Weekly Pattern Wednesday--Pattern Number 9

This summer I did a lot of babysitting for my eight year old grandson. One of the things I did was take him to swimming lessons. This pattern was inspired by the water and the umbrellas at the pool. This pattern is a bit of a stretch for me since I usually work in black and white. I did enjoy the coloring. I will probably do more of it.

As usual, I'm linking up with Lynn Krawczyky's Weekly Pattern Wednesday. Head on over and check out the other patterns. Lately, though, Lynn has been having us share our patterns in the comments on her studio Facebook page. You can find that here.

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Weekly Pattern Wednesday--Number 8

This is reminiscent of some of the belts I owned in the 60s. I loved those jingly, shiny belts. It also reminds me of the beaded doorway I had in a house when I was in college. Those were the days!

I'm linking up with Lynn Krawczyky's Weekly Pattern Wednesday. Head on over and check out the other patterns.

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Theme--Peace/Brotherhood, Sacred Threads 2015

Peace/Brotherhood is a theme at this year's Sacred Threads exhibit in Herndon, VA. These are a few of the pieces in that section. The different interpretations of peace are very interesting. Enjoy.

The Pixieladies (Deb Cashatt & Kris Sazaki) said of War in Black and White, "We wanted to call attention to the apparent ease with which Americans embrace our war efforts ecause we aren't asked to make any sacrifices ourselves. What sacrifice do we make by slapping magnetized yellow ribbons on our cars in support of our toops? Made from newspaper headlines about the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, this ribbon challenges the viewer to think about the reality behind the symbol, its fraying ends a stark reminder of the costs of waging a protracted "war on terrorism."" This quilt was actually the shape of a "ribbon." I've included a closeup so you can read some of the headlines.

"A woman leaping in mid-air with a swirling diaphanous gown, head tilted back, eyes closed, and arms out-stretched. This is a woman who is at peace, and is as free as the butterflies at her fingertips. Her floating image makes us breathe deeply and makes us wish we could join her." That is the description given by Jennifer Day of her quilt, Butterflies are Free.

Un-equal Until Death? was made by Randall Cook. He says, "The couple depicted has spent 22 years creating and living their lives together. The lack of marriage-equality makes their marriage less-than and not equal to heterosexual marriages. Depicting the couple in a somber and "un-couple-like" representation, with portions of the figures as mere ghost-like approximations, is an attempt to convey some of the emotions involved with this inequality."

The quilting on this quilt was spectacular.

Jean Herman says of her quilt, Anything Helps, "Anything Helps is my interpretation of brotherhood. The dominant figure of the homeless man is everybody's brother. The city shapes are beautiful to me and are the background for both the affluent and the down-and-out. Those of us that live in the city encounter homeless people on every corner. It is a quandary for all of us to decide to help someone who is our brother or give in to our fear of funding drugs and alcohol. The people surrounding the man are shadowy as my way of interpreting this personal dilemma."

My last post on Sacred Threads 2015 will be on the theme of spirituality. Come on back if you are interested.

 

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Weekly Pattern Wednesday--Number 7

This week's pattern is based on the design of some woodwork above a huge doorway at the Gladden House Bed & Breakfast in Salem, Indiana. You can find more information about the Gladden House here.

I'm linking up with Lynn Krawczyky's Weekly Pattern Wednesday. Head on over and check out the other patterns.

 

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Theme--Joy, Sacred Threads 2015

Joy is one of the themes explored by this year's Sacred Threads exhibit in Herndon, VA. You still have a chance to see it through July 26, 2015. It is a quilt show you should see in person if there is any way you can. I guarantee that you will be profoundly touched by the quilts.

Quilts bring me joy; this display of quilts made me smile. It wasn't really in the "joy" theme section; nonetheless, I felt this was the place for the picture.

This was the sign beside this LARGE pile of quilts. Isn't this a perfect explanation of why we make quilts.

