It was such fun to see the positive reaction to this quilt, both here and on Facebook!
I made it at least 13 or 14 years ago. We were living in San Diego and I had been quilting for about 3 years. I found this pattern in a book written by two talented women and I’m pretty sure I bought the book just for the pattern. It was designed by Diana McClun and Laura Nownes. I loved the colors and the pansies and the unique design of the individual blocks. It hung on the wall in our living room.
When we moved to our cottage, we hung it on the wall above the stairway landing and there it stayed for a few years. But then the hanger fell off the wall and I decided to retire it for a while. All of this was pre-blogging, so that’s why you’ve never seen it.
I hand quilted it, deliberately using half circles that were far from uniform. I think this was inspired by the quilt’s designers, who also quilted it this way. This was early in my quilting days and I don’t think I would have thought to go free-form without their inspiration.
What makes this striking, besides the gorgeous purples, pinks, yellows and greens, is the addition of several black and white nine patches. I love the way they break up the pattern, providing a graphic punch to the design.
We have very little unoccupied wall space at home. Our cottage has an abundance of windows, which we love, but which also work to break up all the walls. So a lot of my quilts are folded up and stacked on the cupboard in the spare bedroom. But, gosh, I love this quilt. It’s my all time favorite….along with the quilt top I made the last time I was in Hartford. I will be hand quilting that one while I’m here.
Rehearsals have started. For the first few days, we are working with the actors who play Macbeth and Lady Macbeth. We’re reading the text and talking about the characters. Both actors are intense and committed and have lots of ideas and questions, which makes for a lively discussion.
By the way, Don has a short interview about Pygmalion here. He mentioned me at the end but they cut that part.
Well, I never!
Anyway, thought you might enjoy hearing his voice. I sure do.
A little view of one of my garden beds, taken just before I left for Hartford:
That butterfly bush has really grown. It’s about 5 feet tall and I planted it a mere two years ago!
Missing my garden, my guy and my little girl.
Today is my Mom’s 86th Birthday.
Happy Wednesday.
That was just so cool to see your husband “live and in person” so to speak. Now we all know Don! And about your quilt – wow! Love that quilting design, love the colors. Can’t wait to see your latest quilt when it’s completed.
Mary
Thanks, Mary!
Good Morning, Claudia
This quilt is a beauty. You asked about the designers, so I did a quick image search. The pattern was identified as “Molly’s Magic Pansies” from the book “Say it With Quilts” by Diana McClun and Laura Nownes.
I’ll be sure to listen to Don’s interview later.
-Karen
Thanks, Karen! I’ve edited the post to credit the designers.
The quilt is stunning and so glad you shared it with us and in more detail today. Busy times for you. I’m off to listen to Don’s interview!
hugs,
Linda
Thanks, Linda!
Claudia, Your quilt is beautiful! The colors do make it striking and your hand quilting is wonderful. Any chance your husbands play is coming to the Bushnell? Doris
No. It’s not a touring play although it originated at the Old Globe in San Diego.
Happy birthday to mom!! That quilt is gorgeous. So colorful. My favorite of the pansies are the yellow and purple ones.
Thanks, Elaine!
I am so glad I found your blog. I love your cottage, your gardens and your lovely writing voice. You bring sunshine to my day. My husband has Stage IV lung cancer and our traveling days are postponed for a bit. I enjoy seeing the places you and Don go. And your quilting is the best! I am more of a fabric hoarder at this point, but love seeing others’ work. The pansy quilt reminds me of my dad, he loved the bright purple ones. Thanks Claudia for sharing.
Dear Hedy, Nothing makes me happier than to hear I bring sunshine to your day. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your husband. If I can make you smile a little bit, then I am a happy girl. xoxo
Hi Claudia~~~The quilt is beautiful & really brings life to your little home away from home! Love the colors.
Enjoyed Don’s interview :0). He really loves his craft!
Enjoy the rest of the week~~~.
XO, Linda
I know it’s early & off the subject but I was wondering about the crochet scarves. Are you going to be making some for the shop for the holidays? Thanks
Hopefully, Linda. But in the heat of the summer, I just can’t bring myself to think about them yet!
It is a gorgeous quilt! :)
Thank you, Debra!
Hi Claudia! Thanks for showing your pansie quilt again. It is gorgeous! Enjoyed your post yesterday but was unable to comment. Really liked seeing how you have made your “home away from home” your own space. Love the bark cloth too! And, happy birthday to Mom.
Thanks so much, Vera!
