Waiting for Lovers

     My latest quilt, Waiting for Lovers, is done and hanging on my wall. I began it in the fall and have worked on it off and on since then. The photo upon which it is based was taken while on our camera club's trip to Italy in 2012. 

     Since I am totally not blessed with any ability to draw or sketch, I have found a way to use a photo to make a pattern. In fact, I will be teaching a class in May at our local quilt shop Heart in Hands in Weymouth showing how to turn a photo into an art quilt. (You may click on the highlighted link to get more info.) I'm hoping it will prove to be great fun! It truly isn't a difficult process, though it does take a bit of time. Anyone can do it!

     To assemble my quilts, I use many of the techniques that I learned while attending a wonderful Quilting Under the Tuscan Sun Workshop with Esterita Austin in 2010. It was the most relaxing, creative week I have ever spent.

     The piece measures 22x29 inches and it is raw edge, fused, machine appliqued and quilted. The fabric in the frame appears to have a yellowish cast which I wasn't able to remove from the photo. The frame is actually shades of black and grey with flecks of gold. (Whenever I see good "frame" fabric, I buy a couple of yards to have on hand. This fabric has been in my stash just waiting to be used for a piece such as this.)

     What's my next project? Actually I have two in mind. Check back when you can to see what comes next.

Stock Up! Don't Forget the Milk! A Storm Is Coming!!! A Storm is Coming!!!

     The photo above shows a section of the top half of the art quilt that I have been working on. Stacey at Heart in Hands in South Weymouth had asked me to speak to her group about how I take one of my photos and turn it into an art quilt. I had spoken to an evening group at this quilt shop back in October. In my Oct. 15th blog post I described the process that I use and posted step by step photos. It was my intention back then to work faithfully on the piece doing a little bit each day. That didn't happen. I got busy quilting other things for Christmas. That's why I'm glad I was asked to speak today. It motivated me to add trim to the balcony, put in some more windows, and start on one of the gondoliers.

     Actually, with the stormy weather forecast I was certain my talk would be postponed. The snow wasn't too bad early this morning, so I did present at the quilt shop. It has been snowing steadily ever since with predictions of twelve to fifteen inches in my area! The bulk of the heavy snow will come overnight guaranteeing kids a day off from school tomorrow. The snow has been accompanied with bitter cold. Just a while ago I called my friend Donna G. to see if she would like me to bring Emma to her house to keep her company for the next few days. It was a totally sincere, kind, generous offer on my part, but Donna just laughed. I think she thought that I just wanted to get out of taking Emma out during the storm. Imagine that!