Many of you wanted to see more of my quilt art. I explored small quilting projects when I retired because large quilts seemed too overwhelming. The freedom of not following a pattern and playing with colors was fun—and I needed some fun in my life. I tried all kinds of projects. I’ve sold a few, but most were given away as gifts or I still have them. Since I started blogging, my Berninas (yes, I have 2) are eerily still and my sewing room is way too neat. I can’t find the time play with my beautiful fabrics while I’m writing. I guess I’m a one-creative-endeavor kinda of a gal.
Here’s a sampling of my work.
"Adirondack High" 8"X10", fabric, thread "painting" and Shiva Oil sticks
"Breezy Leaves" wall hanging. Batik fabrics, machine appliqued.
"Buried Treasure," entirely hand appliqued, pieced, and quilted. This quilt is a tribute to Reggie. I made it while sitting by his cage during his final weeks. One of his yellow crest feathers in tucked behind the label.
"Chakra Window" a "Stained Glass" style art quilt wall hanging.
"Just Picked" 8"X10" fabric, thread "paint" and Shiva oil sticks.
"Lake Champlain Moonshine," wall-hanging with batik fabrics and thread painting.
"Fresh Flowers on Old Chair" Machine applique, Shiva oil sticks.
Teal and Purple Handbag, batik fabric and decorative machine stitching.
"Eco Chic" high-end grocery bag
"Remember Me" (or something like that) Hand applique, machine pieced and quilted. A quilt I made for Chuck, started during the summer of 2009 and finished for Christmas that year. He left me that fall, but I finished it and gave it to him.
"Winter Dreams" Fabric, thread "painting, machine appliqued, Shiva Oil Sticks
Machine appliqued handbag. I designed this one after a scarf I love.
Wool candle mat, hand blanket stitch.
Once I finish my memoir, maybe I’ll get back to my sewing room…
Lorna's Voice 
Nov 14, 2011 @ 16:20:53
Maybe because it’s for filled with love… 🙂
Nov 14, 2011 @ 15:05:41
These are gorgeous, what a talent you have. I love Reggie’s quilt–it’s beautiful. For some reason, I was very attracted to that one in particular. xoxo
Nov 14, 2011 @ 10:22:39
I’ve given so many away, but that just means my walls have room for new creations, right? Thanks for the compliment… 🙂
Nov 12, 2011 @ 10:41:17
Your quilt art is very beautiful! If I was as talented as you, my walls would be full of quilts!
Nov 12, 2011 @ 07:33:02
Beautiful!!! They remind me of both my Grandma’s – as if they got together and made something. The one sews and makes bags and all kinds of things and quilts with a machine (sort of quilts). My Mom’s Mom quilts Amish style – by hand. And not little one’s either (well sometimes), but queen size full quilts. We each get one for our wedding. She and a group of friends all gather in her house and have quilting bees. No jokes. 😀
Nov 08, 2011 @ 09:44:44
I’m honored, Izzy. That’s high praise coming from someone who judges art! I’ll be happy when this life story is done (soon) and I can back off from the blogging a bit. My sewing room is calling out to me more loudly (especially since I’ve gotten such positive feedback from my blogger buddies). 😉
Nov 07, 2011 @ 23:27:22
Too cool … I think they’re great. As a judge at art shows, I do believe your work would qualify for a ribbon. The Chakra Window stained glass stole my heart. My home is entirely in primary colors – I like to call it a house full of crayola crayons. These are my colors. You are very talented. It must be so relaxing to concentrate on selecting the right fabric in the right color in order to coordinate your lovely quilts. You have a great way of expressing yourself outside of writing.
Bravo,
Izzy
Nov 04, 2011 @ 13:32:25
After this month, my days of blogging non-stop will be over. My life story will be told and I’ll blog regularly, but not maniacally. That will give me time to work on fleshing out my book, quilting, and blogging. Since I’m retired, these are my major activities (and volunteering for a few organizations).
