This is my great, great grandmothers applique block. My grandma had them stored away in her closet. She pulled them out one day to show me and I fell out of my chair. I was so thrilled! She had gobs of them. My great grandmother must have been stopped in mid design. She did this little girl applique and also a little boy applique.
Two years ago, the Holden's had their Family Reunion. I was in charge of making the raffle quilt. I thought it would be great fun to make a quilt with our great great grandmothers swatches. She made at least 50 butterfly appliques. So it was easy to set these beautiful butterflies into a picture frame style quilt. It definitely was a hit, but most of all I felt such an emotional attachment to the hands that began the quilt and our family.
