Helen Kelley Patchworks

July 29, 2007 – I took my quilt parts along with me for a week-long vacation beside the sea. Each day I sat at the edge of the surf and let the breakers wash over me as I watched the water move. The surf where I sat was aqua and green blue and warm. The water on my Indian quilt will be the cold waters of Lake Superior, and they must be deep blues and purples. Still, the waves move steadily in with feathered edges. Now, my job is to tell you about it with fabric.

July22, 2007 – Everybody has their own special way of fixing things. When my mother brushed my hair, she would pat my cowlick in place and fix it with a little spit. Spit is good. I use crazy glue and duct tape to make almost anything stay put. They are good, too. The equivalent of duct tape in my quilting is embroidery and applique. Not fancy stuff; simple stuff. Just a touch of the needle here and there to fix that place where things don’t go together properly. Last week I cut an unintended hole in my newest quilt project. A bit of embroidery and applique did the trick to fix it.

Hooray for spit and duct tape.

July 5, 2007 – I’ve been working for several weeks on the borders for this new quilt and I’ve only just begun on the design. My plans were elaborate and growing more so each day. The work seemed never-ending. Then, when I lay the border pieces out on the floor to look at them, I realize that it’s done. No more! If I add anything, it will be too much. It will be like a cake with too much frosting. I am satisfied…. for now.