Nov 04, 2011 @ 13:25:07
We all have out talents. Thanks for appreciating mine so much. One of these days I’m going to reacquaint myself with my sewing room… 😉
Nov 04, 2011 @ 13:22:46
I never thought about it like that, but you may be on to something. My two creative sides are maybe more closely linked than I thought. How very insightful…
Nov 04, 2011 @ 13:21:26
Thanks, Christine. You know a lot about expressing yourself, too!
Nov 04, 2011 @ 13:20:43
Yes, in the next several months, we should plan posts to show off out newest projects…
Nov 04, 2011 @ 13:08:01
Thanks so much Jamie. I’m a recovering perfectionist–I won’t tackle something unless I know I can do it very well. I’m working on trying things I’m horrible at doing to cure myself! 😉
Nov 04, 2011 @ 09:04:11
Lorna, these are fabulous! It almost isn’t fair that you’re so good at so many things. 🙂
I love quilts–how they’re made, their history (both as an art form, their role in American life, and the history of a family each contains). The one you made with the bird feather in it is beautiful, but I’m blown away by the Lake Champlain piece! Simply stunning!
Nov 04, 2011 @ 01:02:15
I am humbled by your incredible fabric art! Stunning beyond words. Thank you so much for sharing. We both need to get back to our quilting/fabric art.
Nov 03, 2011 @ 23:22:06
These are gorgeous!! Wow! You have so many talents and express yourself in so many ways. Bravo!
Nov 03, 2011 @ 22:28:49
Beautiful! and they show so many moods. I love how you used the quilt lines to add feeling and depth or motion. The Moonshine one seems a bit like you in your stories, peaceful at first glance, then oh so much more – revealing line by line, and it draws you in.
Nov 03, 2011 @ 20:52:37
Wow is so insufficient, yet I can find nothing more than that except stunning, absolutely stunning. You are the shining example of why “creatives” must create. Awestruck. Thank you for sharing your many fine talents with us. The pleasure is all ours, I’m sure… okay, well I took a liberty there, lol, the pleasure is all mine, of that I am sure! 🙂 🙂 🙂
Nov 03, 2011 @ 16:25:36
Balancing creative energy — that is a hard one. I like to sew, but I haven’t sewn in probably 3 years. I paint and lately nothing. Let me know if you figure out the key to that balance. 🙂 I would Love to get some myself.
Nov 03, 2011 @ 09:25:03
Thanks so much, Laffem!
Nov 03, 2011 @ 09:24:03
The Shiva sticks can add so much character and depth to an art quilt. Once dry and set with heat, they are permanent. They aren’t cheap, but they add that extra something special to your project (they didn’t pay me to say that!).
Happy quilting!
Nov 03, 2011 @ 09:21:21
I had no idea I was capable of this kind of thing, either. It was only after I retired and started dabbling in small projects that a creative “Material Girl” sprang forth! I’m full of surprises, even to myself. 😉
Nov 03, 2011 @ 09:18:56
Thank you so much. I love every aspect of creating these pieces. A little but of “me” is in each one.
I’m glad you stopped in and commented. Please come again! 🙂
Nov 03, 2011 @ 09:16:57
Thanks so much–makes me want to dust off my sewing machines and get busy… 😉
Nov 03, 2011 @ 09:16:19
Yes. I feel the need to use whatever part of my brain that is my inner “Material Girl!” I have to write out the rest of my story first, though. By the end of this month, it should be done. Then I can pare back my blogging an find a bit of balance in my life.
Nov 03, 2011 @ 09:14:08
Thanks so much! I’m partial to the “landscape” quilts, too.
Nov 03, 2011 @ 09:13:05
They ARE so different, aren’t they? I guess that suggests I’m not stuck in a rut!
Nov 03, 2011 @ 09:08:50
Thanks, I found her by following a link from your blog. She does beautiful work! I left her a comment.
