 Mom Melinda with birthday girl Amanda Celebrations with Friends Beginnings and endings, stepping stones toward something—a birthday, anniversary, an achievement—progress in the right direction—all these things we celebrate with others. Usually with family members we expect these events, but when you are included as friends, you just have to feel special. So it was with much delight that I responded enthusiastically, “Yes!” when Melinda asked ahead of the July retreat if she could bring a decorated cake and plan a surprise birthday celebration for her daughter Amanda on the Saturday of the event. She even verified the number of people coming to the retreat so everyone would receive a cute little favor. She made us all part of her family—a special bond to friends who share a love of the acts of creativity and kindness that quilting engenders. As quilters we celebrate our friends when they offer their visual gifts as Show and Tell, and we give back our gleeful approval and encouragement. Sometimes the gift is like Devora’s elegant purse from a designer sweater-- the culmination of a long project shared step by step. Sometimes we applaud the overcoming of an obstacle like Bonnie’s three-dimensional block or Norma’s re-worked ruffled blocks, now ready for an uncomplicated completion. (Scroll down to see the pictures) Our friends celebrate the little steps that have meaning to us, as well as the big ones. So I will count myself, and you as well, blessed indeed when asked to be included in these special times. For our own souls, we must take the time to smell the roses, but also we must realize the important part we play in the lives of our friends in the affirming act of celebration.  The end of the story! Scroll down to see the beginning of Devora's creative journey--from designer sweater to structured, handled bag to honor the memory of the mother of a friend. Beautiful work! |
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 Give a challenge to a creative lady and stand back! Meet Devora—the one in the September 2012 Retreat photos who made the impossible tailored wool jacket from the large uneven plaid—well she has done it again. Her friend’s mother had passed away leaving a beautiful black knitted and sequined sweater with lemon and lime motifs which she wanted to re-purpose into a usable memory of her mom. At our February retreat Devora imagined a structured shoulder bag by first spray basting the front and back pieces of the sweater onto Timtex to stabilize them.  WW  After drawing a trial pattern on paper, she cut the front and back pieces, allowing the single lime motif on black background to create the focus on a flap over the front piece. She made sure that all the lemons and limes on the front would be “right-side up”. Side seams were sewn and the bottom was boxed. The strap was created from the leftover pieces of sweater which were stabilized just with ribbon to keep the strap soft. A beautiful lime green lining with pocket was then put in place. She used the original beaded neckline edging from the sweater to finish the detail of the rounded front flap on the purse. She left that weekend with the purse 95% complete so I expect to see the finished masterpiece at the July Sew-in when she and friend Stephanie join us again. Do YOU want to be inspired to create “on the fly”? Bring on a challenge and let’s design together. Devora showed us that “when life gives you lemons” and limes—you make a PURSE!
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AuthorRicki Bremer's love affair with teaching starting while teaching high school and junior high. Next came 29 years as a craft and quilt shop owner, and the publication of her first book, Simple and Sensational Purses from Placemats, now in its third printing. The second book, Dual Pursenalities followed. Later additions were the Private Eyes Nursing Apron, and her latest--a microwave hot bag pattern, The AAAhhsum Bag--which has been used exclusively at the massage booth at the Road to California Show. Ricki has continued to use her easy methods to bring the joy of sewing and quilting to beginners and others. She also loves to simplify things for those ready for more challenging techniques. The Fiber Arts Retreats, which she started in 2007 formerly through the Tall Mouse, are growing and expanding to new venues, and a new name--Fiber Qwest Retreats. Ricki aims to broaden the interest and opportunities to learn and play in all areas of fiber and the creative arts. Archives
June 2014
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