The Power of Creativity

I first began sewing when my Mum died.  Dad gave me her sewing machine and in it I discovered a way to express grief and creativity in a way that defied words. There was something incredibly personal about making this journey of creativity on the very machine that my Mother had made hers.

My Mother had a lot of material... correction... My Mother's stash could have supplied Spotlight for a year and much of it has found its way into my stash. It is kept in its own containers, "Mum's Fabrics" because they are my Special Fabrics. They are the fabrics that Mum selected - they spoke to her in their beauty, their form and their colour - She looked at each of these fabrics and saw a potential for creating something bigger, something beautiful, something that built upon the vision of the fabric's creator to enhance the vision of a new creator...

This week my baby sister had a baby. It is her first baby and it is the first Grandchild where Mum and Dad were not here to hold her and hug her and give her a cuddle that only Grandmothers can give...

This baby is named Jordan Patricia Allen. Patricia was my Mum's name and I have no doubt that Mum will watch over this baby as closely and fiercely as she continues to watch over all her grandchildren.

In my Mum's stash were several Works in Progress and sitting, unfinished, was a bright and beautiful Shaggy Quilt. She had picked out soft flannelettes in colours just perfect for a baby girl.  I don't know who she originally intended this quilt for... maybe she was just making it knowing the perfect recipient would emerge as the quilt was finished... maybe....

I have nearly completed this quilt now.... just have to snip the shaggy seams (hmmm, now there's a big job!)... and the perfect recipient has arrived...

Jordan Patricia Allen, I hope each time you are wrapped in this quilt you feel the warmth of your Grandma's love. Each of these fabrics provide a connection between you and your namesake; may your life be filled with the fun, colour, creativity and love in which this quilt was made....

That seems to be the thing with quilts... they are so often made for someone else and into that making goes love... with every stitch, with every colour selection, with every step of the process is the hope that this quilt will bring warmth and joy....
Last night Dorothy added more hexagons to the 2000+ she has already done for her daughter...

Ros arranged, and rearranged the quilt she is making for her daughter....

Can sewed on the binding for the quilt she is making for her daughter...

 and Tennille began making a quilt for her Mum's new 'child', the dog...

Dot kept quilting her amazing Zig-Zag quilt for her daughter and Robyn worked on her checker boards that she makes for charity...

Andrew kept embellishing his monster...

and Pam backed her gorgeous wall hangings...

The detail in these is fantastic and Pam is going to run a weekend workshop in September at The Room teaching us how to create these beautiful pieces of Textile Art (so stay tuned...)

I took a photo last night that, for me, sums up what The Room is all about...

This photo shows women of all different ages, life experience, personality and interests... They are all working on individual projects but within that there is a companionship and a sharing of knowledge and skills...

Despite all our differences, there is always something that connects us....

Have a great week and enjoy your long weekend.