Have you heard that song by Train?
What is it about songs with silly lyrics and a catchy beat? Drive By just makes me happy every time I hear it.
It's Wednesday and I've gotten to do everything but sew this week yet I still have high hopes for later today. I still have something to share though - something I ran across while running errands and two pictures I found while clearing out and organizing some old computer files.
Since I don't have any new quilts to show you, I thought I would share two quilts I made that hung in the 2001 Arizona Quilt Guild Show. A very, very long time ago.
This is Circling The Ohios. It is/was a pattern by Pam and Janet of Buggy Barn Quilts. I couldn't find it on their website so I don't know if it is still in print or not. The fabric was Millennium Garden by Brannock & Patek and a shirting-like background print. My quilt finished at about 88" x 88" and it now resides in Houston at my brother's house.
This is a quilt I called Laurene's Legacy Star because it was made using fabrics from the 1850s Legacies collection by Laurene Sinema. The pattern was in the now-gone-away magazine, Traditional Quiltworks. I remember it well because the "instructions" were drafted from an antique quilt - circa 1860 to 1870 - without anybody ever making it. Let it suffice to say there were a few small mis-calculations that resulted in not having enough fabric.
I made this quilt when I was still teaching classes at Laurene's shop, The Quilted Apple. This was Laurene's first fabric collection and I wanted to use it because, well... it was Laurene's fabric! I had seen this quilt in the magazine a few months before the fabric arrived and when those bolts finally arrived in the shop, this design came to mind. The prints were all inspired by the prints in the 19th Century red and green quilts that Laurene loved and collected. They were mostly small-scale prints in shades of green and red with "cheddar", yellow, blue and black. (Though you can't tell that from the picture... sorry about that.)
A few days after I took the quilt top - some things never change - down to the shop so it would be there for the class sample, I got a phone call from Laurene asking if I could come by for a visit. After chatting about patterns and how to get into the quilt pattern business, Laurene asked me about this quilt. It was simple - she wanted to buy it. As soon as the quilt had arrived at to the shop, she'd gotten a call from one of the ladies there telling her that she needed to come see it. Laurene told me that as soon as she saw it, she was determined to have it. Not one like it - she wanted this one. I asked her if I could think about it because, well... I was kind of happy with how the quilt had come out. Just a few minutes away from Laurene's, I decided that I wasn't going to sell it to her. I couldn't.
Instead I gave it to her. It was a way of thanking Laurene for having the notion that I could teach a quilt class.
My last thing to share is this - I had to take a picture of this notebook at the local FedEx Office.
No, really. Aim Higher.
Happy Wednesday.
Love this post, THANKS for the inspiration, the quilts and your words! Circling the Ohios is in the Buggy Barn book "A Little Bit Crazy". I bought the book just for that one pattern alone and feel it was worth it!
I've never sold a quilt, I've gotten a few offers, it's just not in me. But I love giving my quilts to the right person. Thanks for sharing such a wonderful story, and thanks Laurene for giving Carrie Nelson the notion that maybe she could teach a quilt class and then do more.
Hope you're surviving those dust storms, it's so hot here the top fell off my metalwork decorative daisy, the heat is killing everything, even the fake flowers!
Posted by: Thelma | July 25, 2012 at 01:50 PM
Both quilts are gorgeous! I'm sure that Laurene will always treasure that quilt. The fact that it was made from her first fabric line must make it very special to her.
I love that notebook! It is soooo true!! LOL!
Oh.. and Yes, I have heard Drive By. I love Train!
Posted by: Sandy M | July 25, 2012 at 01:52 PM
Fabulous story!!! Gorgeous quilts! Yes, I can see you were born to be a designer by that quilt!!
The notebook quote...priceless. True. Hilarious. Literally, laughed out loud. :-)
Posted by: Linda | July 25, 2012 at 03:13 PM
I LOVE those quilts! Both of them are treasures, I'm sure, to their owners!
