My FIRST Quilt 1987

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1987 My FIRST Quilt

Rail Fence Baby Quilt

I took a class and came home with a completed baby quilt top.

I remember how excited I was, exhilarated is more like it.

I didn't walk out of the quilt shop.....I floated on a cloud.

I tied the quilt and quickly sent it off to my cousin who just had a baby boy.

I continued to make rail fence quilts for the next few years until I took a Log Cabin quilt class.....then I made log cabins for the next few years.

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My LAST Quilt

Woven Sunshine

Original Applique Design & Machine Quilting by me

22 years after making my first quilt I still feel as excited as I was making that rail fence quilt. I have learned so much over the years, shared my passion for quilting with others, exhibit my quilts nationally, teach quilting, enjoy designing, always learning, and most of all hope I am always creating quilted textiles until I take my last breath.

As quilters we are too fearful about making mistakes. We are unduly concerned about making a perfect quilt. What we need to realize is that perfection and creativity are not synonymous. It is almost impossible to be creative and perfect at the same time.

Perfection Stifles Creativity

Thus, with each project we should determine which process is our goal: perfection or creative growth.

If you want to learn or explore a new concept or technique, give yourself permission 2 play, permission to enjoy the process. Learning is often best when punctuated with a mistake or two...even if you are not too thrilled with the consequences at the moment.

Making a perfect quilt is best to strive for when you work with skills or techniques you know very well.

It pleases us greatly to make quilts as perfectly as possible for special gifts or events, such as weddings or births. If you are interested in making a perfect quilt for such an occasion, then work within your world of known techniques and concepts. This is not a time for learning new skills.

Lastly, enjoy yourself. Have fun quilting. It will reward you with beautiful quilts, fascinating explorations, unknown talents, and great friendships. What more could you ask for?

Hens & Hollyhocks

These are the last of the summer images I have to share with you.

The trees in our yard have fiery red leaves, the evenings are cooler, autumn is upon us.

Hydrangeas and Glads

Growing in front of the Thread Shed

Butterfly on a pink spider dahlia

Porch Swing out Back

Enjoy the last of our fleeting summer days, sit outside on the swing, take a nature walk and press botanicals in a book and clean out your flowerbeds and bring the last of the flowers indoors to enjoy in a vase on the kitchen table.

May Your Heart Always Be Full of Summer Pleasures,

LuAnn

To see my New Work CLICK HERE

To see the Thread Shed CLICK HERE

To see my Exhibit Quilts CLICK HERE

To see Tutorials CLICK HERE

The quilts I create are very much inspired by my life here on the farm and by my family. Every time I see an image of a bear, I think of my oldest son, Nicholas. I call him my "Big Bear." His childhood room was all decorated with bears.

I also think of apple pie when I think of Nicholas. Like all self-respecting mothers, I have been known to use food to bribe my kids to come home and see me! Nicholas lives in town now, and we sure miss him.

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Nicholas & Me

My husband is also an apple pie lover. When the boys were young and there was a fresh apple pie on the table.........it wasn't safe for long! The kids would come in the door with the neighbor boys and inhale the pie along with a gallon of milk.

I eventually learned to bake 2 pies........one for the kids.......and one for my husband to hide!

This was made in 2001. It is one of the first original quilts that I designed. My favorite part is the bear paw blocks set on point that travel around the outer border. It is Nicholas' graduation quilt.........."Big Bear"

Bonners Ferry Library, Bonners Ferry, Idaho

My son's love of bears inspired me to make his graduation quilt. I will always think of him whenever I see a bear.

Wishing You a Lifetime of Inspiration,

LuAnn

Introducing Gunnr

I guess it is time I introduced Gunnr. He lives with us. He was a package deal. Our son moved back home 18 months ago.........and he wasn't alone.

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Gunnr 10 weeks old

Gunnr and our son, Nicholas

6 months later.........Gunnr.......has grown

He is a gentle giant, he adores our Jack Russell, Suzy and makes us laugh every day!

" Me Got Sock "

3 years ago when our beloved Red Heeler, Cowgirl left us, we decided not to get another dog. Our children were grown, we had some freedom to travel and roam around, and no commitments here at home. That was the plan.

Nicholas moved back home to finish school and brought his puppy Gunnr with him. To make a long story short.......a year later when Nicholas moved back to town, his dad wished him well, even helped him move all of his belongings into his new apartment and informed him that Gunnr would be living at our house.

To see more posts about home CLICK HERE

This place has gone to the dogs!

LuAnn

Hello from Oregon