Friday, January 10, 2014

Make Me a Quilt : BJ

 A Wonderment of Fireflies
Hand dyed cottons and silks, some commercial cottons
Fused, machine quilted
32"x 26.5"

I am so thrilled to have been asked to make this larger work by my friend BJ in honor of her impending retirement, and now that it is finished, I feel really proud of my little self! It's been a long while since I made a larger art quilt and while it took more time than usual, it was a really pleasurable experience.
From the time that I began, life here has not been running as usual. During that awful cold spell (I want my money back!) our water pipes froze and we had no water for two and a half days. Of course now, it is balmy again, and today I walked the pups sans coat. Speaking of pups, our Chumley hurt his paw and was walking on three legs. Turned out his toenail split and had to be removed in the vets office, under sedation. This happened sometime during the cold spell, so no going out on the roads for anyone here. He's all better now. And hungry, as usual.
And the really big news, which I almost hate to reveal, is that due to health issues with my darling man, we think it is time to sell our lovely home and move into an lower maintenance place, closer to town, hospitals and other services. We have lived here six wonderful years, and while we are sad to be going, we are aware that it is the smart thing to do at this time.
So I am busy house lookin'! O boy.

47 comments:

  1. Oh Melody, though I only know you through your blog, I'm so sorry that you have to give up your lovely home, especially after all the work you've done to it recently. None of us is getting any younger and often adjustments have to be made. I wish you, Dave, and the pups the best of luck as you forge ahead to find a suitable new home.

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  2. Oh, Mel, I am thrilled beyond words. Thank you so much for making this beautiful quilt to celebrate my retirement. I couldn't be happier with the piece. Best of luck to you and Dave as you look for your new home. You both have put so much time and hard work into this home and I am sure the next owners will be most appreciative. But as we age we need to be closer to certain things to assist us in simplifying our lives. When DH and I move to Eugene, Oregon I plan to have a small yard and will my gardening will be in large containers (easier on the back and knees!). Thank you again for creating this beautiful quilt for me.

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  3. Deanna3:55 PM

    Best wishes as you prepare for another life in another home. You will fill it with love and beauty. Peace to you and yours.

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  4. Best of luck in your home search. I have followed your redecorating and remodeling in the current home with admiration, you've moved more furniture around in six years than I have in 30+ in my house! I look forward to seeing the new place on the blog.

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  5. Nancy5:16 PM

    Here's how blogging breeds familiarity: just this morning I noticed you hadn't posted in four days and it made me worry. "Hmm, Melody doesn't usually let us go this long without a post..." Today's stunning new quilt gives us a good reason for your absence, but it sounds like you've had to take time out for some tough decisions, too. I'm confident your optimism and bright attitude will see you through these changes. Good luck with the house hunt! We're all with you in spirit!

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  6. Fantástico!!! una maravilla y único te felicito besos.

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  7. What a lovely gift to bestow on your friend.

    Best of luck finding and ideal new home for all your needs.

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  8. Best of luck in finding a new place that still allows you artistic space and enough yard to encourage your green thumb. I am looking forward to seeing what you find. :-)
    And I love this art quilt.

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  9. Melody, the quilt is beautiful! I, too, wondered if everything was okay when you hadn't posted. I'm so sorry you and Dave have had to make this hard decision. I know your house will go quickly and I so hope you can find something just as perfect for you as this one seemed to be.

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  10. I just love the colours in this quilt. You are so clever to make these quilts - from the creation of the design, to the dying of the fabrics, and then the sewing and quilting. Each step is a skill in itself. I do hope you can keep up this style of quilting in your new home.

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  11. If we were closer to retirement I know what piece of property would be at the top of my list to look at! :) I know all the hard work inside and out that y'all put in and it is beautiful. I hope you quickly find a new home and buyers.
    BTW, I love the new quilt. It is beautiful.

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  12. I, too, wondered at your absence, but put it down to the Big Freeze. Moving again will have been a tough decision, but you both need support and services close at hand so I pray it all goes smoothly from hereon in. You have a lot of people rooting for you. Whoever gets your house is very, very lucky. Hope Chumley recovers quickly too.

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  13. What a beautiful, beautiful quilt Melody!
    Wishing you and Dave all the very best wish your house hunting, it's always a difficult decision to sell your home with all the memories - Good Luck!

