Monday, January 4, 2010

The Quilt...

This quilt, has the most wonderful story...A few years back, I was pounding the roads, trying to put together a load, for Heart of Country, in Nashville... I went to a friend of mines shop, in southern Iowa, and asked her if she might have any old crazy quilts... Nope, she said, but she'd keep her eyes peeled! A few weeks later, I ran into her, at a show, and she grabbed my arm, and said she'd found an old crazy quilt, but it was pretty rough, and directed me to an old basket, where she had it with other textiles... as I pulled it out of the basket, another dealer, from the area, gave me a look, and then the quilt, and rolled his eyes, like, you have got to be kidding me... I'll say it's a little rough... and walked on... I fell instantly in LOVE with it... I asked my friend how much, and thanked her for finding it... She was thrilled I loved it, and said 35.00. It was worn, but when you hang it up, it's amazing...teeny tiny little pieces, it almost makes me dizzy, looking at it!...apple greens, and pinks, perfect for the Spring booth backdrop, at Heart!!! I didn't care if it sold, it was a calling card! It would draw people into the booth, I just knew it... it would sing beautifully!!! When I got it home, I started really examining it... It had 2 little flags, a tiny little tea cup, 1900, Mc Kinley, Freddie and Lyle, and just all sorts of wonderful little embellished pieces! I took it down to John's shop, where I was to be loading the Big Truck, in a few days, for the show, and my friend Val, popped in...I had to show her this little treasure! I was pointing out, all of the darling little pieces, but was searching for the tiny flags... We looked and looked, and then I saw something, that I had not seen before...Derby, Iowa... I nearly dropped... My Father, was born and raised, in Derby, Iowa... He was raised by his grandparents, and would slip into another world, when he would tell stories about his wonderful childhood... I would go right there with him... like I was there myself... His Grandmother was his best friend... He loved her so. Dad was born in 1913, and Derby is a tiny town... I'll bet, my Great Grandmother knew this quilter... Probably knew my Dad... Now, If I would have been a purist, like the other dealer, who rolled his eyes, look at what I would have lost... I whisked the New Member of our Family, up to the house, introduced it to my Family, and said, if something should happen to me, do not sell this Quilt... This is a Family Treasure... We have nothing from my Dad's side of the family, or Mom's either.... This Quilt is it... What a Gift... I share this story often, and carry a picture of it on my cell, as a reminder to those who live for perfection...
Be sure and read the next post, it has a wonderful little message...
Barb C.

7 comments:

Amy@TheLemonCottage said...

I love crazy quilts.
I'm in Iowa, too.
Ya know, the first thing that popped out at me was the name McKinley. President McKinley is in my family tree. Grandpa's cousin... so the Prez has family in Iowa... wonder if this was family?
Gosh, could be someone from my Grandpa's family too. I'm going to ask my mom about Derby.
So cool! Great find.
~Amy

elizabeth said...

I know how much you love anything with Derby on it. What a special quilt. AND(as with all your cool stuff) it has a good story!

Julie, The Wife said...

Holy moley how I LOVE stories like that! You know when I started Cottage Kitsch I found out I was preggers with Eva, and when she was 6 months old I found a signature quilt (maybe at one of your sales?) with all of these fabulous names stitched in it, and lo and behold, there was an Eva. Just when I thought NO ONE spelled it with an "E". I love those damn things. Thanks for sharing!

Pam said...

Barb,
I only have 2 words to describe the quilt---"Simply Fabulous"!
Pam
P.S. I haven't forgotten my need to email you about Heart. Would sooooo love for you to be there.
I promise, I'll email soon.

Betty G said...

That quilt is absolutely beautiful as is the story of your Dad's beginnings in Derby. Thank you for the heartwarming story on this cold, cold day! Luv~Betty G

pollyanns said...

What a great treasure that found its way into your loving arms! I'm tickled pink for you!

cconz said...

Barb the quilt is wonderful and with a great story. What a treasure!!!