Tuesday, November 17, 2015

An {Overflowing} Trunk Show

Love the trunk show over at Whims and Fancies so much! Have you seen it yet? I'm still working my way through all the entries, but enjoying the show tremendously. I'm almost too late for the party myself, but decided to be very indulgent {it's a long post} and show off a couple several of my favorite quilts too.

The sawtooth quilt was made out of blocks given to me by friends I was moving away from. They made me the simple looking blue and brown stars and then several years later I added the red stars. It made all the difference with bringing the quilt to life when I added the red! It took a long time to come up with the best fabrics to set them off with, but once it happened I was absolutely delighted with the result. It drapes across one of my living room chairs year around and still feels very special to me.
Sawtooth Stars of Friendship
This baby quilt was a result of me experimenting with a fat quarter bundle of solids. Ach! but that was difficult for me. Finally had to incorporate a tiny bit of a print in order to move forward, but felt absolutely no remorse in breaking the 'all solids' rule. It had to be done! And it's probably one of my most 'modern' looking quilts yet and definitely my favorite baby quilt I've ever finished.
Lil' Retro Baby
Love, love, love how this scrappy log cabin quilt turned out! All the blocks were made directly out of my scrap bin, my first attempt at a truly scrap attack sort of quilt. I finished it up with simple borders and gave it to my son while he was living in Oklahoma attending college. I felt that he needed a piece of home in his teeny tiny dorm and this fit the bill perfectly. The last time I saw this quilt, it was very well worn. Such a compliment to momma!
Scrappy Log Cabin
Dutch Comfort was started during a very 'down' time in our life. I wanted to make something that was cozy, warm and comforting. I used a Blackbird Design block pattern for the middle and then sort of copied the Dutch look for the rest, using different colors of course! I've always had a very fond spot in my heart for this quilt. It feels so good to see it being used.
Dutch Comfort
Ahh... This basket quilt. Such a long project for me! Five years from start to finish, but well worth the time and effort involved. I thought it was a lunatic sort of project for me to start, but was immensely proud of myself for actually getting it finished. Wowsers, long term quilts take a different mentality altogether! But who cares how long something like this takes to make? Now it will be enjoyed by our family forever!
Worry Baskets
This Broken Dishes quilt was such a fun quilt to make. I was wanting to make this very old fashioned block, but experiment with a blend of modern to reproduction fabrics all in the same quilt. I'm kind of funny that way. Always pushing the boundaries of what goes with what even when I'm thinking it couldn't possibly come out all right in the end! I ended up finishing this for my oldest daughters senior graduation and I don't think it's left her bed yet.
Broken Dishes Part Deux
Quarter Circles has got to be one of my most favorite of all my favorite quilts. I wanted to play with a very low-volume sort of quilt, circles and also that lovely, sparky, red thing that the Netherland quilters seem to be so accomplished with. Honestly, this quilt has been on my bed longer than any other quilt I've made. It finally got shoved off after my very last quilt finish.
Quarter Circles
Yay for Happy Flowers! This one just sort of told me how it wanted to be started and put together. I love seeing this sweet little quilt draped over a rocker in the corner of my bedroom--it just makes me happy. I've almost given it away a couple times but always come to my senses and bite my tongue.
Happy Flowers
Most people don't understand my almost obsessive love for Vintage Reproduction, but this quilt was just a fantastic experience for me. I saw a picture of an antique quilt, hung it on my wall for a couple years and then one day out of the blue thought 'I can make this!'. Okay, it's not exactly the same colors--I changed that a bit here and there. But the pattern is very, very close {except for the center applique} and I had to draw, measure and plan that all by my lonesome. Loooove this quilt so much because it was exciting and fun and just felt so creative. Even though I was basically copying! huh. Quilters are such odd creatures....
Vintage Reproduction
Plain Jane was another one of those basket quilts that just call to me with a sirens song. It started out with the cake stand blocks that just wanted to be made. Then it eventually progressed to a finished quilt that melted my heart--Plain Jane proving that she wasn't so 'plain' after all! I will probably never, ever get enough of basket quilts. Enough said.
Plain Jane
All Grayed Down. A quilt that started out because I wanted to use up some of my gray fabrics that were collecting dust. Then it turned into a personal challenge to dig deep into the bottom of my stash totes and use other fabrics that I considered old and perhaps ugly enough to be unusable. Wowsers did this quilt blossom. I learned so very much during the making of this quilt!
All Grayed Down
This was a quilt I made for my brother a few months before he died. It still makes me sad to think of him, but I'm so very glad I got it done in time for him to actually use it. He always complained that quilts were never made properly for his tall frame and so I made sure this one could be tucked under his chin, wrapped around his feet and plenty wide enough for him to roll up in if he wanted to. I wanted it to be happy enough for him to smile occasionally, but not so cheesy he didn't want it in the same room. I cried a lot of tears while finishing this one up and definitely didn't have time to do much hand quilting except on the borders.
Rejoice Evermore
This quilt was a Pat Sloan pattern that reached out and demanded to be made. I changed the colors a bit from the original plan, but there wasn't any other changes to be made. Love the value changes in the yellow background fabrics especially. I gave this quilt to my sister after their house burnt down last year. My daughters thought I was nuts because 'what was there to be thankful about?' Oh you know... life, good health, a loving family and the fact that sometimes you are strong enough to survive whether you know it or not? Mostly I just hoped it would be the comforting sort of quilt to wrap up in and have a good cry, and then remember the good things too. It's really hard to give away certain quilts, but easy when you know they might need it more than you.
Be Thankful
And now I'm being sappy and weird. Thanks for sticking with my trunk show till the end {if you have!} and go check out those other great trunk shows here! It takes dedication and a great love of quilting to make a quilt start to finish. All of us have quilts to be proud of for one reason or another!
Online Quilt Trunk Show


