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June 30, 2013

From the Beginning...

I've told you about this book before.  Lark Crafts new book Art Quilt Portfolio "People & Portraits" by Martha Sielman.  It is wonderful - filled with eye candy.  If you have ever had the desire to make an art quilt depicting a person or people, this book is a must for your library.  Every page is filled with inspiration.  I'm one of the featured artists.  I'm still pinching myself - can it be true?!?!?

I began quilting in 1994 at the suggestion of my daughter, Jennifer.  She had made some quilts and thought I might enjoy making one too.  I knew how to sew - I decided to give it a try.  I had never made nor thought of making a quilt before.  I bought a book to learn the basics.

This is the first quilt I ever made.  Queen sized and made of upholstery fabrics - oh brother!  The pattern is called "Around the World."

I was on a roll.  I made bed quilts for everybody in my family - siblings, children, grandchildren, etc.

By 1999, I'd had my fill of bed quilts - I mean, how many beds does one have?!  I began to design my own wall hangings.  I made a number of abstract type wall hangings.

A Case of the Dizzies


It was time for me to express myself in another way...telling my story...I doubted anyone else would care, but for me it was therapeutic.   Menopause - at least one good thing came of it - this quilt.

 Mood Swings (2003) 

After that, I began telling my story in earnest.  I won't bore you with the details...you can go to my website to see more.  

This piece entitled "Should I?" is one of my favorites - mainly because Jennifer posed for me.  (I'm the figure in the background.)  We all have a "should I" story - you know, should I leave a job (or not), a relationship, a dwelling, you get the idea...

"Should I?" (2009)

along comes 2012 and I'm invited to be part of Lark Crafts publication "Art Quilt Portfolio: People & Portraits."  It's a dream come true...I'm playing with the big kids now!


If you would like to win a copy of this fabulous book, leave a comment (with a valid email address).  I will draw a random winner on July 7, 2013.  Who knows - it could be YOU!  Good Luck.

Linking to:
Sunday Snapshot



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34 comments:

  1. LuiJune 30, 2013 at 5:40 AM

    That was something that I've been wanting to do. You are so talented and so generous in sharing them!

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  2. JanetJune 30, 2013 at 7:53 AM

    Pat, I've always admired your work. Congratulations on being acknowledged in this book.
    Janet

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  3. QuilttenJune 30, 2013 at 8:19 AM

    Hi Pat:
    Congratulations on being published. Your work is wonderful and interesting. I loved seeing your first quilt. I have one like it in a different color.
    Debbie

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  4. flspiritJune 30, 2013 at 9:44 AM

    Oh Pat, my first quilt was also "Around the World"; however was 1 1/2" squares sewn by hand! Ended up queen size.

    Your creativity astounds me. You deserve to be featured in many publications. Congratulations on this one.
    Sheilana

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  5. Theresa MerklingJune 30, 2013 at 10:28 AM

    Looks great - would love to win it. Amazing how quilting has evolved since "way back when" huh?

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  6. SusanSWJune 30, 2013 at 10:33 AM

    Congratulations--how exciting! And it looks like a wonderful book!

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  7. NonnieJune 30, 2013 at 10:49 AM

    stunning achievement, being published! what an honor! even though I don't sew well, I'd love to win the book because it would make a great gift for my daughter-in-law who sews everything from quilts to clothing!

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  8. ThereseJune 30, 2013 at 10:57 AM

    Congratulations! Sounds like a wonderful book.

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  9. Emily CJune 30, 2013 at 12:09 PM

    Love all the reviews. Each one is so interesting and I love hearing how the artist finds inspiration and creates such lovely works of art.

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  10. ...melody...June 30, 2013 at 12:48 PM

    Wow! These quilts are beautiful pieces of art! :)

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  11. Roberta Chalfy MillerJune 30, 2013 at 12:53 PM

    Congratulations on being included in this book! I have always loved your work for its beauty, impact, and content. Bravissima!

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  12. idahomeowJune 30, 2013 at 1:17 PM

    Oh, how I would love to win this! I am a beginning art quilter, but have always loved portraits. This would be a great place to start.

    Thanks for the chance

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  13. KiaJune 30, 2013 at 2:13 PM

    Congratulations on being featured in the book, Pat, how exciting! :)
    Happy Sunday.

