Friday, May 28, 2010

The Last Stitch

Euphoria: Definition= A feeling of great ( usually exaggerated ) elation.

Ha, that's ME today, feeling euphoric ( very ).



The other night I stayed up very late, and put the last stitch in this quilt that I think I started making, way back in 1998. All those years ago I had just opened a little patchwork and quilting shop, I had three teenagers and two pre-teens and it was a busy and somewhat chaotic life, but lots of fun too.


I chose this quilt to teach classes on piecing, applique, putting together as a quilt-as- you-go, and of course hand quilting. Over the years, other quilts have come and gone, but this has been a stayer as a UFO for a long, long time.



It is very large, and covers our queen sized bed with the sides reaching the floor.
I first saw the design in an Australian Patchwork and Quilting magazine, and I think from memory it was made originally by Sarah ? around 1840. ( The magazine disappeared many moons ago).


This center medallion derives from a German design. Sarah (Someone) lived in the States and came from German forebears.
I have used reproduction fabrics that I had in my shop at the time. The reproductions have been taken from the quilt museums and faithfully reproduced exactly.

Another reason for me feeling so happy is that our orchestra is putting on another concert on this Saturday night. We have had long rehearsals all week and it is sounding wonderful.

I am enjoying it all so much that I won't want to be playing it for the final time on Saturday.

This is what we are performing.
Schumann's Symphony No.4 ( that he wrote for his wife Clara, when she had just given birth to their first child...and he was feeling euphoric ....definitely some great euphoric passages in this one)
Paganini's violin concerto no.1
Bull - Et Saeterbesog
The Merry Wives of Windsor Overture

Sorry, I can't give you links to this music. Our internet is on and off this morning, probably because of all the rain we have been having !

8 comments:

Mary Keenan said...

That quilt is absolutely breathtaking. And what a story! If you take nothing else away from having your own shop... your finally-finished quilt is a pretty awesome souvenir :^)

Lori ann said...

I would be euphoric too, Sally! that quilt is absolutly incredible. You constantly amaze me. I am always inspired when i visit you.
enjoy the concert, i know you will.
♥ lori

Heather Woollove said...

Sally---What a beautiful quilt... and what a wonderful feeling of accomplishment after so many years!
Can you bottle whatever it is you're drinking for the rest of us with long-term WIPs hiding in our cupboards?!?!? Giggle.
XXO-

Binnie said...

Congratulations on creating a masterpiece - it's stunning. And now you get to play a few masterpieces! Ain't life grand?

Anonymous said...

beautiful work Sally. We can see how much love has gone into this piece - it resonates through the images! have a great concert. all my love, Karuna

Candyce said...

It is beautiful and interesting.

How nice that you had a quilting shop. I would have liked to come to it!

Do post the links to the music when your internet connection settles.

Thinking of you...Candyce

Holly C. said...

All I can say is-WOW!

kim•ber•ly said...

Your quilt is just beautiful! Quite a masterpiece