CARIBBEAN QUILTERS

Merry Christmas to you all and the very best for the New Year 2010. My nativity has been around for at least 65years. I remember as a child, the nativity was placed under the Christmas Tree. I used to sit and imagine myself beside the lamb looking on at Baby Jesus. I still wonder what it would have been like...perhaps I will sit by the donkey! Thank you so much for your support throughout the year. I wish you a wonderful and safe season with lots of joy and happiness. All the best for the New Year and may God Bless you All... 'Carolyn'

Block for Flood Quilt in Ireland by 'Irish Quilting' magazine Sew together a nine-patch, using 5" squares. Use repeat fabric for squares 2,4,6,8 as these become the sashing squares. Press towards the sashing. Block should measure 14" at this stage. Trim if necessary. Cut through the sashing and centre squares evenly in both directions, 7" from outside edge Re- arrange these smaller units as per diagram or play around with your own layout. Pieced together Sew the four units into a complete block measuring 13 1/2 " Happy Quilting, 'Carolyn'

Thank you all so much for the wonderful response to the Block/Blocks for the Flood Victims in Ireland. I will put some blocks together and send the Quilt top along with blocks to The Irish Quilting Magazine. They will put them together and distribute them to the Flood Victims. There is no colour theme, delve into your stash and follow your vibe. When I was at Houston Quilt Market I saw these beautiful batiks made by Batik Textiles. They were bright and lively. My photography does not do the fabrics any justice! The Batik is designed by Batik Textiles and they designed a quilt for the line of fabric and guess the name of the Quilt..... It's a small world! What I find interesting is the power of colour and what colour means to us. Speak of Usain Bolt(the fastest man in the world) and we think of Green, Gold and Black the colour of the Jamaican Flag. Speak of Jamaican music and we think of Red, Green and Gold "Where the spirit does not work with the hands there is no art...

"Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.” - Leonardo da Vinci Where has time gone! I reckon another 5-6 hours would be great. Can you imagine - so much quilting to do and blogs to write. I am indeed blessed, for some people, the days are very long! Ireland has just experienced the worst flood in 800years! The Irish Quilting magazine has embarked on a journey to make quilts for all those families who have lost their homes. The Block for Flood Quilt is simple and will mean so much to those who are homeless today. "The number of homes affected in the beginning was tremendous: 500-600. News from County Cork put the displaced families at a staggering 18,000. " Irish Quilting Magazine -Sherry Nugent There is no greater reward than to make a difference in someones life. Happy Quilting and Lots of Blessings, 'Carolyn'

First comes Love, than comes marriage, then comes Tracy pushing the carriage. Well, thats what happened to Tracy Blake a Canadian who fell in love with Jamaica! Tracy has made numerous quilts to raise funds for a basic school in rural Portland, Jamaica. Nov - 6th /Nov - 7th at 18 Wilmington Drive. Jacks Hill. Lets support one another to live our dreams and passion! “Nobody trips over mountains. It is the small pebble that causes you to stumble. Pass all the pebbles in your path,and you will find you have crossed the mountain" - author unknown Happy Quilting, 'Carolyn'

Christmas has always been my favourite time of year. I always think of the 'Chug Chug " train trying to go over the hill loaded with toys. This Quilt was one of my favourites. Amazing Applique work.... Enjoy! "Creativity requires the courage to let go of certainties" Edwin Fromm Let Go and move with the flow from within! Happy Quilting, 'Carolyn'

What an amazing experience! I went to my first Quilt Market in Houston and had an amazing time. Needless to say is was extremely overwhelming for me.... The crowd for Sample Spree was unbelievable. Sample Spree, is all about getting samples of the new fabrics that will be out in a few months. Next time, I will definitely be better prepared! This is Heather Bailey's Booth. Heather and her husband are wonderful people. Her husband, Issac, is a wedding photographer and had an assignment in Jamaica. They both had an amazing visit to the island, the bond was wonderful. I love Heather's fabrics and will be ordering her new line "Pop Garden & Bijoux" to be out in July. I am off for the weekend to relax at our cottage by the seaside to read my new magazines, to return on Tuesday to open my studio - Inspired! Happy Quilting, "Carolyn"

This is just the cutest way to be updated!

