Quilting Companions

 I wanted to show you the quilt I did last week with Sid's help, but it is a Christmas present for a client's adult daughter.  I don't think she'd see it here, but I would hate to ruin a surprise for anyone.  I'll post photos after the holidays of this really cool t-shirt quilt.  I have Sid working for me again this weekend.  We have begun another silk tie memory quilt.  This one is going to be in a windmill pattern.  For some reason, I like doing traditional patterns with these beautiful silks. Sid and I have created many wonderful quilts together both traditional and non-traditional styles.  The quilt pictured here really captures both of our talents. 

            We are very proud of this quilt named "Kundalini".  It was made several years ago as a commissioned piece by someone who liked our seed of life quilts.  This client used the word Kundalini when describing what they wanted.  I did a touch of research and discovered that fire and snakes were associated with Kundalini energy.  The client thought it was wonderful and so we created the quilt you see here.
All of the fabrics were dyed by Sid and I did everything else.  I am fond of saying that my quilts are a series of mistakes.  I learn incredible things when I allow myself to make mistakes.
The lesson this quilt taught me was about bias tape.  I had made my own and used bias tape for years.  Then we got this brilliant idea to dye the snake fabric on the bias and cut it 2 1/2" wide.  This looked great! What I learned is that bias tape over a certain width will not lay flat in curves!  After an hour of freaking out,  I decided to methodically pleat the inner curves and sew them down.  This solved the main problem and gave the snakes such LIFE!  It really looks like the snakes are moving and writhing around in the knot work.  You can view other quilts we've made using the Seed of Life pattern at our website, www.mountainjoyquilts.com.
Well, it's truffle time.  I must dip and package many of these chocolaty delights to send to all my loved ones.  Sometimes, I think it's a cop-out to send truffles every year.  I know they are looked forward too though with great anticipation and I might even get in trouble if I don't send them.
We all need a yearly overdose of chocolate, don't we?  Happy quilting and creating!

Love and Chocolate

I love how I can tell what season it is by what candy is being sold in the grocery stores. Looking around, I see Saint Valentine's day is coming up soon. I always love a good romance and whichever of the many stories to believe, St. Valentine was a romantic. There were three saints of the Valentine name and all three were martyred. We are not even sure if this day celebrates one of the saints, all three, or if it is just another adaption of older pagan holidays.

Anyway, according to the tales, Saint Valentine performed marriages in secret, against the laws of the time. He either married Christians or soldiers, neither of which were allowed then. He was imprisoned and died for his efforts. (That is how one becomes a martyr you know.) According to one tale, while imprisoned, he wrote a love letter to a woman. Possibly she was the jailer's daughter. It was signed "Your Valentine", and became the first valentine card in history.

It certainly was not the last though. Sending loved ones a token of our affection on this day has become increasingly popular. Cards, flowers, and chocolate get sent around the world. All sorts of delicious chocolates go on sale to tempt our hearts.

Chocolate.com is ready for this holiday. They have marvelous boxed chocolate collections and with the attached code, you can get 10 percent off your purchase. Visit their site and pick something perfect for those you love. They will be happy to help make Valentine's Day special.

Chocolate and Quilters

I believe almost all quilters have a strong love for chocolate. I can not believe it is only me and my quilter friends that share this love. Maybe the traits are connected on the same gene, if you like pretty fabric you must love chocolate. I also know that we can be very picky when it comes to chocolate. The most divine forms of chocolate are truly appreciated and savored. At the same time, I'll gobble up just any old chocolate too.
I'm going to share with you now where to order some of that most divine-type chocolates. I just discovered them and they are fabulous. Any chocolate your heart desires can be found at Chocolate.com. I've posted a link on the side bar so you can get there faster. Remember, it is not a good idea to drool into the keyboard so use protection when visiting this site! This is one of the largest selections of fine chocolates I have ever seen. They carry finished products such as fudge and truffles, but they also carry baking chocolates. They have organic, vegan, and kosher chocolates. With a huge selection of holiday assortments and sales, you chould check them out in time to order for yourself and everyone else who has been good this year. Even if you are not a quilter, don't you need some chocolate right now?