Phyllis Larson of Tulsa, Oklahoma, made this baby quilt in her late seventies to donate to a charity supporting premature infants and their families. She made over 20 quilts a month for this program. She is remembered by her daughter Dr. Lora Larson who documented her quilt in the Quilt Index.  

She was beautiful, smart, creative, enthusiastic; a gypsy by nature and a Mom to the end. She was our best friend and we will all miss her, but we are so thankful for the wonderful life she got to live.

Karen Loprete or Shelton, Connecticut, made this small quilt titled "I'm Still Growing" in 2008 for the Alliance contest "My Quilts/ Our History."  

Her artist's statement:

After being struck with multiple sclerosis, I grew more tired with every passing year, and less and less likely to hold a position in the workforce, let alone get around anywhere much. What has remained with me is my creative energy. I hope that this quilt reflects how my creative energy has been growing and celebrating! I'm thankful every day that I have my many-colored fabrics and notions waiting for me to speak through them.

This Checkerboard Four Patch was hand pieced and quilted by Mary Thankful Wheeler of Pinedale, Wyoming. Mary's name says it all.   

I wonder if she felt like I do, that quilting fills that need in me to do something creative. Its something all my own that gives me personal satisfaction apart from my life as a wife and mother. I'm grateful for the legacy of quilts she left me. I wish she had signed them, but I will do it for her, so her name Meda Fonger will be there for my grandchildren to see. I'm very thankful that I've got quilting in my blood from her. I think she'd be very happy to see her great-granddaughter continuing where she left off!

KM: So tell me about your feelings about the quilt group that you belong to.

NC: Even before the quilt group, we were very close friends but here I found new friends, more friends. It took me time to come to the group but when I started it was--I met new people and I was very happy. It was pleasure to me. I found a new world. The relations are so much more interesting than everything else. I am so thankful.

KM: How did you feel when you got it done?

RE: Relieved. I was so excited. It was like I did it. I really did it. The last piece I did was sewing the edges on together, but I learned how to use one sewing machine, how to use a needle and thread, how to cut, how to write. I learned so much on this that I wouldn't trade that. I wouldn't give it back for another thing. Some people ask me about the past and my past is part of who I used to be, but I don't really know that person no more. I just don't know me. I didn't know who I was then. It let me know that God came here and got me, even if he had to sit me down here for a life sentence. I think if he would have gave me any other sentence I would have never woke up. I'm just thankful of who he made and what he is making.