Finished Quilt--"Final Separation"

I have had a recurring dream since I was a little girl. We lived in a small house (with silver aluminum siding) right across from a railroad track. In my dream, I was separated from my Mom by the track. I was always trying desperately to get to her but I couldn't. In 2009 my Mom became ill with Alzheimer's, and the dream started occurring more frequently. I figured the track represented Alzheimer's--I couldn't reach her.

I started work on a quilt that would be a physical rendition of my dream. Then, my Mom passed away last June. Now, the track on my quilt represents death; I truly can't reach her. Working on this quilt helped me work through the grief I was feeling.

"Final Separation"

The "heart" at the top left of the quilt represents me. It is stretched and pulled out of shape and has embroidered Xs on it to represent mending. It is made from fabric I dyed after a flour-paste resist treatment.  Here is a close up.

I hand quilted the piece with a pale yellow quilting thread. The quilting on "my" side of the tracks represents my reaching out to her...trying to get to her. The quilting on "her" side of the tracks represents the obstacles blocking my way.

I hand embroidered a Washington Irving quote (in black) on the quilt. It reads, "There is a sadness in tears. They are not the mark of weakness but of power. They are the messengers of overwhelming grief and unspeakable love." We read this quote at my Mom's funeral. I wanted the viewer to have to "work" at reading the quote. You can see some of the words here, but you have a lot more trouble seeing them when viewing the whole quilt.

You can click on any of the pictures to get a closer look if you'd like.

I found that working on this quilt brought me some peace during a very difficult time. The handling of the cloth and the time it took to make the quilt (because of the hand quilting and hand embroidery) make me feel very "connected" to it. There can be healing in making art.

New Bird Pics--(Surprise!)/Zentagles/A Book

After my last robin update, there was one egg in the nest. I checked later and this is what I found.

FOUR eggs! I am really looking forward to watching these hatch.

I found this in my other bedroom window. I've never been able to take a picture of the eggs, because I have never been in the bedroom when she hasn't been on the nest. My husband says this is a dove of some sort. 

I feel very blessed to be able to share in these small miracles. Isn't life grand?

I haven't gotten much sewing done; I have had SO much company lately. I have certainly enjoyed the visits, but I have gotten behind in my studio work. While my company was here, though, I did get to do a bit of "Zentangling." Wow, that is something that really calms me down--very meditative and "Zen-like." These are some in-progress pieces.

If you would like to find out about Zentangles, there are lots of videos on YouTube and information at http://www.zentagles.com/.

I'm also reading a book I'm really enjoying--"The Forgotten Garden" by Kate Morton. Check out my new bookmark.

Parfait Dyeing--Check It Out

This is just one piece from my parfait dyeing session yesterday. If you are interested in seeing more and/or learning how to do it, check out And Then We Set It On Fire. You can either click on the link or click on the "And Then We Set It On Fire" logo to the right of this blog entry.

It Really Is Spring--Look What I Found

It has started again! The robins have build nests around my house again this year. I was blessed last year with four nests right around my house. I got to see the nest building, beautiful blue eggs, baby robins, and young birds leaving the nest. I truly felt it was a blessing to get to see this "circle of life." Look what I found earlier this week (on the ledge of my bedroom window)...

There were no eggs yet. I have checked the nest each morning to see if any eggs had appeared...none. I checked this morning...no eggs. Then, I went to my bedroom to get dressed after eating breakfast and checked again. To my surprise, the mother robin was on the nest. I scared her, and she flew to a nearby tree. I figured I might see those beautiful blue eggs before too long...

 ...but to my surprise...look what I found... 

You think there will be more eggs to come or will this be an only child/bird?

"Year of the Quilt" at the American Folk Art Museum (Installment 3)

These pictures are of quilts from Part I of the Quilts--Masterworks from the American Folk Art Museum in New York City. The exhibit is available until April 24, 2011. I hope you enjoy this quick look at some of the quilts in the exhibit. (Remember, you can click the picture to get a better look.)

LOG CABIN QUILTS

Log Cabin quilt designs are among the most popular and easily recognized of all quilt patterns. Beginning with a center shape, usually a square, the traditional design is made by sewing strips in sequence around the sides of the square, varying the values between light and dark. (Information from Jane Hall at http://www.womenfolk.com/quilt_pattern_history/logcabin.htm)

This "log cabin quilt" is made of silk and satin material. It was made between 1890 and 1900. This is considered a "show" quilt intended for decorative use only and was removed from the bed before sleeping.

"Barn Raising" was made by Sarah Olmstead King between 1875-1885. It is made of silk, velvet, satin, and ribbon. I really liked the striped brown fabric used in the border.

This is an example of a "pineapple" block. It may also be called a "windmill" block because of the placement of color. This quilt was made between 1885-1920 from cotton, wool, and silks including satin and velvet. I have always loved pineapple blocks. I remember taking a class where we drafted and made a pineapple block. I don't remember exactly how many hours it took to do one block, but it took the better part of a day! I have a real respect for these early quiltmakers--no rotary cutters, acrylic templates, or pre-printed foundation sheets.

"Everything old is new again"...I've heard that saying. I hear people talking about painting on quilts and acting like that is a new concept--it isn't. This "Stenciled Quilt" was made by Olivia Dunham Barnes (1807-1887) between 1825 and 1835. These old stenciled quilts were primarily from New England and New York State.

 Close up of stenciled quilt.

I just loved this quilt. "Slashed Star Quilt" was made by Sara Maartz in 1872. It is a variation on a Mariner's Compass quilt. I can't imagine making this quilt without modern quilting conveniences.

Here is a closeup of one of the blocks. The quilt was very closely hand quilted.

Check back. I have more pictures of the exhibit to share with you.

What a Great Deal!

Interweave Press has a great deal right now on Lyric Kinard's "Surface Design Sampler Platter" video download. The cost until (maybe through--not sure) Tuesday is 10 cents. You read that correctly 10 cents. This is just too good not to pass along! Hurry on over to Lyric's website to get the details.