I may have mentioned in the past how much I adore Gussy. And even more so after I met her at Relevant.
And I just love the way she has connected and promoted the handmade community online. I don’t have a real handmade business or anything, but I do enjoy being creative and crafty, so I was excited to join her newest community-building effort, Inspiration Workshop!
Every Thursday, I’ll be linking up to Gussy’s blog to share things that inspire me! And I need this weekly inspiration, so I cannot wait!
This week’s theme: Handmade!
The first thing that came to my mind when I read the theme was this…
A quilt.
A handmade quilt.
With a really awesome story.
This quilt is not only handmade, it was handmade by my great-great-great grandmother. Her name is stitched in the quilt…
She was born in 1810.
And she made this quilt when she was 81 YEARS OLD.
The quilt is beautiful and inspiring itself, but add to it the fact that she made it by hand when she was 81 and THERE is my inspiration.
I want to be making beautiful things for the rest of my life.
Every day I want to make something beautiful with my hands, whether it’s for my home, my family, my friends or even for me! Food, crochet, memories – they can all be beautiful when made with love.
I don’t know much else about Great-Great-Great Grandma Nancy, but this quilt is an inspiring legacy to leave. It doesn’t get much better than handmade love passed down through the generations.
Thank you to my mom for taking the pictures to use in this post. The quilt is hers right now and will be passed on to me as her oldest daughter next!
I'm Erin, a wife, boy mom x 3, writer, and runner in Nebraska! I'm excited to share all my favorites relating to faith, family, fashion, and fitness in this space! Enjoy! 
You made me cry 🙂 My aunt who just passed away was Nancy. And then the Pioneer Woman was talking about an Uncle Tom the other day and made me cry too (that was her husband…my 2nd Uncle to die in a 10 mo period). Ok…I know this post isn’t about death or grieving, but it just reminded me of what a treasure these acts of love are after we’re gone. You have something so special in your keeping. I love it Erin. I wish I was more crafty with my hands and I’m just not. But create! And then leave your treasures behind for those who love you. It will be a piece of you left behind to hold on to.
Love you 🙂
You, my dear, create beautiful works of art with your words. THAT will be your legacy. Love you too!
Love this post!! I treasure things like this from my family as well. They have passed down a legacy of love and inspiration and faith. What faith!! Thanks for a smile to start my day!
Aw, so glad I could make you smile this morning! Thanks for stopping by!
What an amazing treasure to have in the family, and really inspirational!
I feel blessed that it will come to me next! Thanks for saying hi!
Love this! What a precious thing to have in the family!
Thanks friend!
That is so sweet! There is nothing better than a great quilt and I love that her name is stitched in. What a great piece to pass from generation to generation.
The name part is what gets me too! It has become a living record of history!
reading this gave me chills. thank you for sharing this. definitely something AND someone to be inspired by. i love when you say “I want to be making beautiful things for the rest of my life.” so true!
So cool to be able to share something so old with this technology, isn’t it?! Thanks for coming by!
its beautiful and i love that its been passed down for so long
Thank you Jamie!
Lovely story! Thank you for sharing.
Thank you for saying hi!
Your post brought tears to my eyes! What a wonderful treasure to have and to cherish! I am so glad that my grandmother taught me to bake and crochet before she passed away, so that I, too, can be “making beautiful things” for my family. 🙂
My 7 year old daughter is taking homeschool sewing lessons and is doing so well! It is amazing already what she has made. What struck me about your beautiful post, as well, is that my daughter’s current project is a quilt! It has taken her weeks and weeks of patience, perseverance and skill to cut and sew every square. I will have to post pictures on my blog when she is done. She is very excited about it! 🙂
Thanks again for your lovely post reminding us of what is truly important in life! Have a blessed day!
Oh Lisa! I love that your grandmother taught you those things! And now sharing it with your daughter as well – THAT is beautiful!
I love you. My grandmother made me a quilt shortly before she died of lung cancer (I was 3). I still have the guilt and take it outside with the boys for picnics or wrap up on the couch in the winter to share movies with them. I adore my quilt!
I love you too dear! What a wonderful reminder of your grandmother!
Checking in from the Gussy Sews linky!
That is such a great legacy! I wish that I had something that special from my family. It makes me want to be certain to leave something that can be passed on.
Also, love Seeds Family Worship!
beautiful – LOVE quilts & handmade lovelies. My Mom is Nancy, so she’s a Grandma Nancy to my kids … and she’s a serious seamstress and knitter – we have some sweet keepsakes from her already – she’s such a giver & doesn’t like to be still, so I bet she’ll be making things into her 80s, God willing
that is “SEW” awesome. 1810. awe! it’s in fantastic shape.
What a beautiful legacy, Erin! Someday, whomever you pass the quilt on to {maybe one of your sons or their wives} will have Nancy’s story to share…and a special memory of you, too. Really love this. 🙂