Friday, October 29, 2010

Blogger's Quilt Festival!

This week I am trying something new. There is a big wonderful blogworld out there, and I sometimes get stuck in my old familiar rut!  Well, no more! Here I go... the train is rolling and I'm going to hop on!  My guild friend Amy of Amy's Creative Side is hosting an online Quilt Festival.  How fun to see hundreds of quilts from all around the world!  So here goes:

For me, quilting is a way to connect with my family.  My Mother, Grandmother and Great-Grandmother were all quilters. Great-Grandma pieced Relief Society quilts for over 50 years. Gram hand-quilted whole cloth tricot quilts, and my Mom tied quilts. She had just begun piecing her first log cabin quilt when she passed away 11 years ago this month. I had resisted quilting because I was obsessing on Scrapbooking at the time. When my sisters and I found the bag of partially finished log cabin blocks, I brought it home and finished it, then gave it to my Dad for Christmas that year. I made a lot of mistakes on it - for example, I didn't know that it is not necessary to sash between log cabin blocks... but it was made with love and tears, and healed my grief with every stitch.  That is not the quilt that I am sharing with the Blogger's Quilt Festival, however. 


Denim Tsunami

I am sharing another quilt that heals and comforts; a quilt made for my soldier son, heading to Afghanistan with his Army Reserve unit.  This one was made from old denims, khakis and corduroys, and is an adaptation of the "Storm at Sea" quilt pattern.  The quilt, too heavy and hot to send with him, heals me as I see it or pet it folded over the couch.  We sent other quilts that will serve as a warm hug from home as he serves his country for the next year.

Deonn

56 comments:

  1. What a wonderful story and a fabulous manly quilt - I love the movement and shapes and the simplicty of what you made.

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  2. I love the color combination , beautiful:)

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  3. Great pattern, great quilt, great story!

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  4. That is a terrific Storm at Sea - I have always loved that pattern and yours is so nice and masculine. I do understand the healing power of quilting - and my first entry to Amy's festival last year recounts the quilt I finished in memory of my mom, who I had recently lost. The entry is here:
    http://pickledish.blogspot.com/2009/10/interwebs-quilt-festival-entry.html
    Thanks for sharing your gorgeous quilt!

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  5. I love that quilt, it jumped out at me from the many quilts on Amy's page. Just beautiful. And what a wonderful story too.

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  6. Your stood out for me - in a sea of color after color, it stood out for its restraint in color use.

    Best of luck to you and yours, and here's hoping your son returns safely.

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  7. What a beautiful quilt and story. I've got a bunch of denim I need to use. What did you use for the light color?

    And thanks for the link to the blogger's quilt festival. What a fun idea. All I remember is that before my mission (when we were roomies) I was madly trying to finish a puffy quilt for my parents!

    And, how am I going to find out the answers to these questions? I haven't figured out how to comment on comments on my blog.

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  8. Oh this quilt is gorgeous! I love how it turned out. God bless your son...

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  9. It's a gorgeous quilt and such a lovely story! May God protect him while he is over there and bring him home safely to your you and the quilt.

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  10. great story! wonderful quilt!

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  11. What a wonderful journey to your transition to quilt-making.

    Storm at Sea is one of my favorite patterns. Yours is just lovely.

    Safe travels to your son.

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  12. Very striking color combination. Storm at Sea is a beautiful pattern that I would like to try some day.
    Hope your son stays safe and thank him from all of us for his great service.

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  13. Beautiful Storm at Sea! Nice colors too! Thanks for sharing its story!

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  14. What a great quilt.Love the fabric choices. Perfect for a man.

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  15. I have a son former Marine,served in first Desert Storm. I know how you feel. Great Quilt! God Bless you and your son. Love Lois

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  16. I love your quilt. May your son return home safely.

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  17. I was drawn to this quilt through the linky thumbnail just becuase of the sharp contrast and simple geometry. I also happen to have a little secret obsession with denim quilts, so imagine my delight when I read that your quilt includes this fabric! I think its one of the loveliest examples I've seen of a denim quilt.

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  18. I love how your quilt moves. It's a great quilt.

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  19. Storm at Sea is on my list. This is a spectacular example. Simple. Clean. Bold. I like it.

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  20. This is a wonderful story and a beautiful quilt! Thanks for sharing.

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  21. Absolutely stunning, and I love that it's made with upcycled fabrics. This is really special...I will pray for your son's safety.

