Evora’s Earth, 85 x 96 inches, by O.V. Brantley, 2001.

Everyday is mother’s day,  but it never hurts to add a little something extra. Happy Mother’s Day!

My quilt Evora’s Earth honors my mother Evora Hicks. She was an exceptional lady.

Evora's Earth, 85 x 96 inches, by O.V. Brantley, 2001.

Happy Belated Earth Day!

Evora’s Earth honors my mother Evora Hicks.

Christmas Traditions, 73 x 83 inches, by O.V. Brantley, 2007

I love Christmas because I love traditions.  At this time of year, I cannot help but get nostalgic thinking about Christmas at my Mama’s home in Crossett, Arkansas.

My mama (Evora Hicks) absolutely loved Christmas. She started getting ready in October. She wanted everyone she loved to have the special gift that they really wanted. This often meant putting something on layaway.

She loved decorating the house. We had Mary and Joseph in the stable in the front  yard. Santa could be spotted on the roof.  Lights were everywhere, but a Christmas tree with gifts that took up our entire living room always took center stage.

Cooking started early. Everyone had to have their favorite dish. Mine happened to be my Mama’s chocolate pie. My younger  sister (LaJetta)  loved lemon pie, and my older sister  (Rhonda)  had to have her German chocolate cake.

In Crossett, people stopped by to have a Christmas drink. So there was a constant flow of visitors. In between visitors, we always found time to pile into the care and ride around town to look at everyone else’s Christmas lights.

My Dad (Otis Hicks) loved playing Santa. He would wake us up at 4:00 a.m. announcing Santa had come. We dutifully got up at dawn and opened presents.

To me Christmas is all about traditions and memories. I still hang a stocking for each member of my family since I know they are enjoying Christmas from heaven.

I hope you are preserving your Christmas memories.

 Without fail, my Dad would say, “and the monkey thinks her girls are pretty too!”  And he would fall out laughing.

It was a family joke that never stopped. In actuality, both my parents were braggarts where their children were concerned, so I guess you could say I inherited the trait. All of that to say, I have some serious bragging to do, so read on. After I finish my bragging, I’ll get back to quilts and Christmas.

Evora's Earth, 85 x 96 inches, by O.V. Brantley, 2001.

Angels have been all around me this week as I began creating a new series of quilts. All of these quilts will feature angels. I have not placed a limit on the number of quilts in this series because angels should be unlimited.

When I moved into my new home in 1999, my mother gave me a set of towels embroidered with the words  ”I Believe in Angels” as a housewarming gift. They have hung in my guest bathroom ever since. I can’t bear to change them. So I guess I always knew I would eventually turn to angels in my quilts.

Detail of angel in Evora's Earth

When the Brown Sugar Stitchers announced an angel block exchange, it seemed just the nudge that I needed. After researching and viewing many angels, I ultimately decided to start out with the angel in Evora’s Earth, the quilt that honors my mother.

I already know this will be a special series of quilts.

Evora's Earth, 85 x 96 inches, by O.V. Brantley, 2001

Today is my mother’s birthday. She would have been 82 years old. Evora’s Earth helps to keep her alive in my heart.

My grandmother Clara was a quilter. I inherited eight of her quilts, and I cherish each and every one of them. Without Clara, there would have been no Evora (my mother). Without Evora, there would be no me. And without me, there would be no  India. This quilt is a reminder of my happy heritage.

Happy Mother’s Day!

Clara's Scrap Bag, 70 x 89 inches, by O.V. Brantley. 2001. A tribute to Clara Ford.

 

Evora's Earth, 85 x 96 inches, by O.V. Brantley, 2001.

Evora’s Earth was made over a 14-month period. It honors my mother Evora Hicks. It also is my constant reminder of days growing up in Crossett, Arkansas when things were simpler, but filled with laughter and love.

As we pause to celebrate Earth Day, we should all remember that every day is Earth Day. It is about respecting and loving the place we live, as well as,  the people with whom we share our space. I hope my future granddaughter will create a beautiful remembrance quilt of the days she spent with  India and me.

The rest of us must be content to carry our mothers in our heart and to know that an angel in heaven considers us a special project.

Shown here is Evora’s Earth, the quilt that got me through my early stages of grief. I make a point to touch it everyday.

Every day of of my life I try to be like her.