Diane Doran's quilt, California Dreaming, has images of (what looks like to me) Queen Anne's lace. This plant brings a smile to my face every time I see it, because it was my Mom's favorite "flower." Diane says of her piece, "This quilt represents the joy I've felt on vacations with my husband and three sons. The three pelicans represent the boys, and the imagery is from photos taken on trips to Florida and California." It is just such a pleasing combination of color and imagery for me. I hope you find joy in it too.

Is there anything as joyful as a child enjoying their first snowfall? As I looked at this quilt, I felt a big smile spread across my face--I felt the joy in this quilt--in this child. Judy Warner says of Joy, "In 2013, my daughter and son-in-law adopted a special needs child. (She is missing some fingers and toes.) Last winter we all traveled to Colorado and she had her first real exposure to snow. This quilt captures her genuine joy at the experience--a joy we see every day in the way she greets and explores the world. She is not held back by her limitations, she is too busy saying, "YES" to life. Her joy in turn fills us with joy--amazing how that works!"

I guess I liked this next quilt, because I'm an old hippie. Teresa Shippy says of her quilt, VW Bus, "Happy memories of my brother piling all of us kids into his wild colorfuyl funky VW peace bus to spend a fun day at the beach! Priceless."

Heidi Heuerman says of her piece, Everything's Going to Be Alright, "I was sitting in a parking lot waiting for my daughter to get back from a school field tripi. I was thinking about all the changes going on in my life and changes that neeeded to happen. Then I looked over and saw this beautiful statue. I felt a sense of calm, and knew that "Everything's Going to be Alright."

Has there been a time when you have wondered if everything was going to be alright? Did you get a sign that things would be better? What joy and peace of mind it would bring to receive such a gift. I could feel the joy radiate from this quilt.

Themes of Peace/Brotherhood and Spirituality are yet to come. Stay tuned.

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Theme--Inspiration, Sacred Threads 2015

Inspiration is one of the themes for this year's Sacred Threads exhibit. I'd like to share a few of the pieces that touched me as I viewed the exhibit in Herndon, VA.

The story behind "Annie, Give Us a Jig!" is one of my favorite stories from this year's exhibits.

This quilt was made by Lisa Arthaud. She says, "I remember the first time I met my future sister-in-law, Annie. She was working in a residential facility. As she turned down a hallway, an elderly resident abruptly bellowed out, "Hey Annie! Give us a jig!" Suddenly, this tiny, energetic woman with bouncy red curls joyously pranced and danced as laughter ensued.

Annie was diagnosed with terminal multiple myeloma cancer in September, 2014. How do you live life knowing you are facing certain death? In Annie fashion, she recently donned my daughter's tutu and jigged.

With this quilt, I honor her spirit. Grieving, smiling, rememering, I attach that silly little tutu!"

Every morning when I brush my teeth, I give up a prayer of thanks for the clean, easily accessible water with which I am blessed. Cherrie Hampton's quilt speaks to the preciousness of clean water.

The story--"The sight of this young woman's intense pleasure while drinking from a newly dug fresh water well helps me to keep life's true needs in focus. It is difficult to believe that 5,000 children die daily from water-borne illnesses. Pure water is mankind's most profound requirement. Much of the world struggles with the day to day issues of finding and collecting water, often only finding contaminated water which is shared by animals. This woman inspires me to recreate her image so that others can also become aware of her need and our need to reach out and help."

If you read my blog very often, you know how enthralled with hand stitching I am. That is the first thing that drew me to this quilt; I LOVE the hand stitching on this piece called Hope in Uncertain Times by Debby Schnabel.

I HAD to include a closeup of the stitching.

Debby says, "This quilt, and espcially these words of the title, were a direct response to the horrific events that happened at the Sandy Hook elementary school, which was followed closely by the Boston Marathon bombings and the explosions in Texas. I have friends in all those areas. I am a blogger; and everywhere I read, I could see the uncertainty that was expressed in the face of such events. I found these verses in the Psalms, and they brought me great hope. Through this quilt I have been able to share that same hope with many people."

Themes of Joy and Peace/Brotherhood are coming next. Check back if you are interested in seeing some of those quilts. By all means if you get a chance, see this exhibit in person!

 

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