It has been so long! Every now and then you encounter someone who puts so much energy into a charitable organization, especially for children. It touches my heart as the children in need yearns for 'Love.' Giving of the heart brings a wonderful sense of Peace. I have been working on a quilt which is going to take a few months, perhaps a year! Lots of small pieces and I am using a lot of Black, which I find to be stressful on the eyes. I would welcome any advice on lighting for a Studio. I am off to Houston and I am so excited! Click on the Blogger Quilt Festival Button and enjoy! My camera battery charger and spare battery are already packed! Happy Quilting! Carolyn

I am so far behind in my reading. I love quilting magazines and read them cover to cover. Quilting continues to evolve at such a pace to an amazing place. My heart begins to palpitate when I realize life is far too short to explore fully the grand journey of the Quilting World. I walk my own journey and will sit on my beach this weekend enjoying the tranquil of the Caribbean sea enjoying the articles of McCall's Quilting, Irish Quilting and Machine Quilting Unlimited. Have a wonderful weekend and Happy Quilting, 'Carolyn' “Go lightly on this fragile earth – we are all strangers on this shore...”DEVA

I have enjoyed reading all 4 Issues of the 'Irish Quilting ' magazines. The premier Issue I found particularly good. The photos are amazing and the articles are informative. I decided to make the quilt ' Mind the Garden' using my Morris Garden Fabrics. A fabric line I love. Stitching the binding on a quilt is a relaxing time. Your creation is complete. I will now write in my Quilt Journal the lessons I have learnt and the joy while making the quilt. Happy Quilting, 'Carolyn' 'For beautiful eyes look for the good in others; For beautiful lips, speak only words of kindness; and for poise, walk with the knowledge that you are never alone.' - Audrey Hepburn

Christmas Blues You feel the cool! This could only be why I have picked this style right out of my pile. Its been so hot this summer- Birds perch on the window sill of my studio, listening to the humming of my sewing machine I sew away with my 'Blues' feeling the cool of the Christmas all in the mind - at peace with the fabric ......at peace with quilting. Have a pieceful day, 'Carolyn'

I love machine quilting. The quilting design is so important, for me, it determines the mood of the quilt. As I am working on a challenging project, I find a break of 'free form' to be so relaxing and energizing. The fabric used is 'The Morris Garden' by Barbara Brackman - Moda. Do you find there are some fabrics in your stash that you are reluctant to use as they are so beautiful? I do.... We are half way through the year, before long Christmas will be here. Its time to start on the Christmas Quilt! 'Live as you wish to be remembered' Happy Quilting and lots of Blessings, 'Carolyn'

We all tend to create a little box of comfort within ourselves. I love Christmas, its my favourite time of year. I decided to step outside my box with these beautiful Indonesian fabrics from Moda . The challenge...how does one put these fabrics together! Its going to be fun. 'Silent Night Batiks' by Moda Reading through a Fitness magazine, I saw a 'Nike' advertisement . "The first weight to loose is what you carry on your shoulders" Happy Quilting Lots of Blessings, 'Carolyn'

It has been a long time since I have written on my blog. Lots to share. Whenever I travel there has to be a quilt day. Bless my hubby! We visited Shelburne Museum in Vermont to view "Piecing Together the Past": Quilts" - a beautiful display of quilts by Florence Peto (1880-1970). I found her work so soft with an elegance and charm. I tried to imagine myself quilting in my 80's. What joy! This generation was so regal and it reflects in their quilts. The Quilts of Florence Peto - Shelburne Museum, Vermont The Calico Garden - 1951 Florence Peto did a lot of floral applique using elaborate broderie - perse work. Visit the web-site and view some of her work - Enjoy. http://www.shelburnemuseum.org/

