Blueberries in Winter

We have a lot of blueberry fields here in Maine. And any time of the year, they are beautiful. Summer green with big fat berries, fall red stretching over acres and then add white snow in winter. Beautiful. So, after passing this field so many times I decided to make it my next project. I started out with a plain piece of white cotton and after a quick sketch,  added colors here and there.


From there I started adding threads, many, many layers of colors. My new machine is so nice, my first Janome and makes it so easy.

 


Remember, I'm just learning this technique so don't compare the (not so great) photo with the finished piece. As with everything, the more you do the more you learn and I AM learning. At least I think I am.



After adding some finishing touches by hand, I finally called it done.

Channeling Great Aunt Maddie

Or was it Mary? Jody? Celia? Four sisters living in the same house for 80 odd years. That doesn't happen too often these days. An afghan very much like this was given to my parents as a wedding gift and held the place of honor on the back of the couch for all my growing years. On days I stayed home from school sick, lying on that couch, I would stare at the squares, wondering about the color combinations and trying to distract myself from my poor tummy or stuffy nose.



 I'm pretty sure this is where I began my love affair with color, with what I like and don't like. That throw has disappeared from my parents house, (actually the house and parents have too), and so I decided to take a break from quilting and recreate my own. These little granny squares work up quickly and the feeling I get seeing a stack of them get higher is so satisfying.




And, just like 50 years ago, I still find myself looking for my favorites.