Junk Love with Nita Beshear and a Giveaway!

Today, I’m having my first ever guest blogger. Nita Beshear. Nita is a quilter and author. Her book, DEVOTED TO QUILTING, is an inspirational collection of quilt stories. 

NITA:  Thank you for having me Stacy.

SEWButterfly:  It's my pleasure!  After reading your book, Junk Love Wednesday is the perfect day to introduce you to my blog friends!

NITA:  Since Stacy often blogs about junking, today’s post will be about junking and quilts.

Now, I know most quilt lovers don’t think of quilts as junk. Unfortunately many others do. People will sell or give away grandma’s quilts because no one in the family sews or makes quilts. Others will discard quilts because they don’t go with the décor.

I ache for these people who don’t understand the treasure they have in their hands, although I am ecstatic for the lucky quilt lovers who acquire these special, valuable quilts. True, they may not be valuable money-wise, but they are steeped in history, sentiment and stories.

It’s important to share a quilt’s story, whatever part of it we know. Sharing the story will make the quilt more valuable and meaningful as it travels through hands and time.

Quilt stories change over time, just as the stories of our lives change. This is why it’s important to pass the story on with the quilt whenever possible.

For a quilt you made the story is simple.  However, when we acquire a quilt we don't always, or even often receive the story.  That's ok, we can add our part of the story to the quilt.

Finding a part of the story is as simple.  First, fill-in any facts you may have then simply answer a few questions:  How did a quilt come to be in your possession?  What are your feelings about the quilt?  What was the occasion of you receiving the quilt?

 

There you have it, one part of your quilt’s story.

The story for the quilts you make yourself is even easier. After all, you made the quilt, you know its story.

A quilt’s story doesn’t have to be written down, it can be passed on orally, much of our early history was passed down orally. However, taking the time to write the story increases the chances the next owner will know the whole story of the quilt.

 

Not all quilts are made for eternity. When quilts are used they will begin to wear out and eventually have to be discarded. The stories though can continue. Today we can take pictures to go with the stories, so those quilts that are well used and loved to pieces will still live on in their story.

When you go junking remember to look for homeless quilts, and help them finish their story.

I hope you will share some of the stories of your quilts, with your family, friends, and with me. My editor has asked for a second book and I’m currently collecting stories to include in it.

Thanks to Stacy for having me and to you, her readers for visiting. You can visit my blog, Devoted to Quilting, to read about my visit here in Florida and at SEW Butterfly.

SEWButterfly:  In addition to visiting with us today, Nita’s introducing us to appliqué artist Darcy Ashton by giving away two of Darcy’s appliqué books, BUTTERFLY DANCE, and BUNNIES AND MORE, a forty-five dollar value.

Be sure to visit the other blogs she will be visiting this week, as well as Nita’s blog, http://www.devotedtoquilting.wordpress.com. Don’t forget to leave a comment at each stop for your chance at the appliqué books. Here is the blog list:

S.E.W.Butterfly http://sewbutterfly.blogspot.com/

Susan’s Quilts - http://susansquilts.blogspot.com/

Dilly Dally Days- http://dilly-dallydays.blogspot.com/

Why Knot Kwilt?- http://why-knot-kwilt.blogspot.com/

Tall House Quilts - http://tallhousequilts.blogspot.com/

I hope you enjoyed meeting my friend, Nita!

And, as always...Peace and Junk Love!