Wednesday, March 23, 2016

Quilt Qwazy Queens


stbs-Quilt Qwazy Queens BH-2


In honor of Worldwide Quilting Day, Marian of Seams to be Sew coordinated the Quilt Qwazy Queens Blog Hop for all of us to share our stories of how we got started quilting. Thank you, Marian, for all your hard work putting this Blog Hop together!

I was delighted when Marian invited me to participate.  I find it fascinating to learn what makes a quilter.  As it happens, I fell in love with quilting by accident.

In the summer of 1990, my friend Rita and I were sitting in my kitchen drinking coffee one morning talking about afghans and quilts.  I made the comment, "I don't understand why anyone would make a quilt when you can just go buy a blanket."

"You're looking at it wrong," she said.  "You make a quilt one block at a time.  It's not just a blanket, it's art."

She got me to thinking.  As an artist I dabbled in all kinds of mediums, but had never given much thought to creating with fabric and thread.  Rita challenged me to try my hand at quilting and I accepted the dare.  I thought it might be fun, as well as practical, to make a couple of quilts and have them to cover up with during cold, winter nights.  But that's not what happened. 

Determined to learn how to make a quilt, I bought the basic tools, borrowed my mom's sewing machine, and checked out dozens of library books on the subject.  My first quilt was a simple Trip Around the World.  It was wall-hanging size and so full of mistakes, I decided I could do better and made another.  My second quilt featured alternating 9-patch and Churn Dash blocks.  I was so proud of this quilt, I made a Maple Leaf quilt and gave it to my mother, a professional seamstress. 

It wasn't long before I began designing my own patterns.  Soon I was seeing the possibility of quilt designs everywhere and began devoting every spare minute I had to quilting, even to the point of waking up early just so I could sew a little before beginning my busy day of being a working wife and mother.

I was hooked.

I made quilts for all occasions.  I was even commissioned by our local library to commemorate The River Theater, one of the oldest theaters in town, that had been bought by Buck Owens and converted into a sound studio.  I gave away most of the quilts I made.  Even now I give away most of my creations.







In 1999 my house burned down.  I had to start all over again to build up my fabric stash and quilting tools.

In 2003 my web site Quilt du Jour (Quilt of the Day) was born where I sold the patterns I created.  I met so many wonderful quilters all over the world -- Canada, Italy, Brazil, Australia, just to name a few.  Quilters really are worldwide!  Quilt du Jour was a labor of love, but it never took off to the degree I would have wished, so after a few years, I shut down the site.

I never gave up quilting though.  I began quilting just because, learning new techniques, like applique and embroidery, and designing and creating quilts as the mood struck me.  Currently I am working on a book of new quilting patterns.  Hopefully I can find a company interested in publishing it.  Time will tell.
 
Thanks so much for stopping by.  Be sure to visit the other quilters who are sharing their stories today, too.

March 24
Just Because Quilts (you are here)
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During this blog hop, the Fat Quarter Shop is giving everyone a 10% discount.  The coupon is good for one purchase for each customer and is not good for use with gift certificates.  When you check out, just use the coupon code:  seamstobe316
 
And don't forget to sign up for the giveaway!  Through Marian, all of the participants of this Blog Hop have giveaways.  My giveaway is an 18" x 24" Calibre Arts Self-Healing Cutting Mat.  (PLEASE NOTE:  The winner of this giveaway may be required by Amazon to pay for shipping and handling.)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

71 comments:

  1. Thank you for sharing your story! Love the ladybug quilt! mumbird3atgmaildotcom

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  2. I am really enjoying this hop. There have been very diverse reasons that quilters have been drawn to the art. I think your's is the most unique I have read so far. I have always loved creating with fiber. My favorite that you have pictured is the red/black in the pic of the guy on the couch.
    Happy Easter.
    Thanks for being a stop on the hop.
    xx, Carol

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  3. Thanks for sharing you story and your work!

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  4. What a great story! Thanks for sharing, you do lovely work.

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  5. Rita is right; it is art. Your quilts are terrific. nelljeancam@gmail.com

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  6. Sew happy you were able to keep on quilting after losing everything in a fire. Thanks for the great giveaway.

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  7. Oh I remember those days thing that buying a blanket was the same as a quilt! LOL. How sad that you lost so much in a fire...but you know that they say about arising from the ashes! Good luck publishing!

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  8. Some beautiful quilts here. I can identify with starting all over again. we lost our home to fire about 5yrs ago. You overcame beautifully.

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  9. I too have given away most of my quilts, however I am kind of picky as to who receives them. I give them to people I am certain will appreciate the work that goes into them. Having said that, I fully expect baby quilts to be used "to death". I have made 2 sets of quilts for my great nieces because they outgrew the first set. Now that's loving their quilts in my book!

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  10. So sorry about your fire, hope you enjoy quilting for years to come.
    cork@pa.rr.com

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  11. Fire hurts... Hell a fire at a friends or neighbors hurts. So glad you are going on.

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  12. Good luck on finding a publisher for your quilting book. I love your designs, they are so unique!

    My email is: bestbelle2010@aol.com

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  13. My first quilt was also a Trip Around the World. I'm enjoying this blog hop!

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  14. I enjoyed reading your story and hope that all goes well with publishing your book. Thanks for sharing.

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  15. Thank you for sharing your story with us.

    syvisser@gmail(dot)com

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  16. I can't imagine having to start a new fabric stash!!!

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  17. Hi Charlene, Great story, and let me know when your book is published, I will definitely buy it, hey, I could even write a post about it.. I'd love to do that for you.. I loved seeing your past projects, I to am in the same boat, I've given away most of what I have created, unfortunately, I'm bad at remembering to take pictures although I have pictures, sadly, digital cameras came along after I'd given most of my finished projects away.. LOL I enjoyed reading your story today tho and seeing your collection of "made" quilts. :)

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  18. Thanks for sharing your quilts. If you have no luck with the larger quilty publishers try Schiffer Publishing in PA. They do a large variety of books and some are quilt related. Look forward to seeing what you create!

