Friday, May 21, 2010

Blogger's Quilt Festival

My followers have seen this already, but I really wanted to share this again. My friend Liesl is battling breast cancer - she's been through two rounds of chemo now and still has her wonderful smile and attitude. She told me her regular mamogram is saving her life. An important reminder for us all!

Panaceia is the greek goddess of cures and healing. It's 53" x 62" Liesl said it was wonderful to use during her chemo treatment - I think this was a good lap size. And the camper vans reminded her of when she was little - she loved them the most.


As soon as I heard she was diagnosed, I had to make a quilt. I imagine during and after chemo, feeling tired and chilled, and giving her something cheery to cover up with.



I loved Amy's 'Peas and Carrots' the first time I saw it - actually the first thing I ever faved in flickr. It looks so happy! She made her quilt as a kit for the local shop and kindly sent instructions that went with the precut pieces. I modified it a bit to eliminate the boarders and turn the panels into my own little improv creations.


I used all my favorite Heather Ross cuteness - very happy little prints for Liesl. And I experimented with skinny boarders and solids. This block uses Kona school bus and tangerine - my favorite orange combo!


This fishy block was the most improv. I pieced/cut/added/cut/moved....I was thinking about Gwen Marston's philosophy of add some if it's too small, cut some off if it's too big.





I love the light/dark thing that was going on with the Kona, so charcoal was the perfect choice for the binding!


I quilted it with invisible thread on the top so it wouldn't stand out against either the dark solids or the light prints. I loved every minute of making this quilt and giving it to Liesl was absolutely wonderful.

Thanks for reading about this special quilt. Now head back for more quilty - bloggy - fun!!


68 comments:

Leslie said...

what a special story to go along with this quilt...so good to know that it gave your friend some comfort. i absolutely love the mix of different kinds of blocks

One Flew Over said...

Love, love this quilt!

Unknown said...

A Wonderful quilt that was made with love! I am sure this quilt was a bright spot for her. Just terrific!

Jenny said...

I love that orange combo Angela! and...I scheduled my first mammogram for this summer....early according to statistics, but I feel better getting a healthy baseline!!

Anne at Film and Thread said...

A quilt like this has to help your friend heal quickly! The colors and way you put the blocks together are all fantastic!

Nadine said...

absolutely gorgeous. and it shows how every quilt we make is unique and full of memories.

Stephanie said...

This is still one of my favorite quilts I've seen, just love those happy colors!

So invisible thread, is that the stuff that looks like fishing wire in the stores? Did you have any problem with it, or is it pretty much the same as regular thread?

Anonymous said...

A gorgeous quilt with a heartfelt story behind it. Your friend must have felt tremendously comforted by all the love that went into this.

Thank you for sharing how you progressed your quilt from your original inspiration too!!

Lynne (Lily's Quilts) said...

What a lovely quilt - a riot of colour ... and I hope it has the healing effect - all that colour must do some good.

Dee said...

love, love, love, love this quilt and the story behind it.

and the heart that pieced and quilted it is huge!

Terriaw said...

I really love this quilt! I love the colors in the patchwork and the gray framing the fun blocks. Adore those fabrics too! (I am hoarding the campers in pink.) I especially love the story behind this quilt! Good for you for being such a great friend.

Kriza said...

it is sooo beautiful! it must be extra special for your friend from an extra special friend.
Kristina
www.priscillacraft.blogspot.com

Abby and Stephanie said...

Love it. Great color combination.

myBearpaw said...

Love this colour combination! And the great fabrics, especially the camper vans and the gnomes!!

Dresden Quilter said...

It is fabulous and special, just like you. I am happy it gave your friend so much comfort.

elle said...

What a wonderfully great quilt!

Kristine Hanson said...

what a jem of a friend you are, what a nice gift to make your friend :)

Lesly said...

Bound to be a spirit-picker-upper with such bright colours and cute prints. what a caring friend you are!

Mary said...

I'm so glad you picked this quilt for the festival. I absolutely love it!

Life of Joy said...

Again....It is a beautiful quilt :)

Claire said...

YUMMY! this quilt so summery and fun. I think I could look at it all day and never get bored with it!

Allie said...

I love this quilt so much! The story with it just makes it all the better. What a great friend you are.

Dolly said...

It's beautiful and a real comfort to her, I'm sure !

Rebekah said...

this is gorgeous and one of my all time favorite quilts of yours and all time favorite color scheme!

Jessica Christensen said...

I absolutely love this color scheme, love the improv blocks. Seriously fantastic.

Annika said...

I´m amazed by that beautiful quilt!

