Meet Kathy!

The Internet is a wonderful place.  A few weeks ago I discovered Kathy's blog, Q.U.I. (Quilted Under the Influence). She was working on Roses for Rosita, a Wedding Quilt for her nephew and his wife.

When I saw the blocks, free pieced, liberated masterpieces with stunning free pieced letters - I about fell of my chair from astonishment. These were bravura blocks, and I was blown away.

 When Kathy revealed the finished flimsy, I felt it was a Masterpiece, and deserved quilting that would really do it justice. Kathy replied she intended to do just that.

 A couple of weeks ago she emailed me from Maine. She and her husband have a summer cottage in Maine (without electricity!!) and they usually spend about six weeks there in the summer. She wondered if perhaps we could get together.

"Name the time and the place,"  I replied, I will go any distance to meet you. We went back and forth, and finally it was agreed that she would drive to my house on Saturday, and stay overnight, leaving on Sunday.

Kathy arrived and we immediately started talking quilts.  After dinner, she pulled out the blocks she is working on.  The island on which their cottage sits has only 13 homes, and two other buildings. Kathy has free pieced each of the 15 buildings using inspiration and directions found in Gwen Marston's Liberated Quiltmaking.***  Kathy made these before she started working on Roses for Rosita.

 

Many of these blocks were hand sewn (since there is no electricity, remember) and all  will be hand quilted. Here are three.  Kathy will show you the rest on her own blog when she gets back home.

I was absolutely gob-smacked. They are totally phenomenal.  Kathy's use of fabrics is stunning. Every time Kathy revealed a new house, I raved more. I was so impressed I brought her over to meet my Mother, who agreed with my assessment.  Kathy makes magic with these houses.

I had such a great time with Kathy this weekend. I loved meeting her, seeing her work, learning from her, and talking quilts. We've already decided we have to get together again next year!



***[note: the book is out of print, but is well worth every penny you have to spend to obtain a copy.]