Friday, November 07, 2008

piece by piece

From the manner in which a woman draws her thread at every stitch of her needlework, any other woman can surmise her thoughts. ~Honore de Balzac


What is it about quilts that so completely and utterly fascinates me? The concept itself seems a little silly. Cut fabric apart just to sew it back together again. Hummm.

After some consideration I've come to the conclusion that it all comes down to tradition. I'm a bit of a tradition junkie and quilts are just about as American as it comes. There is some small business about people quilting as early as the 15th century, but it wasn't the patchwork we all know and love. Quilts were an integral part of the Civil war and the Underground Railroad and their popularity has never died.

I've tried my hand at quilting several times with mixed results. I'm not giving up though. I have some great fabric and a few ideas that have been clanking around in my head. Maybe the cold weather will nag at me just enough to do something about it.

Until then, I give you Monaleisa.

First and foremost, Leisa Wuthrich is an artist and an art teacher. For her, the magic of quilting is in the colors and design of the textiles. Leisa's eye for bold block color really sucks me in. I like to think of her work more as abstract fine art than traditional quilting. Although, you wouldn't have to ask me twice to cuddle up in one of her pieces. I simply love I idea of being wrapped up in art!

Leisa is also a contributor to Camp Creek Press which promotes learning through art. Check it out.

Okay, now for the good stuff (a-hem, the free stuff)!!! Leisa is graciously giving away this funky mini quilt! To be in the drawing, just leave a comment. The winner will be announced Monday morning.

Until then,
take it easy.

98 comments:

Anonymous said...

Lovely! I love them. n_n
Really nice blog you have here!

Isabel Aven and Sylvia Harper said...

wow... so beautiful! that mini quilt would be peeeerfect in my little one's room!

Kate said...

Beautiful! I love that Amy Butler fabric! I hopped over from Etsy, lovely blog!

Toni said...

Quilting is my love and the big blocks are very fun to do. I hope you give quilting a try, it's not so hard. Just cut up and sew together, who says it needs to be straight and squared?

Cardwell said...

Okay, you may have just inspired me to start up quilting! Hers are beautiful - I would love to have one for my little boy!

magpie said...

wow- they're really pretty!! i would love to be entered in the contest :)

Heather Leavers said...

Oh I love quilts, it's a craft I've not yet tried. fingers crossed!

niftyknits.etsy.com

Lori said...

That is a beautiful quilt! Lovely blog.

13moons said...

Oh, I love the quilt pictures! Especially that last sweet image.

It has been many years since I quilted.

Anita

Anonymous said...

I'd love a quilt! The colors are fun! Jenni Blat

Lori said...

this is beautiful work.

Cristina said...

Such beautiful work! I so wish I could sew. Thanks for the opportunity.

Anonymous said...

I love quilts too...but it is much too precise an art for me...LOL

Purple Princess said...

Beautiful quilt!! Love your blog!

SweetMeat Sunshine said...

Love it! You're blog is great : )
This inspires me. I'm not a quilter but I long to be.

Jingle said...

These are beautiful! Someday....someday....
jinglesells at gmail dot com

Anonymous said...

I'll very much like to win this! It's so beautiful. :)

dancerinthemaking@gmail.com

Anonymous said...

WOW. If there isn't anyone who's in awe of it, im gonna be very surprised! That is a very nice quilt! I'll love to win that!

Crystal(manhattandolls@gmail.com)

Anonymous said...

Love the fabrics! So pretty!

Melody said...

That is a very lovely quilt created with much love & passion. I love the intricate details that went into this piece. Please include me in the drawing! I'll dearly wish to win this for my mum. I can't quilt so i can't make anything close to this so hopefully, i'll win this instead for her!

Thank you for the giveaway..

Cheers,
Melody
mel_88_88@hotmail.com

Anonymous said...

Count me in! I can imagine seeing in person now.. Fabulous quilt!!

tan.huishan@gmail.com

Kari said...

With that picture at the beginning, I thought you'd jumped in--those stripped-out squares are yummy.
And I'm in love with that quilt at the end. Is that one of yours, or did you swipe the picture? Where is it from? I need a closer look.

Anonymous said...

That is so sweet! I want to learn how to quilt myself, but in the meantime I'd love to win your giveaway! Thanks for the opportunity!
mybabyappleseed(at)yahoo(dot)ca

Anonymous said...

