Carli The Quilter

I'm love cutting, piecing and sewing.

Now, I know that some of my readers are following me because I like to play around in the new genre of "Modern Quilting" and that is fine to follow me here, but I've developed a sister blog that really spells out my commitment to this new genre. So, for those of you who are wanting to read about and see what my paticular version of modern quilting is all, I welcome you to follow the link listed in this post to visit and see what's happening there. This cute little table runner is all about modern. Its a new take on an old theme and its got a solid amount of negative space.  Please visit my sister blog goodearthmodern

Lots of beautiful blocks are happening in my temporary studio, akay my son's office. Here are just a few that are going into a memorial quilt. These are the pattern blocks from "Cultural Fusion-Aelting Pot of Piecing Traditions" by Sujata Shah.

When I purchased Sujata Shah's book "Cultural Fusion Quilts-A Melting Pot of Piecing Traditions" I was thrilled to own a book from a fellow blogger who I'd been following for several years. I have decided to add a bunch of these Rail Fence blocks into an upcoming T-shirt quilt. Stat tuned Happy Quilting from Carli's Winter Studio

Some have described my quilting as eclectic, artistic and re-purposed to new heights. This "look"that I have is mine. It really describes me as a person. Broad shouldered I stand with my heart on my sleeve as my nimble fingers move across the fabric. Stitches pop up wherever the needle surfaces. New interpretations of stitches evolve as I do. Stitches made across the fabric surface is my mindfulness and focus. Creativity swirls in my mind and comes out in stitches. Its interesting to see the "back side"of this piece. Happy Quilting Carli

My brother Willy told me recently that he had four quilts I'd made for him. I was uncertain if I'd made him that many, but to prove me wrong as brothers will do, he emailed these photos to me. The first up is the plaid number above made for my plaid loving brother back in 1990's. Then this rusty colored one was made for his large rec room at his home. Then this one is a take off of quilt I saw in one of those ancient quilting magazines from the 1970's and I adapted it to real moose, instead of the one used in the pattern, Now, if you live in Canada, everyone knows that a moose and an elk are totally different kind of animals. They do not look anything like one another and so this is my Purple Moose. I don't remember which pattern this was, but its not my own design, but one I loved and it was perfect for their living room that was done in blues. So you see, sometimes your brother is right! Happy Quilting, Carli

Its a great pleasure to let you in on a little secret. Psst, Sujata Shah has written this awesome quilt book and I own it. It was a long awaited Christmas present and I've read it cover to cover. I totally recommend it and here is why. I love fusions of any kind. I rejoice in mixed marriages, gender equality and colorfully putting your face out there. Sujata's book delivers the mixing of colors ideology perfectly while you are gently encouraged to be yourself and explore her techniques. Sujata's style is freedom expressed in fabric, unpretentious and honest. Sujata's Crazy Quilt is so fun, it just explodes across the page like fireworks! This was the ultimate reason for purchasing the book in the first place. I had seen something somewhere on her blog or elsewhere of this Crazy Quilt. I was hooked, line and sinker, I knew that if she could do this, then I had to get to know her even more. Its my dream to meet Sujata in person...

Its always an honor to serve the public and make your way in life by doing something worthy and rewarding. My career outside of raising children and growing a marriage was Special Education Assistant in several public schools over 16 years. My days of work were filled up with classrooms, children, teachers and parents. Offering assistance to a classroom teacher is rewarding all itself never mind helping children learn by giving one on one tutoring and instruction. I even had the pleasure of teaching young children the fundamentals of hand stitching. We had permission and we ate lunch together and cleaned up quick, so hands could begin stitching. It was marvelous and inspiring. At lunch time before this fun lunchtime activity, I'd sit in the staff room and stitch on the various parts of the Beach House Crazy Quilt. I'd go home after working with children and release the day's stress through quilting. No doubt about it, quilting helped me last lon...