Claudia – That quilt is just gorgeous! You do such beautiful work!
Hope you’re having a great time working. Know you miss Don and Scout.
Have a great day!
Judy
You too, my friend. I was thinking of you today. Hopefully, when my schedule gets a bit less crazy I can give you a call.
I sure do love that quilt…so stunning! You do nice work! I’ll catch Don’s interview next! Happy Birthday to your Mom! ;)
Thank you, Donna!
I love that wild pansies are called Heartsease, a name couldn’t be more fitting.
You know, I’m pretty sure that my eyes did not even catch the black and white nine patch in yesterday’s post! One of those optical illusion thingies … Or perhaps because I am besotted with pansies. Thank you for pointing them out and inviting me to look again, they are so unexpected and so much fun.
I love your border (I want some coneflowers so much!) and you’ve given me an idea – to add yellow to ours. We have pink, purple and white flowers in the front and I think some yellow is just what it needs.
Wishing you happy days in CT and Happy happy 86th to your momma!
A little yellow is a good thing in a garden, Sally!
The quilt is gorgeous..I still have some pansies blooming outside..I enjoyed Don’s interview..You can certainly tell how much he enjoys what he does..How dare they cut you out!..lol..And a Happy Birthday to your Mom also!
Thank you, Nancy!
Your talents are many…I adore this quilt!
Thank you so much, Donna!
Hi I love your quilt and especially since it was done by hand. I have a beautiful stash of pansy fabric that I have never see a pattern that I thought would be fitting until now. Great interview with Don, it would so amazing if the play was filmed and put on you tube for all to see. i love your blog so much I live in a mining town in South Australia and I envy your beautiful garden we have severe hot summers and lush gardens here would survive, but our water is very expensive .Happy Birthday to your mum and wish her joy and peace. Thank you Janine, Whyalla, South Australia.
Hello to you Janine in South Australia! Thank you for your kind words, I so appreciate them. xo
Claudia, I am disappointed the play won’t be at the Bushnell. Doris
Sorry! Heck, if it came to the Bushnell, I’d get to see my husband!
This is not one of those plays that tour. This originated at a Regional Theater and moved to another theater that the director was associated with. But it’s not a touring production.
(Whispers) Macbeth, is my favorite Shakespeare play. (we are supposed to whisper it, right?)
Now, I am one of the big fans of that quilt. I have never seen one like it and as you said, who doesn’t love pansies with their cute little faces and vibrant colors. You mean there was a Pre-blogging period? It seems like we’ve all always been doing it.
Ann
You can say it. You just can’t say it within a theater, Ann!
I know – what did I do before blogging??
That is a gorgeous quilt, Claudia. Such bold colors and designs – lovely! So glad you showed it to us.
Thank you, Lorrie!
I have been quilting for years, but have never hand quilted one. It is always on my winters to-do list but never seems to happen. You have inspired me to put it back on my list of things to do:) I noticed the black and white 9 patches right away, it is what gives your eye a place to rest and notice the bright colors around it. Beautiful:)
Hand quilting is a long process, but a nice thing to do in the winter, Dawn!
Belated happy birthday to your dear mom – hope she’s doing OK.
Beautifull colors in the quilt – know it’s bringing a bit of home to your rented space.
Claudia, do you cut back your butterfly bush in early Spring? If it’s buddleia davidii – which most are – they need to be pruned hard to about 12″ annually (I do mine in Feb. – in your area perhaps March is better). By the time Summer arrives their blooms are huge and the branches tall. If you don’t prune, the flowers eventually get smaller each progressive year. http://www.gardenseeker.com has a good article on pruning these. Just a heads up.
Hugs – Mary
Thanks, Mary! I didn’t do that, but you can bet I will next spring!
CLaudia, your pansy quilt is soooo pretty! I have to tell you that I made a purple pansy quilt top from the same McClune Nownes pattern. But then it just sat in a pile of UFO’s. For years. I finally realized that I was never going to finish it, because purple just isn’t a color that I decorate my home with. So earlier this summer I tentatively put it in a sale. I didn’t want to keep it, but it was still made by my hands. A sweet lady came along and found it and loved it! It made my heart smile to know that it was going home with someone who really appreciated it and was going to finish it and use it.
What a gorgeous quilt. I am thinking I am going to have to add it to my list of “I want to make one of those” quilts. Pansies remind me of my dearest best beloved Aunt. They were her favourite flower and she had a lovely flower bed by her back door, just bursting with them. Well done, you do make lovely quilts.