Archive for September, 2007
NOVA SCOTIA PATCHWORK
September 3rd, 2007
Pictured on the left is the front cover of a great quilting book by Carter Houck; it has long been out of print. I have collected several copies of this 1981 Dover first edition. Included are 12 traditional quilting patterns with full sized templates and instructions, including layout sketches. There is an interesting history section and if you have seen others of Ms. Houck’s books you know you are in for a treat.
I am offering these collector’s items for sale at the price of $22.95 plus postage but cannot guarantee their availability past September 29, at which time I will offer them for sale at our upcoming Quilt Show and Sale – check out another recent posting for info on this show.
I had collected these books to use in a planned quilting retreat and workshop that did not happen for lack of participants – if any of you are still interested contact me soon as once these books are gone, so is the opportunity for the workshop.
Posted in 
MY BEST QUILT YET!!
September 1st, 2007
I just finished this top today and since it is a lovely early fall day I took it outside and photographed it. I will have to wait until I have quilted it and have it professionally photographed to show you the whole quilt, I am just not set up to display a quilt of this size here at my studio. However, it will finish to about 86×106 inches when done and will be heavily handquilted in very traditional quilting patterns. This quilt is without a doubt the best quilt I will ever do and the person who commissions its completion will have a one of a kind, original design that is informed by the tradition of the baltimore album quilt but goes well beyond that concept. Of course it is entirely hand-appliqued and will be hand quilted.
I am planning on submitting this quilt to our provincial government’s Art Purchase Programme providing the cut off dates are good, but am displaying it here in case there is someone out there who is thinking of buying it for their private collection. I did have interest in it expressed by a couple of visitors from British Columbia, so will give hem the opportunity of first refusal.
FREE WILLIE – polychromed carving – Nova Scotia Folk Art
September 1st, 2007
You’re looking at my newest Nova Scotia Folk Art acquisition. This is “Free Willie” a carved and painted piece by Jean Marc Poirier, Cape Breton Island, completed in 2002. Apparently Mr. Poirier stopped working for a few years after this piece was made, but has begun again in recent years and is generating great interest now among collectors.
I hope I can find more of his work – it’s the kind of Folk Art that causes me to smile when I look at it. Especially, note the wonderful colour and depiction of waves on the stand.
I’m so happy to have Willie with me for a while, overseeing my work as a quiltmaker – I know he will be my muse when I embark on the Dolphin quilt I expect to be making soon!
