Before you take a look at the picture let me tell you a story about this quilt. I am calling this a Legacy Three Generation quilt for a reason. You see, DH's grandmother is getting on in age, her left leg was recently removed because of her sugar. She is rather elderly and only the lord knows how many more days she has left. She has had to leave her home for more intensive care and naturally the family is cleaning out her home. In her closet was a series of quilt toppers that were never quilted and she stated that they were to come to us because she knew that they would be finished if they were to come here.

DH has some evil cousins, I suppose a lot of families have those kind of folks in a time like this, but they knew they were there and did not want us to have them, or anything else for that matter. They left this one ugly duckling, to them it was just not the same prettiness and quality of the others. This ugly duckling was the first ever quilt topper that the grand mother pieced together, and I might mention too, it was all done by hand.

The little ugly duckling was the only one that made it to my house and it sat here for a couple of weeks waiting its turn on the quilting frame. I pressed it as best I could, it had many bubbles so to say in it. I loaded it on the frame and made sure that both DH and SS put their quilting mark on it as well. Now, neither of them have ever tried to use my frame so lets say theire stitches just helped compliment the treasure even more.

You see, when I am quilting, the finisehd work rolls onto a rail and you do not really see your prgress, so you never REALLY know what you have until it comes off that frame. Well each person made their mark on this quilt and we started to roll it off the frame after two days of working on it. Something magial happened on that frame. Now it makes me wish we had before pictures, but its too late for that now. But something happened and when that ugly duckling rolled off that frame, it was the most beautiful swan to be seen! After I had it binded I used my embroidery machine and embroidered each persons name who had worked on the quilt and the town we wach live in. Those names are on each corner of the quilt in a light pink, not bright enough to be SEEN from a distance, but nice enough to look and find et another treasure. Here is the end results of our ugly duckling turned swan......... http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v397/mstweety/Me%20Maws%20Quilt/

We might have been given the one no one else wanted, but I assue you, we have the most beautiful one of all.

I can't get it to load. Just takes me to Photobucket home page.
I really want to see!!!!!!!!!!1

Yes, me too, i really want to see it too, it's a wonderful story!

http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v397/mstweety/Me%20Maws%20Quilt/

Give this link a try....

OMG!! IT'S BEAUTIFUL!!

She will be so proud to see this, or at least hear about how beautifully it turned out!

Oh my gosh, my head needs to straighten out lol, i saw the photos an hour ago, and forgot to post back! That is one absolutely awesome quilt. I see exactly what you mean, they may have thought they took the best, but they really left the best for last. What is so awesome, is that you ended up with the very first quilt she ever made, and that you were each able to work on it too, that is sooooo special :)

WOW.. that is a fabulous story and and beautiful quilt!

She is going to be so heart struck when she sees it!

I just love it and yes it is a swan. Beautiful job everyone.

What a beautiful story--you should type it up with the photo and send it in to a quilting magazine. I just love happy endings.

How precious is that..........it is absolutely beautiful! I wish it were someway she could see it finished! You may have only got the one they left but you got the best one out of the bunch........it was her very first!

This is a treasure, an heirloom for sure.

Linda D.

I think it's beautiful and what a story to go with it.
Julie

Is there anyway you could bring it to her and show her the love that finished her first quilt? Oh this is beautiful! I love the story and you are amazing for taking lemons and making the bestest lemonade ever!!!!

Absolutely BEAUTIFUL!!! Isn't amazing, how selfish and petty people can be, and its even worse when they are related (have a few of them myself). Cherish your memeories and HUG often!! Great job.

She will get to see this quilt when SS goes with his grandmother on the 14th. He is supposed to take his flip viedeo and record her reaction to all of this so I am hoping that he does not forget and we will all get to see something great.

That is so awsome!!!!! I am so glad she will be able to see it!

What a neat story. I'm glad you were able to finish the quilt. Grandma will be so pleased.

Wow!!! That is a gorgeous quilt-not an ugly duckling at all. What a wonderful family heirloom.

That is an awsome quilt. It truely did turn into a swan. What a wonderful keepsake.
Sorry to hear the other quilt tops didn't make it to you. My parents went through the same thing when my father's father died. They moved in to care for him because no one else could find the time. When he passed, everyone was cleaning out his things but my parents. When all was said and done, my parents were handed a small box of trinkets.
Family can be so cold and selfish. Sorry you had to experience this.
Christine

The quilt looks like it glows with love.

Sooo awesome

What a treasure you now have. Simply awsome....

It worked great for me. The story was so touching and the quilt amazing and I agree., You definitly got the best one

It is beautiful and when the others see it they will be full of envy!

It's beautiful and you all did a wonderful job on it. You have a true treasure with the quilt and the story that you can pass down along with it.

That is a very beautiful swan. Hope the meanies get to see a picture of it and find out what they missed.

I hope the cousins are quilters and will at least finnish the quilt tops they took- But it is their loss and your lucky gain to have her very first quilt. That is just soo Special! Great Job!

The quilt is beautiful and the story brings tears to my eyes! She will be so happy the quilt found a loving home and will be treated as the treasure it really is. Thanks for sharing.

It is a very beautiful quilt with and touching story as well. It is a treasure for sure, protect it for future generations.

DD

I will be sure and keep you all posted. THe witches that took the other toppers would not even be able to thread a sewing needle so it is doubtfull that they will ever get finished because they are also tight with their money. We suspect I will be asked to do them WITHOUT pay knowing them and I refuse. They will be there on the weekend it will make its visit so I do hope they feel bad for what they have done. The sad part is, if they would have sent them all here, and everyone picked on out I would have finished them all and made sure they were all shared. But some people are just nasty acting and those are the ones who will miss many great opportunities in life. As soon as I get the video in hand I will upload it and post a link!

Your quilt is really something special! I much prefer quilts with a history of some sort, because they mean so much more.

What a lovely heirloom quilt and such a touching story. I hope she gets to see it finished.

Here is the pricess who made the topper. This was two years ago on her 84th birthday. She had never had a birthday party or balloons before so I filled 84 pink and white balloons, had a diabetic cake made, made her a princess shirt and crowned her princess for the day!

OK well apparently my internet it up to it again, I will have to wait till later tonight for it to attach.

The Ugly Duckling has turned into a beautiful swan!!

Lets see if my internet will allow this picture to post this time.

What a lovely lady! I can't wait to hear what she thinks of the quilting!

Was able to bring up the pictures of the quilt and thought it was beautiful. I thought telling the story wa rather nice although I thought it a little sad knowing the vultures were out in force, but as you say they appear in all families

wonderful. i love scrap quilts. what a darling swan.

cindy

I'll bet the cousins didn't realize it was the 1st one, therefore the most valuable to you! You did a great job in finishing it.