Hubba Hubba Quilts

11/28/2014

My supervisor at work mentioned one day that her sister had a Memory Quilt and More business.

The first thing that really grabbed my attention was the name. Hubba Hubba I thought to myself is an absolute term of endearment. Any one from my generation would think of that phrase when we saw someone of the opposite sex that we thought were attractive. So, I had to explore what this company was all about.

When I went online to research hubba hubba quilts I was blown away by the absolute explosion of vivid colors and patterns. What a treat it was for my eyes to see fine needle work that I could only imagine I would ever be able to do. First of all I am a complete novice at sewing quilts. I have done 2 quilts in my entire life and the first one was a patch work quilt and it was not balanced or even in anyway. It was for my daughter-in-law's bridal shower in 2001. Not even a full quilt, a lap quilt at best. The second one was for my grandson's baby shower in 2004. That was 2 pieces of material with batting in the middle and tied together. I did hand stitch the border strips around the edges. I thought that was quite an accomplishment for me.

My Mother has threatened me with a haunting for the rest of my life if one picture is shown at her or my Father's funeral. She was throwing away a huge stack of greeting cards one day and I asked her if I could keep them. I took them upstairs to my Father's art studio and forgot about them.

When Alzheimer moves in it effects every person in different ways. My Father's mobility is greatly impaired and his eyesight is diminished. The one thing that he does have is his sense of touch. I was looking at this beautiful web site and right away I wanted to have a quilt for JW to have in his little corner of the world, his recliner.

I thought about the greeting cards up in the art studio. With all the colors and pictures on them they would be perfect to use in place of pictures of my Father. I have no desire to be haunted the rest of my life by my Mother.  I contacted Linda via her web site and asked her if greeting cards could possibility be used instead of pictures to make a "Love Quilt."  She assured me that it could be done and she was just as excited as I was to forge forward with a new project. I gave her free reign to pick out the fabrics and pattern and all I did was provide her with the greeting cards and a picture of how I wanted them arranged on the quilt.

The quilt turned out beautiful. I can not express how that "love quilt" has been a tool that Mother and I use against Alzheimer. First of all the soft material calms my Father down when he can't find a word or motion to express what he is feeling. On the days that Alzheimer is in charge, as caregivers, you are at your wits end to help that person live a normal quality of life. Of course, there is no normal any longer. We have found that soft materials keep him the calmest.  When JW is in one of his staring days Mother and I devised a way to hang the quilt over the back of a rocking chair with in his sight and he will stare at the beautiful color patterns. There is one card of two people dancing and JW swears that it is him and my Mother. We just go along with that and that card seems to calm him the most. I did take a fine tip magic marker and print in the lower right hand corner who sent each card. I want to remember all the family members that are involved in the daily struggle to live with Alzheimer. He may live here, but he is not going to be happy all the time.

Mother gets her quilt next week. She has informed me that she is going to have it on her lap all the time. I know that when she looks at the wonderful swirl of colors and pattern that she will also be calmed.

Thank you, Linda. You have provided a safe haven for my family members with pieces of material and pictures of greeting cards. You are truly blessed with a gift that I can only dream of.

Hubba Hubba!!

www.hubbahubbaquilts.com used with permission from Linda Parton. Thank you.