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Thursday, April 3, 2014

 

Today is my day for this blog hop!  I LOVE doing them- getting inspired by the other participants, discovering great how to tips on working with and/or trying new techniques, and showing off what my brain came up with!  (Try not to laugh so hard Frankie and ERnie- you know how difficult a time WHN has!)  

As usual, I had lots of ideas, but could not figure out how to make them work! (Yes, the story of my creative life)  HOWEVER, this month marks the second anniversary of the death of my very first dachshund, Ginger, who left me suddenly in 2012 while I was sewing- she slipped away in her sleep keeping me company.  Blogville residents will remember that the first two weeks were a blur- the pain was overwhelming and I simply had trouble getting up each day- I swear that I could feel Ginger and hear her tags at night. I can still feel her and I still speak to her daily, even just to say hello.  Some people will find my behavior strange- I know that I myself would have, before Ginger entered our lives in March 2008.  Having not been blessed with two legged children of our own, Ginger and her canine companions are the blessings that God did bestow upon us, and I am forever grateful for that.

Now, I was starting a small cottage industry at the time, making small quilts utilizing pet photos and creating fabric appliques of the pet, for lap quilts, placemats, pillows and now Christmas stockings.  I have always intended to make such a quilt of Ginger, Thai and Anna Rose, but have never been able to bring myself to do so- I have, however purchased the fabric needed for each of their memento quilts, just cannot bring myself to start for some reason.

Anyhoo-  last year I started using printer fabric, which enables me to print out photos on fabric and then sewing them onto stockings and other such items. I printed out a photo of Ginger on half of a sheet of fabric, in order not to let it go to waste (the other half was used for a stocking for a pug).  I used a photo of Ginger dressed up as an angel from her first Halloween, which is my favorite photo of her. (I actually misplaced the photo in my lair, and it turned up last week, after a frantic search ad lots of prayers to St Anthony! )  A happy incident, as I had finally admitted defeat on my most recent flag design!

Since we had lost three of our babies in 2012, I decided to finally make something by which I  I can remember them - using leftover turquoise fabric to represent the sky, I used a rainbow fabric for a paw print, to represent the Rainbow Bridge that our beloved pets cross when they die. The paw print by itself was lonely on the vast expanse of turquoise cloud, and that is when I found my Ginger!  My very own angel now has her own flag and I will be hanging it in my sewing room so that I can see here whenever I look up from my machines.  

Please check out what my fellow participants today have created- the links to their blogs follow immediately the photos I have posted .







 





















April 3rd
DachsiesWithMoxie
Just Keep Swimming
The House on the Side of the Hill
Texas Quilting Gal
Madame Samm
Pigtales and Quilts 

49 comments:

Judy B said...

Your flag is a wonderful tribute to Ginger. Our pets may come and go, but they will always be in our hearts. Thank you for sharing.

Anita said...

A great flag; love the paw print!
Good to remember...

Melody said...

Really beautiful flag and lovely to connect with someone who loves their dogs just like I love mine. Animal lovers are the best.

Little Miss Titch said...

love the quilt,xx Rachel

Sparky said...

a lovely tribute....certainly a reminder of how doting and precious our pets are to those fortunate enough to open their hearts to their devotion

Thearica said...

Your flag is precious. And your behavior is not strange at all. My hubby lost a saint bernard over 20 years ago and he still cries about it.

Please add my link to my blog to your schedule please. I was moved to today. Thanks so much.

StitchinByTheLake said...

What a treasure this is going to be in your sewing room! blessings, marlene

Shari said...

What a sweet flag! You will, I'm sure, have wonderful warm, fuzzy feelings each time you look at it!

Elizabeth Coughlin said...

Your flag is a lovely remembrance of your beloved Ginger.

Quilt Doodle Designs said...

Love your flag with Ginger, so nicely done!

CeLynn said...

Such a wondrful way to remember your beloved Ginger.

Shelley said...

Aw, you should have warned Kleenex Alert at the beginning..it is so sad when we lose our pet but she lives on in your heart and now on your flag :)

Millie and Walter said...

A beautiful tribute to your beautiful angel Ginger.

Angels Amber and Max DaWeenie and Mom said...

Absolutely beautiful.

Rhonda said...

Precious memories and precious flag.
Take care!!

In stitches and seams said...

what a nice way to remember a loved one and to keep them close..... our pets are family and have a place in our hearts. And i see your heart is full with yours.
thanks for sharing
in stitches

Frankie Furter and Ernie said...

Ginger's Memory Flag is Marvelous. We love it.

Leanne Parsons said...

What a sweet reminder of Ginger. Beautifully made.

Vickie said...

Your flag is a beautiful tribute to your little precious one.

Jane's Quilting said...

What a great flag to remember your Ginger. I listed how you used rainbow fabric for the paw for it brightened it up.

