I think quilting encapsulates some of what I like best about crafting: it often utilizes scraps or leftover fabrics; it has a long and storied tradition (for an example of this, see Faith Ringgold's great book, Tar Beach); and the end-product is a perfect blend of beauty and utility.
This is a trivet that I got at the same rummage sale I posted about elsewhere; like my pincushion, it was only 10 cents. Look at all the handiwork that went into this! I'm glad it found a home with me because I can really appreciate its true value.
What goes around, goes around, goes around Comes all the way back around...
When my wonderful friend Carey got married a few years back, her sister-in-law-to-be sent every wedding guest instructions for making a quilt square, which she assembled and presented to Carey and Michael at the wedding. I thought this was a wonderful idea, as it gave me an opportunity to use some very cool fabric that connected me to Carey in a deeply meaningful way. In true crafter form, I had been hoarding that fabric for many years. Here's Carey's finished quilt (My square is 4th from the top in the far right column):
So when my very incredible friend Lydia got married last year, I decided that I would initiate a quilt project for her. It was more work than I imagined... I had never made a quilt of that magnitude before, and I didn't expect that so many people would interpret my instructions as... well... as loosely as they did. 12 inch by 12 inch squares came back as 10x12 or 11x11 or 14x14 or something very far removed from a square and closer to a parallelogram. But it was a great project nonetheless, and Lydia and her husband Gera professed to love the finished product:
Several months later, when I jumped on the wedding bandwagon, Lydia offered to do the same for me. I tried to warn her that it was loads of work but she was not to be dissuaded. Viola! This is the fruit of her labor... as well as the labor of many crafty family members and friends, of course.
Isn't it great? As you can well imagine, each square captures a story and relationship(s). Bonus points for those of you can figure out which square Carey made for me.
And yes, for those of you who were wondering... that is a Justin Timberlake reference at the beginning of the post. T.S. Eliot (1948) argued that high culture and popular culture are both necessary components for a complete culture. While I'm sure I could provide a much more intellectually stimulating quote on karma, you've gotta admit that this is a catchy song.
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