Monday 27 February 2012

Quilted Memories

When Noah passed away my beautiful (and very talented!) cousin Toni asked us what we thought about her making a quilt or something similar out of some of Noah's clothes. I loved the idea but Noah didn't really have any clothes that stood out to us as being his favourites.  It's probably because he had so many lovely clothes as it was hard to buy him anything else.

When Aaron passed away I thought straight away that I really wanted Toni to make me a quilt out of some of Aaron's favourite t-shirts.  He LOVED his t-shirts and was like a big teenager with the ones he wore.  He would often spot a new t-shirt in town or online and would go on about how much he wanted it, and always in the end I would just cave in and tell him to go buy it - even though he really didn't need another one, as he had way more clothes than anyone else in the house :)  His t-shirts always had huge prints all over them with all the things he loved - especially music and sports.

Toni was so amazing and came to pick up the t-shirts straight away and went to work on the huge project.   Toni usually likes to handstitch her quilts, but knew it would take a few months before it was finished, and she wanted to get it to me ASAP.  It was so nice to hear that Sarah from Patchworks Plus had offered to quilt it on her longarm machine (does it sound like I know what I'm talking about, as I actually don't! I'm just copying what Toni said on her blog :).  Thank you so much Sarah for your kindness.  I'm amazed every single day as to how generous and kind people have been over the last month.

Yesterday Toni and I caught up and I was so excited as I knew she had finished the quilt and would be bringing it.    It was so much nicer than I ever imagined.

I couldn't wait to get it home to put on the bed. She had made it the perfect size to fit on our king sized bed.



She even did a special surprise for me with the help of Simone, who had very sneakily gotten hold of a copy of Aaron's signature from the girls in the office at his school.  Toni then copied his signature and stiched it onto the quilt. It looked so cool and I recognised it straight away. She was so relieved as she was worried it wouldn't look like his signature.

She also made the boys a special keepsake each out of his t-shirts. They got to choose which one they wanted and what they wanted made.  Harri and Kobe chose a blanket to snuggle under and Jalen chose a cushion. They look so great and the boys love them.

Thank you Tone for such a beautiful and special keepsake. We treasure it so much and it brings back so many memories of what was going on at the time that he got certain t-shirts or just reminds us of all the things he loved so much. We love it, we love him and we love you!

p.s.  you can see some great pics of the quilt with more detail on Toni's blog post here

33 comments:

  1. Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful work! What an amazing keepsake to have. What precious friends you have xxx

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  2. Haha - you do sound like a sewing pro ;)

    SOOOO glad you like it, looks great on your bed!
    xxxxx

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  3. I've been staring at the second last picture (the autograph one) for a few minutes, just remembering how I was at the NBA store (thinking "Aaron would LOVE it here"), picking things and then putting them back, trying to find the perfect gift for Aaron. When I found that tshirt, I had to get it, and when I gave it to him, it was one he'd been wanting for ages, he said. It breaks my heart because there's just no way in the world that the thought would have ever ever EVER crossed my mind that he'd leave us so soon.

    This is an AMAZING quilt and I know you'll treasure it forever. xo

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  4. What a fabulous thing to do. You and the boys can snuggle and envelope yourselves. The signature is just so special. What an amazing gift.

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  5. An absolutely amazing idea...... I love it.
    Treasured memories snuggled beside you
    Every night :). X

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  6. What a special cousin and what an awesome idea ... it came up really well and when you're feeling down or blue or lonely you can snuggle up with your Aaron quilt and it will be like Aaron is still there with you.

    I just LOVE the idea!

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  7. So special and what a beautiful idea xx

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  8. What a beautiful idea and precious keepsake. I love it.

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  9. What a beautiful keepsake.

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  10. Oh it looks awesome Lisa! Perfect! :D The signature was the nicest touch :D

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  11. The quilt is amazing! What treasures she has made.

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  12. Toni is so kind! I hope you feel closer to Aaron wrapped in that lovely quilt. It really is just so perfect. I think I'd find that so comforting.
    Xx
    H

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  13. Lisa this is just so beautiful. Toni is very talented and it the most wonderful gift. Reminds me of when we went to Nauvoo and in one of the houses was a quilt made out of the coats that Joseph and Hyrum Smith wore.

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  14. Lisa,
    I don't know you, but have been reading your blog for the past month. I'm so sorry for the loss of your husband and son. You are an amazing person. Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts and feelings with the world. Such amazing strength!
    I LOVE this quilt!!! What a comforting gift to you and the boys. You have a wonderful friend who is so very thoughtful and caring at this tender time in your lives.
    I continue to pray for you and your boys.

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  15. This quilt is so so so beautiful. Such a special keepsake. Reminds me of the movie Step-mom when the mother makes a quilt for the daughter and a wizard cape for the son before she passes away. They have photos of the children and her all over them. This quilt is just the nicest thing and the person who made it did a wonderful job.

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  16. What a beautiful, beautiful quilt.

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  17. What a great idea and so sweet of her to include some special touches, like the signature.

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  18. This quilt is wonderful, and I can only imagine how comforting it must be to have that on your bed.

    =)

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  19. What a wonderful gift, that you can wrap up in and think of Aaron and feel his warmth.
    She is an amazing cousin to do that for you and get it to you in such a short time.
    I know that you will love it and cherish it.
    I am amazed at how many people you and your family have touched You are so very strong and a wonderful example to your sons.

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  20. Oh Lisa I have no words. I have never seen such an amazing artwork before. What a wonderful work and treasure. And what a wonderful cousin and friend you have got.Now you have your loved one even closer to you.
    I send you lots of love
    Brigitte from Switzerland

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  21. What precious gifts. I especially love the signature <3

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  22. What wonderful gifts to you and your boys. May they keep you warm and surround you with Aaron's love for all of you.

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  23. Aaron would be loving this right now!! I bet he is looking down wishing he was snuggling under that with you (about as close to a Hawks doona cover as you'll get ;)

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  24. What brilliant, beautiful and thoughtful gifts - I love them. You are amazing Toni.

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  25. Awesome and such amazing work! And Aaron's signature on the quilt is soo cool!

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  26. I love this so much. what an incredible idea. I had never thought of something like this but I think I would like to do it with some of my mother's things. What a great way to keep a piece of them with you always!

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  27. What a special, priceless gift. Just WOW.. Tori you are one wonderful person!

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  28. It looks so good (and better in real life). Toni did such an awesome job making them all and Sarahs quilting is great! So glad you have something super special to remind you of all the wonderful things you did together. xxx

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  29. Hi Lisa!
    The quilt turned out wonderful, much better than I had ever thought! Toni did an amazing job and I hope you feel close to your Aaron every time you snuggle it.
    And, what lovely blankets and cushion for your boys. Toni is such a wonderful, creative, generous gal!
    x Sarah

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We are so grateful for everyone's love and support, and appreciate your comments xoxo

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