I finally took a photo of this quilt – completed. It’s one of my earliest art quilts – 2007 – and it is from a pattern by Wendy Butler Berns. I started this quilt in Wendy’s workshop at the Glendale Quilt Show. She was teaching a technique for turning your favorite photos into art quilts. It was an excellent workshop.
This particular design reminds me, of course, of my granddaughters. The little girl in the picture could be either one of them.
I enjoyed making this – especially selecting the fabrics – and later doing the quilting. It’s a somewhat tedious process but well worth the effort. If you get a chance to take Wendy’s class I recommend it highly.
My Sweet Little Gardener
detail coneflower
Thanks for visiting ! I’d love to hear your comments.
I first learned how to sew as a child on my mom’s old treadle Singer (and wish that I knew where that machine is now!) and am now in love with my Berninas.
While going to school, raising a family and enjoying two satisfying careers I continued developing my skills with all kinds of needlecrafts and eventually discovered the magic of quilting.
Very quickly I realized that most "traditional" quilting was too confining and that I needed to be able to use my imagination and creativity more. This led to an interest in art quilting and I've been busy soaking up all kinds of techniques and adapting them to my creations.
Now, I find myself on a journey to uncover, develop and to express the inner artist that I have so joyfully let loose.
I have learned so many ways to create beauty in fiber and am eager to share this knowledge. I love to teach and I love to create – what could be better?
I am in love with color - saturated vibrant color. An example of "fun" for me is experimenting with color combinations that defy the rules.
I have also learned that there truly are no "quilt police" when it comes to one's personal expression of creativity; no right or wrong way. It just has to feel right and look right to you.
it is all a voyage of discovery. I just can’t imagine doing anything else.”
Several of my quilts, both traditional and art quilts have been displayed at Quilting in the Valley in Northridge, California, Lefferts Historic House and the Audubon Society in New York City.
My work "Going Around in All the Best Circles" was juried into the Pacific International Quilt Show.
I am the author of the blog: The Mystical Allure of All Things Fiber since 2007.
In recent years I have uncovered a passion for writing - especially poetry - as well and have a lot of it on http://minervaspirit.com
See: http://guilagreerart.com
View all posts by Guila Greer
5 thoughts on “My Sweet Little Gardener”
Barb, I was just looking back over some posts and saw yours here that I had missed previously. Gosh, 4 months ago. Thanks very much for taking the time to leave a comment and for your kind words. I’m working furiously on adding to my finished projects and words like yours spur me on.
Hi Debbie – I used freezer paper templates on the RIGHT side of my fabric pieces. I had to put in many hash marks to make sure they’d all line up properly. Then I cut the fabric with a margin. I used a dab of fabric glue stick to hold the pieces together in units; like each flower, the hair, the shirt and so on. (matching up hash marks) Then I also used glue stick to adhere the units to the background. then stitched it all. I selectively turned under some edges as I recall where a smooth edge was desirable. I think I did this for the profile – I’ll have to take another look.
I did another quilt using this technique more recently: Beach Buddies.
Barb, I was just looking back over some posts and saw yours here that I had missed previously. Gosh, 4 months ago. Thanks very much for taking the time to leave a comment and for your kind words. I’m working furiously on adding to my finished projects and words like yours spur me on.
Oh my goodness, that is simply gorgeous!!
Hi Debbie – I used freezer paper templates on the RIGHT side of my fabric pieces. I had to put in many hash marks to make sure they’d all line up properly. Then I cut the fabric with a margin. I used a dab of fabric glue stick to hold the pieces together in units; like each flower, the hair, the shirt and so on. (matching up hash marks) Then I also used glue stick to adhere the units to the background. then stitched it all. I selectively turned under some edges as I recall where a smooth edge was desirable. I think I did this for the profile – I’ll have to take another look.
I did another quilt using this technique more recently: Beach Buddies.
Guila, how did you make the appliques? Are they rough edge or with fusible? I love how you quilted flowers like the applique. Deb
Beautiful. I hope to take a similiar workshop soon.