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  14. Awesome quilt! Makes me happy just looking at it. Good luck house hunting.

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  15. Judy Morningstar1:11 AM

    Oh Melody, I am so sorry to hear you must look for another home because of Dave's health. But the home you are leaving is an absolute gem, and someone will scoop it up and love it to bits, appreciating all the work and thought you two have put into it. And your new home will soon have your special touches on it too. Good luck with this transition. Just like everyone else who reads your blog, I am holding you in my heart.

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  16. I love that quilt...so beautiful!! Good luck finding a new home....having just moved I feel your pain, such a huge job!!

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  17. Oh, what a beautiful, stunning quilt! I love all your quilts, but this one i like best!! I wish you good luck in finding a new house. I think, it must be a hard decision to leave your nice home. As your quilts will move with you, also the new home will be familiar.
    Best wishes
    Susi

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  18. It's a beautiful quilt! I love the bright moon and all those little twinkling dots. And the pattern of branches on top is lovely.
    I'm so sorry you have to sell your lovely place with all the gardens and all the renovations you've gone through. You seem to have a positive attitude, focusing on the hunt for something new.

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  19. This quilt has to be one of my favorites! It's spectacular Melody. The moon and fireflies rock!

    When I read you were moving my heart dropped! Your current home is a dream house to me. I love it! I understand your need to move, however, and I'm sure your next home will be just as lovely. I wish you a fun time house hunting, and I hope you find what you're looking for very soon

    Have a beautiful day,
    D~~~~

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  20. Beautiful quilt! And I am sorry to hear you, Dave and the pugs must leave your beautiful home, but I understand the need to be close to hospital, doctors, etc. We are nine miles from the edge of town, but only a mile from the highway and 2 miles from the Fire Station in case of emergency. The day may come that we have to move closer, but thank goodness it isn't any time in the immediate future, barring the unforeseen. I hope you have great luck finding a new place and selling your wonderful property... look forward to hearing more about it!

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  21. WOW! What a beautiful quilt, lucky BJ!
    So sorry to hear you have to sell your home, just finished with renovations. You certainly won't have a problem selling!

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  22. Such a beautiful quilt, Melody. In your usual style, you are putting on such a brave face about giving up your dream house and finding just the right new space. Six years of pleasure you have given your readers/followers as you made over your mountain home to your liking, and we will all be rooting for you as you move on.

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  23. I am sorry to hear Dave's health is declining and that you need to leave your wonderful home, especially since you just put so very much work into it. I hope you find "the perfect new home" for your family and are able to sell your place just when you want!
    Your newest quilt is spectacular; perhaps one of your best-me thinks!

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  24. Anonymous9:30 AM

    Hoping you are able to find a workable home soon. Sorry to hear that it needs to be done. Praying for you as you transition.

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  25. Anonymous10:43 AM

    I don't think I can add anything that hasn't been expressed beautifully by the other women who follow your blog.I'll just say that I echo their sentiments and I wish you all the best in your future endeavors. Also,love the latest quilt with its beautiful glowing colors and whimsical fireflies. Julie

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  26. This quilt is my very favorite of all your quilts, and I already had lots of favorites. I know that there is a family whohas prepared a wonderful new home for you, all you have to do is find it.

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  27. I'm so sorry to hear about Dave. You two have put a lot of time, energy, love, and expense into your home but I'm sure that that will make it all the more desirable for someone else. It's a lovely home and should sell quickly. My DH and I are getting to the point we have been talking about a one-floor home. He's 73 and I'm 67. Not old by any means but it's a lot of house and yard for us to maintain...and it ain't gettin' any easier :) I will keep you both in my thoughts and prayers. It's difficult to make changes when your health is not good.

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  28. That is a really nice quilt. I love naked trees and you captured them well. So sorry about you having to move. And you just finished all that work on the house, making it just how you wanted.

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  29. So sorry to hear about your need to make a move. That house has never had such wonderful, creative caretakers as it had with you two. It was a work in progress from day one, and has constantly evolved in your time there. I hope the new owners will be infused with all the energy that you expended there and will find their own creative spirit infused as well. I look forward to hearing about the next chapter and wish you and Dave much time and love in your new digs. In other news, I was faced with my dog Maya's declining health this past week and had to make the decision to let her go; so I am over here in the mountains of NC grieving and will always look forward to pics of Tony and Chumley for a pick me up.

