Friday, December 30, 2011

Quilted Picture Pillows!

After seeing my photo pillow, Pam asked if I could make some pillows as Christmas gifts for her son, daughter, and mother. I was delighted to have this special and challenging project.

Her daughter's pillow:

I suggested if she had any of Kayla's (her daughter) dresses maybe we could make a pillow out of her dress. Pam thought this was a fabulous idea and gave me the dress below. I was able to use the fabric to make this adorable pillow!





These would make great flower girl gifts! Using her dress or remnants and a wedding photo, we can make a pillow she can display in her room. What girl doesn't want to be reminded what it's like to dress as a princess and to be a part of something as special and romantic as a wedding? And perhaps one day she can give it to her little girl.

Her son's pillow:

Pam's son, Brandon, had a baby boy who died just after birth. Since then he has had a beautiful little girl. I was honored when Pam asked if I would make a pillow for her son using a picture of his daughter and a baseball baby outfit she had kept for years meant for his son. It was definitely the most difficult project I've attempted to do. For a while I was too emotional to even start. I only had one shot at this and I certainly didn't want to mess it up! It was important that I get it right and I really had to think it through before cutting into this precious garment. The result was quite unique and provided a gift that her son told me he "would cherish forever." It was very rewarding knowing I could create (through God's plan) something to help heal, provide closure, or even to feel connected to a loved one we've lost.


Her mother's pillow:

I had enough lace from Kayla's pillows to create two pillows for the Great-Grandmother to match her living room. I did have to fudge a little on Leanna's (the blond) on the inner lace, but still I think from the pictures you can see that they were a big hit!



Friday, December 9, 2011

Perrymen Pillow

I couldn't help pulling this adorable photo for a pillow. I loved the colors and had fabric to match. These pillows make great gifts! about $40 a piece

Perryman Heirloom Photo Quilt

The Perrymen quilt was created as a Christmas gift for Amber's mother in-law. The colors were chosen by Amber to match the recepient's living room colors - brown and raspberry. The quilt contains 30 photos from the family. It features meandering stitching. The photo framing doesn't have stitching in order to accomodate a smaller budget. A similar quilt would run $600.




Uncle Harry's Patriotic Photo Quilt

To honor my husband's uncle, we decided to make a photo quilt. His daughter snuck the pictures out for us to scan and print while her parents were out of town. I used 20+ photos and a variety of patriotic fabrics. We presented it to him at a family party in August. He had a great emotional, surprised reaction and was wonderful!




If I created another quilt like this, I would probably avoid such busy fabric colors and loud prints in order to enhance and show off the pictures themselves more.