Where do you find your inspiration for quilting? During this topsy-turvy Covid world, do you find yourself lining up your projects or falling down rabbit-holes?
I find myself going back and forth between the two extremities. Part of me is (almost) happy to have the privilege of being locked down. I can be alone with my fabric and my machine and my creativity — not so alone after all! On those days, I get more blocks up on the wall, more tops completed, more free-motion stitches in my projects. Among the things I inherited from my Mother was her love of quilting and her collection of quilting magazines and books. I have more projects in those magazines than I can ever get to. Which leads me to my other extreme: trolling through all the magazines, blogs, you-tube videos and making lists of projects that I want to try. I used to have a posted list of which projects were next in line, but just before I’d get to that list, a new idea would pop up and I’d be chasing the new rabbit!
Below is a picture of two projects currently on my design wall. On the left is a Temperature Quilt. Each rectangle represents the high and low temperature of the day. What is on the wall in the picture represents the first four months of 2021 in Ottawa. See those bright yellows? Those were those lovely warm days we had in early April. See the shades of purple? Those are the bitterly cold days and nights. The project on the right is a Jagged X’s quilt, which is a free pattern from Jordan’s fabrics. I usually do one project at a time, but sometimes, you have to chase a few rabbits! What rabbits have caught your attention? What is on your design wall?
Many of our quilters have been very busy and we are building our collection of quilts to be presented when the restrictions are lifted. If you have a finished top or a finished quilt, drop me a line and we can organize and contactless (at least low contact) drop-off. Below is a sampling of some of the quilts that are waiting for their forever homes.
We seem to have missed our annual Drop, Swap and Sew. Somehow, the more time we have on our hands, the more it slips through our fingers. The good news is that we have a good collection of carefully prepared kits almost ready for stitching. As soon as they kits are all recorded, I will set up a Drop and Swap date — probably towards the end of May.
Do you know of a quilter or a non-quilter who would like to help with QOVC? We are looking for some volunteers to help with some larger projects. QOVC needs a Newsletter editor. If you go to the QOVC website, you can find past issues of our newsletter. We need an editor to pull together the ideas from representatives and volunteers across the country and organize an informative, inspirational source. Pat More has done a terrific job these last few years, but she is looking for different challenges. QOVC is also looking for one or two people to manage our Social Media presence working with our Social Media Coordinator. QOVC is also looking for a Special Projects Coordinator — this person would be the lead organizer in events such as our National Sew Day. If you or someone you know would like to help with any of these positions, please let us know.
I hope you are remembering the two contests that are running. The Bundle and Blocks Contest and the Finished Quilt Contest will both give you a chance to win a brand-new Janome machine.
Thank you for all you do to support our wounded and ill military members.
Ottawa Region: Quilts of Valour - Canada 