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.

compromise

I honestly try to be a fun mom. I take Thom to Disneyland and Lego Land. I buy play dough and finger paints. I even bought him some Incredibles pajamas and I really hate characters on clothing. It's not easy when our style sense clashes on a daily basis.

But I had to draw the line when he wanted "John Deer" fabric. I just couldn't bring myself to, not only buy it at $8 a yard, but then spend time sewing it into a blanket. So we compromised.

Thank heaven for "surfer" style.

I used "minky" fabric on the back. It is soooo incredibly soft, but let me tell ya, it's a b. to sew with. The fish, name and surfboard are all embroidered. I wonder how long it will take him to spill grape juice on it.

i may have a.d.d.

As if I didn't have enough hobbies and projects to consume all of my time, I decided to try my hand at quilting. Last Friday Sugar Daddy went on a rock climbing over-night trip and so I decided to hunker down for a night in. I put a Disney movie on for the boy, ordered in a pizza, dawned a pair of old sweats, pulled my hair back into a messy bun and went to work on my first quilt. Okay, I must admit here that it was a kit quilt that I got on sale at the fabric store. The instructions were probably written for someone in fifth grade. But, hey, it was on my level. I think it turned out pretty good. I can't wait to wrap it around Mei Mei.



Unfortunately, I seem to have caught the quilt bug. I made another trip to the fabric store (a very stressful trip with a four-year-old boy playing rocket with the thread and begging me to buy a flannel with a John Deer print). I am combining a little embroidery into this one. I am thinking of giving it to my niece for her birthday.

I guess after this I will be making an incredibly ugly John Deer quilt for Thomas. Don't expect a post on that one.