Yes, technically telling her mother and I that she is eloping, is not really eloping but since she is not having a formal wedding and they are going to another state; well it qualifies in our family's books.
So what does one give your only niece as a wedding present? It has to be something special that can also become a family heirloom and in my opinion that present should be unique and thus one of a kind. One of a kind items can be bought and even commissioned but why not actually MAKE the present. So that's what I am going to do.
Through out her life, I have made her quilts; I made her first one when she was about 4. I let her know what I wanted to do and that I needed some input from her so they would like it. We have now traded almost a dozen emails and have settled on a pattern and "colors" as well as the size; I will pick the final fabrics and then sew it and get it professionally quilted. I will go visit them when it is time to give them the quilt.
Here is picture of The Wonder Baby with her mom (my sister) back in 2002! Below this picture of my niece is a picture of one of the many quilts I have made her. This quilt, made in 2000, used the satin from my mother's wedding dress, in the some of the stars.