Leslie’s California Poppy Pillow and The Story Of The Quilt Her Mother Made

Leslie’s smile alone is enough for me to want to post this picture of her with the Poppy Pillow, I made for her.

But there’s more.

Leslie’s mom made her the quilt with appliquéd flowers and leaves when Leslie was just a kid.  She kept it all these years, one of the first things at the top of her list to take, when she had to evacuate her house during the many forest fires in California.

But when it came time for her to let the quilt go, she asked if I would take it and use it to create something new.

I was relieved when she asked if I would make her a pillow using the California Poppy and oak leaf squares.  It would have been hard for me to cut it up if she didn’t.  The quilt was so beautiful and in such good condition.

(you can see a picture of the quilt Leslie’s mom made her here)

After Leslie received her pillow she sent me a letter.  There are many stories around this quilt and what it will continue to become.

But the story Leslie wrote to me goes like this….

“Once upon a time, there was a broken, bereft, angry, confused creative and remarkably brilliant woman who had a daughter, and – in the bet way she could or knew how to let her daughter know how much she loved her – she stitched for her a a safe and beautiful place, in the center of her heart and a field of wildflowers…”