Sunday, February 10, 2013

My Mom's idle hands...

This title is a bit of a misnomer. Farm/Ranch women never really have idle hands. One of my strongest memories of Mom is her sitting in the living room on the night shift of calf watch. She would crochet baby blankets and then check the heifers every hour.  She could turn out the most beautiful blanket in only a few days. 
 She is known for her baby blankets.  They are made of soft flannel and she crochets the most intricate edges.  I regret not paying better attention when she tried to teach me. 
 I did pay attention when she taught me how to make quilts.  This is one of her quilts.  It is made from used jeans (something that is plentiful on a ranch) and the brands are all family brands. 
Those are some examples of what Mom did with her 'idle' hands.  Mom was able to create something useful and beautiful with her 'down' time.  I admire her talent and many a baby was kept warm and safe wrapped in her creations.








We haven't found Nemo here, but we are getting some pretty strong winds and snow.  I hope everyone is warm and safe.

14 comments:

  1. I hear your storm is called Orca--a little more of a ferocious name than Nemo:-D The baby blankets are precious and what a legacy of her handiwork! Stay warm and cozy in your lovely cabin, XOXO

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  2. Your mum certainly passed on some good skills, sewing patchwork quilts is such a rewarding craft. You create a treasure, something useful and beautiful. Love that she used all the old jeans. I save old clothes, and put them in my patchworks.
    Hope you are keeping warm and cosy.

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  3. Oh Bonnie your Mom certainly did beautiful work I can imagine the faces of all who were lucky enough to receive such beautiful gifts, no idle hands for sure. They are amazing.
    I am pretty sure you have your Mom's hands. Hug B

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  4. What great baby quilts! I wish I could do that crochet edge, but I don't have very good luck with it. Love the jeans quilt too. I've made one for each of my kids and there are STILL loads of jeans in my stash.

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  5. Belos trabalhos...Espectacular....
    Cumprimentos

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  6. Your mother was very talented. I love the ranch blanket in the blue tones. I remember too, how many things my mother would make. It seems that nothing went to waste that could have been put to use as a potholder or quilt. Thank you for sharing your mothers crafts.

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  7. Your mother's work is just beautiful. What precious keepsakes. Love the quilt, too.

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  8. Love it! As someone who is gearing up for her first baby, there is nothing better than a hand made baby blanket. And the things farm women did and accomplished are amazing!

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  9. I am so lucky to say that I have some of those beautiful baby blankets!

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  10. beautiful hand work bonnie!! creations, that will be loved and handed down from generation to generation!!

    i like your busy bird feeder!!

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  11. The jeans quilt made by your mum's so-called idle hands is a great piece of artistry. The baby blankets are beautiful too. Sleeping under those wraps, I'm sure those were contented babies with sweet dreams.

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  12. hi bonnie! love your quilt! love it! my mother made heavy, HEAVY winter quilts from scrap materials, hand-tying them. we needed them in the cold winters of wisconsin.

    thank you so much for stopping by and leaving a comment! blessings to you!

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  13. Beautiful work and I love the bird feeder in your last photo! Cheers, Jenni

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