Imagination Playground

What do you think about when you make a quilt?  As I made this quilt I went back in time, a relatively short or long trip to my backyard swing set.  We had a huge oak tree in our yard and the best swing set.  We used to swing as hard as we could and then jump into the air to catch the branches of the tree.  When not swinging we could most often be found trolling the banks of local streams searching for salamanders while birds watched nearby.  All these childhood activities swirl around in my head to a Dr Seuss themed visual world of wonky trees and plants and stories with morals to live by today.

 
I FINALLY finished this quilt which I am now calling Imagination Playground.  It all started a long time ago in a workshop with Rosalie Dace entitled Trees.  When I arrived and started pulling my fabrics out of my "suitcase" for the workshop I thought I could see a few sideways glances from the other participants as they upacked their hand dyed fabrics, textured solids and a large assortment of solid fabrics.  At the end we did a critique and someone actually said, "I couldn't imagine where you were going with this."  Fair enough.  Neither did I.  Biggest difference in retrospect is my use of print and pattern where only solid colours once lived.  I didn't know what I was doing "wrong" but rather only did what I do all the time...follow my imagination.  Thing is, I had no idea what I was in for in the class with Rosalie.  She is a marvelous, gutsy woman that opened my mind's eye to really digging deep when I make a quilt.  I won't say this was an easy project.  It has had many stages of development, many restarts and many layers added to get it is where it is today...a picture of my imaginary playground when I was a kid.  It is a fun place to visit.

Your imagination, what you might think about when making a quilt is what makes it you.  These are Moira's black angels.  They might be imagination links to something else to someone else but to Moira, they say what she is thinking.

It is a formula of sorts.  Look.  See.  THINK. Do.  Moira's choices are obvious...obviously hers.  Using Cloth as a background sets this project apart from the start.  You can feel her thinking about this quilt, living it...taking it somewhere in time.

There are many points on which to land here and wonder...to get involved with Moira's mind...the part she is willing to share with all of us.  We are huge fans of Mrs. Hanneford at MO.  She was a quilter in Australia a long time ago with a penchant for using lots of bits of fabric appliqued in what looked almost haphazard.  It's a great look.  It is a fun link to tradition.

Quirky, "mad" images of imagination appear thorughout traditional quilts.  Little things that make us wonder..."WHAT was she thinking?"  Where did she live?  WHO WAS SHE?  ...fyi in this case it is Kelly and she is doing this quilt with Marg George.  It's the kind of quilt that looks like it should take a life time.  It does take time but maybe not as much as it would have 100 years ago!

I've read some of the debate over contemporary v tradition but I don't understand the v.  Aren't our best ideas derivitives of the foundations set before us?  The tradition of quilts is a beautiful, heart warming vision that speaks of how we spend our time...OUR TIME.  The most precious thing we have and most linked to our passionate drive to MAKE...to MAKE what we ourselves LOVE.

Take Carolyn for example.  No fuss.  No bother.  Just a bit of gorgeous Kaffe and some divine inspiration and we have a quilt top.  Make it small or make it large.  Use one colour or all six...coming soon to a stall at the Quilt & Craft show....

 

Every once in a while we see evidence of today.  Look to yesterday or today but consider tomorrow!  What will the quilting sisters that follow say about us today?  What will they think as our quilts come out of attic storage?  As the historians of tomorrow fondle and examine our quilts I hope they see our imagination. k

Comments

[Michelle]

Oh Kathy! I love your Imagination Playground quilt! As for what our quilting sisters will think when they look back on us in 100 years they will say our era were bold and brave with colour and design, choosing fabrics to make their own rules.

[Andie]

Seriously Kathy - amazing, amazing stuff. I love Imagination Playground! I would love to explore applique a little more. Everytime I see it, I always love it, but I'm so intimidated by it. You make me want to be good at it!

[Cathy]

Wow wow wow Kathy, I love your imagination Playground, would love to see that 'in the flesh'!! I could look at the detail in that for hours! Thanks again for all the yummy inspiration. xo

[Pam]

And this quilt my friend says it all about who you are! I am thrilled you had this childhood and grew to be a woman of such happiness and talent! Wow. Wish i could see it in person!

[lyn lindsay]

Kathy I love Imagination Playground, it is wonderful and how lovely for all this to take you back to a time of freedom and play, lovely and a comment on the WHOPPER hexagons wooo!!!! they are big and beautiful and how is the proud lady who is making them she is having fun.
Keep enjoying and happy stitching for Noah it too will be wonderful.
Lyn

[Rachael]

Loving everything about this post! Every quilt is stunning and the things you've mentioned are so 'right on!'. I'm crossing my fingers that you'll be showing Imagination Playground at the Darling Harbour Show.

[Kim]

You know, I never cease to be amazed at the beautiful pictures you post on this website! I hope that I can start using my imagination again this fall when my twins start school. Thank you for sharing. Seriously, every time you post, my mouth drops open in awe!

[Carla]

Just happened to find your blog. Wow. So impressed. Wish I had 1/10th of your talent.
All I could keep saying as I looked at the quilts was "OH MY" Awesome

[black lava rock]

Fire Rocks Represents one of the last black lava rock mines existence. Thanks to our buddies MSHA shutting the others down.Our black lava rock varies in color from very black to green black depending how close to the surface of the mine and whether it flowed like glass or blew up like popcorn.

[julie creus]

Kathy,
I loooooove your imagination quilt. You are truly and innovator, and wildly unique! Thanks for sharing!!

[Wendy]

The heart & soul that oozes from you IPQ ... adore it ... it does look like a wonderfully fun place to be ... thanks for sharing as usual! Cheers, Wendy

[jordan shoes]

Your blog is great. Your thoughts are also very good and i am very inspired from your post. That is why I visit this blog again and again and will come back in future too. Thanks

[Toddler swing set]

Wow your quilts are absolutely AWESOME!! I have made a few of the basic patchwork style quilts but have been scared to attempt anything more difficult.

[Coach Outlet Online]

I'm happy I found this blog ! It's very good and thank you for sharing it !