Part of the Whole...

 

Do these look like flowers, or trash, or both? Well they are. Or at least they would have been trash if members of the Fiber Art Bee hadn't recycled plastic packaging and bags into flowers and cut petals that are all on their way to New York. That's where fiber artist Natalya Khorover will soon be installing her "Hothouse" exhibition filled with repurposed plastic. Natalya spoke at a recent quilt guild meeting via Zoom and shared the story of her quilting journey along with her innovative techniques. Natalya makes "art for earth's sake" and sews many items like single-use plastic, used dryer sheets, and old linens into her artwork. She makes beautiful stitched works while calling attention to plastic pollution. Visit her site at the link above to learn more about her and see some of her astonishing art quilts, installations, and "ransom art" pieces. You'll see intensive hand and machine stitching on plastic substrates, and I think you'll be amazed! While I may never have an installation of my work or complete a large impactful project, I will often take an opportunity to be part of a collaborative effort- to be part of the whole. Natalya invited us to send her some flowers and be part of her exhibition this fall.

Another group I belong to will be putting together a collaborative quilt composed of 6" blocks made by members. The Florida Quilt Study Group invited members to contribute a block in any design and in fabrics of their choice. One dedicated member will assemble the blocks into a quilt to be displayed at FQSG events. I wanted to make a block reminiscent of a vintage quilt and am a fan of the 1930s embroidered edge designs. This is my miniaturized version of a '30s Butterfly block. Being part of the whole means having the enjoyment and privilege of making a small element. Just the ticket!

I'm sure you've heard of Quilts of Valor- the volunteer organization that has a mission of providing quilts to members of military service and veterans in thanks for their service. More than 300,000 quilts have been awarded in the 20 years the organization has existed. We have volunteer Cathy Washburn, an active dedicated member of Country Road Quilters in Ocala, who leads members in making these quilts for the organization. She prepares kits of pieces that members sew into blocks, and eventually into completed quilts. Cathy is planning an award ceremony at the guild for this November. This is one of the blocks that will become part of the whole. So while none of us can do everything, all of us can do something... and that makes a difference!

Burnin' Daylight...

 

Our neighbor is a cowboy who turned 80 years old recently. He had a bad horse accident a few years ago, but he's back in the saddle now. He's also a big John Wayne fan. So when I saw this Riley Blake panel I knew it would make a wonderful quilt project for his birthday. There just happened to be a set of Log Cabin quilt blocks in my quilt closet that I thought would enhance the rich colors in the panel. So really, the quilt came together quickly and easily. That was a good thing, too, because his daughter mailed us an invitation to a surprise birthday party for him. She did a great job, because he really was surprised!

Longarm quilter Debra Johnston chose what I thought was an interesting and effective quilting motif to use as she finished the quilt before I bound and labeled it. A friend from guild told me that the backdrop for this image is Monument Valley where a number of John Wayne westerns were filmed. Burnin' Daylight was one of the best-known John Wayne (The Duke) quotes according to an internet search. Well, it was a super-simple quilt project, but our cowboy friend is very, very happy with his quilt!