6598 – I Want to Go Home
Michele Bilyeu
Salem Oregon/Douglas Alaska
My favorite quilt this year for Amy's Creative Side Quilt Festival. Made for the Alzheimer's Art Quilt Initiative, it sold for $75 with monies going to Alzheimer's research.
Width: 12" Length: 9"
Materials/Techniques: Original design with free cut and fused cottons, raw edge appliqué, thread painting and beadwork.
Artist Statement: My mother would wake up every morning and go to sleep every night in our Alaskan childhood home that she had lived in for almost 60 years. She would always say the same thing: "I want to go home." When we told her "This is your home!” She would always say "It sure doesn't look like my home! Everything is all crazy and mixed up!" She is still being cared for at home and it is still crazy and mixed up. Once the chaos of Alzheimer's enters your home, nothing is ever the same again.
Dedication: In memory of the 14 members of my family who have already passed with Alzheimer's and related dementias, and in honor of my mother who still does her best...each and every day, in her crazy and mixed up world..
This quilt has Fast Finish Triangles.
This quilt earned $75 for AAQI.
Note from Michele:
This little story quilt depicts my childhood island home in Alaska... with its mountains, birds, valleys, and our lovely Sandy Beach where we actually play in the sand, and find starfish and seashells. When our Taku winds blow, our houses sway, our rooftops can even fly off. It gives others the chance to know what our home feels like inside and out..... without or without any wind.
Alzheimer's disease tears apart the fabric of so many lives and stretches and bends us all to our limits of sanity. Our respite come from contact with nature and the quiet places within that give us deep solace. We learn to bend with the winds of time and change and learn that we are all part of a greater cycle.
I am 'home' with my mother no matter where I am, she is, or where she 'thinks' she is. And it's always so very good to truly be home.
Michele Bilyeu
Salem Oregon/Douglas Alaska
My favorite quilt this year for Amy's Creative Side Quilt Festival. Made for the Alzheimer's Art Quilt Initiative, it sold for $75 with monies going to Alzheimer's research.
Width: 12" Length: 9"
Materials/Techniques: Original design with free cut and fused cottons, raw edge appliqué, thread painting and beadwork.
Artist Statement: My mother would wake up every morning and go to sleep every night in our Alaskan childhood home that she had lived in for almost 60 years. She would always say the same thing: "I want to go home." When we told her "This is your home!” She would always say "It sure doesn't look like my home! Everything is all crazy and mixed up!" She is still being cared for at home and it is still crazy and mixed up. Once the chaos of Alzheimer's enters your home, nothing is ever the same again.
Dedication: In memory of the 14 members of my family who have already passed with Alzheimer's and related dementias, and in honor of my mother who still does her best...each and every day, in her crazy and mixed up world..
This quilt has Fast Finish Triangles.
This quilt earned $75 for AAQI.
Note from Michele:
This little story quilt depicts my childhood island home in Alaska... with its mountains, birds, valleys, and our lovely Sandy Beach where we actually play in the sand, and find starfish and seashells. When our Taku winds blow, our houses sway, our rooftops can even fly off. It gives others the chance to know what our home feels like inside and out..... without or without any wind.
Alzheimer's disease tears apart the fabric of so many lives and stretches and bends us all to our limits of sanity. Our respite come from contact with nature and the quiet places within that give us deep solace. We learn to bend with the winds of time and change and learn that we are all part of a greater cycle.
I am 'home' with my mother no matter where I am, she is, or where she 'thinks' she is. And it's always so very good to truly be home.
Love, love, love. I would definitely have bought it if I saw it! I love your color choices and the fabrics. Love the beading too!
ReplyDeleteFabulous, congratulations:)
ReplyDeleteI've said it before but it bears repeating -- fabulous quilt!
ReplyDeleteThe story breaks my heart but the quilt is fantastic. I love the colors and wonkiness of it.
ReplyDeleteThis is a lovely quilt with a great story.
ReplyDeleteYour quilts are always inspirational in so many ways!
ReplyDeleteFantastic Quilt! Congratulations! You are an inspiration. My heart goes out to you and your loved ones. Thanks for sharing your story.
ReplyDeleteFabulous quilt! You sound like a really wonderful woman. Your mom is quite lucky, and so are you.
ReplyDeletei loved the quilt before I read the story, so whimsical and full of life. The story behind it makes it even better. All the best to you and your family caring for mom!
ReplyDeleteWhat great workmanship, and such a happy design
ReplyDeleteI love your little quilt, and your story touched my heart - thank you.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful way to honor your mother! It's a lovely quilt.
ReplyDeletebeautiful quilt. thanks for sharing the story.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful quilt - I love the bright and happy colors and the wonkiness of the houses. You did an amazing job on this quilt, and the fact that it is an Alzheimer's Art quilt dedicated to those fourteen family members and your Mom makes it all the more special.
ReplyDeleteThis is gorgeous...such talent you have. It comes with a touching story, as well.
ReplyDeleteThanks for inspiring me with your quilt; I am new to this intriguing world!
ReplyDeleteMy nanna passed away with Alzheimer's; it's hard to live with so I take my hat off to you and your mum.
Love the cheerful colors you brought to the disordered world your mother and so many others live in. It is beautiful,
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful quilt and such a poignant story! My auntie and mother in law suffered from mental problems and were tough to deal with most of their lives. families are definitely interesting Thankfully, there are often happy memories too. Your quilt would be fantastic in any size...love those colors and your embellishments. Thanks for sharing and have a great day
ReplyDeleteThat is such a bright and fun quilt.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful quilt and touching story. Who ever won it sure got a bargain.
ReplyDeleteWhat a gorgeous little quilt and a fabulous story to go with it. My mother passed 9 years ago. Her last four years were spent in a fog so deep that by the last six months she could not even speak. I haven't made a quilt for AAQI before but I would like to this year.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful quilt with a great cause.
ReplyDeleteThis is an absolutely wonderful little quilt! The story is very special; thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteThis is a beautiful quilt. I love the colours and the design. Reading your post has shown me how special this quilt is!
ReplyDeleteWhat a touching story. My mother's second husband had the disease and at the funeral I heard touching stories of the man he used to be--one that I never really knew because the disease struck early in their marriage. The story of your home in Alaska is well pictured in that tiny quilt!
ReplyDeleteWhat a unique way to make money for the AAQI. Your quilt is bright and cheerful and whimsical, very well done.
ReplyDeleteIt is beautiful. The words summer and fun spring to mind.
ReplyDeleteYou really captured what those of us with Alzheimer's family members see. It's nice that your quilt looks happy.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing the story behind such a beautiful quilt.
ReplyDeleteI love this quilt and all it represents - bless you for taking care of your mum. Congratulations on raising that amount for research, my prayer is they find a cure and I know I'm not alone in that!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful quilt!!!
ReplyDeleteMichele, this is a lovely quilt that manages to be so colourful and energetic and still convey the distortion of living with Alzheimer's.
ReplyDelete