Quilters, Books and Bindings

Introducing Kalarahi Quilts

2012-01-27T22:24:00.000-08:00

Hello, I just wanted to do a quick introduction of myself.

My name is Tonya and I blog over at Hillbilly Handiworks.

(Well I actually have 4 blogs. One other that might interest you is my book review blog. You can find all four of my blogs under my profile or on the Hillbilly Blog.)

I read The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency straight through on New Years Eve. Finished around 1 am New Years Day. I immediately formed a photo in my mind about what I wanted to make for my challenge quilt, but I cannot draw. So I started googling 'giraffes'and 'acacia trees'. I had in my mind this bargello background with a giraffe eating leaves off a tree. Good grief, you are not going to believe what I found:

That pretty much shot down my idea. But I am so glad that I found this quilt.

I have written all about Kalarahi Quilts, the only quilt shop in Batswana, on my blog today.

You can find the post Right Here. There are LOTS of Batswana quilt photos.

Something just might inspire you for your challenge quilt.

In the meantime..I have to work on my new, non bargello, non giraffe idea.

Tonya

Lover's Knot quilt

2011-12-30T13:43:00.000-08:00

I enjoyed reading The Lover's Knot and then also read A Drunkard's Path and The Double Cross by Clare O'Donohue. This is the second quilt I ever made and I gave it to my parents for Christmas last year. It's the Lover's Knot and is quilted on a longarm using the Baptist fan pantos.

I am halfway through The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency and have the next two books in the series to read, too. I already have my next "quilt" in mind.

Blessings,
Sallie

Book for January and February

2011-12-26T19:48:00.000-08:00

Meet Mma Precious Ramotswe, proprietor of th No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency, located in Gaborone, Botswana. Mma Ramotswe uses her intuition to help her clients solve all sorts of small mysteries. This book, and the others in the series, is filled with wit, humor, and an intriguing look at modern Botswana. Mma Ramotswe is a traditionally built woman who shares her thoughts about her world is changing, and yet the same. There are now 13 books in the series. You can read about them at Alexander McCall Smith's web site. Apparently, there was a television series and a movie, but I have not seen either.

Botswana, the setting for this series, is a medium sized country in sub-Saharan Africa. It is surrounded by South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia. 70% of the country is taken over by the Kalahari Desert. It is the least sparsely populated country in Africa, but it has the fasting growing economy. Botswana is an independent country (since 1966) that holds regular free democratic elections. Gaborone is the capitol of the country.

I would like to have everyone read this book, or another one in the series, because the visual possibilities are so wonderful. From the traditional clothing and architecture to the Acacia trees and the animal life, to the traditionally built Mma Ramotswe, I am excited to see the quilts we all come up with.

Another reason I would like for us to read these books is for the discussion possibilities. Mma Ramotswe and her friends, family, and co-worker have very interesting ideas about how the world works. These ideas often generate interesting discussions in the book. I think it would be fun to build on them here.

I hope everyone is okay with this choice. If not, please suggest other titles for our consideration.

I would like to work on this one for two months, then start a new book in March.

For those of you who are new to this, here are some guidelines.

1. Read the book.

2. Create a quilt of any size and style that brings to your mind some aspect of the book. This could be setting, plot, underlying theme. symbols, or characters. Anything that stands out for you in the book.

3. Share your progress and process here.

4. If you are not a member of the group, just leave a message that you would like to join, and I will send you an invitation.

Happy reading and quilting, everyone.

The next book?

2011-12-10T09:22:00.000-08:00

Hello everyone. I think it is about time to start thinking about our next book. If you are not part of this group, you may easily join by leaving a comment. What would you all like to read this time? I am currently reading books in the No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency series, and I have been envisioning quilts in each one. I would love to get us going again right after the new year.
Joyful quilting, everyone.

Finally started...and almost finished

2011-11-20T06:38:00.001-08:00

Good morning!

