Introducing Kalarahi Quilts

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

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

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?

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

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

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

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.