Ohhhhh, that is so dang cute! With the coming of rainy season, I think that quilt belongs in Oregon!
Love Ya Sis,
Heidi °Ü°

Anonymous said...

I LOVE LOVE LOVE that quilt!

jessicacook17@hotmail.com

Angel said...

love quilts but somehow we still dont have any!

Angela @ Nine More Months said...

I love the fabrics! Thanks for the chance to win!
Angela
itsahumanzoo(at)gmail(dot)com
P.S. I'm giving away two Bath and Body Works prizes on my blog. Stop by and throw your name in the hat to win! :)

~Cheryl said...

How pretty!!! I've always wanted to try quilting but never had the guts! *L*

Jessica said...

That is beautiful. I love the way the colors pop. I have always wanted to make a quilt. My son is 6 now and I have planned since his birth to turn my favorite clothes and blankets of his into a quilt of his childhood. Nice idea...but I lack the skills!

islandergaljessi at gmail dot com

Anonymous said...

Quilts seem to hold love and warmth within, until someone owns them...then they truly show their beauty...

How excitng to have an opportunity to win one! Your blog is so cheery on this rainy autumn day, thank you!

pumpkinlady430@yahoo.com

Shellbells said...

adorable, count me in

Terri Fisher said...

I, too, love quilts. My husband's grandmother made sure all of her grandkids had one of her quilts, which I am thrilled to own. These quilts look wonderful, too!

rose AKA Walk in the Woods - she/her said...

What a fun and beautiful piece of warming and comforting art!

Jenna said...

The quilts are amazing! I would love to have one. Thanks for a great giveaway!

Anonymous said...

I would love to own the perfect little quilt. I have always want to learn to sew.

Morgan

Michelle said...

I would love to be entered!

You are awesome to be doing all of these giveaways.

scrappermg@cox.net

Beat Black said...

her shop is so colourful. she really chooses all the right fabrics, love it!

Anonymous said...

How cute! I would love to be entered!

~ Kira
http://themissionofachristian.wordpress.com/

Rhonda said...

Absolutely beautiful! Please include me in your giveaway!

Kathleen J. said...

Came from Etsy thread, loved blog, subscribed to said blog. :)

Suz said...

Nice blog & quilts. I love quilting & knitting almost as much as I love scrapbooking. Thanks for the op to win. This is my first visit but it wouldn't be my last!

chris a said...

so glad you mentioned your blog on 2peas - I love that you talk about many different crafts.

Anonymous said...

Beautiful...love it! :)

Cindy
chudson@assessmentplus.com

liannallama said...

What a warm, snuggly post! I adore that mini quilt and the very first photo you posted of the quilt edge simply fascinates me! Great blog!

Guider Barb said...

It's beautiful.
ve3smu(at)cogeco(dot)ca

Unknown said...

Wow..Gorgeous Quilts. Enjoyed your blog - great giveaway.

butterfly843 said...

The quilt is beautiful!

Billie said...

I want it, I want it, I want it!!!!Love Auntie Billie

Bunny B said...

I'd love to win this! Thanks!
bunnybx at gmail . com

K and/or K said...

A petite treasure. Lovely. I taught 12 year olds how to quilt using the paper piecing technique. I learned that it is for the detail oriented, those who can be exact. I was more than challenged, but amazed at what they were able to do.

Unknown said...

Wow, this is beautiful.

Thank you!
Cecilia
onenightoff (at) gmail (dot) com

Pecos Blue said...

Very beautiful quilt. Funny one of friends husbands just asked me the other day. Why do you do that? (quilting) and it was hard to answer.... but I like doing it.

I am also doing my 100th blog giveaway.

Anonymous said...

Oooh! Please enter me!

That quilt is just so neat.

Melissa said...

I love quilts and wish I had the patience to attempt a difficult one. I would love to have that piece!!!

Birds of a Feather said...

thanks for stopping by my little corner of the blog worls! your blog is lovely and what dreamy photos ~ looks like a storybook life! someday i hope to live in a little seaside town in cali too!

xo heidi

wzgirl said...

I love the idea of being wrapped up in art, too! That wee quilt is so endearing. xo

Debi said...

Wow... I am always fascinated by the people who sew..... and do it so beautifully!

Digital Misfit said...

So beautiful and happy! I have always wanted a mini quilt to display.

Kim Caro said...

i too admire the quilt.

Breathing In Grace said...

