However I will be making a cushion this month for my Grandma, as it will be her birthday at the beginning of November. So all those mosaics in the flickr group have been mighty lovely to look at and very inspiring.
But here's the thing. The lady will be 90. She likes blue. She doesn't like fussy. She lives in a nursing home. The décor of her room is 'eclectic' florals. She will not realise that I have made it. It will probably end up hidden on a chair under a dressing gown. What do I do?
I really want to make something to celebrate this 'milestone' however I know that I will probably come away a bit deflated if I put my heart and soul into it. Am I taking the wrong attitude? What would you do?
These are my previous ventures...
I pinned some cushions which I would class as simple enough to make but would look 'the business'...
This one by Lynne was an obvious 'go to'...
Then I saw this...
But this one I thought I could change into a birthday cake...
With a 90 on top!
Oh I think I am going to have to sleep on this one, even though it's a cushion, not a pillow x
Im loving the birthday cake idea, as soon as I got to that one I got rather excited (so excited I may have to try it myself!) Im in the 'pillow' fight, have 3 other swaps on plus classes for work - oh lordy what have I put myself up for!
ReplyDeleteHow about 9 'T' blocks? x
ReplyDeleteBirthday cake one - it's not a huge make so it's not like you're hand piecing 1000 half inch hexies with 90 hidden in them tone on tone. Would be a good compromise. You get something you feel you've put effort into and thought and you don't have that 'why did I spend 90 hours on my life on something that isn't appreciated thing'
ReplyDeleteI love the idea of the last one as a cake! She will love it in her own way I'm sure.
ReplyDeleteThe birthday cake idea, with a label on the back saying what it was for and your name so staff can remind Grandma about it. I work in a care home and we use a lot of cushions and personalized ones are a great boon!
ReplyDeleteWhat they said! Great idea - fun, bright, quick - ticks all the boxes!
ReplyDeleteOh Hadley, I love your previous ventures!! I like your cake idea but I LOVE the top right one that you made.
ReplyDeleteLove the birthday cake idea (although I'm tempted to suggest you follow Jan's idea of 1000 half inch hexies!!) and you can tailor the layers to things your granny likes - or maybe embroider the name of a great-grandchild on each one, depending on how many she has!!
ReplyDeleteI like the birthday cake idea. I know what you mean though about feeling a bit deflated but I made a lap quilt for my grand-dad for his 93rd birthday last month (it's on my blog) he sounds a bit like your Grandma, he likes bright colours but he's in a home now and doesn't always realise where he is or who we are. But he loves his quilt, said it will keep him nice and warm. So you could be surprise by her reaction.
ReplyDeleteI'm so with you on the pillow / cushion thing! but the "pillow fight" is fun... I reckon the cake, or her initial in simple patchwork...and remember...this is an occasion to use those fabrics languishing at the bottom of the stash. Be strong, woman, be strong!
ReplyDeleteI love the cake idea, but was wondering if you had thought of photo transfer onto fabric - maybe a pic of your kids?
ReplyDeleteLynne's strip quilted one looks great, but I love the idea of the birthday cake!
ReplyDeleteawww thats quite sad really Hads. I think the cake sounds like a great idea, I'm sure you'd only feel miffed with yourself if you didnt put your usual gusto into the idea and planning. Go for it. Maybe when you pick your fabrics think more of the feel than the print? Do you have any voile?
ReplyDeleteMaybe...make the cake cushion-top, as planned, and frame it, instead? Then she can enjoy it on her wall, and it can't get covered up with clutter, or lost in the laundry.
ReplyDeleteYup, a big 90 on a cake means she'll know it's hers. And it will lok lovely. Good idea.
ReplyDeleteI'd go with the cake too. It's a shame that she won't necessarily remember, but it's funny, I worked in a nursing home as a care assistant when i was in 6th form, and the things that some of the residents could suddenly remember was quite astonishing, although alas, not often when their relatives were there...
ReplyDeleteLynne's inspiration is my top choice...if it were for me. But for Granny I'm voting for the birthday cake with the 90 on top!
ReplyDeleteI totally understand this dilemma! My grandma is also in a nursing home and has Alzheimers. So when birthdays come around (the end of this month) there isn't a whole lot to do. She def won't remember who bought it, or even that she has it. My mom gets upset if you don't by Grandma something...why? So essentially I am buying for my mom....ridiculous! So, here is what I do. I give/make her things that will remind me of her after she is gone because they will be mine someday. She always loves my big gaudy jewelry so for the last few events I bought her some. Then when she put it in a drawer, I take it home and put it up...remembering her. She is now to ill to even get dressed so that option is out. I am clueless for this year!
ReplyDelete**updated to add: My security word is "Warshed" just the way we hillbillies say "Washed" hehehe**
My two favorites are lynne's pillow (which I think could be fun in a range of blues), and the cake/Christmas tree one.
ReplyDeleteI think it would be nice to put your heart into it even if she doesn't fully understand you made it. It will be something beautiful and bright to look at and may brighten each day. I wish I had made something for my great grandmother, really put my heart into it. It's too late now.
That's a tough one! I like the upper right photo of your mosiac or the Happy Scraps patchwork pillow - both would be great for nearly any tyope of home.
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with Victoria above me - pour your heart and soul into it and make something you love and makes you think of grandma. She will look at it and see bright happiness, which is all that matters.
Oh I have been in the same situation, it is so difficult. I think that if you make something to hang on the wall then it will never get covered. If you do so, it will be seen but will your Gran see it ( my lovely Gran went blind in the last few years)? Alternatively put some texture into the cushion so that she can feel it too. I guess that by making something for your Gran tells her that you love her and that is the most important thing. I miss my Gran who died three years ago but do so identify with what you say.
ReplyDeleteAll your cushions are lovely, but I esp. like your idea for the last one. Go for it! Jxo
ReplyDeleteI love them all but think a lady of 90 would like the cake idea best :)
ReplyDeleteGo with the 90 cake thing. It will be cute!
ReplyDeleteI havent had a grandmother for 20 years (you must be in a minority) but mum in law is 84, and she would love the cake! in fact, its her birthday soon. You might have given me an idea ;-)
ReplyDelete