Sew Inspired!

This dear friend, pictured here, is my very first quilting instructor! She has inspired me in SEW many ways. Today is her birthday and this post is dedicated to Ann and all her multitude of talents; but, far and away, one the things that she is the very best at is being a friend! I cherish her and our friendship, one that has lasted since I was that eager wanna-be quiltmaker in her class 33 years ago. She delighted me with some show and tell when I visited her just before Christmas. She happily displayed her "Spinning Stars" quilt top from a class that she and I took together at Mid-Atlantic Quilt Festival three years ago. Sigh and groan... this is where mine is so far:

I don't know why I ever quit working on mine... but I did. As you can plainly see, I adopted an alternate setting from the pattern for my blocks. I had entitled mine "Mountain Day" and only lack four more rows from having a top that measures 60" x 84". I have dragged it out, with all of the components and rulers, and placed it front and center. If Ann's is done and ready to be quilted, then mine will be too!

This was Ann's second show and tell that same day. The sigh and groan that eminated from me this time was much more audible and dramatic; I do know why I never kept working on this one... it was HARD...  I gave up in utter frustration after one completed block! Again, a class that she and I took together, this one two years ago. Always inspiring me, Ann's actions on this front (twelve blocks seems like a reasonable goal!) convinced me to drag out what I had stashed away. Here it is:

The working title given to this one was "Starburst Spin"... in honor of Starburst jellybeans. I can dust this one off and bring these candy colors to life. All I need to do is dedicate my mind and spirit, I can do that, in honor of my friend; she has always left me SEW inspired! Thanks, Ann, you never fail to bring out the best in me. I have weekend plans (Friday/Saturday) to stitch away while being on a fairly close-to-home retreat. My projects this time have self-selected; wish me luck. Hold me accountable. My quilt teacher will, I'm giving her permission to be tough on me... after all, it's her birthday!

Life is Good!

Inspired!

I took a screen printing workshop from Jean Ray Laury at Mid-Atlantic quilt festival back in 2004, it was a day of pure inspiration. I only just learned of her passing upon returning home, Quiltkeemosabe sent me this link to her obituary that she had written herself, even in death she continues to inspire! I have been thinking about her the last few days, and about that workshop in particular. I still have the handouts, and my class samples; I rooted around in the closet and dug them out. My attempts are primitive and naive; but they still hold enormous appeal. The quilt pictured here was our class example that day, she encouraged us to work with simple shapes and familiar objects. I don't know the name of this piece of work, I found the photo here (click to read a terrific interview with her from November, 2000). If any of you can help me out with a name/title of this piece I'd be very grateful. I remember at the conclusion of our workshop she informed us that her teaching schedule was ending, she was planning on staying home after from then on and concentrating her energies there. I recall feeling so very fortunate that I had signed up for that class, and more than that I can still sense the sheer joy and unbridled giddiness that she sparked in me that day. I am compelled today to dust off that screen and print some more fabric squares! Thank you, Jean Ray Laury, you fed this quilter's soul with creativity seven years ago; it nourishes me still. I've removed her charming children's bedtime book, No Dragons On My Quilt, from the shelf. The next time Mason visits we'll read it together. The legacy of this talented quilting pioneer will live on~and on!

Life is Good!