"Buttons and patches and the cold wind blowing,
The days pass quickly when I am sewing"
~Author Unknown

Tuesday, March 9, 2010

Pollyanna's pinwheels

While trying to decide what to name my doll's quilt, I saw that Pollyanna is going to be on television this coming weekend for Mothering Sunday. It is that 2003 version with Amanda Burton as Aunt Polly. I just love this movie. So it seemed the perfect name and here is Pollyanna's Pinwheels...


I must admit that I had other things I wanted to be doing today but sandwiched the quilt after I finished the top this morning and thought just a stitch or two. I should know better and I can never take just a stitch or two. *grins* Hand quilting a quilt is not only enjoyable but it brings a quilt to life. And what a life if I consider Pollyanna herself. I can just picture her in the garden playing happily with pinwheels. For anyone who does not know this delightful story, Pollyanna comes to live with her Aunt Polly after her parents have died. She is forever looking at the good in things and transforms all the people in her life.

Pollyanna has also become a description of a person. Here is the definition from Webster's dictionary...

Function: noun
Etymology: Pollyanna, heroine of the novel Pollyanna (1913) by Eleanor Porter †1920 American fiction writer
Date: 1921

: a person characterized by irrepressible optimism and a tendency to find good in everything

— Pollyanna adjective


How wonderful to leave a legacy of story epitomizing seeing good in things! We need more Pollyannas in the world today.

"Instead of always harping on a man's faults, tell him of his virtues. Try to pull him out of his rut of bad habits. Hold up to him his better self, his REAL self that can dare and do and win out!"

I created this doll's quilt truly in the spirit of antique quilts. I ran out of one of the pink fabrics. A friend offered to give me the 3 squares needed to complete the patchwork. I liked the idea of using what I have so told her I appreciated it but no thank you. In olden days, women did not have quilt shops to go to and used what they had. I truly did this for this quilt. Can you see where I had to use a different fabric?

22 comments:

Françoise said...

Beautifull like always
françoise

Christine said...

Your quilt is lovely. I like that a few of the pink triangles are the "wrong" fabric, it gives it an antique feel

Kathy said...

Beautiful quilt and the perfect name for it. I just love the colors And the story you put with it.

Sonja said...

I do love this Pollyanna kind of person to! And what a great finish. Was this a 'job' of only one week? Oh my, what a speedy stiching-girl you are!

Joni said...

Gorgeous! I love pink and brown and you've done an excellent job, as usual.

Elly said...

Wat een schatje! Het is dat je het zei, over dat andere roze. Ik moest er even naar zoeken, mooi opgelost. Het verhaal over Pollyanna is ook mooi. Hoe staat het met blok 3? Ik hoop er deze week aan te beginnen.
Hugs
Elly

Jenny said...

What a beautiful quilt Heidi. I love how you used the two different pinks, it gives it the perfect antique touch. Pollyanna has always been one of my favorite stories and I have very happy memories of reading that book. I think I will go and take it down off my bookshelf and have a little reading time! :) That is the perfect name for your quilt, because when you first showed us the pinwheel blocks I smiled to my self and said " that will turn out to be a happy little quilt. "

Have a happy day!

barbara said...

I really had to look, Heidi. They go so well with the other pink ones. :D

I'd love to see some more Pollyannas, too.

Lovely quilt and such a wonderful story, too.

Jackie said...

Hello Heidi, I love your Polly... quilt. I like the idea of using and make do with what you have. Also, "Thank you" for sharing story about Polly... I can't help but to think of one of those pieces I stitched, "Practice kindness everyday."
Hugs. Jackie.

Anonymous said...

Heidi, your Pollyanna pinwheels are very pretty, I like your fabrics and the borders, just beautiful for a little girl named Polly! Your blog is wonderful also. Ann, Victoria, Australia

Anonymous said...

The doll quilt came out so cute. Do love the colors you used.

As old as I am, I never saw Pollyanna. Will check at the library and if they have it.

Blessings,
Jilly

onlymehere said...

Since you asked I looked but I don't see any fabric that doesn't match! I do love your pinwheels. They seem so fitting for Holland don't they? I wish I was more Pollyanna-like...I'll have to work on that! It's one of my daughter Brianna's favorite movies so I know it well! I like the old Hailey Mills version.

Carolien said...

Good morning Heidi,

Your PP is very sweet!
Happy stitching & hugs,
Carolien

Pondside said...

Good morning, Heidi
I can't see where you used a different fabric - could be that I need new glasses!
I loved the original Hayley Mills and Jane Wyman Pollyanna - I'd watch it again!

DonnaTN said...

I never realized how pretty pinks and browns were together. I had to really look to find the different squares. But so what, it is beautiful and has character!

Tammy said...

Gorgeous and a perfect name :)
Hugs!

Barb said...

It is truly a "Pollyana" quilt Heidi, I went to the cinema to see the first version (how old does that make me) but it has always stuck with me. In fact I wanted to call my dd Pollyana ,but was voted down,she said thank goodness for that. She now gets called Kate (maybe Katie Did) lol.
What is next in your pile?

Nancy said...

wonderful quilt again.
Love you, Mom

angelasweby said...

Well, I wonder if people will be described as Pollyannas :>) What a compliment and I think you fit the bill perfectly :>)
It's a perfect name for your quilt too. They are my favouorite colours and they compliment each other so well.

I love the Amanda Burton version of Pollyanna. I love her voice. It's so gentle and sweet :>)
Warm wishes Angela xx

Teri said...

A couple of comments on this post: (1) I love the fabrics and colors in this little quilt, and (2) the mention of the movie "Pollyanna" brings back so many good memories. I've only see the movie once: as a first grader in the gym with every other student in our school. It's the one movie that's had the biggest impact on me. Thank you for bringing back such a great memory!

Brigitte said...

Trying to see the good in everything - what a wise rule this is.
I love your quilt and the name you gave to it.

Lucy said...

I love doll quilts. this is a beauty too