A few weeks ago I taught for a quilt guild in northern Illinois. Kathy came up to me and said she was the “blue bird lady”. I remembered she’d sent me a photo of her bird quilt that I shared in my recent “bird” post (click here to read that post). After that post I did another one that asked readers to send me photos of their squirrel quilts – and Kathy brought hers to the meeting. She said she’d been a kindergarten teacher and her students loved it when she sang the song “Gray Squirrel”. How sweet. The musical notes in the border fabric represent the song! I was pleased she thought to bring it to the meeting.
The first photo I received in response to my post was from Diane:
“We have a friend whose nickname is Squirrel so I made this quilt for him.“
I’m sure Squirrel loved it! Then Bonnie wrote:
“Hi Kris, I just happen to have a quilt with a squirrel on it! I made this a couple of years ago, using some free appliqué pillow patterns as the source for the 2 big pumpkins and the critters. Squirrels are a great source of entertainment at our house because we have a “squirrel bungee” with a corn cob on it, and watching them jump up and bounce around on it is pretty humorous!“
Delightful! Another email came from Maud:
“Good morning, Your timing on the squirrel quilt is spot on. This year my local library asked me to make a quilt for a fundraiser. The library’s mascot is a squirrel named Oaklee, chainsaw carved from a dying oak tree in their front lawn.”
“Following their squirrel lead, I had so much fun making this quilt to fit the theme. The squirrel and leaves are made from wool I hand dyed years ago. The raffle drawing is May 2nd and I hope it makes a lot of much needed money for my wonderful library!”
I’m sure the quilt was a hit in the raffle.
I’ve been blessed to teach many classes recently for guilds and shows (I think I may have overbooked myself – but I loved every one!). I always ask students to send me photos of the projects they begin in class. Recently I’ve recieved some delightful pics, and they make my teacher’s heart sing!
This note and photo were emailed to me by a quilter in Rockford, IL. I was thrilled to see she’d won a blue ribbon for the piece she started in class. She didn’t however sign her email, and I don’t remember her name. So, if anyone recognizes her, please send her name in the comments below. Congrats dear quilter! Here’s her message:
“I took a class from you last year and entered my art quilt in the Sinnissippi Quilters Quilt Show in Rockford, Illinois. I took first place in the art category. Unfortunately it is overpowered by the quilt it is hanging behind. I enjoyed the class and thinking outside the box.”
The next two emails were from students in my classes at the Indiana Heritage Quilt Show (click here to read the post about that show). This one is from Tearle who took my “Where Do I Start With Fiber Art” class
“Hello Chris — Here is my finished quilt! It has changed a bit since the class. I added some lace, rick rack and buttons. These embellishments are from my grandmother Beulah’s sewing stash! She passed away over 20 years ago but she was an amazing seamstress! She made all of her own clothes, as well as mine, my mom’s and my aunt’s, not to mention sewing for others to make some extra money. Beulah is a Biblical name…one of the meanings that I could find was: “A place or state of ideal happiness and union with God.” So, if I’m naming my first art quilt, it would be “Beulah–a new beginning,” to represent the new turn my quilting has taken. Thanks again, Chris! I am already starting to think about my NEXT art quilt!”
Tearle’s story is as lovely as her quilt.
Then I received an email from Bryan. He and his wife were in my Mariner’s Compass class in Indiana.
“At my local guilds stay at home quilt retreat. Finished my compass block. Loved the class!”
Well done Bryan! And here are two more student successes. Karen took my compass class last year, and when I visited her guild a few weeks ago (at the same meeting in which Kathy showed me her squirrel quilt) she had it finished and on a jacket! Gorgeous!
When I taught my Seminole workshop for these ladies two days later, Deb brought in her compass from that same class. I love the colors!
I really enjoy seeing what happens to quilts that begin in a class. Thanks to all who shared ~ and made this week’s post so much fun!
Tearle
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