After re-reading Lover's Knot (I had read it previously), I jotted down several notes. From the beginning I knew my quilts would be small. I don't consider myself an art quilter, but it is fun to try new techniques and designs of my own making. I also knew I did not need any more large UFOs lying around - small projects are fun!

So, here is Nell''s New World -- not quite finished - still needs quilting and a few embellishments.

approx 12x15 inches

It's quite obvious for those of who have read the book. Nell's new life grows from her heartache of having lost what she thought was a tidy, orderly, and very neutral (LOL), plan of life.

With the exception of the border, it is all fused, according to the Chicago School of Fusing. Laura Wasilowski spoke to our guild a few months ago and I knew I had to try her technique on this project.

Top is Done

2011-10-31T10:22:00.000-07:00

The top is done. It is called a true lovers knot. It's kind of a Celtic knot style. Now I have been thinking on it and have NO ideas of how to quilt it. So...H-E-L-P!! I need some ideas...soon. I thought this could be a pillow, but it is too big, so a wall hanging then. Let me know what ya'll think. Thanks.

Applique finished

2011-10-21T18:20:00.000-07:00

I have finally finished the applique on this piece. Now, all I have to do is quilt it and bind it and I have a small quilt that depicts my interpretation of the book. I love the idea of the mythical Phoenix rising from the ashes, good growing out of bad. That is what I wanted to show with this quilt. The death of one person leads to a new direction for two people. I like that idea very much.
I hope the rest of you are enjoying working on your quilts.

A quickie

2011-10-11T17:11:00.000-07:00

Just a quick post to say the wedding is past and all went well. Now I have finally started my quilt and it is going together beautifully. I thought the fabric choice would be tough, but after I pulled out one, I opened a drawer and the other one was right there and they are perfect together. I will post a picture soon, once the top is done. It's small, so shouldn't take too long. Hope everyone else's is going well.

Book Read and Quilt Done

2011-09-27T08:00:00.000-07:00

I finished the book...I think we all have. And I finished my quilt.

My quilt is small. It is going to be an AAQI quilt. In the book, Nell is re-proposed to by the Hudson river. This is also the spot she goes to to sit on the rock and think.

I machine pieced the background and hand appliqued the tree, leaves and rock. I also hand quilted my little quilt.

I look forward to seeing what everyone else is working on.

Hugs, Cathy

Progress

2011-09-24T18:21:00.000-07:00

I have been making slow progress on my quilt. I made the stems out of a red, green, and white paisley. I wanted the stems to be like a transition from the red "blood" stain to the cream of the new wall paint. I have started putting the flowers on, but I am just learning how to applique and they are going very slowly. I added the border to tie in the leaves. So far, I am pretty happy with where it is going.

How are the rest of you doing?

Starting my quilt

2011-09-17T18:00:00.000-07:00

I spent some time today working on my quilt for the book. I was struck by how the death of one person helped free Nell from her old life to begin anew. I was also struck by Eleanor's attachment to the quilts of her former teacher and mentor. I built some fabric for the background of my quilt. The red represents the death. I wanted it to look like a stain on a quilt like the one in the book. Out of this stain will grow beautiful flowers to represent the new life Nell and Eleanor are headed toward. I know the flowers will be applique but I am still deciding on applique or embroidery for the stems. The background piece is 15" x 15". I will probably put a border around it before I quilt it. I will post my progress as it happens.

Finished it a couple times over

2011-09-14T15:32:00.000-07:00

I tend to get engrossed in stories and miss important details. So in order to make sure I've got all the important information, I made sure to read this one a couple times. I believe I've decided on what I want to do with my quilt. It might take me a while, I've never designed one like this before. I am thinking about doing a maze with arrows. Arrows will represent the "archers", in the center of the quilt, I'm going to put a panel with a "garden" on it and have that represent the "rest". The maze is going to represent the complex twists that Nell has to figure out in order to solve the mystery. Opinions? Pretty sure I'm going to stick with mostly neutrals and small pops of color.

