We enjoy ITN and have been thanked by many people for making them aware of it. Unfortunately, our own travels have been put on hold as my husband recovers from a broken neck, the result of a fall. So this last Christmas, new travel clothes or gadgets were no longer the gifts of choice for him. When I found Keepsake Theme Quilts (Columbus, OH; 800/985-3323), however, my gift-giving problem was solved.
A friend heard good things about this group and their work, which employs and benefits the deaf community. What they do is take your collection of T-shirts or sweatshirts and create a quilt from them.
I chose a 12-square quilt, measuring 74 by 57 inches, at $275. However, I customized the design by asking them to use the small logos off two T-shirts on several of the squares. Doubling up the logos added $24 to the cost.
What I did was arrange the folded shirts on the floor in a pattern I liked, then I took a picture and numbered each shirt for its desired location on the quilt. Although I told Keepsake that they could rearrange the shirts if they needed to, they did not. It came back just as I had hoped.
My order reached them several days late for the holiday deadline, and they called to say they didn’t think it would be completed before January. I explained why I so wanted it for Christmas, and they said they would try. It arrived two days before Christmas.
The group was very professional, calling to verify the color and material of the backing, the fabric color and the message on the bottom of the quilt.
Everyone is amazed and delighted with the beautiful workmanship and attention to detail. It is a treasure of happy memories and an inspiration for more travel.
GWEN HACKLEY
La Jolla, CA
