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Cold Hands, Warm HeartBy Didi Salvatierra
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Growing up in suburban Chicago on the shores of windy Lake Michigan, I have very vivid memories of winter. Deep snow, icy steps, hand knit woolen mittens and scarves come to mind. My maternal Grandmother, with whom I lived, was a very important person in my life. Her imprint on my memory is clear. I fondly remember her words when I'd come inside after playing in the snow. She'd grasp my frozen hands in hers and say "cold hands, warm heart." As a child, I'm not really sure I understood what that meant. But I knew it was an affirmation that I was ok; I just had cold hands and she loved me anyway. You know, cold=evil, warm=good.
The images on this quilt reflect that love and affirmation. The photos are my cousin, Denny, taken in Maine, about 1947. We shared this Grandmother and I'm sure she said, "cold hands, warm heart" to him also. She was a prolific knitter and the flannel mittens represent the many pairs she knitted for her four grandchildren. The wool hearts are symbolic of a truly warm heart and the love shared with our Grandmother. Tiny seed beads, snowflakes fabric, rubber-stamped images all combine to create a total picture. The song lyrics are an appropriate addition to the border. The rick-rack trim reminds me of hand sewn clothing I wore as a child in the 1950s, and the finishing touch for what my Grandmother would say! |