Enjoyed the book

2011-09-12T09:39:00.000-07:00

I finished the book and read the next one in the series, A Drunkard's Path. I'm waiting on the next one, The Double Cross, from the library. It's fun to read and try to figure out a quilt based on the book. I'm keeping pen and paper close by as I read.

I finished the book

2011-09-06T20:07:00.000-07:00

I made some time this afternoon, after finishing up some friendship stars, to finish the book. I am not sure who has finished and who has not, so I won't give away the ending. I did find so many interesting things about quilting and the philosophy of quilting as I was reading. I was really struck on page 195 when Natalie explained why quilting helped her deal with stresses of everyday life. She says:

Nancy says it's a right brain, left brain activity . . . . .There's a lot of math and figuring out patterns and amounts of fabrics, so that's one side, then the other is taken up with the whole creative process. So when you're quilting, you are completely involved it it. There's no space in your brain left over for worrying about your problems.

I find that is so true? How about the rest of you?
I am toying with a couple of ideas for my quilt. It will be a small wall hanging I think. I really like the idea of a watercolor style quilt with some applique, only using solids instead of florals. I will have to sketch my ideas out and see how it works out.

I would love to hear from the rest of you. How are you enjoying the book? Do you have quilt ideas? Congrats to Cathy for being the first one done.

I Finished the Book!

2011-09-04T10:38:00.000-07:00

It was an easy read. I was surprised how fast I finished it. I'm looking forward to see what mischief Nell will get into in the future. Her grandmother Eleanor is one cool lady. I hope everyone is enjoying the book.

Since I finished the book, I decided to start my quilt.

I sewed the background and then placed the pieces to be appliqued on the background. I took a picture so I can place the leaves in the right spot. Do you know where this is.....I will tell you after you've read the book. But if you think you know, let me know.

This quilt is killing two birds with one quilt. I made it small so it will also be an AAQI quilt.

Hugs, Cathy

Find out more about Clare O'Donohue

2011-09-04T09:13:00.000-07:00

I spent a little time reading the author's website and blog, Clare O'Donohue: Author, and discovered some interesting things. First, and most importantly, she is a quilter. I think I could tell that by the way she describes the quilts. Secondly, Archer's Rest is based on a real town set between the Hudson River and a cemetary - Sleepy Hollow, New York. Above is the cemetary, and below is part of the town.

Another tell that the author is a quilter can be found on the bottom of page 25 of Lover's Knot.

"With every quilt you make you have a picture in your mind of what it should be," Bernie continued. "Then you start. You pick fabrics, you cut the fabrics, you sew the pieces together. All along there are compromises, mistakes, inspirations. When it works, then you are truly holding your dreams in your hands. When it doesn't . . ." She shrugged.

This is very true for me. What about the rest of you?

I've got it, finally

2011-09-03T19:36:00.000-07:00

I was so excited to find the book in my mailbox today. I have read the first three chapters, and I am enjoying getting to know the characters. So far, I find Eleanor to be the kind of grandmother I can relate to. I have hopes that Nell will develop into an interesting protagonist.
O'Donohue's writing style is very straight forward. She describes the settings in a no-nonsense way. It is when she describes the quilts that I think her descriptive writing shines so far. I have a feeling this will be a fairly quick read for me. Then I can start designing the quilt.

Yay!! My book finally arrived!

2011-09-02T10:29:00.001-07:00

I'll be playing catch up, now! But with a holiday weekend, maybe I can do it!

It does seem to be a quick read, as others have said, and I'm enjoying learning about the characters. So far, I find Eleanor appealing; unless she surprises me down the road, I think she is someone I would love to know (and have as a quilting buddy!).

Jacque
aka Snoodles

I started reading too!!

2011-08-28T16:16:00.000-07:00

I started reading the book. I find it is an easy read. I am half way done. When I read the preview I thought it sounded a lot like Earlene Fowler's books (I really like the Bennie Harper Series). But now that I am into the book it is very different.