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  30. Well...that is a stunning quilt to go with a beautiful love story. Isn't it wonderful not to be bound by a glorious home and surroundings but by the love that binds you together? All the very best for your move. I just know that you will create something equally unique in your new home. Big hugs for you and Dave...and an extra mouthful of food for Chumley!

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  31. Melody, I know my comment is late, but I am taking care of my beloved also and time does not permit me to comment as much as I would like to. I must say this quilt by far is one of my favorites. I am a tree lover and this quilt just makes me happy. It is "BEAUTIFUL". My best wishes for you and your beloved wherever you decide to go. Remember, "love means doing whatever you have to do to better care for another".

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  32. I am so sorry to hear that you'll be leaving your little slice of heaven. I'm not only sorry that you're leaving a place you love, but also I'm sad to hear the reason for the move. I wish you all the best in where ever you end up and hope to read your posts for many more years.

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  33. I'm so very sad to hear about Dave's declining health, and I can only imagine how difficult this recent time has been for you both. Please know that you are in my heart and that I send love.

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  34. Gorgeous quilt! Heavy news. First the quilt...this one really glows. What a beautiful soft effect you created. And those trees, those lovely bendy, trees remind me of yarn bombing. Love them. BJ is starting her new chapter in style.

    You seem to grab on to change and fly with it, which is an unusual strength. We will all be anxious to see your new digs and how you Melodyize the place. Send Dave hugs and positive vibes for his daily challenges. xo

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  35. Sorry to hear that you have to move - and why. My dad had the same thing, I will be thinking of you all as you move through this next leg of your journey together. mad the quilt? All I can say is WOW!

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  36. Another beautiful quilt, Melody! I'm so sorry to hear you have to move and the reason why. I'll be thinking of you and I know you'll find something you can make your own. Good luck to you and to Dave.

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  37. Beautiful Quilt, Sorry that Chum had to undergo surgery but I am sure that he is being pampered. With all lovely things you have done to you home I am sure you will no trouble selling. Best Wishes in finding a new place to call home.

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  38. Annie8:30 PM

    The quilt is wonderful! The news of your moving, not so much. Wish I could buy your house, with all it's wonderful colors, but I'm here in my very own little place to stay (I hope!). My move 10 years ago was not through choice, but because of a divorce I didn't instigate and never expected. However I survived the trauma and I'm happy with my life and where I am today! I know you'll find a great place to live, closer to town and the services you need. You'll make it your own!

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  39. I bet you'll also make your new home as beautiful and colorful as this one has been. I've loved seeing all of the gorgeous landscaping and interior decorating that you've done over the years. Thank you so much for sharing that with us. Good luck with the house hunting.

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  40. Thank you so very, very much for posting the documentation of your process while making this beautiful quilt! I love your quilts, and have not had an opportunity to take a class from you. Do you still teach?

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  41. I think this is one of my most favorite ever and I am swooning over the smidge of blue polka dots!

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  42. I've been thinking a lot about light in quilts lately and looking for examples of how artists use light to make their quilts glow, because I think it's something I need to learn. And this one is a perfect example! So beautiful. And the 'how to' posts were really useful. Good luck with your move.

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  43. Beautiful, stunning quilt!! Love the trees!!

    Praying for you as you make a big move and for your man's health.
    Now that you are so organized, the move will be a breeze!
    Your gorgeous country home will be a true gift to the new tenants!

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  44. On the the next big adventure! I'm gonna miss your house, pond and gardens. What ever house you end up in, I'm sure you will make it a home... lovely, personal and "arty". Love, love, love this "Fireflies" quilt!....but would a moon (or sun) ever be in FRONT of hills? I know I know Creative license....I'm far too literal. It's gorgeous.

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  45. On the the next big adventure! I'm gonna miss your house, pond and gardens. What ever house you end up in, I'm sure you will make it a home... lovely, personal and "arty". Love, love, love this "Fireflies" quilt!....but would a moon (or sun) ever be in FRONT of hills? I know I know Creative license....I'm far too literal. It's gorgeous.

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  46. This is outstanding! I have a love of fireflies....Your new house is just beautiful too!

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