Early Quilt Experiments

After reading my post about the quilt 'talk' I gave, cyber friend, Karoda asked if I had ever posted any of the pages from my quilting memory book on my blog. Of course I never had, but her comment made me think that it might not be a bad idea.

I have no photos of the early quilts I made in 1976 – and if I did I suspect that I would cringe. I had fallen in love with the richness and simplicity of Amish quilts. These quilts became powerful images in my mind. Those first quilts were Amish knock offs. During that time I also made quilts to sell. A twin sized quilt was $50. I thought I had hit the jack pot. I wonder how long they lasted? Most of the solid colored fabrics that were available then were a poly/cotton blend – can you imagine? There were no rotary cutters. I am not sure if I had decent scissors and I would not have recognized a template if one was tossed to me. I was so young and naive at this point. My quilting then was also questionable - sketchy at best – I can’t imagine what I thought I was doing using a puffy polyester batting either! Maybe that’s all I could get at the time. I remember Mountain Mist being available– I used to love the packaging and free patterns that came in the roll. I think, if I were to see any of these first quilts I would think they were just plain horrid – and be even more shocked that someone bought them. One person, I remember, bought a set of 4 quilts – WoW $200! That was a lot of money at the time ! Horrid quilts perhaps but they were the beginning of my love affair with quilts and quilting.

These photos represent the beginning of my "return" to quilting after being on hiatus when I thought, for some insane reason, that I needed to climb the a career ladder. The photo of the little hearts baby quilt is an old Polaroid - and, as such ,it's not a great photo. The hearts were, at least, all hand appliqued and the quilting - what there was of it - was all done by hand. The fabrics were relatively boring - pinks and creams. There is also a scary photo of what I looked like at the time! Yikes !

I find that having a 'quilting memory book' is really valuable thing. I like looking at where I have been in order to see to where I am. Does that make any sense?! I keep my ribbons and acceptance notices in the book too (funny thing though - I seem to not have kept too many of the rejection notices !). Hope you have enjoyed this peek at my past !

Happy Memorial Day & Take-It Further Challenge Piece For May

It's Memorial Day here in the States. I try to take time each year to give thanks to everyone who has served our country in the military services. I especially give thanks to my three wonderful uncles - pictured above - who served during World War II. Thankfully, they all came home. My grandmother knew many families that received the dreaded phone call telling them that a family member was injured or had died. Throughout her life, my grandmother never did like the phone because of that experience! My uncles are gone now - but I believe that they know how proud I am of them.

Otherwise, I really have been catching up this weekend. I got the Grab Bag piece just about fit to mail. I also got the May Take-It-Further challenge piece finished. You may remember that I posted a photo of a mono print I did the other day. When I went to do the TIF piece I realized that it fit the suggested color scheme and, more to the point, it also fit the 'topic' for the month, which is "how do you describe yourself?". I am, truly, becoming & that's how I describe myself. It's frustrating to realize that with each passing year I am not only getting older but am also becoming the person I always wanted to be. I wish I had arrived at this point years sooner, but I also believe that there is a reason for everything. My "spousal unit" gives me the stability that I have always needed but also, at times, I liked to reject! Taking the big step of cutting back on work has also given me so much more freedom to work on discovering and 'becoming'. I am poorer financially, but so much richer all in all. The circles in this piece are also eminently appropriate for how I describe my life. Circles figure largely in my experience. They begin, and may be broken, but somehow they always manage to come back around in order to be completed. This was another small mono print on cotton. I enhanced the print with Caran D'Ache Neocolor water soluble crayons and ink. I printed the letters using this cool new toy that I got from "Making Memories". The letters are magnetic and fit into a holder that makes stamping words so easy! I had hesitated to spend the money on them when I was at Michaels last week on my off island jaunt with Lauren but now I am so glad that I did ! Now I am ready for June's challenge! Getting a bit caught up feels so good - now on to tackle the next "want to do" project - 'Quilt For An Hour" that I mentioned in yesterday's post.

Here is the piece in my sketch book along with my playing with those new, cool, alphabet stamps!