I love quilts, too...even mini ones!!! I have several...regular sized ones..that my grandmothers made and I wouldn't trade them for anything!!!

Sena said...

Lovely quilt!
sena.sagani[at]gmail[dot]com

Wendy said...

Love the quilts..PICK ME PICK ME!

Kristin W. said...

absolutely beautiful. i would love to win!
specialk[dot]roxygirl[at]gmail[dot]com

Stacey said...

My husband and I actually quilt together, we are making our own traditions. The quilts are wonderful. svbloomfield (at) gmail (dot) com

Anonymous said...

oh, oh, I'd love to make a cozy spot for that lap quilt. (and I'll take the glorious sunset, too :) --Nancy in NC, nancywalters44@hotmail.com

Holly Steffen said...

your quilt is absolutly beautiful and just my style! i love it!! =]

i have one baby boy (he just turned 1) and i have another baby boy coming in march. i'm sure he'd love tummy time on this colorful mini quilt!

Anonymous said...

That is so beautiful - I would LOVE to win! I'm always chilled, so I like to have warm quilts and blankets to cozy up in.

GARDENGIRL74(at)HOTMAIL(dot)COM

shelby lynn said...

I love quilts!! Old,new tattered, pristine, small, large, heavy, threadbare, mismatched, matchy-matchy,simple, intricate....it doesn't matter. They all make me want to snuggle down and read a good book.

Jane Pierce aka zJayne said...

Lovely Talent! These are stunning! I love the "wrapped up in Art" ...which I see as a worthy quote!

Ahauna said...

Wow, what a generous giveaway! I've done just about every other craft but sewing and crocheting are just beyond my talents, LOL.

primitivehouse@aol.com

Kristen said...

What a sweet little quilt :)
Nice Blog too!

Anonymous said...

These quilts are gorgeous!

Thanks for the contest :)

Tia Colleen said...

ohmygosh ohmygosh, I want to win! What a fabulous giveaway!!!! I only own one quilt. My mom made it for me for my 19th birthday. It doesn't come out until winter usually. Its under my bed right now, but hopefully the weather will get cold enough soon, and me and my quilt will have a date in the very near future.

Anonymous said...

Thanks for doing the giveaway. I would adore one of your quilts. Best, Becky

Anonymous said...

WOW! What beautiful quilts. This is the first time I have visited your blog and I will be back!

Unknown said...

What lovely craftsmanship! I would love to counted in on the drawing.

boldnessbe(at)gmail(dot)com

megs said...

Darling quilts. I wish I had the patience to create one bigger than a baby blanket!

Elissa said...

What an awesome quilt! Your blog is lovely, by the way.

Anonymous said...

wow, that is so lovely!

Angie said...

I love quilts...they are so full of history and family tradition! This would be so lovely to have and keep for the many more generations of family to come! Thank you for the chance to win!

Krissy said...

Oh how I would love to snuggle up with my daughter beneath such a lovely handmade quilt! It could be something to pass down to her own daughters!!

krissyloveseeyore@hotmail.com

Anonymous said...

Beautiful quilts! Love them!

mbj_contact (at) yahoo (dot) com

BethW7372 said...

Great giveaway, gorgeous quilt, I'd love to win!

Mimi said...

I love quilts

Anonymous said...

Sign me up! I love those quilts:) Thanks so much for the offer!

Anonymous said...

These are beautiful!

The MacPherson Family said...

I think that it is such a shame that the young people that I know don't know how to quilt. I grew up helping my great grandma and mother tie and do piece quilts. I have a ton of fabric just waiting to be pieced together or tied. I love quilts and think that they are amazing works of art. I love your pictures of Thailand. What an trip of a lifetime.

Dana said...

wonderful job

Unknown said...

beautiful. Please enter me.Thanks

demmi said...

wonderful prize I would love to win

Crystal said...

that quilt is beautiful!

Chelle said...

Darling mini quilts... I love them!

Chelle said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
g said...

someday i hope to be the quilter but for now i will just be inspired and hope to win 1 of your lovely creations.

Kathleen Ewald said...

Am I too late to enter the drawing? I would LOVE a Monaleisa quilt - they are absolutely gorgeaous - just like their designer.

SweetMeat Sunshine said...

I hope I'm still in for the drawing! This is a delightful mini quilt...I melt :) THANKS!

Rachel said...

How beautiful! Just darling!

ryanwithballard@Hotmail.com

Unknown said...

Okay folks, the drawing is now closed!