I love quilts, coverlets, throws and home-made pieces in general. Recently, I have encountered some particularly moving pieces. Photographs and messages can now be printed on cloth and used in quilts, clothes and many other clever ways. Family stories are being preserved in these pieces in unique ways. Just think what this will mean a hundred years from now. I don’t have a picture of this particular quilt, but the Union County Family and Community Education members sewed and quilted a quilt that hangs at the Union County Museum.

A few years ago at the Union County Heritage Festival a quilt caught my eye. A quilt called Skeen Clan was awarded a Blue Ribbon. This quilt made by Kate Skeen Hubbs covered the genealogy of the Skeens for three generations–Arlie and Grace Inklebarger Skeen; their children Kate, Hall and Carolyn, and the grandchildren as of 2011. I asked Kate how long it took her to make the quilts and she said, “Oh, not long–I made four." Her daughter, nieces and nephews all have quilts as a Christmas present from Kate. How lucky these young folk are to have a mama and an aunt named Kate.

This year’s Heritage Festival theme was “Fiddling Around.” Quilters Jo Ann Clarke Dean and Barbara Hoff took First Place Honors–Most Original Design Concept-- for their version of “Fiddling Around.” Jo Ann also received an award for her Curved Log Cabin pattern quilt. Since the Heritage Festival began the Quilt Displays, Ellen Perry has designed and made the award ribbons. Ellen is a creative cloth artist for sure, and everyone that has received an award needs to know about Ellen’s creative work. Thank you, Ellen.

Many beautiful quilts were displayed this year, as always, at the Union County Heritage Festival. My duty at the Festival is to participate in the Authors Event, so I did not get to view and learn as much about the quilts as I would have liked.

Anne Glen-Sherrill showed a favorite quilt at the Art and Photography Exhibit called “Mama’s Hands.” It was unique and moving. The center quilting of each square appeared to be a quilted tracing of her mother’s hand with a heart quilted on the back of the palm. How I wish I had a drawing of my mother’s hands!

Pictures: Fiddling Around Theme Winners
Curved Log Cabin Quilt - Jo Ann Clarke Dean's
Anne’s quilt - Mama’s Hand
Skeen Clan by Kate Skeen Hubbs