Saturday, October 29, 2011

Bloggers Quilt Festival - Fall 2011

If you are here from the link on the Festival, welcome. 

If you are just happening by or are a regular reader, Amy is hosting the bi-annual quilt festival again and let me tell you, I'm excited to see all the genious out there in cyberland.  The gorgeous quilts are one thing but reading the stories adds a whole new level.  If you want to see, just click on this LINK and maybe join up with a quilt of your own.  Also, a big thank you to the sponsors (linked on Amy's blog) that contribute and assist in the hosting of such a fantastic event! (I'm off to shop as soon as I post this. :D)

For my entry this fall, I'm choosing my "The Sun Still Shines" quilt.
This was born of my desire to share my love of paper-piecing with my cyber-buddies who were new to the technique or maybe were just rusty and wanted a quick refresh.  So, I planned a quilt along and while it was small, it was a lot of fun to do.  I was able to create a design using EQ6 which would provide a lot of versatility for each individual taste out there.  I think the photos in our Flickr group illustrate that was a good choice (and if you want directions, look at the discussion field in Flickr, I don't want to link blog posts here).
I enjoyed designing this but I found I also really enjoyed creating the You Tube videos showing how the technique worked. They are my first and I was very nervous but I am proud I didn't let that get the better of me and I trudged ahead. 
While trying to decide a name for it, and holding it, I was struck by the path of destruction in Joplin, MO after the tornado this past May. The path was clear destruction and chaos but the video that next day was being shown in the bright sunshine, people were assisting neighbors and there were many places that were not destroyed. When I looked again at my quilt top and the design, it seemed to mimick the sun shining over a path much like the tornado's and I was reminded that even in difficult times and dark hours, light does return... the sun does still shine.  And the name and quilting motif was born. 
For me, naming a quilt is just as meaningful as creating it and so this one, for all the joy in creation and contentment in the name, is my current favorite quilt.  Thank you for stopping by and have a wonderful time viewing all the other quilts in this Fall Festival!
Cheers! Beck

46 comments:

Mom said...

love the quilt! The piecing design is great.

Margaret
www.quiltsoflove.blogspot.com

Kristie said...

This is beautiful, Becky! And a great story. Will have to check you out on You Tube and learn!

Shevvy said...

I love how this turned out - and as you know I also like the block or I wouldn't be making so bloody many of them. At around 50/80 now!

Sarah said...

Ok admission time - I LOVE this quilt but paper piecing scares the **** out of me!

Kendra from missknittas studio said...

This quilt is lovely, Becky! And I'm so glad you shared the link to your YouTube videos -- they are terrific!

Anonymous said...

Very cool design!

Editfolt said...

Greetings from Hungary. I love the abstract pattern .. Staple the beautiful

Kate said...

Beautiful quilt, with a very meaningful name.

Deborah OHare said...

So bright and cheerful.Lovely

Pat Merkle said...

What a beautiful quilt! I love the story of how you named it.

Marika said...

Very nice work thanks for the quilt for division.

Marg said...

It's turned out beautifully Beck. I love the story behind the name.

ferne said...

I love this quilt! Glad the sun is still shining through your quilt with winter on its' way this will be a nice reminder of spring around the corner.

M-R Charbonneau said...

Oh, I love this quilt! I'm sorry I missed the quiltalong. This would have been fun! Thanks for sharing!

machen und tun said...

wow, this is a wonderful quilt, love it!!

Shay said...

I loved the videos too Becks(especially the one where I KNOW you're in your pj's!)

I enjoyed taking part in your quiltalong and will paper piece again at some point in the future.(once I get over my potty mouth from this one !)

Your quilt turned out beautifully!

Susan Entwistle said...

Hey Beck

Love your color selection and the quilting. I can see why it's your favorite. Are you ready to start paper piecing those Christmas trees now? :)

Aunt Spicy said...

Ohhhhh, tat is such a happy cheery quilt! Its gorgeous!

Shari said...

What an interesting quilt with a great story. Beautiful colours and design.

Karen said...

Your quilt is lovely. Beautiful design and stitching. Fantastic colours. It is really very uplifting.

cauchy09 said...

wow, what a super happy quilt! those colors are stunning and the piecing is perfect. congrats!

Rebecka said...

Your quilt is so beautiful. The name for your quilt is perfect. Thanks for sharing!

Vicki @ DottyJane said...

Spectacular! I subscribed to your You Tube channel. Very informative!

Candied Fabrics said...

OOh, so cool! Quite a modern feel, and I love that you taught a lot of people about paper piecing - one technique that I really love!

Heidi Grohs said...

Oh my! Beautiful!! That is some major paper piecing. Intrigued!!!

trish said...

Your quilt is a true work of art! :o)

Heather D. said...

Wow, this is beautiful!

JoyceT said...

Cool quilt. Thanks for sharing.

quilthexle said...

Wonderful quilt - and a very touching story, thanks for sharing ! Will check your paper piecing video tutorial out - I love the technique, but there's always a new trick to learn ;-))

The Thompsons said...

Sooo beautiful! I love the colors- I need to check out your tutorials, because I stink at paper piecing. :)

Anonymous said...

This is a very beautiful quilt - love it!

tara said...

So lovely. The eye draws you in!

Sandy said...

WOW! I love your quilt! It is so cheerful. I would want to wrap up in it in all winter long.

Marty Mason said...

Very impressive...your quilt and your You Tube video.

Briana Arlene said...

Pretty quilt! I love how you made the motif off-centered. I also like how many combos you can make with this block (from browsing the flickr group). Nice work on this one!

Peggy said...

What a gorgeous quilt!

Katy Cameron said...

It's an absolutely beautiful quilt, love the bright colours

Teresa Marie said...

Wow, what a beautiful quilt! I've never done paper piecing; it seems so intimidating, but I'll have to check out your tutorials. I just purchased EQ7, and know nothing about it as of yet, LOL. Will be spending time watching those tutorials too. So glad to have found your blog. :)

a maidenhair fern said...

Absolutely amazing. Great job.

felicity said...

What an absolutely fabulous quilt! I love the name and the story behind it. Thanks for sharing - happy BQF!

J said...

beautiful quilt...I need to try paper piecing!

Janet

Eileen said...

Beautiful quilt and lovely story to go with it. Hope is always good to have and see. Thanks for sharing and have a great day

Jane said...

Lovely quilt and interesting story. Thanks for sharing!

Kit Lang said...

really lovely! Thanks for sharing. :)

Jitka said...

LOvely!

Bente-I like to QuiltBlog said...

-that´s wonderful quilt, it make me feel vey well looking at it!
Thanks for sharing, and thak you for visiting my blog ☺
Liebe Grüße
Bente - Germany