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  14. ann @ studiohydeJune 30, 2013 at 2:36 PM

    What a gorgeous bed quilt, very impressive :)

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  15. abriannaJune 30, 2013 at 5:47 PM

    I like your "Should I"? and your menopause one gave me a chuckle.

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  16. craftirnJune 30, 2013 at 6:25 PM

    I would love this book. The portrait quilts are wonderful. Thanks for the chance to win.

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  17. Jacklyn YoungJune 30, 2013 at 8:29 PM

    I would love love love this yummy book - how generous of you to offer it!

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  18. NormajeanJuly 1, 2013 at 8:10 AM

    Congrats on being published! It looks like a terrific book. Thanks for the chance to win.
    Normajean Brevik
    seasew@yahoo.com

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  19. Rachel BatesJuly 1, 2013 at 11:55 AM

    Thank you for a great pictoral journey.

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  20. AnonymousJuly 1, 2013 at 1:07 PM

    Pat - Not only are you an incredible quilter and fiber artist, you are an amazing friend... My wishes always for continued success and happiness and keep inspiring us... Hugs, Sharon

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  21. meleah rebeccahJuly 1, 2013 at 2:49 PM

    "I'm one of the featured artists.  I'm still pinching myself - can it be true?!?!"

    OH, PAT!!!!!

    I am so very thrilled for you. Seriously, you're so talented you deserve this so much!

    And also - how can I BUY the book your featured in?



    email address: mhawthorne@optonline.net

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  22. Jeanne Turner McBrayerJuly 1, 2013 at 2:54 PM

    I would love to win this book! Thank you for the give-away. Congratulations on your success.

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  23. Wilma Simmons (Empress Wu Designs)July 1, 2013 at 9:01 PM

    Thank you - your quilting journey is very interesting and fascinating to see your obvious innate talents develop. Congratulations on your publication.
    wilmasimmons@hotmail.com

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  24. GillJuly 2, 2013 at 4:55 AM

    Congratulations!!
    This looks a fabulous book!

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  25. aspiritofsimplicityJuly 2, 2013 at 6:12 AM

    I have always wanted to learn to quilt like that. Perhaps I will figure it out this winter. Congratulations on this honor your work is beautiful.

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  26. BrandiJuly 2, 2013 at 7:08 AM

    Congrats! How beautiful!

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  27. SnapJuly 2, 2013 at 8:31 AM

    Congratulations! How wonderful to be one of the featured artists. Your quilts ARE works of art.

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  28. Linda KittmerJuly 2, 2013 at 11:01 AM

    Your story is much like mine Pat. After filling all the beds and sofas in our home and cottage, as well as lots of quilts that were given to family and friends, I turned to art quilting too.

    This looks like a fabulous book. Congrats on being a part of it!

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  29. AnonymousJuly 2, 2013 at 3:36 PM

    Congrats on being published! I've quilted off and on for the last almost 50 years (yikes!) but right now am in a photog and scrapbooking phase with more than several quilt tops waiting for quilting.

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  30. Evelyn S.July 2, 2013 at 5:34 PM

    As the granddaughter and daughter of "traditional" quilters, I am amazed at the 'sculptures' and 'paintings' some quilters are able to create now! So exciting for you to be included in this beautiful collection!

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  31. TaMara SloanJuly 3, 2013 at 7:18 AM

    I've wanted to learn quilting for a while now. I'm sure I'll never be able to make an art quilt. Yours are amazing!

    Thanks for linking up over at Tales of a Pee Dee Mama.

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  32. JeanieJuly 3, 2013 at 9:50 AM

    I am amazed and overwhelmed by your work. I love the bed quilts but your art quilts are a world unto themselves with detail and creativity. Oh, such eye candy right here!

    I am not a sewer or stitcher; so I am in awe of what you do!

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  33. AnonymousJuly 4, 2013 at 4:35 PM

    I sew, but have never had much patience for getting to the end product. How beautiful is your work and cannot imagine how you come up with the originality. So talented. Awesome.

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  34. Mary Gene AtwoodJuly 5, 2013 at 3:39 PM

    Congrats! So glad your amazing talent has been tapped.

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Thank you for taking the time to comment. Your messages inspire me. I love hearing from everyone.