Some things are meant to happen
Back in 1994 Melody Johnson was going to give her first crazy piecing class and invited me so there would be a familiar face in the crowd. She gave each of us a pack of squares of her hand dyed fabric. Since I already had a lot of scraps ready for crazy piecing I got right into it.
Half of the blocks have her hand dyed fabrics in the center, the other half have the tiny cutaways pieced together for centers.
When I finished this quilt I called it "Wanda's Quilt" so no one else could have it. The deadline was approaching for the MAQS contest for New Quilts from an Old Favorite and the theme that year was log cabin. Ann Fahl and Melody both encouraged me to enter it but I was doubtful that it would be considered a log cabin. Ann sent me a copy of the entry blank with 2 days to spare. I already had slides so I decided to go for it. However when looking for the slides I couldn't find a detail shot. The deadline was a day a way so I mailed it with only the full view slide.
Three days later there was a message on my answering machine from a gentleman from the Museum telling me that maybe I didn't know it but I had only sent one slide. I called him and could not lie, told him I couldn't find the detail shot. He told me I had 5 more days to get the other slide to them. I pulled out a tote bag that night to pack for a class. I picked it up by the bottom for some reason, and out fell the detail slide without the plastic mount. I called my photographer son and he brought over a mount and the little tool to set it. I mailed the slide the next day, and the next call said I was one of the 18 finalists in this world wide contest. I renamed the quilt "Exuberance" and wrote my article for the book, and the rest is history.
Half of the blocks have her hand dyed fabrics in the center, the other half have the tiny cutaways pieced together for centers.
When I finished this quilt I called it "Wanda's Quilt" so no one else could have it. The deadline was approaching for the MAQS contest for New Quilts from an Old Favorite and the theme that year was log cabin. Ann Fahl and Melody both encouraged me to enter it but I was doubtful that it would be considered a log cabin. Ann sent me a copy of the entry blank with 2 days to spare. I already had slides so I decided to go for it. However when looking for the slides I couldn't find a detail shot. The deadline was a day a way so I mailed it with only the full view slide.
Three days later there was a message on my answering machine from a gentleman from the Museum telling me that maybe I didn't know it but I had only sent one slide. I called him and could not lie, told him I couldn't find the detail shot. He told me I had 5 more days to get the other slide to them. I pulled out a tote bag that night to pack for a class. I picked it up by the bottom for some reason, and out fell the detail slide without the plastic mount. I called my photographer son and he brought over a mount and the little tool to set it. I mailed the slide the next day, and the next call said I was one of the 18 finalists in this world wide contest. I renamed the quilt "Exuberance" and wrote my article for the book, and the rest is history.
10 comments:
What a super story! When something like picking up a tote by the bottom to find your slide drop out happens to me, I just have to call it a "God-thing." For sure, reading this story and seeing the pictures are a blessing!
A wonderful story and an OHHHH an AHHH quilt ! Love it !
It was meant to be ~
What a great story! Love the quilt, it is fantastic.
I am always amazed at how you can tell a story about each and every quilt you have made. I can't even remember where I put the birthday cards I have to send. These quilts mean a lot to you and this is how you relate.Thanks for sharing
LD
What a beautiful quilt. That border really knocks my socks off. Is it pieced, or is that the fabric?
barbara c, you are a no reply blogger so I will answer you here. The border is an African fabric in my favorite pattern, a zebra stripe. I followed the undulating curves of the stripes as my quilting design.
And what a history it is! That is my absolute favorite kind of quilt with a little bit of everything. The border is wonderful too.
It is a stunning quilt and the border just adds that finishing touch. I've never entered a major competiton and it was a good thing that you were pushed in the right direction.
That's a great photo of you and the quilt, and it's a great way to document it in the book. I hope the backstory of the missing slide is documented with the photo and book, besides on your blog. I know we like to think the internet is forever,but... Besides, on Antiques Roadshow, it's the seemingly ordinary (not that your quilt is!) that really shoot up in value when they have the a whole collection of supporting items telling a story.
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