Tuesday, May 1, 2012

Third CQJP Block


 
This is my third Crazy Quilted Journal Program (CQJP) block.  The picture is of my Great Grandmother's sister, Amalia "Molly" Wangerin (1886-1952).  I think she is beautiful, but her story is tragic.  At about 17 years of age, Molly became very ill and got a very high fever.  When she recovered from her illness, she was never the same again.  She had violent bouts.  As her parent's aged they could no longer care for Amalia and she was institutionalized.  I think about the loss her parents must have felt, first when Amalia's fever changed her forever and second, when they had to institutionalize her.  I also think about all of the things that Amalia missed out on in life.  That's why I put the various charms on the block.  There is a key charm to open her life to her.  There is high heeled shoes for the growing up experiences she missed out on, a bird for her freedom from mental illness, a ring with "love" imprinted on it for the love she was denied, and a wedding ring since she never married.  My youngest daughter is seventeen and I have many dreams for her future.  I hope and pray her dreams will be fulfilled.  (-;

4 comments:

Barbara Gordon said...

Nice job...! Really pretty, both of them.

gocrazywithme said...

What a sad story, Connie. and how wonderful that you have "remembered" her in this art form.

Laurie said...

What a gorgeous quilt block -- but what a sad story!

Gina E. said...

Hi Connie,
I have been admiring all the blocks on the CQJP2012 site, and am blown away by all the different techniques and concepts! I could go to every blog and comment,but I'd be here all night, so I'm only visiting a few that really strike a chord with me, and your blocks (and blog) do just that. I am nowhere near as skilled as you and most of the CQ stitchers around, but I have fun doing my own thing. Last year I made a memory quilt wall hanging with some photos from both sides of our family, and everyone who sees it says it is fabulous. (They haven't seen yours;-)
Cheers,
Gina in Australia