An Oasis in the Desert

The past month has been one of the most difficult times in our lives... It has seemed as though Dave and I have been wandering in the desert, much of the time by ourselves.... lost and alone. 

We now find ourselves with the potential for a complete change in direction for our future.  We don't know what the future looks like.  We have yet to see that picture.  I cannot reveal the details that brought us to this point of life, but I can say that the past several weeks have involved lots of waiting.  Waiting as other people did their jobs and made decisions regarding our situation.  The next step has been taken and we now wait... again.

If you really know me you KNOW that I LOVE to spend time in my sewing room creating, sewing, and quilting.  I use the time as therapy.  But the last few weeks rocked me so badly that I could not even muster up the energy to make it into my sewing room, let alone create something in there.

In the past there have been times when I would comment on the amount of discarded pieces of fabric or paper in the trash can in my sewing room.  It has been used as a sort of gauge as to whether it was a "good" week or a "sad" week.  This past Tuesday as Dave and I gathered up the garbage to take out my comment was "Oh, this was a REALLY pathetic week."  (There was one discarded tissue.) He looked me in the eyes and said, "It is time.  Get back in there and create.  You need to make a quilt and it needs to represent something about time in the desert." 

I thought about it... I thought about the past weeks and the amount of time we both have spent in prayer, study and in Scripture.  There were several key scripture verses that we have clung to in this desperate time.  I went to my stash.  I pulled out a fat quarter that had Scriptures of hope printed on them.  I then went and pulled out fabric that represented the mono-chromatic colors of the dessert.  This is what came about...

As I cut and placed the pieces for the top on my design wall I felt my spirit begin to lift.  As I sewed the pieces together and read and focused on each scripture square I found myself beginning to smile and sing along with the praise music I was listening to.  By the time I got to the border I was nearly dancing!

Once the top was complete, I asked Dave his opinion before I started the quilting.  I had thought about possibly doing some applique or some embroidery that would have represented growth in the desert.  After a comment from him about the random placement of the scripture squares, he thought it just needed lots of quilting.  My response to the random-ness of the scripture was "There is no pattern to the color placement or the Scripture. There is no symetry or pattern in the desert/nature."  Okay... 

So I started with some leaf/flower petal type quilting pattern.  Again, with no symetry, rhyme or reason to the placement of it.  (Trust me, Dave commented on the lack of it again.)  Then I took advantage of the remaining open space and decided that I would work on improving my skills of free-motion quilting.  The stitch length is uneven and "jerky" in places.  Because of that, this quilt would never win any kind of award for skill in quilting, but it takes practice to improve. 

This quilt represents much to me.  It represents wandering and growth. It represents time with the Lord and the many people that have been praying for us and with us.  It represents hurt and healing.  It represents our current position in life.  It is an Oasis in the Desert.

I have entered this quilt and blog entry into an on-line bloggers quilt festival.  Follow the link below and vote!  http://amyscreativeside.com/2013/05/17/bloggers-quilt-festival-scrap-quilts/

A History Lesson...

I was asked to compile a brief description of the various blocks and the meaning and history of each block. 

Log cabin (Center squares) quilts have been sewn in the United States since the 1860s. Each square block is a piece of quilt history in itself. The block is a representation of an early log cabin home that was being built on the wide expanses of the prairie. The log cabin quilt pattern history of meanings is: The center block of the quilt is usually red or yellow, this represents the fire in the hearth. The light strips on the log cabin pattern square represent the sun shining on the eastern side of the log cabin. Likewise the dark strips on the log cabin pattern indicate the shady side of the log cabin.

Together these simple fabric strips are stitched in a precise manner to form a complete picture to those who understand what the color and materials represent. Now you know the log cabin quilt pattern history of the exquisite log cabin quilt itself and why it came to be such a cherished part of quilting history and daily life back then. The log cabin quilt still remains a popular quilt pattern today. It represents: Home, Warmth, Love and Security.

The trees are representative of life.  I chose to use include Aspen leaves  represent the changing seasons of life.