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  19. what a memory journey. your quilts are lovely.
    quilting dash lady at comcast dot net

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  20. I think we all remember that first quilt made of blocks that we learned on! A few years ago, I recently got to see the quilt I gifted to my granddaughter. Oh my goodness! The newer ones are so much better and wearing just fine. Lol. I just love to practice! Thanks for sharing your story!
    krbassoc57@gmail.com Just in case I am a no reply blogger

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  21. I love what your friend told you about quilts being art...so true! Thanks for sharing your sweet quilting story and beautiful quilts!

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  22. Am really enjoying the variety of quilts on this blog hop. Love your photos of people loving their quilts.

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  23. More wonderful quilts today. Jmikebalou (at) aol dot com

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  24. You have so many lovely quilts. How great to have a friend explain to you that it was art, that is the best way to describe what we do.

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  25. THANKS FOR SHARING ON YOUR BLOG+THIS NEAT HOP!
    msstitcher1214@gmail.com

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  26. It would be so sad to lose all your stuff in a fire. It's so nice to see you have bounced back and didn't let that stop you. Long before the internet, I hit the libraries too for tons of books on quilting and such. Thanks for the giveaway!!

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  27. Enjoyed reading your story, but so sad about the fire. I have one of your Quilt Du Jour patterns -- Dash Hounds -- and have made it 3 or 4 times and loved it every time!

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  28. What a great story! Thanks for sharing. Look forward to seeing your book someday.

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  29. Loved hearing your story. I follow you on e-mail. crystalbluern at tds dot net

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  30. Very nice quilts and enjoyed reading your message.

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  31. What a lovely quilting story and journey you have. Thanks!

    Please click on the delaineelliott above for my email link.

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  32. Enjoyed your quilt show! I hope you get your book published soon.

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  33. Your work is delightful...thank you taking the time to share!

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  34. What a great journey to share with everyone. Best of luck with the book and getting it published. alexplus4@hotmail.com

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  35. I enjoyed reading about your journey. The ups and downs of quilting and the joy you give.

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  36. Thank you for sharing your story! I can't imagine having my house burn down! Oh the memories and the fabric! Least you were safe...which in the scheme of things is the most important! Love the quilts that you pictured. So nice to give them as gifts! The recipients do cherish them!

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  37. Thank you for sharing your talent with everyone. It was a joy to read your story.
    Dmac5958ataoldotcom

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  38. Thanks for sharing! aynot1983@yahoo.com

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  39. Thanks for sharing! aynot1983@yahoo.com

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  40. Isn't it funny that, before we actually started quilting, we didn't see the sense in cutting up fabric just to sew it back together again and call it a quilt??? haha. Enjoyed your story; thank you for sharing. lynnstck(at)yahoo.com

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  41. Ah, yes, it is an Art! But a really fun one!

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  42. Great story, thanks for sharing!

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  43. Thanks for sharing the story of your quilting journey. Good luck finding a publisher for your book.

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  44. Quilting is most definitely an art form! Most of the quilts I make have been given away also. I will be making one for myself as soon as I get done with the ones I am working on now. {LOL} Thanks for sharing!

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  45. Thank you for sharing. Love hearing about all the different avenues to quilting.

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  46. I give away my quilts also. I keep saying I will make one or two or three for me but not yet though I am working on several for me. Quilting is a journey to enjoy for a lifetime.

    tushay3 (at) yahoo (dot) com

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  47. Quilting will sneak up behind you and get you!

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  48. Wow a lot of blankets latter what a way to go crazy..lol ty for sharing.... happyness04431@yahoo.com

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  49. Very nice story, I can't imagine losing everything in a fire. Thanks for sharing

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  50. A family member had a house fire. It is tough to start over. I am glad you started again. Your quilts are lovely.

    debbygrawn at yahoo dot com

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  51. Everyone looks so comfy on the couch all with their own quilt.

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  52. Love the River Theater quilt, makes me smile. Thanks for sharing your story. vickise at gmail dot com

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  53. Thanks for sharing - I like the quilt with the silhouettes!

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  54. Thank you for sharing your story. Sending good thoughts.

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  55. Wonderful giveaway. Enjoyed reading on how you came to quilting.

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  56. Wonderful giveaway. Enjoyed reading on how you came to quilting.

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  57. enjoyed your quilting story. Nice quilts, too.

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  58. What a tragedy to have a house fire. We are blessed that you did not give up quilting and came back strong.

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  59. Beautiful quilts, Thanks for sharing

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  60. I loved your quilt show! I'm so glad that you continued quilting despite your house fire. That must ave been awful. I hope you get your book published soon!

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  61. LOve quilting as art. I think quilters are always searching for new techniques and ways to see colors and fabrics differently. Good luck with the book.Thanks for sharing your creative journey.

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  62. Such a great story. Some of my first projects that got me back into sewing were for an art journal for an art therapy class! I think many people don't think of quilts as art, but they are!

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  63. Thanks for sharing your story, you've made some beautiful quilts!!!

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  64. Thanks for sharing your beautiful quilts.

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  65. So glad you persevered and rebuilt your quilt stash. What an inspiration.

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  66. I admire your resilient spirit. Love the quilts too. mtmom57@gmail.com

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  67. Thank you for sharing your story... You are a Special Lady! Love your quilts & sharing Heart! Know your giving has Blessed soooo many people! Bless You!

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  68. I enjoyed your story. So sorry about your house fire. I'm glad you didn't let that stop you.

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