A New Year – New Project – The Ones That Got Away…

Posted in Hummingbirds, Quilt Blocks, Quilting, Quilts by paulasuequilts

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

About a year ago I came across a blog – “A Thousand Quilted Cranes“. A designer was commemorating all of those that touched his life (either positively or negatively) by making cranes dedicated to them. I was inspired to do the same, although I could never quite figure out the best way to do it. I didn’t want to shamelessly copy him and do Margaret Rolfe’s crane… that is his. Although it is tempting, as this crane is beautifull. I also struggled with what I would write about each person (and am still struggling with that), how many I would make, how I would pick them, etc…

I was working on binding for a quilt this morning for someone who’s baby is already 6 months old and it hit me. I will dedicate each block to someone I would have made a quilt for. Odd, I know. You might be thinking, “Well why didn’t you just make a quilt for them?”. I only have one answer for you… LIFE. It gets in the way.

I have a full time job, responsibilities and a serious addition to cable TV. I don’t have a prioritized list of who is more important when it comes to making quilts and there is no way I can make one for everyone. In the end, it usually comes down to what is going on in my life at the time. For example, if you are having a baby and I don’t have time to start a quilt for you, you will most likely get something nice from a store. But know that I desperately wanted to make you something. If you are lucky, I started a quilt and told you about it. That ususally means you will eventually get it (even if it’s 2 years from now).

I start this project this week, today in fact. I will pick a design, create a separate page on my site for those that are interested to track my progress and start making blocks January 1. The ultimate goal – 365 blocks – a years worth of would be quilts.

I don’t have anything to show right now so I leave you with more UFO’s from Quilt Festival this year.

9Jul2013

Voices From the Past

Posted in Quilt Blocks, Quilting by paulasuequilts

My dad’s aunt Elizabeth was a quilter. I didn’t even know we shared this passion until a few years ago, and I was very excited to know there were other quilters in my family. She passed away earlier this year and my dad brought me two big totes of her fabric. Buried in these totes were the blocks below. They could not have been Elizabeth’s, the fabric was old and frail and it wasn’t her “style”. I don’t know how old they are, but I love the mystery behind it. I would love to know who quilted these and why. These are especially dear to me as I am a “Sue”. I have always been intrigued by the Sun Bonnet Sue block, I’m not sure why I never made one. Especially since I love to hand appliqué. I guess that will have to go on the list. For now, these cuties will go in frames and hang together in my sewing room. I will look at these blocks and think of Elizabeth and the mystery quilters from the past.

Sun Bonnet Sue

Overall Sam

6Jul2013

It’s a new day… and a new site!

Posted in Quilt Blocks, Quilting by paulasuequilts

Week 6 : Blackbird Designs

Welcome to my new blog site. You may have been with me when I was on Shutterfly, but that style of site was very restrictive and aggravation led to a lack of updates (procrastination and sheer laziness contributed as well). While it may seem like I haven’t been very active, I have actually been pretty quilty over the last 6 months or so and over the next couple weeks I will be loading all my new stuff into this site. If I can find a decent way to do so, I will add all the oldies but goodies as well. Until then, I leave you with a picture from my 30 week wonder nightmare. Week 6.

30 Week Wonder