I have a couple of ideas for my quilt. None of them include Lover's Knot. You will just have to wait and see. My only question is: Is there a size limit. Hugs Cathy

Started reading

2011-08-28T02:53:00.000-07:00

I started the book, even though I am still reading another book, so two at one time! This is such an easy read, and I am enjoying it. I wasn't really sure what the lover's knot looked like, so I googled it. It seems there are a couple of variations with that name.

So my question is this: Are we going to make the lover's knot? If so, which variation shall we try, or shall we leave that up to creative interpretation? Or is there another possibility? What does everyone think?

It Came....

2011-08-24T08:47:00.000-07:00

I order the book from Amazon on Sunday and it came yesterday. That was fast. The book was on sale along with some others....

So I ordered 2 more of her books. Can't wait to start.

Wishing you a quilty day.

Hugs, Cathy

Ready to start...!!

2011-08-21T16:29:00.000-07:00

Hello, everyone. My name is Kris and I blog at Farm Girl Transplanted. I am now a stay at home mom with a DH of 16 years and a DS who is 4 years old. Prior to trying to start a family I was an archivist - worked with personal letters, architectural drawings, business records, and ultimately some of the original Lewis & Clark journals - basically, all things not published (have you seen the new fabric from 3 Sisters called Etchings? gotta get me some of that)! I do some archives and records management consulting as local projects arise.

Some of my hand pieced blocks

When I quit my job 6 years ago I decided I wanted to make a quilt. I did it like I had learned with my Grandma years and years ago - hand pieced, templates and all.

Then when my son was 6 mos old I took a strip piecing class at a local LQS. Now I'm like a woman obsessed! Check my last stash report.

I belonged to a book group for a short time with some co-workers. It was fun and we read books that I would otherwise never have picked up. Some I liked, some I didn't - but that's ok. I miss talking about what I'm reading.

Sew, I'll tell you that I've ben on a rock n roll kick lately. I read Keith Richard's book and couldn't put it down. Now I have a Keith Richards station on my Pandora account. This week I was working in the Quiet Room at the library and on my way out I saw Sammy Hagar's book. DH is a huge Van Halen fan so I thought he might like to peruse it (he hasn't read a book since the last HarryPotter, that's a story for another time). Well, I started reading it and can hardly put it down. Although, Sammy is much less verbose than Keith!

In sum, I can't wait to try to find some quilting inspiration in books and maybe try out some new techniques!

I'm so excited!

2011-08-21T09:54:00.000-07:00

My name is Missy. My blog doesn't get updated a lot, but it's CraftyMissT I am 28 years old, married for just over a year and very busy at the moment. I just started a new job and am not used to getting up at (gasp) 5 in the morning yet. My two puppies are keeping us hopping, the young one is a bundle of energy.

Aren't they so cute????

I love to read. I just hit up the library yesterday and came home with an armful of maybe 10 books, including the one that we're going to read. I'm super excited to try and create a quilt based on the story. It's something I haven't done before and I"m thrilled to try.

I've been quilting seriously for a couple years now. I did a cute wall hanging when I was about 10 and hadn't quilted since. Once my sister started having babies, I wanted to make some for them, so I delved back into the art. My most recent accomplishment is a quilt that has matching quilted shams. I'm stoked and can't wait to find fabric for the back of the quilt. I'm a little picky and haven't found anything I really want to use.

Other than that, I live in South Carolina close to Charlotte, NC. I teach children with special needs, and LOVE it! I adore the Buffalo Bills and fight with my husband over the TV during football season, cause he loves NASCAR.

Hi Everyone!

2011-08-21T08:45:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone,

My name is Cathy and my blog is Big Lake Quilter. I met Miki through Bumblebeans and 15 minutes play. I want to thank her for getting us all together and making this possible.

Now for a little bit about myself. I'm 61 years old, married to Terry, 4 children, 1 stepson and 4 wonderful grandchildren. I have been making quilts for about 25 years. It started as a casual hobby and has since taken over my life. I eat, drink and sleep quilts. I have started designing my own quilts. And I love making a quilt from a photo.