A remarkably simple block, a basic Flying Geese block (the border - triangular shape) consists of a larger triangle (the goose) surrounded by two smaller triangles (the sky). Flying Geese blocks are usually made so they are twice as wide as they are tall. Choosing fabrics with enough light-dark contrast is essential to make the geese stand out against the background of sky. If the goose fabric is dark, the sky should be lighter; on the other hand, if the goose fabric is light, the sky should be darker.  

Check out this lesson from Geese. http://www.agiftofinspiration.com.au/stories/inspirational/geese.shtml

The Bears Paws (Corner blocks) - Each paw consists of a square, edged with saw tooth little triangles with a smaller square at the corner. The darker colored triangles in the saw tooth section represent the claws of the bear. Sometimes the paws are set in different directions to give a fresh look to the main block.  What became each claw in the Bear's Paw quilt block had it's beginnings as the sawtooth border used on early American quilts.

Something New

In a recent conversation with a friend we had discussed some quilting techniques that we have a desire to try.  I had mentioned that a Whole Cloth Quilt is something I have on my "bucket list".  It is on hers as well. 

The Whole Cloth quilt might look quite plain - almost boring -  because it is simply a plain piece of fabric, all one color, no variation.  The quilt, as a result is a display of skill in quilting.  Many people view the "piecing" process, fitting the variety of fabric colors shapes together in a pattern as quilting.  When in reality, quilting is the process of attaching the three layers (Top- batting - backing) together.

In the collection of fabric I recently received there were several stacks of blocks pinned together and labeled for placement.  It seemed to be a border of sorts as they were marked Top - L-R, Right - Top - Bottom, etc.  After I placed it on my design wall I went back to the bin to see what other fabric there might be to go with it. I decided that "now is no better time to try to create a medallion on a whole cloth."  Much to my amazement (ha,ha) I discovered the ideal fabric for the center.

I was still intimidated by the size and decided that I should machine stitch the center.  It is, afterall, a first time and a sort of "experiment", I reasoned.

I am pleased with the design that came out.  (Back view shown) It was a result of a compilation of various templates that I have on hand and what some would consider pure accident or others would say divine inspiration. I am aware that all of the grid quilting in the background area is not consistently uniform and that it would not win any kind of quilting award.  That's not what I was going for. 

I chose to do a raw edge quilting technique for the border using the abandoned quilt squares.  It seemed a natural choice since Lee (my fabric angel) had commissioned a raw edge quilt a couple years ago for her new guest room that she had created in her home.

It seems to speak to me... saying, "Come... seek comfort and warmth with me.  Do you hear it too?

I would still like to someday make a wholecloth quilt that is hand-stitched.  It will likely be only crib sized as I don't think that I really have the desire or attention span to one much bigger than that.  There are a number of patterns available for purchase.  However, I like the creative process of developing my own.  Be assured, I will spend much more time and attention to detail in making that the background grid quilting is a little closer to perfection.

For now, I am ready to move on and see what other inspired creations I can make. 

Another entry in the on-line bloggers quilt festival... follow the link and vote for me!  http://amyscreativeside.com/2013/05/17/bloggers-quilt-festival-throw-quilts/

The Fabric Angel

Several weeks ago I had received a phone call from a friend that is moving soon. She had been cleaning out her closet where she stored various items, but mostly fabric.  "Would you be interested in all of this fabric?  Because I am not moving it."  Immediately, my response was "Of course!"

When she brought by her collection of fabric  I was thrilled, excited and honored that she thought of me. 

As I searched through it all just to get an idea of what I now had, I discovered a couple of quick projects and WIP's (Work in progress)/UFO's (un-finished Objects). 

Last weekend, while working on the big queen-sized quilt, I found myself needing a little bit of a change, so I busted out one on the UFO's and Viola...