*On another note, if you're still with me on the Quilty 365, there is something you really should look at. Over at Crazy Mom Quilts, she is making a circle quilt that will give you a great idea of what our circle quilt could look like at the end of a year! Her quilt isn't a daily fabric journal like ours, but it's the same sort of pattern etc. How crazy is this? I'm sure I have seen the beginnings of her quilt before, but honestly never made the connection--circle quilt to circle quilt. I was thinking daily fabric choices, simple units, etc. etc. Gotta love quilting for the way inspiration flows, influences and changes with the advent of the Internet especially!

39 comments:

  1. How lovely to visit your gorgeous Trunk Full of Quilts, Audrey!! I have been sitting here, reading your stories and drinking in your plethora of beautiful quilts. Each one is amazing in their own way. Oh my goodness, you are a clever lady. So, so happy to have happened upon your lovely blog!!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Fabulous quilt show! Your quilts have such personality and it was a pleasure to revisit them - thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Not only are the quilts just lovely, but I love the stories that belong with them - that makes them extra special.

    ReplyDelete
  4. What a fabulous trunk show. I really enjoyed listening to your stories and following your quilting journey. Each one is unique and special. Thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  5. I love all the quilts!! they are all so neat I don't know which one I like the best. I have been working on my circles and showing an update tomorrow - mine is a little different but still circles - I saw Amanda's and immediately thought of yours

    ReplyDelete
  6. I love seeing these quilts all gathered together. Your work always draws me in, and the stories add to the richness.
    Looking forward to whatever you do next!

    ReplyDelete
  7. So nice to see all your quilts in one place - definitely a few in there I had not seen before. Nor had I heard all their stories - which may be my favorite part of quilting! And yes, I did see Crazy Mom's circle quilt - it was a pleasant surprise, for sure!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Wonderful trunk show Audrey! You have such a lovely collection of finishes! and I really enjoyed reading all about the stories that went with them too.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Wonderful Audrey, I LOVE all your work.

    ReplyDelete
  10. What a woonderful show! It made me sad to read about your brother. The same thing happened to mine. I made him a comfort quilt some months before he died, using cw repro fabrics. He was very happy about it.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Loved the trunkshow, beautiful quilts..Thank you
    Greetings

    ReplyDelete
  12. Thanks so much for opening your trunk! I agree those long term quilts are worth the effort. So glad you shared. Your Dutch inspired quilt is my favorite. Oh and the basket quilt, alright I can't pick a favorite.

    ReplyDelete
  13. So happy to see you've shared from your trunk full of quilts! The sawtooth stars is one I hadn't recalled seeing before, and you're absolutely right, that red really makes it sing! Your creativity and color sense are always inspiring.

    ReplyDelete
  14. I've been enjoying visiting some of the trunks over there and have had some lovely visitors as well....quite glad that you jumped in. I love all of your quilts so it was nice to revisit some of them. And seeing Dutch Comfort...I'd forgotten about that one; I have a little stack of spools started for a quilt down the line :)

    ReplyDelete
  15. beautiful quilts; i can hear in your words the solace and enjoyment you have found in these projects and in the process too...

    ReplyDelete
  16. Your trunk 'is' overflowing-with beautifil quilts and it's all good!

