A Commission presented and complete

So, November already!  and so delinquent I've been with posting, just a reflection of the speed of life around me and the amount of effort I've put into trying to join in and keep up.  So far I seem to be in the race, doing some work at contract/short term gigs (thanks Westgate) and looking for longer term, fulfilling work.  Feel good about the process, am much stronger have more stamina than two months ago, so that's good.

So, projects, back to quilting which was what this blog was supposed to be about.  I have been able to be creative too.  This project pictured below was commissioned by Mennonite Church Manitoba, to be a Table banner for their registration table for events.  The request came shortly after my diagnosis in Fall of 2011 and, needing to put my faith in being around in a year, I consented to put something together, as long as there wasn't a due date.  A year almost the day of my surgery, I delivered this project and was gratified with the reception.  That feels good.

SO, The original thought was to do a water-colour wash of many green batiks, from dark to light, with the dove obviously in the light.  Well, the budget soon became too much, too much fabric to buy...so then this "Hot Shots" project that I've done a couple of times, came to mind and was much more within the budget scope.  The quilting motif is of course open to interpretation as it should be.  A large branch, meandering it's way across the piece, growing into the borders and around the dove.  The title "The branches and the Vines"  loosely translated, open to interpretation.  As is my way, the entire piece is free hand quilted on the long-arm machine, where my needle becomes my pen.  The time spent on this piece coincided with some difficult decision making on the part of the Camps with Meaning program and Camp Moose Lake where I have hosted many (more that 25) weekend quilting retreats.  So, many hours of prayer are stitched into this project.  It is still not clear where those decisions will land but the Retreat 2012 at Moose Lake, was great, with a fabulous group of women, some challenging devotions, creative inspiration abounding and a community of faith and care grown again.

So for the Pictures:

This is the presentation day at Mennonite Church Manitoba, there's another photo on their web site here that shows the detail (on the second picture down, click twice)MCM Quilt unveiled | Mennonite Church Manitobamennochurch.mb.ca

 Free hand/fee motion quilting is done without guides, I find that my hands get a rythmn and my swirls and leaves get a character singular to that project.  I also worked in a few pine trees which are like my "where's Waldo" contribution.

 The branch detail was done with small scale zig zag patterns and, thanks to inspiration from my friend Jodi, a very cool "Knot" pattern which makes then more defined as branches, Thanks Jodi!

 Outlining the dove was the biggest dilemma, being in the white fabric and then being appliqued guaranteed that your eye would be drawn to it, but, if you don't quilt the fabric, it puffs ...so the radiating lines anchored the space without becoming too busy. divine inspiration truly.

The final dilemma was "words or no words" initially the plan was to have "Mennonite Church Manitoba" on the lower right, similar to the logo on letterhead etc.  This made sense until I tried to figure out how to do the letters and not make them the focal point.   In the end, I decided to leave them off and let the "powers that be in the office" decide.  The unanimous  choice was no letters.  So, the commission is clearly labeled in the back.

I'm thankful that my inspiration has been appreciated and I'm honoured by the original request.  It has been a privilege to have this project be a part of this past year and it provided focus and inspiration for me to look at sharing my "sparetimeobsession" with others.  I find a quilt can be a visual destination, and if given time, can give the heart and head an opportunity to be inspired for the tasks at hand.  That is my hope and my gift.