favorite

What is left to say but WOW. Love both of the quilts but like all have said the second one is SO SPECIAL. The blocks are beautiful and the talent he showed at that age is amazing. Your talent combined with his has made something that will be in his family for ages. I love the story you told it brought tears to my eyes as I have recently lost one of my nephews and it goes to show that the little things in life we do together really do mean something.Thanks so much for sharing your journey and please if you can take a picture of his reactionto the quil. I know that we all would like to see his surprise when he opens the package. BrendaK

Great story and great quilts.

Great quilts and love the history behind the second one.

I like them both, what a great suprise for your nephew! It's great you could finish the critters.