Here is a photograph I took at Seney Wildlife Refuge.

Here is the quilt I made.

I am looking forward to getting to know everyone and seeing what you all come up with while reading our books.

I just ordered my book from Amazon and it should be here next week. Can't wait to start.

Hugs, Cathy

Glad to Be Here

2011-08-21T04:03:00.000-07:00

Hello all. My name is Charlotte, my blog is GrammieQs. I am really looking forward to this quilting group. I love reading and quilting, but I especially love the fellowship of quilters and readers. I belonged to a book club a number of years back and I was sad when we broke up. It seems everyone has such busy lives and many of our members had school aged kids with tons of commitments.

I do not have any school aged kids, so I can do this stuff. I have 3 grown daughters and 2 smallish grandsons. So I have lots of reasons to quilt. (as if I needed any) I have been quilting for about 20 years now. I was into garment sewing from the time I was 10. My grandmother taught me, as she was a professional seamstress back in the day.

My husband and I are (finally) empty nesters and both work outside the home. I tell people I don't find time for quilting and crafting, I make time. It is important to me. I also crochet and am slowly doing projects around the house like tiling and painting.

I have never read this series of books, so am looking forward to it. I love it when I find a series by an author that I can get into. I received a Kindle for my anniversary in May, so that's how I will be reading along. Feel free to stop by my blog and take a look at some of my stuff.

Now let's get reading!!

Hi! My name is Snoodles!

2011-08-20T19:45:00.000-07:00

Well, actually my name is Jacque.....but all my blogging followers know me as Snoodles, over at Lilypadquilting. We have a lot of fun over there, and hope to join in the fun here, too!

Thank you, Miki, for organizing this little clambake! I think we are going to have a blast!

Miki had suggested that we all chime in and introduce ourselves, so that is what I'm here to do. I am 53, still working full time and scrambling to find time to quilt. Quilting is how I center myself, and focus on what is good and right in my life. Yes, you could call it my therapy. I am a mother of three (yay!) and grandmother of none (whimper) but I am hopeful! We live in a very rural area in the foothills of South Carolina --- wait a minute, you say....I didn't know that South Carolina even HAD any mountains!! Yeppers, we do! When people come to our house, they sometimes say that we live on the edge of the earth (LOL, our driveway alone is about a quarter of a mile!) but I wouldn't trade it for anything. Just take a peek out my bedroom window:

Then out my front door:

Then looking out from my screen porch:

Yep, we are spoiled . . . I like to spend my time in my sewing area working on mugrugs, quilts, tablerunners, and more . . . I hand-quilt my projects. Here are some examples:

And, if you check my Pets on Quilts blog post, you will see that I have a wonderful helper, my studio cat, Moses!

I can't wait to hear more about the other members of the group! Sit down and grab a cup of your favorite beverage, and tell us a little about YOU!!

Thanks, Miki, for putting up with my silliness!! I'm looking forward to reading the book, discussing it with everyone, and then seeing all of our quilts!

Welcome to Quilters, Books and Bindings

2011-08-19T11:05:00.000-07:00

I am Miki Willa, and I am very excited about this new quilting group. We will be reading and sharing books we love. Then, we will be creating quilts reflecting our impressions of some aspect of the story. Our timeline will be about three months per book to start. We may adjust that as we go along. We would love to have you come and join us if you are a quilter and a reader. Just leave a comment and I will get in touch with you.
I have been quilting for about two years in my current incarnation quilting life. I quilted about thirty years ago, then stopped for a very long time. I thought I would be a strictly traditional quilter when I started again, but I find myself drawn to all kinds of quilting now. I have made traditional quilts, modern quilts, art quilts, and I enjoy piecing, applique, and what I call the "what if I tried this" method of quilting.
I love reading, as well, and I am looking forward to the challenge of creating a quilt based on what I am reading.
Our first book is The Lover's Knot by Clare O'Donohue. I can't wait to get started.