CQJP September Submission

Another block completed.  My block completed in September is inspired by the July birthstone which is Ruby.  Red is my mother's favorite color, so of course her block had to be red!  She and my dad, who passed away in 2008, are pictured in the upper left corner.  My dad grew up on the family farm which was left to him.  His parents, my grandparents are in the wedding photo on the right.  My grandfather died when I was just 4 years old.  I remember him a little and that he teased me a lot.  His brother lived across the street from their house and I was never sure which one was my grandfather because they were both there quite often.  Below that is a photo of my dad and his siblings.  His two sisters are still living, but his brother died when he was just 12 years old.  I can't imagine what that must have been like for the family.  Below my parents' wedding photo is a picture of them with my brother and I. 

Since I used a smaller key and a locket on this block, I wanted to fill the space with a bit larger dragonfly "couple".  I created these using bugle beads and seed beads.

Some of you may recall past blocks where I talked about my grandmother who did such beautiful cross-stitch embroidery.  I added some cross-stitching in the lower right hand corner of this block in honor of her amazing talent.

I created the ribbon flowers with various types and sizes of ribbon.  You can find a tutorial on my blog HERE.  I used pre-made leaves with the ribbon roses, separating them and creating a vine with stem stitch embroidery.

We used to go visit my grandmother a lot, especially on Sundays after church.  The table would be set with her beautiful cross-stitched table cloths and she and my aunts and mom would be wearing her gorgeous cross-stitched aprons.  Grandma and grandpa were both of German descent and spoke German at times, especially with their friends.  Grandma would have card parties upstairs with her many German lady friends, the German men would be in the basement playing their own cards and smoking cigars. 

I'm sure your families each had their traditions that you remember fondly.  With our kids and grandkids all being so busy anymore it is difficult to carry on the old traditions, but I try to remember that we are making memories for our granddaughters and do my best to take the time to leave them with wonderful memories.