Jennifer said...

This is such a beautiful quilt with a wonderful story behind it!

Jennifer :)

amy smart said...

I just love this quilt. I'm so glad you shared it again. (And thank you for the shout out.) I still remember getting your email request for the pattern - little did I know you would become my fabric pen pal. ;)

Andi said...

A stunning quilt!!

em's scrapbag said...

This is such a wonderful quilt. I love the happy color combo. I'm sure it has been a great comfort to Liesel. I hope she is doing well now.

SandyQuilts said...

Nice quilt and great story.

Carol said...

Love the simplicity of the blocks. They all work really well together. A great gift to help through a difficult situation.

Megan said...

It's an absolutely beautiful quilt!

Laurel H. said...

Beautiful quilt, with a beautiful, touching story.

AJ said...

Stunning Quilt! Love the colours...they just work!

Katie B said...

This is so beautiful! I know your friend has found a lot of comfort in this quilt made with such love.

Tonya said...

This is one of my most favorite quilts ever, and I am not talking about just my favorite of yours. I found your blog during the fall quilt festival, and I subscribed and I have really enjoyed reading it.

Allie said...

This is so lovely - what a wonderful gift for your friend!

Tracey Jacobsen said...

I love this quilt. And I love that you made it for your friend.

So much love goes in to every piece and seam and stitch.

Jocelyn said...

What a very fun quilt! Love the colors. Great job.

Jill said...

This quilt is lovely, and the story behind it makes it even more so.

Karen said...

Just a wonderful quilt. Love your colour choices.

Anonymous said...

I adore that quilt! It is fantastic and what a fantastic story to go along with it. THank you for sharing it!

Angie Padilla said...

I wouldn't have thought about combining orange with turquoise, but it certainly works. This is a lovely quilt!

Marika said...

Very beautiful quilt work !

quiltmom anna said...

Angela,
Your quilt is a wonderful gift of love- I am sure your friend feels your warmth and caring every time she wraps herself up in it. Thanks for sharing your special quilt of friendship.

Enjoy the festival- there are many terrific quilts to view in the show.
Warmest regards,
Anna
http://quiltmomsjourney.blogspot.com/

Marie said...

Beautiful Quilt loved the colors

Mary said...

You have inspired me to get busy. My dear friend is going for a mastectomy tomorrow and I have been thinking about making her a quilt. I love the originality of this quilt. Hope you don't mind if I copy your color scheme, so bright and happy. Thanks for sharing.

beth said...

THis is a gorgeous quilt and a wonderful gift to cheer a friend!

Claudia said...

I love the oranges and blues and imagine your friend could not help but be cheered by this wonderful quilt.

Sew Lovins said...

Really cool quilt, Thanks for sharing

RosaMaría said...

I LOVE this quilt! your chiised beautiful colors! beautiful work!

Bellgirl said...

What a cheery quilt! I'm not surprised your friend loved it. I hope she's doing well.

Kelli said...

This is one of the cutest quilts I've seen! I have my fingers crossed for your friend, You are lucky to have each other!

Julie said...

Definitly suffering from BQF, but this is great- I keep going back to it. Sounds like your friend loves it too:)

Tasha Horsley said...

love this!! what a special gift.

Anonymous said...

Love the color scheme!

Aunt Spicy said...

l-o-v-e! really love all the squares within squares and cute prints!

Anonymous said...

Beautiful quilt, beautiful meaning. I keep seeing quilts that were made for comfort and for therapy, and I like being part of that.

QuiltSue said...

What a wonderful quilt to give your friend.

Angie in SoCal said...

How very nice of you to do this. It is a wonderful quilt.

You are a blessing!

Lila Jo said...

This quilt is just stunning! Great job, and I love when a beautiful quilt makes its way to a loving home.

Dallas Designing-Diva said...

Love the colors.
Randi
http://DivaBuzz.designing-diva.com

Sandra said...

what a great cheery quilt for your friend-how generous.
Come see my antique quilt entries
http://utahquiltappraiser.blogspot.com
http://starleyquilts.blogspot.com
(I think you'll like the cheddar orange star)

Leah said...

beautiful quilt and beautiful story. you are a good friend. thanks for sharing that.

Anonymous said...

happy to see it again! it's a beauty, and i love the story behind it!

Eileen said...

wow--love this quilt and the reason behind it. how precious to make it for your dear friend. the colors are great. it's so interesting to compare it to your inspiration--another beautiful quilt. love the different blocks you did--really great. thanks for sharing

Holly said...

I love this quilt! The colours, the design, the intent, it's all amazing!