Saturday, March 13, 2010

Teacups


I've got a fun quilt to share with you today. Tea for Two by Laura Caudle


Laura really cracks me up. This is how she describes the making of this quilt:


I have been a fan of your quilts for a while, and have longed to make a quilt with your liberated letters but have been intimidated.  (I come from a long line of German, Austrian and uptight British ancestors.  I even plant flowers in rows.  Rows!  Very martial.)  Anyway, I decided to shake off the shackles of genetics and just go for it.  I took a paper piecing class (and as part of my anti-uptightness (not a word, I know, but it fits) therapy I even did wonky teacups.  And then I was struck with a crazy bug and designed my own border of stacked saucers - they are wonky, too.  And THEN I let go and just did some liberated letters.  It was exciting!  It was freeing!  It was scary!  And I didn't do too well!  But darnit - it was fun and I'm going to do it again!
Whew.  I need to go organize my pantry by food type, color and size now or I'm going to have an aneurism. 
Thank you for inspiring a little crazy freedom.  Following is a picture of my nuttiness - not yet complete, because I have to go buy batting - hanging in its future spot.

I have to completely disagree with her on the "didn't do too well" front. She did GREAT. It can be really hard to just wing a quilt and improvise and she did it wonderfully. And Laura has since discovered my free-pieced teacup tutorial (still living in Quiltville but one of these days migrating to my site). 

Laura, thanks for the photo and the laughs.

Still on the subject of free-piecing teacups, take a look at Roz's current improv quilt all about coffee and tea. I happen to love the two different blue background colors under her letters.

I learned how to do Liberated quilting from Gwen Marston and Gwen gives credit to antique quilts inspiring her to go that route. It's not a new thing. As a great example, and still on the topic of teacups, take a look at Deb Rowden's blog at this great Crazy Teacup feedsack quilt. [If you like improvisational, string and utility quilting, Deb's is a great blog to read. She shows some of her own work as well as quilts she's given homes.]

And here is one of my favorite quilts ever. It was made by Lureca Outland of Alabama in 1994:


Credit Line: International Quilt Study Center, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2000.004.0091

Gwen's been out on the road teaching and I'm so envious of her students. Take a look at Sarah's report from class here and here. And Bonnie Hull's pics here.

I've been working like crazy this week at the computer. Making my eyes cross so I think I'm going to give it a rest now. My sweetie gets home tomorrow for an all too brief stay before once again departing. You'd think I'd be cleaning now wouldn't you, but you'd be wrong. I need to do some hand quilting, gosh darnit. Assuming my kitties let me...


Ya'all take care!

21 comments:

Kathy said...

I love the teacup quilt, so fun!

W.C.Camp said...

My folks used to live in Paducah, Kentucky and they would have a HUGE quilt festival there. I love the Tea Cup quilt but then again, I like anything artistic.

Keep quilting! W.C.C.

Clare said...

"Oh pfff. She's quilting again! No tummy rubs for us today."

Enjoy your time together. Give him my regards.

Sarah said...

Ditto. Laura's teacups and lettering are so festive that I am inspired to give it a try! Is she for hire as a organizer? She would be a star around here :D

Cher said...

I so enjoy how you showcase the many quilters that gain inspiration from you and go for it. Enjoy the hand quilting and the sweetie time..

Elaine Adair said...

I agree - her quilts is delightful, but even moreso, her note! 8-)))

Twisted Quilts said...

I agree the tea cup quilt is charming. She did a great job. I am off this morning to my week in Texas with Gwen and Freddy. I am not letting my cast keep me away. I don't fly often so I can't imagine how all this will work but I am game.

YankeeQuilter said...

Of course I love all teacups (which can be used for coffee or hot chocolate!) These are all great! She did a wonderful job on the letters...

Judy in Michigan said...

Love the tea cups and your Boo quilt (?) - I think that's what I'm seeing there. Those kitties!!
I took a class from Dianne Hire last week - what a treat!!! We did a "Come Play With Me" workshop. Have you seen her work? What fun!!

Jan said...

I like Laura's teacup quilt better than Lureca's, and her story gives it even more charm. Thanks to you both for sharing.

AnnieO said...

The teacups and wonky words and saucer stacks are terrific! What a great quilt story, so glad you shared it :)

Looks like you have plenty of company wherever you sit, even if it hampers your quilting!

Kath said...

I really must go wonky :D

Chris Daly said...

What a great quilt and such a wonderful story. I understand Laura's dilemma all to well. My mom taught geometry and I have been trying to throw off those shackles for the last few years. Thanks for giving us the permission to do so :)

Rene' said...

Tonya, thanks for sharing all the links. I agree that Laura did an amazing job with her Tea for Two. I got a kick out of reading her note to you. Enjoy time with the hubby.

jovaliquilts said...

Laura's jaunty teacups are great! They are bouncing around and I'm wondering whether it's really just tea in those cups ... :-) Totally fun.

Browndirtcottage said...

Great quilt....she did a wonderful job on her letters and words!

Good links too Tonya...thanks!

voiceofpendergrass said...

Just spotted your site and love it.
Love the tea cup quilts and the idea of relaxing and just quilting. Got a kick out of the one describing her quilt too.

Love your cats, I'm a cat person and very new at quilting but have really found a passion.

Will be visiting this site again!

Sujata Shah said...

Loved the quilts you posted! Funny story! All who do liberated quilting are in mutual agreement that it is nothing new.. We all were just following too many rules.. made by no one but us!
Love visiting your blog!

Sally Tharpe Rowles said...

The tea cup quilt is like a painting I did... no rules in painting. And to me the best quilts are the ones with no rules either.

Rosalyn Manesse said...

Well well, one of my favorites--tea cups

Bonnie Hull said...

Thanks for the link cat-woman...I loved Gwen's workshop. Love your blog...keep inspiring us!