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Monday, October 12, 2009

Blogger's Quilt Festival

Amy over at Park City Girl has set up this fun quilt festival which is running from October 9-16.  I participated in the Spring Festival in April, and didn't want to miss out on the fun with this one too.

Here's the little quilt I'm showing today:

  Terry_Dianna_Quilt0014

But I'd like to start at the beginning with a story about my sister Trisha and I.  We both share the love of quilting...I believe it all started with a quilt kit I made for her many years ago:

 DSC03755

She must have enjoyed it because she started quilting too and even jumped right into her own quilt business. 

Eventually she got burned out on making quilts as a business and wanted to enjoy the art of quilting on her own terms.

2004_0810_Benson_Reunion0148 

Trisha and I in 2004

One year we found some time to get together in WA (she lives in WA and I'm in CA) to work on a project.  And I believe we've been able to get together one way or another every year since.  Sometimes we've been able to get a project done or mostly done, other times we've gone on shop-hops or worked on our Dear Jane blocks or gone to Quilt Shows together.

quilts 005

Our first "sister quilts"- Friendship Star

We started our blogs at the same time last year and have enjoyed this world of blogging together.

I cherish her friendship and the love of quilting that we share.  We're able to learn from each other and have fun collaborating on projects.

Five years ago we wanted to make a small quilt for our parent's anniversary.  At the same time we were working on our Dear Jane blocks (and we still are!).  Somehow in one week's time were went from having the idea of making this little Dear Jane wall hanging, to having the little quilt that we both worked on (she in WA and I in CA) delivered to our parents for their anniversary. 

Both of us made blocks for the quilt in coordinating fabrics.  I sent my blocks to her, she put them together into the quilt, quilted and bound it, and sent it in the mail to our parents.  It was an amazing accomplishment with us being in different states to get all that done in such a short time.  And we had such fun doing it.

  Terry_Dianna_Quilt0014

13 is a lucky number for our family because of our parents, so we took the 13 blocks from the 13th column in the Dear Jane Quilt and made this little quilt for our Mom and Dad.

Five years later now, they just celebrated the 45th wedding anniversary!

We were pretty gung-ho about getting our Dear Jane quilts done back then.  We need to re-commit ourselves once again.  Someday we'll both have amazing Dear Jane quilts that will hold many wonderful memories of working on them together.

IMG_3589

Trisha and I a year ago

18 comments:

Marie said...

loved the colors!!!

A Creative Life said...

I love your story. I have four sisters scattered out all over the globe, it would be my wish to be able to something like this on an annual basis.

Zonnah said...

They are pretty.

diane said...

So cool that you have a sister project. What wonderful memories you are making.

Roslyn said...

You are so lucky to have a great relationship with your sister & the bonus is your common ground in quilting.
I'm sure this little sampler is treasured by your parents.

Julie Bagamary said...

Wow - it's beautiful!

Sherri said...

What a blessing to be able to quilt with your sister...loved your quilt festival entry and the story of your quilting!

Rene' said...

Lovely story. I just clicked on your sisters' blog and she pointed us in your direction. What fun to share quilting with your sister. I am impressed that y'all do the Dear Jane blocks. I love them, but they intimidate me. Thanks for sharing.

Karen said...

I really like this post Tina. It is nice to learn more about you and Trisha and how you both started quilting.

em's scrapbag said...

What a wonderful story and a great gift for your parents.

Anne Ida said...

This is such a wonderful and heartwarming post - thank you for sharing the quilt and your relationship with your sister, I know she is a very sweet lady! The anniversary quilt for your parents turned out beautiful!

Kim W said...

I think it's so fun to share that with your sister. Love the red and white quilt. I also happen to love the excuse you two use to get together in order to "quilt". :) You are awesome.

Jodi Nelson said...

Awesome you two ! Love this post. Love the quilt! ooxx`jodi

Michelle Alley said...

Thanks so much for stopping by a Happy heart blog! What beautiful quilts and fun memories!

Diane said...

What a great story, and this is a fab quilt as well!

jacquie said...

you can tell how far behind i am...you are so fortunate to have trisha and to share this love of quilting. so glad you shared this.

Anne at Film and Thread said...

What a sweet story and I'm sure your parents loved this quilt!

Casey said...

Beautiful. You have a wonderful eye for colors.