My close friend Lena died far too young, only 53, and mourning her I went through my scraps and began to sew a lot of empty rooms, feeling the emptiness she left behind. But after a while I realized how mad she would have been - she disliked empty rooms very much - and so I turned it into a memory quilt instead, filling the rooms with memories of Lena, my mother but also with other things important to me. I looked fo vivid colors and was inspired by a Kaffe Fasset book (a present to cheer me up from a friend who has a gallery but also is a lawyer, Ann at Aspö Karlskrona) and suddenly I had a happy quilt full of memories. It is now my bedspread and I think of my lovely friends and family every day when I make my bed. And I think of Lena Nevander who inspired me since I was very young, and then I try to fill my day with things that really count. She wrote some very good books on that subject.

Thanks for sharing. I am traveling to Texas next week to say goodbye to my dear friend, Martha, who is closer than a little sis could be. She is dying of cancer. This will be the last time I see her in this life. What a treasure yo have created for your friend and all the memories.

1 comment

by lerman 08 Jan 2010

Dear twee, one of the hardest but most important things Ive done was just that, visit Lena the last time to say goodbye and thank her for all the good things she has brougth to my life. You will treasure that visit. love Peggy

Thank you for sharing the story nd this wonderful quilt. It will always be very special

your love showa...beautiful and with heart in it....

Thank you so much for sharing your quilt & your heart with us.

I am Awed! How wonderful!

What a lovely keepsake.

WOW what a beautiful quilt and a wonderful story. *

WOW what a beautiful quilt and a wonderful story. *

What a story! Congratulations on turning all those empty rooms into good memories. I know how much work that was, and not just sewing the quilt. You overcame a great grief, and turned it into something good. I will try to take a lesson from this, thank you! Hugs, Marji

Beautiful quilt!!! Great memories for you!!

What a lovely quilt and thank you for sharing its story with us, as they all have one, don't they?;)

A great quilt and remembrance for you.

fantastic quilt, i like windows blocks *****

Dear Linda, Looking at this quilt touches my heart and your words carry your feelings to me as I gaze. It is amazing how the simple geomentric design of each square does invoke an empty room but then the objects you have included fills them, with joy that you alone can explain. A very lovely quilt with a wonderful purpose. My warmest wishes for a happy, healthy and exciting New Year, I look forward to hearing from you in 2010! Sincerely, Bev

1 comment

by lerman 06 Jan 2010

Dear Bev, thank you so much! We'll certainly have more contact in the future. ALl the best / Peggy

What a lovely quilt. Thank you for sharing.
*4u

1 comment

by lerman 06 Jan 2010

Thank you so much all of you, I hope you'll make yourself a day with things that count! Me, I think I'll start on a new quilt for Lenas second granddaughter... I got some real nice designs joining Cute so I really feel inspired. And it's snowing, so in door activites are preferred.....

Lovely quilt

What a wondereful story, and a wonderful quilt! Love from Dianne x x x

Thanks so much for sharing this with us. You did a fantastic quilt, *4u

Very nice work, and a "good Memory" quilt.

This is such a beautiful way to hold close the memories of a dear friend and family. It seems to have given you a purpose to heal. This was a sad but lovely story and it is nice to see such a wonderful smile on your face now. I am sure your Mom and Lena would want you to mourn and then move on to some cherished memories. The quilt is beautiful and now full of your wonderful memories! Thanks so much for posting this story and your beautiful work and a BIG Welcome to Cute. May you enjoy your stay here as much as I have! This is a group that is more like family although most of us have never met! Keep up the wonderful work! Linda

Peggy, what a great story - thank you for sharing it with us - your work is lovely.

I like you bedspread very much what a wonderful story Thank you for shering .

This is a new concept for me & I love it. what a wonderful memory u have of Lena. this quilt is a beautiful testimony to that fact. *

What a lovely story this quilt tells, going from mourning to celebrating the memories. Thank you for sharing with us.