Monday, August 20, 2012

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.]

10 comments:

Sharon said...

I was lucky enough to be able to get together with Kathy in June when she and her hubby came out to the NW. We had so much fun talking quilts, but alas, she didn't have any of these with her.

These houses are totally amazing. Gob-smacked about covers it! Lucky you to get to see these!

Sheila said...

Thanks for sharing Kathy's quilts with us. They are amazing. Have a great week!

Quilter Kathy said...

What great fun! I loved her roses quilt too!

Judy in Michigan said...

OMG - she lives in Ann Arbor when she's not in Maine. AA is an amazing place with lots of free-thinking quilters! Thanks for sharing her work with us. Those cabins are phenomenal!!!!!

Quiltdivajulie said...

I wish I could have teleported in to listen in on the quilty-conversations and to see those houses in person. FABULOUS!!!!!

Queenie Believe said...

WOW!!!! Gob smacked is right!! The wedding quilt is beyond belief!
Have a great day.
Always, Queenie

Marilyn said...

I love her quilts and her cabins are just the greatest. Wish I knew how to do that.I would love to be on an island for a month or so just to quilt and read and take long walks along the beach.

Megan said...

Fabulous quilts. But enquiring minds want to know: did she get to scritch Millie?

Megan
Sydney, Australia

Millie said...

Megan, nope. Millie mostly stayed under the wing chair.

Tonya Ricucci said...

wheee, so wonderful the two of you got together. both very talented. oh yes, that LQ is THE book.