The Rescue - Quilt # 10861. Now up for auction at AAQI, www.alzquilts.org. A portrait honoring people who come to the aid of animals in danger and the pets who comfort people.
Charlie Ironworker - This little piece was designed for a challenge with "Machine Quilting Unlimited" on Labor. I did a photo of my husband reflecting his 30 year career as an Ironworker. It is printed in the Sept.2012 issue.
Tilde - Part of a primarily one-color series using punctuation marks, Tilde started with a purchased appliqué pattern and was completed medallion-style with original borders, some using traditional blocks. Tilde was amazingly quilted by Teri Lucas.
Megan's Forest - Megan's Forest is a quilt made for a friend. She will gift it to her daughter, Megan. My friend Jan and I grew up running and climbing in the Redwoods and maintain a great love for them.
Littlest River - Using fabric I found on sale, I designed this pattern to accomodate the printed panel of 3 blocks. It was the first time I did this and discovered I could have made it easier by seaming some things. In any case it was made for my newest granddaughter, who I had the pleasure to visit in Japan.
Road Less Traveled for Bryson - This quilt was made for my step grandson, who is 15, and living in Misawa, Japan. I love that this quilt is only one block, just turned in different directions to create a pathway. Now that Bryson is almost 16, I think he has many paths to choose.
Scott's Beach Quilt - Our family has always loved to go to the beach. I started out to make a sailboat quilt, but it evolved. The pieced fish blocks came from Quilter's Newsletter Magazine Apr 1987. The fish, birds and other applique ideas were sketched from my children's various coloring books.
Ruffled Roses in Red - Adapted colorway from Sue Garman's design for the Quilt Show BOM, using christmas colors. I have learned so much from Sue's excellent instructions.
Autumn Reflections - I finally got up the courage to cut into Barbara Sherrill's beautiful hand-painted fabrics. Really glad I did. This is going to be hung in a prominent place in our house. Love it.
Beach Walk - This was a learning experience for me. Have never done this type of quilting and I learned a lot. Was happy to complete it. Entered it in my quilt show we had last week in Massachusetts.
What's on Tap - Portrait of a very cute Bernese Mountain Dog puppy drinking from the faucet. I designed this from photograph. each color is appliqued and then thread painted to give the look of a real fur coat.
Poppies - I purchased this pattern in 1995. Sometimes it pays to delay....I found the perfect batik fabric from Sew Batik for this quilt. I'm living' it.
Fairy friends - This quilt is made for my 6 year old granddaughter, Anastasia. She loves fairies, so the quilt has a commercial Michael Miller "The Magical Flower Fairies" panel in the centre. There are Birds in the Air blocks around the panel. The applique design is a simple one of suffolk puff flowers. I hid 5 fairy buttons on the quilt.
Secret Stars - I won some of the fabrics from "Faeries In My Garden" store at Shorncliffe, Brisbane.
It ws the lucky door prize on the opening of their new shop.
It became a bit of a challenge to me as the colours weren't on my choice of palette.
Most of the fabrics are Japanese prints.
Dominique's Quilt - Made as a gift for my daughter's wedding in Alberta, Canada this September. My first full size quilt since making baby blankets for my kids decades ago.
The middle represents the wheat of Alberta where they met and married. Turned sideways it represents the waves of BC where my daughter was raised. The nine circles represent the letters in my daughter's name (DOMINIQUE), and she is from a family of 4, her husband a family of 5. It's also my lucky number. I wanted neutral colours so they can use it or hang it whatever their colour scheme. I presented it to them at their wedding reception of 200 people.
There are single blocks circling the image and double blocks, representing that they are now a couple. The blocks are 5", I will make them bigger next time as it was fiddly.
Friends, family and grandparents embroidered daisies on the quilt as it made its way to the wedding. In the future we believe the quilt will be covered with daisies from visitors. The gerber daisy was their wedding flower.
There are more stories hidden in the quilt, just ask about the penny mystery and other details. When I visit my daughter in the future, I will always add to the quilt by embroidering something new, like a new daisy or hidden messages.
I am sending them the left over fabric scraps, so if by chance it ever needs patching, it can be. I see this as a new family heirloom and they have already cuddled on the couch in it on the day after their wedding when opening wedding gifts. My son also cuddled on the couch with it.
I see it as a wall hanging as well as an every day quilt and that''s why I made the back in a darker panelled fabric, as I want them to use it! Although it does make a lovely wall hanging as well. Please write to me or see my blog for more pictures!
Please see my new blog about How to Quilt an Embedded Circle. http://charonobrien.blog.com
MY DREAM:
I am asking people to follow my blog instructions and send me a 6" block of their embedded circle, which I will then add to other's to make a quilt. http://charonobrien.blog.com
I see making a quilt or few to use as a fundraiser for a charity event (TBA) Oprah, due to the circles, would be great to have endorse the future quilt.
Please write to me, for my mailing address of where to send your CIRCLE of friends block, at charonobrien @ gmail.com.
Thanks for this site as I am a passionate, happy first time quilter since quilting a pillow at high school.
Happy Quilting!
Charon