(sold/$75 donation to AAQI)
Michele Bilyeu
Salem Oregon/Douglas Alaska
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:
Salem Oregon/Douglas Alaska
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.
Michele Bilyeu
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:
It's always delightful to learn that someone has purchased one of my AAQI quilts before it ever made it to the web page or auction block.
I am honored and delighted that it earned $75 for the Alzheimer's Art Quilt Initiative....and never more so than when I am actually up in Douglas, Alaska actively caring for my mom with her advanced Alzheimer's.
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.
14 comments:
What wonderful news to hear your quilt sold for $75. That's awesome and for such a worthy cause. Has my mom becomes more and more confused I can understand a wee bit of what you've been going through over these past years. Hugs and love
I think I may be your newest follower. I love your fiber art and commend you for creating for a cause.
What a Great quilt!
What a cute little quilt.
YES!
Great little quilt and another touching post.
A gorgeous quilt pattern and a wonderful post Michelle.
It's a very cute little quilt. I love it. Congratulations that it sold for 75 dollars so quickly. ^^
cute quilt. woohoo!
Thinking about how so many have to face this just made me cry. I am so proud of you and your family and I don't even know you. But boy, I sure feel like I do.
A touching post and you know I love this quilt. Hugs ((()))
Such a charming little quilt! It's no surprise that it sold without ever appearing on the auction site.
what a cute quilt and it's amazing how you squeezed that design into the small size block that the Alzheimer's quilt initiative uses! Best wishes to you and your mother--I have the same heartbreak with my DH.
Lovely post! Darling little quilt! Good job!
Love that adorable little 'island' quilt, love your sweet spirit...sending spirit shoulders for you to lean on as you so lovingly care for your beloved mother...with hugs full of love,
Angie
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