January, 2015

My earliest memories include images of quilting looms, sewing machines and fabrics. Every generation before me, from my mother to my grandmother and even my great-grandmother have created wonderful works of craft art using fabric and needlework. They were also equally passionate about books and education. In the 1960’s my mother put together in our home a wonderful library of children’s books.

Recently, I started going through these books. I was fascinated with the timelessness of the illustrations. The beginning of the 20th century was a real renaissance of talent in children’s book illustrations. Color was just beginning to appear in the print media. Recently, I started going through these books. With the help of my computer and ink-jet printer I set out to make “memory” type quilt blocks using as a theme the illustrations from these books. They are from the late 1800’s to the mid- 1950’s.

I have chosen what I feel are classic stories centered on children and families, showing the never-ending cycle of love and growth. I have chosen what I feel are classic stories centered on children and families, showing the never-ending cycle of love and growth.

Kimberly Simpson