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  22. The quilt is so great-- and how cool that it is all denim! Thanks for sharing its story. It is wonderful how quilting can bring comfort not only to others, but to ourselves as well. :)

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  23. Lovely..love the muted colors and contrast. Beautiful

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  24. What a wonderful quilt to make as part of your journey as a parent and a quilter. May your son return safe soon, happy quilting Sue (Australia).

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  25. Wonderful quilt, - the Storm at sea is one of my favourite patterns.
    I hope your son will be safe!

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  26. from eileen vv in Glendora, Calif. loved your denim or storm at sea. did one years ago. quilting since 1973. will put your son on my daily prayer list. love and hugs.

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  27. Thanks for sharing this emotional story;

    Greetings from France

    http://busybeefree.blogspot.com/2010/10/bloctoberfest-and-giveaway.html

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  28. I'm so glad you included a photo with your son to show the scale--it's a really big Storm at Sea for a super important person. Really terrific. Thanks for sharing your quilt's story :)

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  29. Beautiful quilt. Handsome son. My nephew is in Afghanistan as well. We pray for our troops and are forever indebted to them for their service. Blessings

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  30. What a wonderful way to honor your son and what a special quilt. I pray that he will return home safely. We appreciate the sacrifice he (AND you) are making for our country!

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  31. Absolutely stunning! Nice job.

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  32. Beautiful quilt with the storm at sea. I like how you were able to incorporate the jeans and kacki.

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  33. Storm at Sea is one of my favorite patterns but I still have not made one- I am not sure why - The list is long of quilt patterns that I would still like to make. Your son's quilt is really elegant- I love the color combination.
    Quilts do have the power to heal, to feel connected and to comfort one in times of stress.
    May your son return to you safe and sound from his tour.
    Regards from a Western Canadian quilter,
    Anna

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  34. This is a stunning quilt. Your work is beautiful! And so is the story that goes with it!

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  35. That's a fabulous quilt, and I loved the story of your family's background in quilting. I hope your son keeps safe and comes home soon.

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  36. The quilt is beautiful, I like that it is made from denim. I hope your son returns home safely.

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  37. I love the secondary pattern of a heart that forms when making Storm at Sea. This is a beautiful quilt.

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  38. Love the black and white design. Great quilt.

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  39. such a beautiful quilt. God bless your son.

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  40. It's beautiful and nearly made me tear up. My step-son is joining the army right after the holidays and I think him being deployed is our worst fear, and a pretty likely occurrence.

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  41. Storm at Sea is one of my favorite patterns. Your quilt is lovely - in a masculine way :-). Best wishes to your son.

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  42. Fabulous quilt. The best part is that it has been made from second hand clothes. I made a quilt out of old shirts and it feels amazingly cuddly because the fabric had been worn and washed so many times. A perfect way to keep your son feeling like he has a piece of home with him.

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  43. I love this pattern! It looks wavy, but when I look closely, I think it's done with all straight lines.
    Beautiful!

    ~ Meagan

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  44. Great quilt, so masculine! Love the way you have used the Storm at sea block!

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  45. Wonderful quilt - thanks for sharing! A truly masculine colour scheme - greta job. I'll keep my fingers crossed for a safe return of your son.

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  46. What a great quilt! and the story is touching and lovely.
    I love your adaptation of SaS - wonderful graphic "boy" quilt!

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  47. I love your quilt and the story behind it. Thank God for your son and all those who are serving our country in the military. May God bless and keep him.

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  48. Wow denim, cords and khakis have never looked so dynamic!! Fantastic quilt!

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  49. I love this design and the name is very fitting!

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  50. I nknew when I clicked on the thumbnail that I'll love this quilt even more. Wow... it's a great quilt.

    I love how it's made from recycled fabrics... Please thank your son for his service to our country. And thank you as well for supporting him in his decision to serve.

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  51. Thanks to your son and others for making a difference. I pray he returns to you in good health.
    That quilt is ABSOLUTELY STUNNING!

    hugz
    Pam

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  52. lovely quilt--so visually stunning and how fun what it's made from! the story is great about your mom's quilt. i will keep your son in my thoughts and prayers. i too have worked on relief society quilts, but mostly just tied ones...my hand quilting leaves way too much to be desired. so many things i've learned in relief society though! thanks for sharing and have a great day

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So happy you stopped by for a visit! Thank you!