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Crazy Quilts Are Quilts Too!

Here I am with one of my favourite round robin blocks!
I could not resist entering a piece in the Crazy Quilts are Quilts Too online quilt show and one of the requirements is an introductory post, sharing a bit about myself and my stitching. Luckily for me, Hideko recently interviewed me for the latest issue of the Crazy Quilt International newsletter so I will happily plagiarize that interview! Hideko also collected a lot of photos of stitching I have done, much more than I remember doing! So, I will share these as well - thanks Hideko!




Altered & Embellished Altoid Tins


Jigsaw Pieces I made for Pat Winter's swap awhile ago.

I was born and raised on the east coast of Canada.  When I was a teenager, my father's job took the family to the prairies of Alberta, Canada, and I have been there ever since.  For the last twenty years or so, my family and I have lived in a tiny rural hamlet in a home we have created by renovating an abandoned church.  We have a couple acres so we are able to have a big garden and keep a few animals.  My husband and I have two grown children, a boy and a girl.  My daughter still lives at home as she is still pursuing her schooling.  My son lives in Calgary with his wife and two children.









Floral and Garden Themed Motifs

I love all types of embroidery and crafts.  My main focus is always crazy quilting, however,  I still love to learn new things.   This year I learned techniques and started projects in Penny Rugs and Romanian Point Lace.  I love cross stitch and am fascinated with blackwork and goldwork.  Someday I want to try moose hair tufting! 






Crazy Quilted Christmas Ornaments
My mother started me stitching at about the age of three with those sewing cards for children.  She soon had me embroidering pillowcases and other linens.  When I was in my twenties, my mother and I joined a local fibre arts guild together and I have been happily learning new stitching techniques there ever since!  I had seen crazy quilting in books and magazines and admired it for years before I finally decided to take the plunge.  I have been crazy quilting for more than eight years now.

Blocks I created for group quilts benefiting Breast Cancer Research.



Small Art Quilts I have created and donated.

Art Nouveau Block


Some Round Robin Blocks I have done


 Under the Sea Block block and motifs



I love to make small motifs in counted cross stitch, using waste canvas.  I also love seamwork although I struggle against always falling back on the same two or three favourite stitches for those.  I started the Build a Seam (BAS) Challenge to train myself to try new and different stitches. 

My favourite thing about crazy quilting is that I can bring all the other embroidery techniques I have learned over the years to my projects.  I love the freedom of letting each block evolve as I stitch. 

I started my crazy quilting journey eight years ago when I joined the Crazy Quilting International Yahoo group and have had the pleasure of being the "Group Mom" for a few years now.  I love the fellowship of so many women from different places, ages and interests all gathered together with this common passion for crazy quilting.  The inspiration is endless and everyone is so willing to share their knowledge!
It has been a pleasure to introduce myself to you and I`m looking forward to visiting the blogs of the other quilters involved in the show.  I hope you will take the time to as well!
 

Comments

Marilyn said…
Isn't the cq show awesome! I did an entry too - my first. It was such fun to have a look at your work here too. Nice way to spend my early morning since the dog decided I should get up at 3:45. It could be a nap day.
February 1, 2012 at 4:23 AM
Mosaic Magpie said…
Great Post! I enjoyed seeing the photos of your work. You have been busy. I appreciate the fact you donate so many items you create for the benefit of others.
Deb
February 1, 2012 at 5:13 AM
Hideko Ishida said…
Kerry, your introduction is so nice! I am glad to see more photos of your work here than I could use for the CQI January newsletter. Your stitching technique in variety is excellent!! Hideko
February 1, 2012 at 6:39 AM
Suztats said…
Very nice post, Kerry, and I enjoyed learning more about you and seeing lots of your beautiful work!
February 1, 2012 at 6:39 AM
Anonymous said…
Kerry,
What a beautiful photo of you! I remember the block you're holding too, the one that Gerry Krueger did with all the dragonflies. I admire the amount and variety of beautiful work you have done along with everything you do for CQI. Thanks so much and best of luck in the CQ show!
SusieW
February 1, 2012 at 9:46 AM
Susan said…
Some really inspiring work there, and some things I'll no doubt try myself.
February 1, 2012 at 7:42 PM
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