Athens time

Friday 21 May 2010

Blogger's Quilt Festival

Very nearly, I did not take part in the quilt festival this year.... Having recently loaded Picasa, I have now all my photo's in Picasa, but I don't know how to get them out!! Until I resolve this problem, I won't be able to post any of the photo's on my computer, so was almost resigned (after trying several new ways to get my pictures posted...) to not take part this year...

The day wore on and all of a sudden I had a brainwave. I can take NEW pictures as I still have this quilt I want to tell you about! and I CAN load straight from my USB stick!

So here I proudly present;

My very first quilt where I did everything myself! I chose the fabrics, ordered them, cut them, sewn them together, even machine quilted it (a first!) and then did the binding.

I so love this quilt as it has started a new era in my quilting!

Last year this time, I was quilting alone, by myself, at home, making mistakes, getting frustrated, and no lesson anywhere in the neighbourhood...

Then, one day, I typed in quilt in Google Image and found that a picture I liked was on a blog... something new to me! I started to read blogs, and was looking for a way to make a list online of the blogs I followed... and so stumbled into my own and the blogworld!

A new world opened and almost immediately I found the Old Red Barn Company, where Dana had put up excellent tutorials to teach us and jolly us along to (what was for many of us) our first quilt!
It was to be the start of the best Flickr group on the internet! All us ORBC peeps are sooo friendly and if you need help, there is always someone with the wisdom to point you in the right direction. This group has been invaluable and a life saver quilting wise! I have learned so much, and made so many fantastic friends!

This month is the 1 year anniversary of the Old Red Barn Quilting Group and what is more appropriate than to show you the quilt it all started with!

(Quality control has approved the stitching after close inspection)

There are over a hundred quilts in the Festival, all the links on Amy, ParkCityGirl's site, called Amy's Creative Side

I hope this button works for you but if it doesn't, the link on the name does as does the button on the sideline.

A lot of very special quilts on show! Enjoy!

(and thank you Amy for organising this again, it was great fun last year and promises the same this year!!)

46 comments:

Mom said...

I Love that pattern too!

margaret
www.quiltsoflove.blogspot.com

Riel Nason said...

How suitable that this quilt is in your header photo too. Bravo for doing everything start to finish. I am still at the practice stage with the machine quilting. The stitched wording on your quilt is great! And gorgeous fabric too!

Molly said...

I love that I was making this quilt right along with you and we didn't even know it yet! I'm so glad you chose this special quilt and the pictures you took today are fantastic. Bravo!!

myBearpaw said...

So pleased you worked out how to take part - and in the end it was so simple!
I've always admired the quilt on your header so thanks so much for putting it in the spotlight and telling us all about your journey!

Lynz said...

I love this quilt, it's just SO pretty (I hadn't seen the writing before - check you out, clever girl!!) and I'm so glad you managed to enter it into the festival. I am procrastinating as per usual. Heh.

Allie said...

This is one of my all time favorite quilts!!! You did such a fantastic job on it. It is so fun to heat the story behind it. So beautiful!

Liz said...

Gorgeous quilt and fabulous colours, might just have have a look at the Flickr group, sounds great. I'll email you some screen shots of picasa and how to upload later today, honestly it's one of those 'why didn't I see that' things. Off to take some shots of the heavy frost in the garden now. It's -3 here this morning, bbrrrrr!!!
Lizzie
xxx

dolores said...

Great story Marg...isn't it amazing that last year this time none of us knew each other and now look....new pals abound!;)

Love this quilt....looking forward to more of your creations!
xo

Dawn N. said...

It's beautiful!! And I love your pic of the sailing dog with the quilt. :)

Michelle said...

Your quilt reminds me of spring. It makes me feel happy. So glad your quilt inspector approves. :-)

Michelle said...

I LOVE YOUR QUILT! I remember being a part of Dana's quilt along. It was a fun quilt along.

Anne at Film and Thread said...

I love it and it is so nice that you stitched the words into the quilt.

karen said...

Hi Marg- so great to "meet" you through the quiltalong - you know I love your quilt!! Hope to meet you this summer. Sorting plans this weekend and will email you details!

Catherine said...

I love this quilt Marguerite! It has a very summery look to it and I think that pattern worked out perfectly for those Heather Bailey fabrics. Love the writing on the back, you're very clever to do that!

Cathy @ CabbageQuilts said...

Love your story Marguerite, I'm thrilled to have met you through blogging! Isn't it wonderful to have this talent at our fingertips..talking of talent, this quilt is fabulous. Glad Rafael approves!!! Love the photo hanging over the red wall, the violets are gorgeous! xo

Jacque. said...

