So, after you've stripped............

End result is a tote bag, front and back. What? You were expecting something else? Read on for visuals..........yes......there are pictures. Now don't get too excited, you might fog up the computer screen.

After cutting strips you've sewn together, resew them as checkerboards.Make sure that you alternate colours, and you can cut off the end pieces later. A little time consuming, but what else are you going to do with your time?

This is how it all starts. Sew the humungous long strips together....17 at a time, to make a panel. Then you can cut them up into whatever size checkerboards that you wish. Makes for an exciting time, on those dark and stormy nights.........get your friends together for a stripping party.....use different fabrics, alternate darker with lighter colours.

Quilting is a Journey

"Walking on the road, I realized something amiss,

On turning back I saw my shadow had disappeared,

Leaving me as I went towards the light." (Faiz Khan)

This was supposed to denote a journey across the ocean to Africa, in 1996, for a friend who was going on a mission trip to help in village hospitals. I'm showing it here, because some quilts are a work in progress. I could have done more with it, but she was leaving really soon, and I kind of rushed. Well quilting is a journey, an experience.

This was my first attempt at trying to piece together different ideas......always interesting to see earlier quilts. I got the girls to dip their hands in fabric paint and make handprints all along the border.....they were little, and wanted to help. That part really was fun, but so much experimentation with fabric, textures, and ideas sometimes do not work. And as you get more creative you tend to find your way, and the medium becomes much more solid.

My friend still liked it, but now when I look at this, I realize how much more I had to learn.But the handprints were really cool.

Purple Passion Wall Hanging

Purple embroidered silk/satin, bordered with a purple , gold emblazoned sari.....draped together to spice up a bare wall, with colour that shimmers. My friend Christine gave me both of these, pieces. I didn't know what to do with either of them at first....would have been fun to wear somewhere...even shopping, but figured C. River wasn't ready for it.Thought about quilting it, but was concerned that the fabric was too fine, too beautiful to ruin with stitching. Sometimes, it is best to leave well enough alone. I DID cut the brocade in half ,to make it wide enough to match the embroidery on each panel, threw it onto the quilt rod, tossed the purple sari over the edges, and presto: SHAZAM!

Thanks, Christine........you are one in a million.

"Some people weave burlap into the fabric of our lives, and some weave gold thread. Both contribute to make the whole picture beautiful and unique." (Anon)