Boulder County Flood Quilt to be Diplayed at County Courthouse

            This quilt is a very special one indeed.  It a collaborative effort by many people to remember the flood that devastated Boulder and surrounding mountain communities last year.  As I told the Longmont  Times Call photographer that came to visit my studio:  Everyone has their own flood story, this quilt helps to tell some of those stories.  In the weeks following the flood, the people of our community really came together to help one another.  Much like how this quilt was created.
     A call for blocks was put out earlier in the year.  Sadly, I missed the deadline.  Just two days after the deadline though, I received an email wondering if I might be interested in quilting this magnificent piece.  I leaped at the opportunity!  I so wanted to be a part of the project and am so happy they choose me.  I tried to enhance and honor the blocks without adding to much.  The sashing and borders however were my playground.  In the sashing, I quilted jumbles of pebbles and flowing rivers everywhere.  In the darker brown borders, I did some flowing blue columbines.  It is now off in the hands of the volunteer that will bind it.
     Once finished, this quilt be on display at the Boulder County Courthouse for all to view.  I think the installation is to be a permanent one as well.  The plan is to hang it in time for the 1st anniversary on September 11th.          

Boulder County Flood Quilt

Joys and Trials of Social Media

Hi Everybody! 
I have been having difficulty gaining access to this blog account when I have felt the urge to write lately.  I made it through today though!  It has been a busy fall here in Colorado.  The flood was not a good time for anyone I know.  There has been a lot of clean up and things are getting back to normal.  That's the great thing about us resourceful mountain folk.

 If you look back through my posts, you might find the Empress Ohashi quilt that I did for a client last winter.  She was being stored in a closet waiting to see if she was going to MQX West when disaster struck.  I found out the closet was leaking with all the rain and the original red interlocking design in these center corners was bleeding into the beige!!!!!  After many deep breaths, I realized that I made the quilt, I could fix the quilt.  I ripped out the offending, bleeding red fabrics and came up with this new design to cover all the damaged areas.  It was a good deal of work getting her ready and off to the show.  It is so much fun to have a quilt in a show that your parents went to see!

                                                                                  

Empress Ohashi's new corner treatment

Now that the Thanksgiving feasting is done (I will never be finished being thankful), I can focus on getting through the next holiday.  I have the Quilts for Paws program, several quilts and my wonderful truffles up for sale at www.mountainjoyquiltndye.etsy.com.  Time to think of gifts of folks that I love.  I will share all the photos of the Christmas gift quilts, both clients and personal, after the holidays.  I hate ruining surprises. 
Until next time, keep quilting and creating!

Mountainjoy Quilting and Cooking

Mountainjoy is where nature reigns supreme and life is art. It is where a couple a simple artists enjoy all the goodness of a rustic mountain life. It is a place where Mother Nature calls the shots. During the long winter months, a need grows for warmth and comfort begins to develope. This need grows as the winds continue to howl around the cabin. What would you turn to if your only way out sometimes was a snowshoe trek of many miles?

Now, don't be misled. I love where I live and really like to take my dog snowshoeing. I have many hobbies but my favorite things to do are quilt and cook. Both hobbies fulfill the warmth and comfort quota nicely. Working on quilts through the day while good smells come from the kitchen is just about a perfect day for me. Being a chef at over 9000' elevation has it's challenges. I have figured out how to make level wedding cakes on houses whose floors defy physics. I also make a delicious woodstove stew and biscuits. I look forward to sharing my experiences and all of the things that make mountain joy.