Wishes for my Birthday

2011 has been a challenging year in too many ways to count. So, for my birthday yesterday, I decided to create a crazy quilted heart. While I stitched, I spoke aloud my desires, wishes and prayers for the coming year. Thoughts of love, creativity, laughter, friendship, prosperity and good health were woven into every stitch. My birthday heart is now pinned on the studio wall, where I can see it daily and remind myself to make those wishes come true!

Crazy Quilt Earns Blue Ribbon

My crazy quilt, "Paisley", won a blue ribbon in the New York State of Mind Quilt Contest at the Farmers' Museum in Cooperstown, NY this weekend. It's made completely by hand. I fashioned the wired ribbon roses in the center, embroidered the paisley, added beads and such. The center fabric is a paisley tone-on-tone silk brocade I have had for some time. The green velvet I fashioned into a quasi-Moorish arch to frame the main embroidery. Then, I bordered it with crazy quilt panels on two sides. There is a lot of hand embroidery throughout the crazy quilted portion. I added velvet ribbon borders. The pink ribbon treatment around the outer two edges was inspired by an antique crazy quilt. I had a lot of fun making this wall hanging!

I've been asked to display three of my crazy quilts next April at the Quilt Expo en Beaujolais, France. I'm delighted to do so! 2012 promises to be an extraordinary year.