I'm the mother of four wonderful, grown children and grandmother to two beautiful baby girls. I am also married to a saint of a man, who, when asked if he minds my fabric obsession, just shrugs and says he doesn't want to know what goes on "down there".
I have been sewing most of my life, or so it seems. I bought my first sewing machine, as soon as I got home from my honeymoon....does that tell you anything? I was raised in a very creative home. My Mom took her very large weaving loom to the retirement home. It's all in the genes..I'm not going anywhere without my sewing machine or should I say machines.
Things I love
- above all colour ...it calls my name (my youngest asked me the other day, if maybe I should try making a monochromatic quilt, my head hurts just thinking about it but...you never know).
- texture, shapes, repetition and rhythm.
- beauty in nature.
- researching methods...is there and easier and faster way is usually my first question.
- learning from books...I haven't taken any quilting classes yet...but who knows
- I love my quilting friends (Blockheads we call ourselves)
To Blog or Not to Blog? is the title of my first post (December 2010) That question had been running through my head for weeks. I was suddenly and still am spending more time in front of the computer then in front of my sewing machine? It started innocently enough. In one word FLICKR!!!! Need I say more?? I had no idea, there was such a vast subculture of online quilters out there. To make a long story short I discovered something wonderful...I love the interaction of so many quilters. Seeing your work, admiring your work and sharing mine with you. I value your comments, you are all so positive and encouraging (funny too..I love funny).
I would love to hear from you.
Marianne
First Year Blog Report
Here's a little update of how things have been progressing since I started the blog in December 2010.
FEATURED on Modern Day Quilts and again on Modern Day Quilts.
First Year Blog Report
Here's a little update of how things have been progressing since I started the blog in December 2010.
FEATURED on Modern Day Quilts and again on Modern Day Quilts.
OK Marianne,
ReplyDeleteI am suddenly a fan. I found you on Flickr and came here to your site and see you are quilting as you go. I wondered if you had a post showing that process? I am guessing the sashing strips connect the already quilted blocks and then what are you doing on the back and is there any hand stitching involved? (what a long sentence).I especially love QAYG Improvised 2011, if that is the name. Super!
Your work is wonderful and the colors are GREAT. I have already saved several of your quilts in my 'Fave Quilts' file.
Hi Marianne,
ReplyDeleteI too, discovered your work on flickr and it totally struck a note with my style. You create beautiful quilts. I just love your ruthless riot of colour. Stunning stuff. I'm moved to Vancouver recently, but lived in Sherwood Park for 5 years...we're hoping to move back again in the near future. We miss it so much! Can't wait to see more of your work...I'm following along now.
I am thrilled to discover you. What a wonderful blog and fantastic quilts. You are quite amazing.
ReplyDeleteThanks Mary...I wandered over to your blog and was blown away...I hit the follow button after the first minute.
ReplyDeleteH Mari, I just had a most excited phone call from my friend Julia telling me to look at your blog - she is the lady who designs the lovely Oakshott colours, Michael's Mother!! Such fantastic quilts!
DeleteWould you mind if I printed some of your quilt photos to show some students? I am teaching Curved Piecing to some fairly novice quilters later this month and would love to show them where the ideas might go. They are not all computer literate!
Heather
Hi Heather
DeleteI just received a wonderful email from Julia myself....it was so great hearing from her.
Yes go ahead, Heather. Thanks for taking the time to ask. Have a great class.
hi there. Just found your blog. What really caught my eye was your photo of windows from the palais de congres in Montreal. Are you from Montreal or did you visit?
ReplyDeleteI like what I see so far. Have fun with your quilting and your blog.
Hi Marijke, I live in Alberta but my daughter lives in Montreal. I just couldn't resist getting my husband to take that picture, when we were there last Thanksgiving. What a beautiful city, it was my first time there. Thanks for the comment.
ReplyDeleteJust found your blog via the Red Pepper Quilts blog list. Your work is wonderful. I am inspired to try QAYG and just ordered one of the books you mentioned. One question - what kind of thread do you use to do your quilting? It looks heavier than regular thread. Quilt on - your blog is full of inspiration!
ReplyDeleteHi Char
ReplyDeleteMy favourite quilting thread is by Valdani...I'll put a picture of it on my next post.
Hi Marianne,
ReplyDeleteThanks for the info about thread. Valdani thread looks gorgeous. I can't get it locally so I'll have to order some online to try out.
