ARBA Bicentennial Quilt Kit

Recently I received a note from fellow blogger Julie Sefton (Quiltdivajulie) about a Star of '76 Bicentennial Quilt Kit she had for sale. Of course, I snapped it up. When it arrived, I took a closer look at the package and realized it was an Officially Recognized Commemorative of the American Revolution Bicentennial Administration (ARBA) and was manufactured by B & B Needlecrafts of Memphis, Tennessee.

The kit includes precut fabric, printed foundation, instructions a label, and certificate of authenticity printed with the name of the woman who ordered the kit, Mrs. Joseph Curtis Matthews. In mint condition, Mrs. Matthews may have found the idea of all the appliqué daunting.

ARBA also produced Bicentennial flags, among other commemoratives. A while back, I acquired a nice, large one. It was manufactured by the Baldwin Regalia Company of St. Louis, Missouri.

I have not yet found an example of the finished ARBA quilt, not even a picture of one that I can recall, but the design is similar to the Mountain Mist quilt and pillow featured previously on my blog.

If you search my blog, you will find several posts in the archive related to Bicentennial quilts and textiles. To read more about the Mountain Mist Bicentennial Quilt pattern, click here.

Generation Q

 

A wonderful article by Susan Beal in the latest issue of Generation Q Magazine includes quilts from my collection, and one I made. The subject is wool, and Susan is the perfect person to write about it. She recently published a book with Pendleton called "Hand-Stitched Home, Projects to sew with Pendleton & other wools" - a must-have, in my opinion.

Three of the antique wool quilts illustrating the article are from my collection. One is an old New England patchwork quilt; one is an embellished crazy quilt from the late Victorian period, and the other is a sampler from the turn of the century. All three show the richness and versatility of wool, a material that can be used in many ways. 

old New England patchwork quilt, c. 1810

wool Crazy Quilt, c. 1900

sampler quilt made for Jasper Barnthouse, PA 1902

It was fun to see my "Wild Eyed Susans" quilt included with the article. This little quilt is probably ready to sign autographs with all the positive attention it has received. Props to the unknown person who made the tufted stars, upcycled and used as flowers.

Love everything about this magazine, the articles, the pictures, the staff-- and I'm honored to be included in it. Thank you, Susan Beal and Generation Q!! 

Quilters Questions, A Book of Curious Queries by Kyra E. Hicks

Would you accept $25,000 to stop quilting forever? What if the offer were only $2000? These questions and many others are included in Kyra Hicks' new book, "Quilters Questions, A Book of Curious Queries" - out just in time for holiday gift shopping season.

Quilters Questions is perfect for quilters of any age or skill level. Packed with delightful, humorous, and thought-provoking questions, this engaging read will provide hours of fun and conversation. Explore topics ranging from quilter identity, creative inspiration, collaboration, legacy and more!

One of my favorite questions is #179, "What is the value of your quilt collection? Have you had any of your quilts professionally appraised? Why or why not?" The answers depend on the individuals, and that's what I love about it. We all have our own answers.

Highly recommended, this book would make the perfect holiday gift for the quilter who has everything. Truly, I have never seen a book anything like it for quilters. It is wonderfully original, amusing, and poignant at times. A great read!

Kyra Hicks is a self-taught quilter who uses cotton to explore political, religious, family and romantic themes. She resides in Arlington, Virginia, where she tends her fragrant rose garden and researches the lives of quilters past. For information about this wonderful new book, click here.

2014 Ikebana Aki Matsuri & Sale

The 74th annual Aki Matsuri Ikebana Exhibition hosted by the Saga Goryu Hokubei Shisho is on display this weekend at the Buddhist Daihonzan Henjyoji Temple at 2634 SE 12th Avenue, Portland. Hours are 10AM to 4PM, and the exhibition will be open tomorrow. As always there are many wonderful arrangements to be enjoyed.

The Exhibition also has local artisans vending in the lower level of the temple, and my favorite local potter, Ken Pincus is back! I couldn't resist doing a little shopping while I was there. 

The theme for this year's exhibition is "Sei Ga" - refined elegance. In addition to the ikebana, there will be demonstrations of Chado- Way of Tea; shakuhachi (Japanese flute), Shodo (Japanese Calligraphy) and Ikebana presentations. Kudos to the organizers, especially David Komeiji who once again organized the event. This exhibition is one of the loveliest Portland traditions, so please go, enjoy, and do a little holiday shopping while you're there!