The Old Blue Truck, A Fabric Collage Memorial

A brief story for today. In 1976 (yes, last century) we had moved from Nebraska a few years before. Husband had finished school and we were building a new house when he realized that our little compact car was just not going to suffice for all he wanted to do.  

My income had sustained us for several years but we were pinching pennies so hard that you could hear them scream! Enter FIL, in his generosity he helped husband get a shiny new truck. It was a 1976 Chevy pick up truck. 

It was Thanksgiving time, we had moved into the house and that truck was put to good use. Years pass and somebody wanted a new truck. OK, got that, gave Old Blue to FIL, he had retired and wanted to do some yard work, add a back porch to the house, etc. A good time to move on. 

Several years pass, the truck is still in service. Few mechanical needs, just some new tires now and then. Son #1 goes to college. Needs transportation.... the blue truck changes owners again for a few years. I often tell him NOT to tell me everything that truck had seen during his college years! He graduates, buys new truck, brings blue truck back home. Poor Old Blue sat idle for a while until Son #2 started working during the Summer for a local contractor. Back in service, Old Blue actually seemed to purr. For several years, new brakes and tires were all it needed to keep going. Son #2 graduates from college and brings Old Blue back home. 

We spent some time debating what to do with our well worn old friend. Conversation around the table on a Sunday afternoon became a little heated when the boys, who were now grown men, begged us to not scrap the old boy. Son #1 had just bought a new house, had a large barn and decided to move Blue there, to preserve it. His wife just rolled her eyes.  

So off he went, on his own power to another home, a new home where he has waited patiently for 21 years. Yes, a new battery and that old boy started right up! Now what you ask? Well, Son #1 is moving back near us and yes, he is bringing Old Blue with him. Not sure where the old guy is going to hang out but never far from us, that truck has a legacy. 

So this brings us to the fabric collage artist, Laura Heine. When a class was offered at a local quilt shop I saw this compilation of "mini-designs" and l went from there. Seriously, how could I ever NOT make the Old Blue Truck? I have completed all the collage work, steamed all the pieces into place. Now my decision is how to finish it. My original plan was to make it into a pillow However, pillows have become chew toys in my home. I am thinking of stretching it onto artists canvas after some light quilting. Will keep you posted. 

This two piece press mat was vital for the project. It is large and rolls easily into its box when your work is complete.

•  I don't think I have ever done anything quite like this. It was fun and our teacher was a certified one and knew all sorts of little tips and tricks. 
• Loosely following the designers plans I changed little for this one. It is my first but not my last. 
• We Used Steam-a-Seam, II for the fabric fusing.