I'm obsessed with circles and you mentioned in one of your posts that you would blog about your favorite ways to make circles. I would love to know!
Thanks,
Char
Hi Char
ReplyDeleteThat is my plan, but I haven't done it yet. If there is a particular project with circles that you have questions about, feel free to send me an email and If I can give you a hand or give you a list of books I will.
Marianne,
ReplyDeleteDo you do commission work? I could not find any email address on your blog, so this was the only way I could think of to contact you.
Patsy Thompson
patsy@patsythompsondesigns.com
Marianne, I love circles too! Love what you are doing. Many, Many years ago my aunt made me a QAYG quilt and she learned from her aunt. They sewed the back blocks together by hand. But it still keeps me warm during the winter. Love your modern designs. I found you from Melody Johnson.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing! Kathy
Hi
ReplyDeleteI also think what you are doing is great!
I have just completesd a QAYG following your blog
And I have to say I loved it I also live in Alberta - Calgary and have been thinking very seriously about starting a blog - the only thing holding me back is like yours there are solo loop many awesome blogs out there!
Thanks for the inspiration
Thanks so much....I'll thank you here, since you are set at no-reply. I'm glad you enjoyed the QAYG tutorial. Blogging is a wonderful experience...I'm glad I gave it a try. I wouldn't worry to much about the other blogs, just be yourself and blog about your quilting life..... you'll probably love it.
ReplyDeleteMarianne -
ReplyDeleteI am starting a QAYG quilt and plan to use the narrow connector strip method that I read about here on your blog. I would like to link back to your blog - please let me know if that's OK. I still have great plans to make your version of the ticker tape quilt - but I need to finish this first :)
Thanks so much for all you do! All the best - Chris
Love your blog, and you are right, spending way too much time in front of the computer instead of my beloved sewing machine! How do you
ReplyDeletedo all that you do ?!# Well just keep it up !#
My Highest Regards, Marie
Love your Colour shot, do you have a pattern for it?
ReplyDeleteMichelle in Colorado
Thanks so much....no pattern though, this was completely improv. I didn't even make a sketch, it's how I love to work best.
DeleteThank you for your wonderful QAYG tutorials. I've made one and it was so much fun. My step daughter, for whom it was made, now thinks I'm wonderful. Ha Ha! You're a master of color and design.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much....So glad to help.
ReplyDeleteMari,
ReplyDeleteLove your designs. Inspiring. Thinking of buying a friend's Bernina 440 QE and noticed that you had one in a photo. I assume you are quite familiar with that model. Thoughts on it? I have a Bernina 153 QE and am a beginner quilter.
Thank you for your insight.
Hi Holley
DeleteI love my Bernina...it's the machine I use the most. It's quite heavy, so not great for taking places. It's a wonderful machine, the walking foot on it works really well, it's made especially by Bernina for the Bernina,rather than the generic walking foot many machines have.
It also has the free motion foot with sensor cruise control built in...I'm away from home at the moment so I can't remember exactly what that was called but that's really helpful for learning Free Motion quilting.
I really love my Bernina...
I hope that helps.
Hi Pat Merkle at Color Me Quilty mentioned you to me, I took a quick look around and knew I needed to follow your blog!
ReplyDeleteLove your blog, love your quilts!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Kathleen
DeleteHi Marianne. I am in love with your Circles for Paige quilt, right down the fabric that used for the circles. I am wondering if you'd be so kind as to share the name/design of the fabric? I did try and contact you as soon as I saw this in my Fons & Porter magazine but I don't think my attempt was successful. Thank you so much and keep up the GREAT work on your blog! It is truly inspiring for a want-to-be quilter like me! Have a GREAT day!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Carrie. Sorry it took me so long to get back to you. I used a bit of a mixed bag when making Paige's quilt. Two of the fabrics are by Robert Kaufman (Another Iota). I also used a Kaffe Fassett print by Rowan Fabric (Targets. A few of the other prints were exclusive to Fabricland. I don't usually keep track of the different fabric lines since I love nothing better than to mix it up.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much! As I began looking for fabric for this project, Robert Kaufman has two prints that I fell in love with and ordered. I have to say, I am so glad you and your Circles for Paige quilt were featured in Fons & Porter; it led me to your blog that is absolutely AMAZING. Thanks for always being inspiring and encouraging to your followers
DeleteThanks for your kind words. I'm so glad you found fabric you love.
Delete