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Capt'n John:

"I stumbled across this quilt draped over a chair in Alex's office. "What's this?", I asked. Alex said it was Wendy's quilt that had been left at the Comcast Studios in Colorado during our last taping. They found it and sent it to Alex in California. I called Wendy and asked for pictures. She had some, but not as close as I wanted, because the work is amazing. So here is the full quilt with Wendy's explanations of how it was made. But this doesn't show even half of what makes this quilt stand out.  I took pictures that get within 2 inches so you really see the work. There is a lot to see so we are showing this today with close ups on Friday and Sunday to get it all in. My favorite is the woven basket (coming Sunday)."

Enjoy Americana Baltimore by Wendy Grande, and read her explanations for why she did what she did below the quilt.

WATCH FOR UP CLOSE PICTURES OF EACH BLOCK ON FRIDAY AND SUNDAY.

WENDY GRANDE ---I started this quilt in a class offered by Elly Sienkiewicz to make the Clipper Ship as a large center block.  Warren, my husband, was very excited and provided the inspiration for the flags and helped me understand the mechanics, from a Sailors perspective, of what was being added to the ship.  I did not add all the rigging and sails (like the ship model we have at home) as I thought it started to get to “complicated”, let alone all the extra work!  I used 5 blocks from Elly’s Books and added 5 of my own.  I love the separation the sashing provides, but I want it to remain subtle and in the background.  I also wanted a border that had bold lines but not a heavy design.  I decided to simplify flourished borders on china to create the border design.  Blue and gold 7mm silk ribbon was stitched on the foundation fabric using a split stitch.

Once the Center block was finished (17” square finished) I was excited to surround it with Baltimore Album Style Blocks that were made on a smaller scale (8” finished).  I knew I wanted an Eagle at the top (4thof July is HUGE at our house) with wreaths.  Then baskets and vases of flowers.  My sister, Lezlie,  is a floral designer and she and I have taken years of Ikebana.  I have a Masters in Ikebana and Lezlie is a 3rddegree Master of Ikebana.  When we are together no flowers, greens or arrangements go unnoticed!!  The 4 blocks at the bottom are “heavier” and are all designs from Elly Sienkiewicz.  I chose them because they “grounded” me with the trees, lovely birds and intricate work.