Meet Jackie (aka my Mom):
It’s Mother’s Day week, and I can think of no one more phenomenal than my own mother. Much of my creative side comes from her constant craving to learn new things and to share the beauty of handmade gifts of the heart with others. -Amy
In her own words
“As far back as I can remember family and quilting/sewing have always gone hand in hand.
©Amy Boyle Photography 2019
Some of my earliest memories are of my mother stitching away on her old Singer treadle sewing machine. This was shortly after the Depression and, of necessity, most of our clothes were made by Mom. Nothing went to waste and every little snip-it of fabric was saved for quilt tops. What beautiful tops these little left over pieces of fabric made. Then came the exciting part — Mom would pack up the tops, batting, backing, thimbles, thread, scissors and off we would go to the country to meet up with Mom’s sisters, sisters in law and a dear friend or two for the weekend. One room held the huge quilting frame surrounded by ten chairs. I still can hear the hum of the voices sharing everything new in the family — My cousins and I had the most wonderful secret play area under the quilt — we would happily play the whole day surrounded with family love and watching the magic take place from under the quilt.
©Amy Boyle Photography 2019 Jackie with a portrait of her Mother and Father
My personal quilting came much later in life, but I never lost the thrill of seeing all the pieces go together — how each stitch taken is a token of love to the recipient of the quilt and the hope that the next person to receive the quilt will share in the history and love.”
©Amy Boyle Photography 2019 Jackie with one of her latest quilts for now Eagle Scout grandson, Edward. Pictured 4 of 7 grandsons – Drew, Geoffrey, Edward, and Colin
*** Please follow along on instagram as well and learn more about Jackie. This year for my birthday, I am embarking on a weekly photo essay project highlighting 52 Phenomenal Women. This is week 36 of 52. Participants in this project will be supporting the efforts of Dress for Success Worldwide – Central. We are all stronger together and it is my sincere hope that we will be inspired by each other’s stories. Now is the time to celebrate as well as encourage one another. Tell your story!**
#Dressforsuccess #52PWP #tiesthatbind #Chicago #amyboylephotography #52PhenomenalWomen