While It Is Quiet

In the IT world, the workload at the office usually follows the feast or famine cycle.  Lately our department has been waiting patiently for a HUGE project that has been delayed for revisions. So to keep myself busy, I brought in some applique work I've been working on for quite a while. Over the years I have given away just about every quilt I've ever made. A couple of years ago, I decided it was my turn to have a quilt. It took me the longest while to choose a pattern. I found this quilt pattern, Doreen's Dutch Tiles by Nancy Rink in the November 2000 issue of QNM. Since it was marked as Challenging, I wanted to try it since it had so many triangles and what looked like miles and miles of applique work in the borders.

I usually learn best through regretting my actions, it's just how I roll. So I jumped right into this big project.   I wanted that pattern to really stretch my skill set and force me to learn new techniques. I never appliqued before, so first I took a class taught by Terry Weeks at once again, my favorite source of knowledge, the Cloth and Bobbin.

So far, I have the body done.  Each of these blocks are 16 inches, with 2 1/2 inch sashes, 64 triangles and appliqued tulips in the corners.

And 2 of the 4 appliqued borders are completed, which I am working on at work.

I found the fabric for the center of the squares at the The City Quilter before I moved to the Philadelphia area last summer. Entitled Matisse Women, I just had to own some. I really like how the combination of the graphic center blended with the traditional delft pattern. The block arrangement reminded me of myself, where on the outside, I appear so predictable and unassuming, but on the inside, I have some real attitude! These ladies look so amazing, I decided to name my quilt, "All the Single Ladies."

I'm far enough along on this project where I am now shopping some long arm quilters to finish it for me.  I'm not crazy enough quite yet to try to quilt a queen size project on my sewing machine.

My mother loved Matisse. Being a tall and curvy woman, she really appreciated how Matisse captured a woman's beauty, her inner spirit in his paintings.  His models were full bodied, richly clothed and stared straight at you with an "I dare you to say something" look in their eyes. They exuded confidence and courage.

Today, March 28th, marks the 2nd anniversary of the day my brothers and I sat with our mother and guided her to her final home. We held her hands and her feet and told her we loved her as she lay quietly until she passed on. If only you could have known her! My Mom exuded grace and beauty every day. She was a master cook and regarded Martha Stewart her rival in housekeeping and decorating skills. She loved opera and would always turn her radio on to the classical music station to keep her company as she cooked her meals from scratch. Not that she needed it, for she had so much wisdom. But she had a degree in Psychology which she earned during the 70's while a single parent with a full time job, and raising 4 children, 3 of whom were teenagers. What a crazy time that was! She was a solid, guiding source and everyday, I think of her and ask, "WWJD?" What Would Julia Do?

Mom,  I miss you so.  Thanks for all that you have done.

Julia Young 1938 - 2010