A week or two after becoming involved with Art Quilts Around the World...I began this little quilt.
It was a respite from all the things I felt like I HAD to do just before Christmas. Sometimes, when I'm a little out of sorts...all I have to do to center myself...is play with fabric and my machine. It puts me in a much better place emotionally.
This piece, in particular, was put together with 'Remains Of The Day'. (Mary Ann Moss may be the person who made that phrase so well known).
I like to work off the top of my stash and have a bowl of scraps that gets used once it's full. I just pick up the next piece of fabric and audition it against a base fabric and try to 'find' out what it is.
Pretty soon, I have a little door knob quilt. I think this is my favorite way to make a quilt and it works good for book pages too if the size is right.
I had run out of wall space and given all my friends pieces of art (that wanted them) and began to make little hangings that could be draped over a door or dresser knob...or on your bathroom cabinet...or wherever. That way, when I gave a gift or wanted something for myself, it wouldn't mean a nail in the wall. And my friends and family wouldn't feel so obligated to hang it.
Eventually, I began to sell some of them. I've recently opened an Etsy shop and will be moving to the States this Spring and hope to find time in the middle of it all to list a few.
So anyway...every time I played around with this piece...I thought, "I wish I could use this for my self portrait. It would fit perfectly...because it describes... and represents who I am as an artist".
The more I thought about using it, the more sure I was that it was close to the right size required for the challenge. When I measured, I was shy by only a couple inches. I added the hanger which made it tall enough. And, I made a tree separately and then attached it to get my width.
It's still wonky...but as close as I get to perfect measurements. (I'm such a rebel). Anywho, thanks to all of you who manage this challenge. I look forward to seeing what ya'all have done!
Create Your Life,
annie!
March 2k13 - UPDATE - This won BEST OF SHOW in SDG's Female Voices Exhibit in Clearwater FL!!!!!!! The honor included $200.00. Whoop Whoop!!!!!!!!!!!!!
linking to FMQ Friday
I checked out Art Quilts Around the World. Don’t tell anybody but I like your self portrait the best! So much of ‘you’ shines through in every stitch! Colorful and wonderful!
ReplyDeleteLOL! Thank you Robin. You're a true friend.
DeleteAwww that is one of the nicest self portrait quilts i've seen, its so whimsical and colorful, i guess thats just like you xoxo
ReplyDeleteI love it :)
Awww...thanks so much Karen! What a sweet thing to say. :)
DeleteWow! I love what you did with the tree.
ReplyDeleteThanks a ton Patrice!
DeleteThanks for sharing how you go about making these wonderful quilts. I love your style.
ReplyDeleteThanks Deborah. I love your style too!
DeleteAnnie, this little quilt is WONDERFUL! I don't know you very well, but based upon your self-portrait, I'd say you must be a really lovely person - fun and sweet, confident and colorful - someone who loves and lives their life with gusto. I just love it.
ReplyDeleteOh Wow. You couldn't have said anything nicer Starr. Thank you so very much.
DeleteI think yougot thisprettymuch right! love yourw himsical andcolo rful nateur. The tree offt o the side isa brill iant add! (Computeranti cs are back in businessIs ee)
ReplyDeleteOh YAY! We get to play again! Thanks so much Annie for always putting a smile on my face and hope in my heart.
DeleteWhat a whimsy and powerful selfportait!
ReplyDeleteI love your clever and colorful artwork so much!
Thanks so much Sim. I've been house hunting but taking time - right now - to look at your blog.
DeleteVery clever idea to make the rules work for you. I love it.
ReplyDeleteyou mean...there's hope for this rebel?!? Thanks Char!
DeleteLove the tree off to the side ....brilliant touch my "Rebel Sister"!
ReplyDeleteThanks Gayle. :) Love ya!
DeleteI just love your quilts, I have never made one and feel inspired to do so after looking at all the detail and vibrant colour.. fantastic work !
ReplyDeleteThank you Morag. I love making this type of quilt so much.
DeleteA great way to work - 'I just pick up the next piece of fabric and audition it against a base fabric and try to 'find' out what it is.'
ReplyDeleteThanks. Most people think I'm a little ... umm...strange...or weird. Fun for me! :)
DeleteMost beautiful work, so glad you are coming back.....you will be a creative powerhouse (pun intended) as always...xox
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Corrine. You always bring a smile to my eyes.
DeleteWhat fun - lovely piece
ReplyDeleteThanks Lynette!
DeleteThis is the most perfect self portrait ever (although I remember another one you did with wonderful hair). Exact measurements - ha! ha! What can I single out from this exuberant perfection? - the ducks, the flowers and is that someone driving a little car? Love the bits of lace too. Going back now for a closer look again.
ReplyDeleteThank you, thank you, thank you!!! I love that you see it as a self portrait. I love that you GET me. The little doll is in a wagon and was left out overnight.
DeleteI just had to click and enlarge each and every photo of this amazing quilt. I ADORE the scene you have created....hmmm...perhaps it is also an intuitive piece about your future home in the States. I am astonished at how you breathe life (YOUR life) into every stitch and fabric. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Kelly. I thought I had answered your comment already...but I'm glad I got to read it again...because it's so very nice of you to say such uplifting things to me! We're still house hunting and busy as can be...but enjoying our time here.
DeleteThis is amazing! I just love it. It reminds me of a children's book, The Bedspread, by Silvia Fair. It is about these two sisters who stitch images of their childhood home onto a quilt. Each sister creates her own version of her memory. The end result is two completely different images of the same place. Both are beautiful. Bot are perfect because they come from the heart and memory of each sister.
ReplyDeleteLove what you do!
Oh wow Jenny...what a beautiful compliment. Thank you so very much. You've warmed my heart and given me a book to put on my list.
DeleteThese are just gorgeous, I love them, the colors and style, fabulous work!
ReplyDeleteThanks Kat! So much!
DeleteHi, Annie. So cool, this little piece. Beautiful colors, so cheerful. LUV how you got the tree to hang off the side--perfect! I like the flowers, the house, ok, the whole thing! Hope your move is going smoothly.
ReplyDeletebest, nadia
Big Smile. Thank you Nadia! I really, really appreciate your lovely compliment. The move is - moving ahead!
DeleteOMG how amazing is that?! I could never do something like this! you are so talented...all the tiny details and all that wonderful shapes are sewed...WOW!
ReplyDeleteThank you! Thank you! Thank you! You're comment brings great big smiles - inside and out.
DeleteLove. It. The best part is the tree off the edge. Awesome!
ReplyDeleteLOL! Thanks Julie!
DeleteOh how I love these.
ReplyDeleteThank you Darlin. It's all one quilt...but taken in different lighting...so the pix with the yellow cast are off a bit...and makes it look like different pieces maybe. :)
Delete