A Quilter's Life
Choose to Bloom
The top inner border of Choose to Bloom was a lot easier than the two side borders because the house block in the center takes up a lot of space. This is the top inner border of Choose to Bloom.
Book Reviews
“A Piece of My Soul: Quilts by Black Arkansans” – A Book Review
They say if you don’t know where you came from, you can’t know where you are going. If that is true, then it explains why A Piece of My Soul – Quilts by Black Arkansans by Cuesta Benberry touched me in a deeply personal way. I grew up in Arkansas, and my grandmother Clara Ford created […]
Collector's Corner
Welcome to the World, Jazz Simone Milner
I don’t do a lot of baby quilts, but I create them for special people. Welcome to the World, Jazz Simone Milner is the latest quilt commissioned by prolific collector Judge Patsy Porter. The colors in the quilt coordinate with the colors in the nursery. Since the parents are obviously jazz enthusiasts, I chose a ballerina motif […]
For Sale
How Much is Your Quilt Worth?
I attended the opening reception of an art exhibit that features Atlanta Quilter Marquetta Bell Johnson and some of the Gees Bend Quilts. The exhibit is at the Mason Murer Fine Art Gallery in Atlanta. Shown here is one of Marquetta’s quilts called Desert Garden. I hope you will check out the exhibit to see […]
News from the Clara Ford Foundation
Atlanta Album (This Ain’t Baltimore) Appraised During 2012 Atlanta Quilt Festival
One of my treasured heirlooms Atlanta Album (This Ain’t Baltimore) was appraised during the 2012 Atlanta Quilt Festival by Holly Anderson. Quilt appraisals are one of the activities always offered during the Festival. The Clara Ford Foundation will sponsor the 2013 Atlanta Quilt Festival at the South Fulton Arts Center, 4645 Butner Road, College Park, GA the first two weeks in August. […]
- My Red and White Quilts at the 2012 Atlanta Quilt Festival
- My Quilts at the 2012 Atlanta Quilt Festival
- R.E.S.P.E.C.T. Wins Best of Show at 2012 Atlanta Quilt Festival
- Desert Garden Wins Best Art Quilt at 2012 Atlanta Quilt Festival
- Splash From My Stash Wins Best Traditional Quilt at 2012 Atlanta Quilt Festival
Places to See My Quilts
Martin’s Dream is at Mills Senior Center
Martin’s Dream is spending the month of January at the Helene S. Mills Senior Multi-purpose Center in Atlanta. Flowers Hoping to Be Free returned home. Martin’s Dream is a traditional sampler quilt composed of 12 blocks. What makes it special is the border of black and white boys and girls holding hands. It took me a […]
Quilt Travels
Ricky Tims, Alex Anderson and Libby Lehman — Wow!
I was part of a group of over 200 quilters who attended a two and a half day seminar at Clayton State University in Morrow, GA last week. Rick Tims, Alex Anderson and Libby Lehman were the stars of the show. I am still digesting what I learned, but there was definitely plenty of inspiration […]
Quiltmaker's Daughter
Uniquely India Was Under the Christmas Tree
Santa decided to add to India’s quilt collection. Uniquely India was under the Christmas tree. It contains all of India’s favorite colors. The back of the quilt adds to the theme with words like “cute girl, happy girl, sexy girl, lucky girl. I think the quilt was a hit. I hope it always reminds her […]
Quilts on YouTube
My Christmas Quilts Are On YouTube
If you need a happy boost to your holiday spirit, check out my Christmas quilts on YouTube. I try to make at least one new Christmas quilt each year to add to my collection. I am still working on the 2012 addition. Shown here is Almost Christmas. As soon as the leaves start to turn, […]
Studio Organization
Design Wall Helps the Creative Process
I purchased a design wall from Keepsake Quilting. It is actually a large piece of batting that measure 72 x 72 inches. The blocks stick to it nicely. After using my floor as my design wall for years, it is nice to be able to audition my blocks on the wall. I am enjoying having […]
What's In My Hoop?
Block #13 of Choose to Bloom
I changed the pattern a little and included my favorite African girl in the middle of this block. This is block #13 of Choose to Bloom. All of the blocks are finished, but there are four sections to the border.
More Articles
Document Your Quilts For Future Historians
February is Black History Month. We pause to remember those who affected our lives and to honor their memory. Just think, 50 or 100 years from now, quilters may pause to honor you and your quilts. Make it easy for them to get it right. Include a label on the back of each quilt you […]
Give Yourself Flowers Today — Creativity Journal
Most creative people keep a journal, and most of us start a new one at the beginning of each year. It is important to record those flashes of brilliance immediately lest they be lost forever — especially the older you get. My Give Yourself Flowers Today creativity journal is perfect for the artist or anyone who […]
Dreaming of Chocolate
For as long as I can remember, I have loved chocolate. I always have some kind of chocolate stashed in my home. I guess it was inevitable that I would make a “chocolate” quilt, and now I have. Dreaming of Chocolate is a lap quilt that measures 72 x 75 inches — just the right […]
Songburst — A Happy Quilt
Have you ever been so happy that you burst into song? That’s how I felt when I first saw the fabric that became Songburst. Songburst measures 27 x 46 inches. It starts with a printed sunflower panel that is framed with borders and embellished with pearle cotton thread and buttons to add texture. I quilted […]
Be Amazing
My newest quilt may be the beginning of a series. It is called Be Amazing. The message is simple. Whatever you are doing each day, do it so well that people say, “She is amazing!” Be Amazing is an African strip quilt with the words “Be Amazing” appliqued on top of the strips. The quilt is […]
Flight Dreams
I love traditional quilts. I love red and white quilts. I love quilts with a message. Put all that together and you get one of my newest quilts — Flight Dreams. The quilt features 30 red birds in flight. Each bird is embellished with a black crystal eye. The picture does not do it justice, […]
Power Purses in Red and White Finds a New Home
Art is instinctive and spiritual. Sometimes a piece of art just speaks to you. Such was the case with the purchaser of Power Purses in Red and White. After seeing this quilt on the flyer promoting my Holiday Open House, she just had to have this quilt. And now she does. Luckily for me, the […]
Today is Going to Be A Good, Good Day #1 Finds a New Home
Today is Going to Be a Good, Good Day #1 was purchased during my Holiday Open House sale by a collector in Michigan. There were four quilts in this series. I think good days need to be celebrated, don’t you? One quilt in this series remains for sale in my ETSY Studio Store.
Whistle While You Work Donated to Carrie Steele Pitts Home For Children
Each year I make a quilt to donate to the Carrie Steele Pitts Home For Children. This year’s quilt is called Whistle While You Work.
