Saturday, January 4, 2014

Spiderweb Blocks as Background. . .

A few months ago in one of my quilt groups, I pieced a few spiderweb blocks.  I have always been enamored with these blocks and found a tutorial from Jaybird Quilts (I love her stuff!).  Once I made two of the blocks I thought to myself, "What are you going to do with these?"  The tutorial is for potholders but I wanted to do something more but I certainly wasn't making a WHOLE quilt.  So, being an art quilter, I thought, "Make a few more blocks and make a small wallhanging." 

And here is where it is to date.  But being the quilter that I am, I can't stop here.  Oh, noooo.  I am going to applique red to it.  They are going to be red words and it will become my statement quilt titled "Shades of Red."  Keep watching.  I'm really enjoying the word part.

Until next time,


Thursday, January 2, 2014

Quilting as Therapy. . .

2013 was a year of major life changes due to loves lost.  Quilting, it turns out, is a great therapeutic tool!  I have found that going to my fabric stash and creating a quilt, letting my emotions run with my imagination, has allowed my emotions to transform from debilitating to joy.
Here is a case in point:  During Christmas, I lost my dear companion, Meowi.  As he was only five years old and I have had other major losses this year, his loss has been almost unbearable.  I was, however, in the process of creating this quilt. 
Once he passed, something came to mind.  Seven years ago when my husband passed away, I created this quilt to lift my spirits. 
Notice anything similar - Laurel Burch fabric, predominant color orange.  Mind you, I didn't make the new quilt after Meowi passed, but had begun it prior to him being ill. 
The new quilt's title is "In Meowi's Memory."  I am going to quilt four different facial portraits from his photos in the blank light orange squares.  I received his inked paw print in a sympathy card from the animal hospital where he was put down and I will incorporate that into the quilted worded border and on the label.  As my mind creates all of these ideas, I realize that I am working through the loss by thinking of Meowi: how he participated in my life, what his personality characteristics were like, how his loss will affect our family.  And I cry at the loss, but I smile at the memories.  And this is therapy.

As the quilting happens, I will keep you updated.

Happy 2014.  I pray it will be a joyous one for all.

Until next time,