    ReplyDelete
  17. I'm drooling over your quilts! Where do I begin? The sawtooth stars quilt is gorgeous with a capital G and your Quarter Circles is timeless! I'm very impressed with your work and your colour sense. I agree that the Dutch have a way with fabric, red in particular. Thank you so much for the lovely trunk show!

    ReplyDelete
  18. Lovely - such fun to visit some old favourites and see one or two I missed first time round.

    ReplyDelete
  19. What a great way to start my morning!

    ReplyDelete
  20. You are are such an amazing quilter! I think the Vintage Reproduction is my favorite, no wait, I think it is the Happy Flowers, no I mean the Quilty Circles, well you know what I mean! They are all fantastic what an accomplishment and thanks for sending us to the trunk show to enjoy all these wonderful creations. It's like going to a quilt show without the hand stamp!

    ReplyDelete
  21. Fun show! It is nice to see some old favourites, and a few I missed too! This trunk show idea is a really good one. :D

    ReplyDelete
  22. Wow! Every quilt was a joy to look at and the love hearing the stories behind them. You are always so inspiring!

    ReplyDelete
  23. Oh Audrey! I sooo enjoyed your trunk show! Some quilts I recognized from recent visits to your blog but others were new to me. Such a visual treat! I'd be hard pressed to pick a favorite 'cause they are all so wonderful! cheers!

    ReplyDelete
  24. Lovely trunk show you/ve gifted us!! I love your baskets most of all--all of them!! Am still honking away at "365" --actually learning a lot about how to applique and to "let go"...hugs, and thanks Julierose

    ReplyDelete
  25. A charming trunk show. So delightful to see your work over the years and learn a bit about why and who you made them for.

    ReplyDelete
  26. Great trunk show, it demonstrates the depth and breadth of your work! A lovely collection.

    ReplyDelete
  27. Quite a variety! Quite a show! You should be proud!

    ReplyDelete
  28. I enjoyed looking and read about all your quilts, some of the quilts I haven't seen before and some I enjoyed seeing again. You are such an inspiration!

    ReplyDelete
  29. I loved seeing your quilts! And loved the stories about them! They are all so wonderful and each unique. Impossible to pick a favorite.

    ReplyDelete
  30. I am glad you decided to be indulgent. Great show of a such a lovely collection. Thank you so much for sharing.

    -Soma

    ReplyDelete
  31. Wow you've got a lot of gorgeous quilts! That red background to go with those star blocks was genius! All of your quilts are gorgeous and I appreciate your showing all of them to us. That quarter circles one is one I would love to recreate when some of my WIPs are finished.

    ReplyDelete
  32. what a wonderful wonderful trunk show! wow. So nice to see quilts with words, it's one of my favorite things!

    ReplyDelete
  33. The rich beauty of your quilts echoes the depth of meaning you include, with every stitch. Thanks for shating both pics and stories.

    ReplyDelete
  34. What a delightful group of quilts. Thanks so much for sharing all of these. (I'm a late arrival to the circles but I guess my year can go from November to October! wonderful idea.) I dearly love your Broken Dishes Part Deux

    ReplyDelete
  35. I've so enjoyed your wonderful trunk show!! It's the next best thing to a real trunk show. I loved seeing lots of my favourites of yours and I hadn't seen the first one before so that was a bonus too.

    ReplyDelete
  36. I loved seeing all your beautiful quilts! Thanks for sharing them.

    ReplyDelete
  37. How do I love this post, let me count the ways - thirteen! Thirteen gorgeous, stunning, imaginative, colorful, wonderful quilts. I love them all and couldn't possibly pick a fave - what joy to see a portfolio of your work. I really wish you lived next door, and I could consult you on color choice for everything I make - you have such a gift!

    ReplyDelete
  38. I like the colors in the Sawtooth Stars of Friendship. The background color makes the blue in the stars pop.

    ReplyDelete
  39. This just proves to me that, in spite of our styles being so different, I love all of your quilts! I love your whimsy, the vintage look, your applique, and how you step outside of your comfort zone (even when it's only a tiny step or when it's a giant leap) and how your learn from each of your quilts. Keep doing what you do, Audrey, because you make awesome quilts! They are colorful, adventurous, cozy and just plain wonderful.

    ReplyDelete

Thanks for visiting! I love getting comments and always try to respond via email. Please leave an email in the comment to ensure a return reply! {Many of you are popping up as Anonymous for some reason, so I have no idea who it is.} Regardless, I appreciate all the comments and read every single one.