That quiltalong was my first time quilting online with everyone...what fun it was! I learned a lot, too! Glad you found it! LOVE your quilt...it's gorgeous.

AnnieO said...

Beautiful quilt! I stumbled into quilt blogland in much the same way, except I started at quiltville.com (Bonnie Hunter) and spent 3 hours there the first day. Dana at Old Red Barn is a great gal. Thank you for sharing this quilt's story :)

SarahB said...

What a beautiful quilt! I really like the way all the big prints work together!

Quilter Going Bananas said...

Gorgeous quilt and the dog too!

Claire said...

i made a quilt with the same fabric line (direct link to see how crappy it looks, http://claireschaoticcorner.blogspot.com/2010/01/pop-garden-quilt-completed.html)
, but yours is so much better looking...love the pic of it on the boat with the dog (not much of a sailor, so i hope boat is the right term). Great Job on the quilt!

Anonymous said...

Beautiful! I love this :).

Caroline ~ TrilliumDesign said...

Beautiful quilt! Just gorgeous

BJ said...

Pretty quilt.

Rafael's Mum said...

Thanks for your comment everyone! Claire, I could not find your email but I love your quilt too! It looks a bit more scrappy (and NOT crappy!) as you used a mix of colours. I kept it pastel and have taken the stronger colours out. That is the difference but I really like your quilt!

Anonymous said...

I love your quilt Marg! I love you too! You are the kindest most thoughtful friend and I am glad to have "met" you. xoxo

Army Wife Quilter said...

beautiful quilt. the dog is a nice touch

Miri said...

Cute quilt! Cute dog!

Megan said...

You've gotta love the ORBC quilt-alongs! The fabric you chose is beautiful!!

Bunny said...

Love your quilt and your doggie is adorable too.

RosaMaría said...

beautiful quilt!

Leslie said...

this is so beautiful. i love the fabric you chose for the ORBC quilt along. i bought solids in ocean and sea glass colors but have not done it yet.

Unknown said...

Your quilt is really beautiful. Plus it's nice to see how well loved it is by your four-legged friend.

Lynne (Lily's Quilts) said...

Love the quilt and the dog and the header!

erin lebeau said...

wow what a beautiful cozy quilt! love your story of your journey in quilting (also right there with you in figuring out all this computer & digital stuff) http://erinlebeau.blogspot.com/

SewCalGal said...

Beautiful quilt, lovely story, delightful quality control supervisor!

SewCalGal
www.sewcalgal.blogspot.com

PS - I'm also a boater!

Stephanie said...

I love this quilt. Lovely fabric choices!

Heather said...

I stopped commenting about a hundred posts ago...but I just HAD to tell you how beautiful that quilt is! I love your header picture! :D
I, too, entered my first "real" quilt with my first quilting. So fun!! Thanks for sharing!! :D

Karen said...

That is a very gorgeous quilt! Just stunning fabrics.


Check out this link. Its got very useful stuff in it. I thought it was great for me - a Picasa newbie.

http://moosequilts.blogspot.com/2010/04/taking-and-posting-photos-101.html

quilthexle said...

Lovely quilt - thanks for sharing! Is your dog a poodle? I grew up with that breed, and I loved their kind character. Some years ago we visited Ramsgate - lovely area to live!

QuiltSue said...

It's a beautiful quilt and I love your personal Quilt Inspector.

quiltmom anna said...

Well done Rafael,
Its a wonderful quilt- the fabrics are lovely and nice workmanship. I bet it makes you smile each time you walk by it.
I hope that you continue to enjoy quiltmaking- there are so many wonderful techniques to explore and new designs to make.
Happy quilting- Hope you have had lots of fun participating in the festival.
Regards,
Anna
http://quiltmomsjourney.blogspot.com/

IHaveANotion ~ Kelly Jackson said...

Not only is your quilt beautiful but I also love how you have chosen to photograph it. Really nice :)

Smiles,
Kelly

Caron at Michigan Quilts said...

I love your quilt, and your pictures are adorable! Nicely done!

Jodi Nelson said...

Simply Awesome quilt and simply awesome photos of it! Thanks for sharing.

Sandra said...

Glad to read your excitement over quilting. Love all the pics of your railfence esp. on the boat.
Come see my antique quilt entries
http://starleyquilts.blogspot.com
http://utahquiltappraiser.blogspot.com

Shawn said...

Great quilt, and yes ther eis so much inspiration out there in blogland,it's wonderful!