Hope you get to sew tonight! I'm hoping for the same thing for me!!
Posted by: Susan | July 25, 2012 at 04:13 PM
Does your brother use the quilt on a bed or decorating a wall? I love to see the quilts I give away being used!
Posted by: Kathy | July 25, 2012 at 04:21 PM
A few things become apparent as I read this post: 1) you have a great sense of humor - love that notebook message! 2) you are a softy - giving away a quilt that was so special to you to someONE who is even more special. 3) Your taste in quilts continues to be remarkably similar to my own (I've known this for a l-o-n-g time). Being an Ohioan, I love Circling The Ohios.
Happy Quilting!
Posted by: Jayne | July 25, 2012 at 05:00 PM
These two quilts are amazing!! And how very generous of you to give your special quilt to Laurene. You are such a good friend :-)
Posted by: Jocelyn | July 25, 2012 at 06:28 PM
Oh my gosh Carrie!!! Both of these quilts are gorgeous, but I especially love "Laurene's Legacy Star"...and having been the beneficiary of your wonderful kindness and generosity before, I can almost see in my mind, Laurene's reaction when you told her the quilt was her's! Like Jayne pointed out, you are a bit of a 'softy' *wink, but you also get so darn much joy and satisfaction out of giving just because, that it makes you a very special lady.
Now, about the notebook cover...I cracked up, because it made me think of a DVD I have called "Bill Cosby Himself". He is talking about people who use drugs and says he asked someone what 'coke' did for them. Their reply was "It intensifys your personality", then Bill pauses for a moment before saying "Yeah, but what if your an a**hole?" He makes a good point, hehehe! Big Hugs comin your way...
Posted by: Nancy | July 25, 2012 at 08:25 PM
Nice design!I really like your quality work which you present here..great job done keep it up...
Posted by: psd to wordpress | July 25, 2012 at 11:14 PM
No kidding: radio is just playing 'Drive up'! Beautiful quilts and I love the story behind. Hildy
Posted by: Hildy | July 26, 2012 at 12:13 AM
Need the inspiration today - thanks! Beautiful quilts and that was really nice of you to give her that quilt! I have a hard time parting with some of my quilts, even as gifts to family!
Posted by: Deb A | July 26, 2012 at 10:40 AM
Carrie, thank you so much for sharing your Laurene story. It brought back such fond memories. And, those are two gorgeous quilts!
I have to say I laugh and laughed some more at the notebook cover. You'll find it pinned on my Favorite Quotes. Couldn't resist!
Posted by: Mary | July 26, 2012 at 07:46 PM
I love both these quilts and really enjoyed reading about them! I love that quote!
Posted by: Archie the wonder dog | July 27, 2012 at 06:51 AM
What a great post..I loved seeing and hearing about those amazing quilts!
That Drive By song is one that I keep finding going through my mind, too...must be something about the combination of lyrics/music!
Stay cool!
Posted by: sherri | July 27, 2012 at 01:59 PM
LOVE the sign LOL.... and your story about giving the quilt to your friend Laurene - was sweet - loved it! I bet she was so excited when you did that! :O) Your quilts are beautiful works of art as always! Loved seeing them in this post!
Posted by: Bari Jo | July 27, 2012 at 05:52 PM
Just another reason why I admire you and really enjoy coming to your blog. You are incredibly generous and talented. You made my day!
Posted by: Linda P | July 28, 2012 at 05:55 PM
You're too funny -- I LOVE that Be Yourself quote! Love those quilts too! You're WAYYYYY nicer than I am -- there's no way I could part with that quilt!!!
Posted by: Thimbleanna | August 01, 2012 at 06:23 AM
lol!
Posted by: ina | August 03, 2012 at 01:57 PM
I remember Laurene telling us you GAVE that quilt to her. She was so happy and proud to have such a beautiful quilt! Brings back some great memories!
Posted by: Julene Miley | August 18, 2012 at 09:40 AM