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I have some friends who are, well were, determined to buy a local business on the Blue Ridge Parkway to be called The Teddy Bear Restaurant and Inn. When they succeed (they didn't), I will be making quilts for all their guest beds. The center of the quilts will be this bear. Even though things have not panned out, John still wants one of the quilts for himself. Since May 31, I have been playing around with the idea of using Scottish tartans in various layouts. I found an online site, The Scottish Weaver, that had 100% cotton tartans and began arranging them in EQ7. Swatches are below. The vendor is in nearby Charlotte. When the guys bought the idea of tartans, I called. The Scottish Weaver is a division of Great Scot International. With a delightful Scottish brogue, Peter Wilson took my first order of 100% cotton twill tartans on June 01. I ordered 8 tartans with enough yardage to complete at least two queen sized quilts. They are the first eight listed above, June 13: The first set of tartans are here!!  June 16: After spending several days working on quilt top patterns that went from bad to worse, the guys finally came over today to see the fabrics. When we actually spread them out on the bed, it was immediately obvious that the tartans looked best left pretty much alone. Sam did decide be wanted a Stewart Royal (red) border around the Rosie Bear block & around the quilt. Otherwise, he wanted MacLeod of Harris (green) for the rest. Second option is with the fabrics reversed. Stunning effect! Oh yes! He also picked out a bear paws pantograph and variegated red and black #1003 GLOWING EMBERS King Tut thread for quilting. The backing will be a solid red with bright red bobbins. June 22: Did the quilt top layout. June 23: First order of red & green solids for backing are here. The colors are perfect. The thread is ordered. June 24: The rest of the red and some navy solids are here. Now that we have the main quilts planned, I started playing with the classic Bear Paw quilt blocks in conjunction with tartans and Rosie Bear. These are the layouts I have come up with so far. It is fun just playing with this software. June 26: The cutting of the first quilt has begun with the center creme & and the red. Since the fabric is 54-55 inches wide, the size the guys want perfectly fits the fabric and there will be absolutely no waste. The top and bottom sections of the green are 27" high and the smaller sides are 26" high. Can't have a better unplanned fit than that!! June 30: The thread is here and gorgeous! It is thicker than I usually use so the quilting patterns--Rosie and the bear paws--will really stand out. July 01: The fabric for one quilt is now cut & pieced except for red border. Oct 18: Pieced, ironed & loaded the backing Oct 19: Started ironing the top amidst numerous interruptions all day long Oct 20: Finished ironing and loaded the top. Quilted 3 rows and Rosie. Oct 21: Quilted! Oct 24: Sandy agreed to do the hand binding. Nov 06: I finally attached the binding. Nov 18: Passed it to Sandy to finish Dec 13: Finished & delivered back to me. Dec 15: John picked it up
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John Garland found a dragon pantograph that stirred his heart. I had sent him to look for an embroidery design but the longarm design got his attention first. I remembered a small quilt top I made as a shoppe sample way back in the beginning (2008) and used as a small table cover. Someone special (that would be Sandy) really liked this one so I bought the fabrics to finish it. She has now graciously conceded to John to perhaps use on his small kitchen table. I am thinking a large dragon in the center as a block. I will fill in the rest of the longarming with a smaller dragon panto. The fabrics are from the Joshiko II line. 03/25: Oops! When ironing in preparation for loading, I noticed the center square was no where near going to lie flat for quilting. Trick: Secure the fabric, spray with starch, steam, let dry. In the fourth picture below, I had already starched, steamed and dried. I then steamed again and used a hair dryer and finally an iron to get the the fifth picture. 03/29 Quilted. 04/06 Bound. Mar: A very dear & special friend was watching and helping me put together several quilts for a coming show. Even guys can get caught up in the fun of designing their own quilts. Certainly, JRGarland (John) did. He silently watched as I turned "Miss Jump's Scrap Bag" layer cake into an Ashley's Journey quilt top. On the first trip to fabric store, he said nothing, just roamed around silently while I made my purchases. Apr 04: On the second trip down, I learned he had the quilt he wanted already picked out. He made his fabric purchases including an unusual but beautiful backing for his quilt. He watched as I did the cutting and as I worked hard to layout a quilt where no two blocks were alike. Whew! Then I said, "It is your quilt. You play and arrange them as you like." In silence he worked away, twisting and turning the fabric bits. I tried to stay busy doing something else. When he had it like he wanted it, I said. "okaaaaay" to myself and started sewing. Apr 08: Quilt top done. While I was sewing, John went online and selected his longarm design. Later I purchased some longarm monogram letter designs May 05: & added that touch unknown to him until finished and delivered it. John named his masterpiece A Pigment of My Imagery.  John is a prolific writer. He published his first novel, The Wizard Endor on Lulu, also available on Amazon and through many bookstores. As editor and proof reader, I also wrote this synopsis: A delightful and heartwarming tale of Wizard Endor as he travels throughout the mythical kingdom of Greysmire with two friends, solving problems and fighting evil at every turn. Brilliant, wise, kind, respectful and beloved, this wizard wins the hearts of young and old alike. Only the bad guys fear him!! (When I discovered the cover painting that inspired his first book--Three Friends, I proclaimed myself the little mouse in the beard, later named BW, short for BlueWhite, my original avatar on RedBubble. You can also check out some of John's poetry and delightful humor on RedBubble.  Added this note on Feb 20, 2011 John has now published his second novel, Endor's Adventures. Both are delightful books of charm & wisdom. |
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