Bug Quilt

Long May She Wave - I won these BOM blocks in 2002 and used a setting by Laurine Leeke (Great Sets by Sharon Craig.) I only wanted a small (very small) wallhanging - LOL!

Don't Worry, Be Happy 2 (mini) - This quilt is made from hexagon blocks, using 1 1/2", 60 degree triangles. I used commercial cotton, cotton/polyester variegated thread, ball fringe and Swarovski crystals. It was donated to the Alzheimer's Art Quilt Initiative in memory of my mom, who gracefully fought Alzheimers.

Eclipse - This was a brown bag (round robin) challenge issued by Sandy Corry, here in Australia. We each made a centre block -mine was a foundation pieced feathered star - and we passed the bag around for borders to be added. We had specific instructions i.e. add a 4" border with triangles, or, add an 8" border with curves etc. It was nervewracking trying not to mess up other people's quilts, but challenging & fun too! The quilt tops were revealed at a luncheon and I quilted mine in 2011 when it won the Viewers' Choice award at the Jacaranda City Quilters' exhibition in Grafton, N.S.W. Then in 2012 it was 2nd in the group category at The Sydney Quilt Show and also won Best Use of Colour at the Lower Clarence Arts & Crafts Show in Northern N.S.W. The borders were added by Christine Mitchell, Barbie Davis, Joanne Harland, Lynne Vincent & Sue Hayward. Thanks ladies!

WARNING - This is a story quilt made for a small retreat center on the Kansas Underground Railroad. Center is located along a line from Signal Oak to Blue Mound...where lanterns were hung in the stately old tree to warn of Quantrills coming across from Missouri to recapture slaves.Lantern signals were seen all the way to Mt. Oread where the Univ of Ks is located. The back ground is made of Kansas dugout blocks. X marks the spot of the center that has two meadow labyrinths which I embroidered by hand.

Pine Burr - I purchased this quilt in an antique mall. It is a Pine Burr Quilt made of mixed fibers...some synthetics, some poly ....mostly cotton on a muslin backing. Back corner says in pen..."Bea Birthday Lou, 1982 " I became fascinated with the history of this pattern and subsequently held a workshop to share the history and making of this fun dimensional pattern. I wish I knew how to find out more about Bea and Lou!!!

my pine burr - I made this small Pine Burr Wall hanging for a workshop about the history of and the making of a pine burr quilt.

pine burr medallion - This is a small medalion pine burr wall hanging that I made according to the directions by Loretta Pettway Bennet for the Alabama State Archives Dept. This quilt is the state quilt of Alabama. I used this small quilt as an example for a pine burr workshop that I led. The pine burr design has a fascinating history.

Bygone Accessory - I made this "hankie" quilt for my clergy friend who used a hankie in a very meaningful sermon. I appliqued the hankies to 12 inch blocks...used hand dyed red fabric for the borders ....

Dressed to see The King - I made this quilt for my church for Epiphany Sunday. It hung in the Fellowship area where after church we watched the operetta, Amahl and the Night Visitors. I reversed the pattern and embellished her to the hilt...with hot fix crystals, beads, chains, and feathers..... Her name is Epi-Phanny!!!! She was accepted into the Liturgical Art Show in Springfield, Illinois in May of this year.

Yellow Whimzy - Painterly yellow flower on pink background. Heavily machine quilted. Part on Barbs painterly image series. Patterns available ay www.barbaraolsonquiltart.com or Facebook mall.

drunkards trip around the world - I took a class on the Drunkards Path at my local quilt shop. Someone said "I wonder how this would be in black and white?" so I said I'll try it and I think it is quite stunning. I never used a pin putting the whole quilt top together, it was fun.

My Chantelle - First attempt at improvisational piecing. Quilted on domestic machine. No binding.

Little Landscape - I love mountains and rivers so I made up a little fantasy landscape of my own. I used my photos of trees for reference. The top part has over 1000 pieces in it with about 500+ making up the mountains, water and foreground. I used fabric markers in the hills.

Scrappy Zappy Do - Enjoyed a days course with Jennie,in Bee Crafty shop in Elington /Cambs UK

Wildness - This quilt was made for a Moda Challenge at our LQS. The rules were that you had to use at least two solid Moda fabrics. I love wild colors so I went a little wild, but I love the fininhed product!

The quilted earth - It is heavily hand stitched and hand sewn quilt called sami ralli. Made by nomadic gypsy tribe "Sami" in Pakistan.

Sweet Pea - Made for May doll quilt swap - May Flowers