Daryl @ Patchouli Moon Studio said...

Agnes what a sweet flag of your dog and a wonderful loving memory.

Brandy said...

What a sweet remembrance of a loved one. Thank you for sharing it with us!
~Brandy

Carol Swift said...

My pets are so much a part of my life and I know how hard it is to lose them. Your flag is a beautiful tribute to your sweet baby. I love the angel costume!

Scrapatches said...

This is a beautiful tribute to Ginger. Thank you for sharing ... {{{hugs}}} ... Pat

Calicojoan said...

Awe, what a beautiful flag with a beautiful story. Love your tribute quilt idea! A must for anyone who loved and lost their special pal!

ShirleyC said...

I love your flag, and I know how your heart hurts for your sweet angel.
We lost our Pom we'd had for 16 years in 2010, and I still see her following me and sleeping in my closet. She would sleep in the bottom corner of my closet so I had to leave the doors open. I caught myself leaving those doors open for a very long time just out of habit.

Britt-Inger said...

Your flag is wonderful with a memory of your lovely Ginger

Linda said...

What a wonderful way to honor the memory of your beloved Ginger! I hope it brings healing each time you see it!

Purl Buttons said...

What a lovely way to remember Ginger. She looks like such a sweetie. I like the idea of the rainbow bridge and how you worked it into the pawprint.

Carla said...

Great tribute flag. Love the paw print, too.

The Ladies of Beaglebratz Manor said...

Shiloh here - oh there iz my sweet Angel Ginger - such a great flag fur such a sweet little gurl.
My mom wishez she wuz az crafty az u.

By the way, we all herd'boutz the stormz around St. Louis - hope all iz ok with the DWM. Shure hope the arch iz ok - so much fun tue due my fly0thruz around it in my sopwith camel - can't wait tue due it agin! PLEEZ tell Miss Tasha I miss my sweetie.
Shiloh

Susie said...

I love your flag and what a wonderful memory of a treasured fur baby. Thanks for the memory and sharing. Susie x

MoeWest said...

This flag is a wonderful memorial to Ginger! Rainbow fabric for the paw print is a great idea.

Createology said...

This is a lovely tribute to your Ginger and she will greet you everyday. Thank you sew very much for Hopping and Flag Flying...

stellaroselong said...

Oh Gingers flag is the most beautiful...just beautiful....stella rose

Farm Gate Creations Incorporating Hummingbird Quilting said...

Such a beautiful way to remember a loved one....your flag is gorgeous.

Kristen King said...

Great job on your memory flag!!! :)

Soma @ inkTorrents.com said...

Such a beautiful flag!

-Soma xx

Heidi [Banks of Frog Creek] said...

Meaningful and beautiful! Well done :)

Marcy said...

How creative to make such a loving tribute. Thanks for sharing your story.

LJ said...

What a lovely tribute to Ginger. I do think God works magic in our lives and Ginger was your magic.

Anonymous said...

Agnes-I understand your feelings. We have three rescue kitties, but have lost two in the past. A friend had to put down her little shih tzu last year and I made her a memorial quilt/wall hanging with pictures of her sweet Nina. Now she has a new sweetheart, Lulu, but the memorial wall hanging is a daily reminder of one who meant so much. I printed pictures she has posted on Facebook and she was really touched. You have to stop and relish every minute when they sit on your lap or by your side because you know time passes quickly. Thanks for sharing.

Anonymous said...

Agnes-I understand your feelings. We have three rescue kitties, but have lost two in the past. A friend had to put down her little shih tzu last year and I made her a memorial quilt/wall hanging with pictures of her sweet Nina. Now she has a new sweetheart, Lulu, but the memorial wall hanging is a daily reminder of one who meant so much. I printed pictures she has posted on Facebook and she was really touched. You have to stop and relish every minute when they sit on your lap or by your side because you know time passes quickly. Thanks for sharing.

Mary Pat Callihan said...

Recreating animals in a small space, my hat is off to you! That is a very special skill.

Michelle said...

Lovely memory flag to remember your little angel.

Gmama Jane said...

I am a pet lover and have buried a few wonderful pets of my own over the years. I can understand your grief. I think your flag is a great way to honor her.
Blessings
Gmama Jane

♥Mona + Prissy + Angel Weenie♥ said...

Mommy starting crying when she saw Ginger's flag. It is beautiful.

♥♥♥Prissy and a special {{[hug}}} for my Chip.

♥Mona + Prissy + Angel Weenie♥ said...

Mommy starting crying when she saw Ginger's flag. It is beautiful.

♥♥♥Prissy and a special {{[hug}}} for my Chip.

Taffy said...

Agnes, you have such a wonderful talent. That is a beautiful flag. I look at the one you made of Twix every single day...and yes, I talk to her too. I, like you, miss my girl every day and I also went through a time when I thought I could hear her.

Hugs to you!
Teresa