Travelling quilts
I've often said my quilts have more exciting lives than I do. They certainly travel more with trips to exotic faraway places, performing in their in colourful textillian ways. If only they could tell stories of their adventures, I'm sure they would keep us entertained for hours with interesting tales. All I can report is the parts of their journeys that I do know about.
I know I've mentioned before that my Bubbles quilt is enjoying the summer in France being a super star on the cover quilt for Simply Moderne...
... but seeing this photo from the Quiltmania Facebook page of stacks of the magazine surrounded by the team who have produced it made it seem extra real. If you want to see more of the magazine you can flip through and see all the great projects inside at the Quiltmania website, and of course look out for a real copy in newsagents and quilt shops. Or order a copy Here.
Then like ships passing in the night my Double Denim Wedding Ring arrived home after more than a year touring the US with the Double Wedding Ring Quilt Exhibition...
... just as I was labelling and packing up Happy As A Clam to send it on it's way across the seas to be part the World Quilt Show held in Manchester, New Hampshire, August 13th-15th
Here are the destinations and dates where Happy As A Clam will be appearing:
World Quilt Show (Manchester, New Hampshire) - August 13th-15th
Pennsylvania National Quilt Extravaganza ( Greater Philadelphia Area) - September 17th -20th
QuiltFest Oasis Palm Springs ( Palm Springs, California) - October 8th-10th
Pacific International Quilt Festival ( San Francisco Bay Area) - October 15th - 18th
So while my quilts are having adventures, what have I been up to?? ... well. I've been a bit aimless in my sewing room lately. It's not as though I don't have a zillion half finished projects calling my name, or for lack of ideas for new quilts. Maybe it's because there's too many ideas to choose from? Or it could be a winter thing? To kick start my mojo I've decided to put on some music and start folding fabrics. Before long I'm sure I'll be sewing something, and if not at least I'll have neatly folded fabric shelves :)
To finish up here are some travelling themed fabrics from my stash...
39 Comments
I'm sure your quilts would have some very interesting stories to tell, its a shame they don't have passports as well :) there is nothing better than folding fabrics and tidying up the workroom to help get the mojo back, you often discover fabrics you had forgotten about or parts of a project that had been stuffed away, and music seems to help the work go faster.
ReplyDeleteI am so excited your quilt will be coming to Pennsylvania! I will take pictures and send them to you. It will be like almost meeting you (-:
ReplyDeleteHi Rachael,wow lots of exciting stuff happening with your quilts,boy those quilts lead an interesting life,you are amazing my friend and I love that your quilt is on the front cover,hope you have a wonderful weekend my friend xx
ReplyDeleteWhile the quilts are delighting quilters across the globe you are entitled to some time to stop and fondel the fabric. I know are letting the dust settle while enjoying your stash. Enjoy the bright clear sunny day.
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful, to know where your beautiful quilts have been , and are going! I'm sure they remember and have enjoyed their travels. Well done Rachael!
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to seeing all of this
ReplyDeleteSo pleased to hear that your quilts are travelling the world. So exciting for you. Coincidentally I have spent the last two days sorting out my sewing room. And finding pieces of fabric I had forgotten all about. I am now fired up to make some more quilts........ Although I should be finishing some of the many WIPs. Such is a Quilter's Dilemma!
ReplyDeleteWow, you must be very satisfied with the recognition your quilts have received, very special indeed. Do you feel any pressure to only create amazing quilts or do you find your creativity just bubbles along undaunted?
ReplyDeleteHi Karen,
ReplyDeleteNo, I don't feel pressured to only make amazing quilts. I don't even think of my quilts as amazing, they're just the quilts I make. I often come up with designs that keep me interested and push my abilities so i grow as a quilter, other times it's about just easy sewing and playing with colour. Working as a florist has meant that on a daily basis I've thought creatively, I believe that that's continued in my quilt making, it's just something I do.
It's just wonderful that you are getting recognition for your amazing quilts because you are such a talent ! Dollop of Cream needs to come to Texas !
ReplyDeleteHow exciting to see your quilts traveling all over the world--congratulations! You certainly have some fun fabrics in your stash--it will be interesting to see how you use them!
ReplyDeleteHi Rachael,
ReplyDeleteYou deserve such a consideration! I am very satisfied that Quiltmania launches this new magazine about modern quilts, it will be more fun for everyone!
"textilian ways" = I love it and all it conjures up! I've just started following you, I think, so the "happy as a clam" is new to me as well. Wow. Very inspiring, I mean it!
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed this post. I think it is great that your quilts travel so that more people can enjoy them. Photographs are great but there's nothing like seeing the real thing! I love your travelling fabrics!
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun post. It's a great labor of love to feel good about sending your quilts off for a year at a time. It must be wonderful to get them back once again.:)
ReplyDeleteSTOP IT!! Happy as a Clam is in Manchester NH???????? I went to Nursing School there !!!!!! I almost fell off of my chair and Bubbles is/are in FRANCE and you are Not? This is just not right :)
ReplyDeleteEnjoy anyway........
