Wednesday 29 February 2012

The Quilter’s Angel – Protector of all things unfinished

 


I think we all need one of these in our sewing room or quilt studio.  Terry Morberg of ApplepatchDesigns makes the greatest little quilt projects and patterns.   They are quirky in so many ways, sometimes subtle and sometimes just plain fun – take a look at her website scroll through the pictures and you’ll be sure to smile or perhaps even laugh out loud.  And if you really want to laugh out loud (in my opinion she’s a stand-up comedian) consider having Terry speak at your guild or quilt group (she’s been known to travel to Los Vegas for a speaking engagement).  Terry will wow you with tips and tricks and some cute new pattern.  

 I used to work with Terry and she continuously came up with new patterns, designs, tricks and ideas, I was amazed at the creativity and once asked her “Do you dream this stuff?”  she answered “Yes.”

The reason angels can fly is because they take themselves lightly.  ~G.K. Chesterton



Saturday 25 February 2012

Rainbow Scrap Challenge - Green

When I don't have any ideas, I pick up fabric and start working with it and something happens. Geoffrey Beene

Green Mile a Minute

I’ve decided to take part in the Rainbow Scrap Challenge, and only just found out about it, so I’ll have some catching up to do – January was red.  

I have wanted to make some Rainbow (Chakra) coloured quilts, and this challenge has me excited to start.  Last night I reached into my scrap drawer and made these little Mile a Minute aka Crumb quilt blocks.  I’m looking forward to March to see what colour we will be working on - I’d better get busy and start those Red blocks.  If you would like to see the latest green postings for the rainbow scrap quilters this month, check out SoScrappy.

Friday 24 February 2012

Wanda’s Double Wedding Ring

Our lives are like quilts - bits and pieces, joy and sorrow, stitched with love.

Double Wedding Ring
 
This quilt has an interesting story.  One of my favorite quilts to make and teach is the Double Wedding Ring, it’s the quilt that is the background to this blog.   

In the first DWR classes that I taught, Wanda (a student) asked if it would be okay to make the quilt background a dark floral and the rings in cream colours, I thought this was a wonderful creative idea, generally people pick light backgrounds and coloured rings.  As well as having a good eye for colour Wanda was a proficient piecer.  Well Wanda became one of our teachers, as well as working part-time in the store and was always revered for her colour sense. 

Unfortunately Wanda was diagnosed with ALS and too soon all her handiwork came to an end.  I was called and asked finish some quilts for her, this beauty was one of them.  What an honour for me to finish this Double Wedding Ring which she pieced in my class many years ago.   

Wanda lost her life to ALS just after Christmas, there will be a Celebration of Life and showing of her quilts at the Silver Springs Golf Club (1600 Varsity Estates Drive N.W.) on Saturday, March 3, 2012 at 11:00 a.m.  Customers and students are welcome, hope to see you there.

Details of Freehand Rose

Leaf detail