Finally! Doing Some Catch Up

Thus far this weekend I have been able to make some headway. Thankfully! I believe I will meet the dead-line for the Grab-Bag Challenge - I just getting into the quilting phase now. I need to check the "rules" sheet - I don't think I can post any photos of it yet. I am also within minutes of having my 'Take It Further' piece for May finished. I am going to be able, at last, be able to get somewhat caught up with Judy Laquidara Quilt For An Hour piece. I am happy with the colors I chose -and think it will make an unusual quilt.

"Poison" greens have always been a favored color for me, but, before I became so totally enamored with oranges & reds, my favorite colors were "my" "poison" greens & teals. I have never been too much of a true blues fans- and cool, pale blues make my eyes squirm ...maybe it's my memories of the requisite pale blues & other pastels that many of my high school classmates (notice I didn't necessarily say friends) wore to "fancy dances" when I was growing up . I wore deep red moire or black! Anyway, I feel that my needs are, once again, beginning to swing towards teals - and, as always, more & more "poison" green. Wonder why they are called "poison" green ????? Back to the machine - I REALLY want this Grab Bag Challenge DONE & outta here ! Have a great SUNday !

Lushness

It's full bloom season now - and who can resist the lush, rich colors of nature. It was warm here today and there were lots of beautiful blooms to appreciate. Ah ! I love this season - especially when it it stays in the mid 70's - which for me is perfect. Happy Sunday everyone!

Playing With Prints

I have been playing about with mono prints recently. I should have been working on my Grab Bag Challenge piece that's due end of next week. What can I say? I needed some diversion and this was the perfect one ! I had cut this particular block some time ago - and had fun making some new prints in different colorways. This is one colorway that I liked a lot! For everyone in the US - have a terrific (and safe) Memorial Day weekend - and wishing EVERYONE a weekend full of love, laughter and creativity!

Thanks To The Evergreen Quilter For The Opportunity To Share Some of My Work WithTheir Wonderful Group!

I like her smile - and her question!

It was so much fun to hand out the door prizes!

I had the very good to have been invited to speak to the Evergreen Quilters in Bellingham, Washingtonon Tuesday. What a lovely, welcoming group of women they are! I have to admit to a certain amount of nervousness going into this lecture - I have done some small classes - but have never done a lecture about me and my work - my journey more or less. I brought along many quilts (both traditional & art) ,my quilting memory book (1989 to present), lots of information about my favorite thread purveyors (Superior & Wonderfil), bookmarks from Meg Cox (of Quilter's Catalog fame), inspiring cards from Virgina Spiegel,brochures for the APNQ show this summer and, thanks to SAQA, lovely door prizes (I also added one of my beaded Spirit Dolls as a door prize). There were about 35-40 folks who filled a welcoming room. I had to use a microphone for the first time - Yikes ! - the good thing is that it worked very well - with no odd noises to sting the ears! I was gratified to be able to answer some questions (it's always not a great sign when no one wants to ask you anything I think!). I was so pleasantly surprised that this was a fun experience - hopefully mutually fun! I spoke from 10:10 to 11:40. Who knew I could talk that long?!

I owe a huge debt of gratitude to Lauren - who put me up for the evening, came along to the lecture for moral support, took more than 200 photos & packed up my car for me! She was really sweet to stay with me the whole time - I wouldn't let her leave early! Sorry L - and more thanks than you know for being there for me - as you always are. We all must have one person in the world from whom there are no secrets and that always has your back - someone who sometimes knows you better than you know yourself!

People began to arrive at 9:30 am

One of my super traditional quilts made with vintage fabrics. Some of these butterflies were made when I got them, but there were not enough to make the quilt. I used some of my stash of vintage fabrics and made the balance needed and I am happy to be able to say that I am not sure which are which any more !

Looking at one of my small journal quilts

Odd Signs & Wonders

I have been meaning to take a photo of this sign for some time and finally got the opportunity to do so when I was on the mainland early this week. Do you see the humor in this sign considering that alcohol and driving don't mix !