I think it's incredibly exciting that your quilts are in different exotic destinations around the world. This past 12 months has been so wonderful for you in so many ways. And a magazine cover is amazing...something I could only dream of!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations, so exciting seeing your treasures off on their textillion adventures! Wow that is a great phrase for a quilter! can I use it to explain away my shopping expeditions LOL
ReplyDeleteWow your quilts do have exciting lives. I'm sure they will enjoy their travels but they will be glad to be back on the wall when they get home.
ReplyDeleteWell how exciting is that - it would be more exciting if you went with them, lol, but still. It's very good of you to be spreading such happiness around the world!!
ReplyDeleteOh RAchael WOW how exciting that your quilts are travelling around....your quilts are so different and so individual...bet you're an awesome Florist too!
ReplyDeleteRachael, I am over the moon with the thought of seeing your quilt in person! I got the dates down on my calendar. Can't wait for September to roll around! xoxo
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on your grand touring quilts Rachael. My cow quilt just came gone after a two+ year tour if quilt show. So glad to have it back home. It was literally out the door about two days after stitching the binding. Never got a chance to get some embellishments on.
ReplyDeleteI'm happy to say I've found a shop in Washington state that will have the Simply Mldern magazine if I can't find it nearer to home. Can't wait to see the pictures of your cover girl.
How exciting for you! Quilts going off on grand adventures, quilts coming home after their adventures and magazine covers!! You and your quilts have had an amazing year - and it's well-deserved too. You must be so happy to have such recognition. I so admire your creativity and willingness to try new things in quilting.
ReplyDeleteI'm wishing and hoping I could get down to PIQF in Santa Clara to see 'Happy as a Clam' - it's not out of the range of possibility. If I do go, I'll let you know!
They should have little recorders by each quilt so you could hear the people's comments. : ) Sad to see that each exhibit is too far away for me to go and see. The people will be blessed by your creativity. Happy for your traveling treasures. Janita
ReplyDeleteSuch a shame you can't travel with your quilts! They certainly are seeing a lot of the world. Hope your mojo returns soon.......
ReplyDeleteHow exciting for you !!!!! Bet you wish you had to accompany them on their journeys ......
ReplyDeleteYou know I think you are in an after show slump cause I'm there too. I've lost my mojo !!! I hope you're feeling creative again quickly, the world is loving you my friend xo
I've been away in France, and look at all I've missed! I think I just missed getting a copy of the Quiltmania modern magazine. It's so very exciting! Your quilts are making people smile all around the world! I hope you'll get to travel with them someday.
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness - I had no idea that was your quilt on the cover - well done you !! its sooo fabulous :) and so nice to be able to hang up your double wedding ring ! all those lucky people being able to see your happy clam up close - goodness I love that quilt - so many amazingly awesome mini designs on each of those clams !!!
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness - I had no idea that was your quilt on the cover - well done you !! its sooo fabulous :) and so nice to be able to hang up your double wedding ring ! all those lucky people being able to see your happy clam up close - goodness I love that quilt - so many amazingly awesome mini designs on each of those clams !!!
ReplyDeleteThis quilts don't just travel more than you do, they travel more than several people put together. They are just living the jet set life, ordering gin and tonics on the plane and hanging out in airport lounges. Congrats on raising such cosmopolitan quilts. And they always come home without any odd illnesses accumulated along the way.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite quilt artist flies again..High.o.Silver...Away...
ReplyDeleteI'd LOVE to take a photo with your Happy as a Clam quilt (except I'm not going anywhere anytime soon!). I can't believe that your Double Denim Wedding Ring quilt has been away for more than a year (I just adore your yellow duck in front of it. Is it wearing gum boots?). You are an absolute super star! Oh, and that final transport fabric (balloons) is AMAZING!!
ReplyDeleteCongrats on your well traveled quilts!! And I'm so excited that I'll be able to see Happy as a Clam in person at PIQF!!! It's going to be so fun to see it and know who made it!! Can't wait! Hugs, H in Healdsburg
ReplyDeleteyeah on the wanderlusting quilts! how cool to have them shared. i get that about missing your quilt though. i'm funny like that too about gifts i make. they are a part of me. i'm happy to see them go to their new homes but a little sad too... but then when the recipient is pleased that brings joy all around.
ReplyDeletei'm in the middle of getting my mojo back too. i've been doing some serious organizing.
What an amazingly good time for you! How exciting to see your quilt on the cover. I can't imagine how awesome you must feel!!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on everything - you've done the hard work and you are being so well rewarded!
xoxo
great fabrics....love that toile'
Are you playing in the snow right now?
ReplyDeleteI think you should get your star studded quilts issued with a passport and attach a GoPro to record their travels. How cool would that be to have a camera recording all those that peer at your quilt and then play it back at a fast speed (like a time lapse). It would be great seeing all those faces and facial expressions.
ReplyDeleteSo happy for you that your wonderful quilts are having their day to shine.
Your quilts sure do have adventurous lives! How proud you must be to have a quilt on the cover of quiltmania. I will keep an eye out for it here in the U.S. Congratulations!!!!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for leaving me a comment. Your kind words encourage me to keep sharing my work and stories.