The first item to be added to my inventory for the show on April 5th... A table runner from a pre-printed panel. :)

I believe there will be many projects to come from her collection of fabric.  Wine Bags, java jackets, therapeutic rice bags... maybe some purses or aprons... Be sure to watch and see what I come up with.  I welcome ideas and suggestions. 

Taking Flight

The 12 cabins, 16 trees, 16 aspen leaves and four bear paws blocks were completed and all I needed were 104 Flying Geese. 

I cut, sewed, pressed and rearranged, then sewed, cut and pressed again. And then finally trimmed 104 flying geese.  These rectangular shaped blocks actually went pretty fast.  I am not sure who came up with the technique to make four blocks at a time, but the assembly time is amazingly fast.  Genius, even!  It is the trimming to size that is somewhat time consuming. 

Not that I am complaining... any time in my sewing room is a good time.  It is where some "magic" happens.  I create, I problem solve, I heal.  A friend suggested that "I pour my art into it".  It is true, I do pour my art, my heart, my soul and my prayers into each project.

As I work on each quilt or project, I find that coming to completion of the project is almost like reaching the end of a good book.  There is a sense of completion, yet a sense of sadness because the characters of the book - the ones that have become a part of your life - are gone.  Done.  No more pages. 

I have only one more border left on this queensized quilt and then I move on to the actual quilting part. And then the binding.  The Bear in the woods quilt will soon be done, blessed and ready to go to its new home and new life.  I'm sure it will be happy and I will find something new to make and create.

I need to build up my inventory for the spring/summer fairs or markets that I may be part of.  The first one is just around the corner on April 5th.  Yikes!  I better get moving :)  

Therapy

The past few weeks have been a whirlwind, with life's challenges and rewards.  

I have spent the last two weeks assisting with a fundraising event coordinating and planning with two wonderful ladies.  Creating center pieces, decorating the stage and setting up the silent auction were among some of the tasks that I did. 

I did enjoy the creative side of the event planning/coordinating.  But I missed the "therapy time" in my sewing room.  There is just something about working with the fabric and the sound of the sewing machine that is soothing to my soul. 

Last week was filled with some challenges - like part of the patio roofing coming off in a big gust of wind on Monday...

and the kitchen drain being completely blocked on Friday.  Ugh!  But Saturday - sweet, sweet Saturday brought some much needed time in my sewing room and therapy. :)

I was able to assemble all of the blocks for the Bears in the Woods quilt!  I am now ready for the 104 flying geese border this week. 

The reward, other than the assembled top, was that all of the things on my plate to be addressed kept my mind from wondering whether or not the blocks that were submitted to Quiltmaker will be selected for their publication.  I should be hearing from them by the end of the week.  Accepted or declined - it really was an honor just being invited.

Blessed from above, Made with love

I began quilting about 10 years ago.  I had always heard my Mom tell stories about her grandmother quilting and how she, as a young girl, would be allowed to join in and help the ladies from the Christian Church during the quilting "bees".  She always includes the story of how one time she left her grandmother's to go home.  She had forgotten something and returned and discovered her grandma was removing quilting stitches from the area that she had been working on. 

Quilting just interested me, and I think, is really just part of my DNA.  I learned to sew at about age seven in 4-H.  I made clothes. I made curtains.  I made pillows. I made repairs.  I made alterations.  While my sewing skills were advanced, I needed quite a bit of help with quilting. 

As my quilting skills improved with the help of quilting books and television shows, I learned that a quilt is never complete without a label.  The label should contain important information such as:

Name of the Quilt,

Maker of the Quilt,

and date.

It was on my first label that I started using the phrase "Blessed from above, Made with love".  From there I will usually list the recipient's name, occassion and date. 

But the thing that I want all people who receive or buy one of my quilts is that each stitch is made with not only love, but with prayer.  "I remember you in my prayers night and day (and with every stitch)" ~ 2 Timothy 1:3.  On fb I often refer to my sewing room as my happy place.  Or I refer to my time in my sewing room as "therapy".  I do love my sewing room!  It is a place that I can spend time in prayer and meditation as I make quilted items that can be a blessing to others.