Nov 03, 2011 @ 05:49:22
http://vivinfrance.wordpress.com/
Nov 02, 2011 @ 22:24:15
I was trying to decide which one I liked best and I couldn’t pick one over another. They are all absolutely beautiful.
Nov 02, 2011 @ 21:21:23
Wow, that’s a lot of really nice artwork! I especially liked “Just Picked” , “Lake Champlain Moonshine” and “Winter Dreams.” But quite frankly, they are all very nice!
Nov 02, 2011 @ 21:11:59
Beautiful. It would be nice to take a break from writing now and then to work on a small project, don’t you think? I keep a beading project close by, nothing too involved, just something to rest my brain.
Nov 02, 2011 @ 20:29:14
Superb – just superb! cheers catchul8r molly
Nov 02, 2011 @ 18:40:45
Amazing. Beautiful work.
Nov 02, 2011 @ 17:28:09
Oh, Lorna! These are so gorgeous. I had no idea that you were so talented at quilting!! Love them!
Nov 02, 2011 @ 17:15:40
Thank you for your visit to my blog. The embroideries are mostly done by my husband, except for a couple of mind in a completely different style.
I enjoyed very much my tour through your gallery – such a variety of techniques is very impressive. I mostly do larger projects, but I love making bags of all kinds, and one summer I made and sold about 50 hats and caps. I haven’t come across Shiva sticks – must look out for them.
Nov 02, 2011 @ 16:56:35
They are all fabulous!!!!!!!!!! I sew and I’ve always wanted to make a quilt. You are one smart, crafty and talented lady!!!!!! I don’t have a Crazy Chick of the day But I will now. You are the Crazy Chick of the day. Going to post this on FB CCC page now 🙂
Nov 02, 2011 @ 16:48:02
So glad you like my work. I find designing and working on each piece very relaxing. I really need to get back that creative part of me.
Nov 02, 2011 @ 16:46:28
Thanks, you sweet guy, you!
Nov 02, 2011 @ 16:45:40
Thanks, Totsy. As an artist, you know what it takes to design a piece and bring it forth. 🙂
Nov 02, 2011 @ 16:44:47
Thanks, and I will try to find Vivinfrance. I always like to see what other quilters are doing.
Nov 02, 2011 @ 16:43:48
I used to work on them all through the year, but winter was my favorite time. Now, with all the time I spend blogging, I don’t know when I’ll start another project. I need to find a way to balance my creative energies. Maybe once the memoir stories are finished, which I hope will be within the next month…
Nov 02, 2011 @ 16:41:27
So kind of you Dawne! We could work something out: buy a book and get a look (at some of the quilt art)! 😉
Nov 02, 2011 @ 16:16:51
Wow, how talented and creative you are. I like to sew, but no matter how hard I try, I can’t sew (or cut) a straight line. I love them all, especially the winter dreams. I think I’d hang that by my computer monitor and it would be my inspiration.
Maybe when we go on book tours together, we can bring some of them to hang behind us and “cozy up” our niche. 😉 Of course they’d probably get more attention than our books!
Nov 02, 2011 @ 14:56:01
Lorna,
Love your fabric art. How very lovely your work is. I have always wanted to do that kind of thing. I just have to have others to make me sit still long enough to work on things like that. BEAUTIFUL!
Do you work on pieces all through the year or is this just an occasional hobby?
Nov 02, 2011 @ 14:48:06
These are wonderful. Check out Vivinfrance who comments on my blog; she is a great quilter and my family have lots of her stuff 🙂
Nov 02, 2011 @ 13:59:23
Those are really nice, Lorna. A lot of time and skill go into quilting, along with patience.
Nov 02, 2011 @ 13:49:32
Cool!! You talented lady, you.
Nov 02, 2011 @ 13:31:39
Wow, you’re work is wonderful. I have a particular soft spot for ‘Fresh Flowers on old chair”. Thanks for taking the time to share these. A+