A few weeks ago I wrote about my love of quilting and showed a few of the quilts that I have done on my blog. In the meantime, though, I have somewhat put my quilting 'on the back burner' as I started making jewelry. From there, I am undertaking my next Project, which brings me back to my quilting expertise. Andrea, ‘JennyGardener.etsy.com’, and I began brainstorming an idea which we had hoped would get a good response from our Etsy friends and quilters. Of course, before we got our idea off the ground and onto our quilting mats, we let Administration know what we are working towards. I then emailed 'The Storque' (Etsy's Blogzine) about our idea and they absolutely loved it, and gave us the ok to get started. They suggested we start soliciting artists through the forums and various Teams. I am now sharing this Project, to the many readers of Sara’s 'Crafts of Texture', and inviteanyone interested to reach me through my shop: ‘MagdaleneJewels.etsy.com’.
What started as a conversation in a thread on the forums talking about embroidery and quilting; and as all forums seem to do, led to a whole different aspect of what was started - Andrea had mentioned about doing an embroidery commemorating something historical that has either taken place or changed our lives since the beginning of the new millennium. This was met with comments in a few of the threads that not everything which has occurred in these past 8 years has been tragic. Some in the forums mentioned the many accomplishments achieved during this time. Since everyone had so many views and opinions, I suggested that if we each submitted an 8' (block) quilting square (actually 8 1/2' allowing for seamage), we could each either quilt, embroider, scan a photograph onto a square, paint, appliqué' - whatever our talents allow: specifically something historical.This is where our 'Tragedy and Triumph' theme came into play. We decided that since so many views were presented, we would assemble 2 different quilts, each one symbolizing the tragedies that have affected us and will remain with us throughout history and should not be forgotten, or the successful triumphs that have been accomplished historically during this time.
"The inspirations for the quilts are all those people who recorded history in their artistic expressions. We don't know their names, yet they captured history in their homely work. Tapestries, quilts, needlework - these are all we have left. Yet these works inform our understanding of history". http://www.jennygardener.etsy.com/
We have gotten so many positive responses of those wanting to do a block commemorating something that has touched each participant. One woman’s work of art will be tribute to Katrina, since she worked there during the relief effort to help those left homeless. We have a square dedicated to the memory which will stay will all of us, the bombing of the Twin Towers; another will be a tribute to the Columbia Shuttle Disaster, the loss of lives to SIDS. 
These will all be commemorated on our "Tragedy" quilt. So as not to leave all of you on the down side, our "Triumph" quilt, will be dedicated to memories such as the Space Shuttle Exploration, another to the "Love of America". There will also be blocks reminding us of our commitment to "Saving the Planet". Once all the ideas are submitted and the quilting has begun, I will keep an updated list on my blog: http://www.magdalenejewelspjk.blogspot.com/.
One can also submit a square for each quilt; we will need 80 squares for each. Once this part is accomplished, I will then assemble the various squares into the finished product, and then offer it to Etsy to auction off, with the proceeds going to such charities as the many orphans in Iraq; children of fallen soldiers; those left homeless by Katrina, etc. - of course these ideas are open for any suggestions. Also, this project is open to all, whether here, or in England, Canada, Europe; basically all Etsians!We have gotten off to a good start and hope for much success for our 2008 Project - 'Tragedy and Triumph.'Look for future articles following the progress of this beautiful hi
storical quilting project.
storical quilting project.Written by Pamela Baker of MagdaleneJewels.etsy.com
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Labels: Art and Craft Projects, Guest Writer Articles
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