When my 'Jelly Cakes' arrived, I felt compelled to experiment with these p re cut pieces. Jelly Cakes are 1 Layer cakes (40 - 10"square) and 1 Jelly Roll(40- 2.5" strips) There is an element of softness when working on a baby quilt. While making a baby quilt, I always marvel at one of the greatest miracles of all -a perfect healthy baby! Design by 'Carolyn' Kingston, Jamaica 2009 I experimented with the 'Jelly Rolls' 2.5" strips and had fun with the border. It worked well! Carlene continues to amaze us all with her grandson Jaimie's quilt:- Applique by Carlene, Kingston, Jamaica Please note the tractor wheel is one piece of fabric giving the illusion of the 'real' tractor wheels.....you can almost feel the wheels turning..Well done Carlene! Happy Quilting, Lots of Blessings, 'Carolyn"

There is a charm about 'old enamelware'. I bought this painting today that hangs amongst my fabrics reflecting a warmth from the past. What's missing? A fireplace and more quilts. See the Turnovers? They were such fun. Artist-Sonia Lewis-Brown, Kingston, Jamaica While assembling my quilt top to be quilted my mind usually wonders. How difficult this must be had I not been attending Yoga Classes......the poses and stretches are wonderful! Carlene has finished 'The Buggy' Block. I think it's adorable....the workmanship is amazing. Any suggestions for the sashing ? 'The Buggy' by Carlene, Kingston, Jamaica 'I've learned that every day you should reach out and touch someone. People love a warm hug, or just a friendly pat on the back.' - by Maya Angelou Happy Quilting, 'Carolyn'

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY A mother understands what a child does not say. Jewish Proverb Quilt made by ' Carolyn' Pattern 'Quiltersnewletter' - Heaven Can Wait Fabric by Northcott Its your day, enjoy and give thanks with the smile that has filled so many hearts. God Bless you all. Happy Quilting, 'Carolyn'

Where Quilter's Create April warms the hearts of 16 ex-soldiers from ‘ Curphey Home’ in Mandeville , Jamaica last Christmas (2008). She made 16 ‘ Bandana Quilts’ Finding space to do her machine quilting was quite simple! Here is April, having removed a 'leaf' from her dinning table, she placed her chair in the middle, and quilted away with joy in her heart. Thank you April for sharing your tip and photo. Lets share our tips! Happy Quilting, 'Carolyn'

Easter Weekend has passed. In Jamaica, Good Friday is the day we indulge in our traditional 'Easter Bun and Cheese' all day! My favourite Bun this year was 'Miss Birdie' .....it was delicious. In the meantime, my Moda ‘Turnovers’ arrived. What are Turnovers? 'Turnovers' are 6" squares cut diagonally giving you 40 different 6" triangles from a Moda Fabric Designers Collection. I used Patisserie Turnovers. I was so excited and enjoyed working with the pre -cut triangles. I have now finished my quilt top and about to put it all together. Here is my quilt top. This year my goal is to applique an amazing quilt or at least begin the journey. I have not yet started, however, my Applique quilt is on my vision board! My friend Carlene, who teaches 'Applique' is in the process of making her grandson a quilt. I have asked her to share with us her blocks as she makes Jaimie's Quilt. Here is her first block. Until next time - Happy Quilting! Lots ...

Wishing you all the Blessings of Easter "God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life" As we quilt through our days lets take time to reflect on the true meaning of life and rejoice in the moment. Happy Easter, 'Carolyn'

I just love this picture! This Quilt was made for my niece from ‘Layer Cakes’. I love the fabrics and had such fun putting them together. The pattern was by Cozy Quilt Design, simple and relaxing. What are ‘Layer Cakes’ ? ‘Layer Cakes’ are a fabric line of 40 10” squares. It’s one of the many ingredients from Moda Bake Shop. I have just finished a top using ‘Layer Cakes’ and ‘Jelly Rolls’....there are also 'Honey Buns' and 'Turnovers'...I find the names so cute! Amazing idea! With these sweet ingredients make a quilt for a friend in need - “A friend is someone that knows the song in your heart and can sing it back to you when you forget the words" - author unknown Happy Quilting, 'Carolyn'

The weather we have been experiencing thus far is just perfect for quilting. I have been enjoying the cool of my Quilt Cottage and quiet time with my fabrics, stroking and creating new projects. Hmmm…. the fabrics are so beautiful in today’s market. I have been featured in one of our local magazines, Health, Home and Garden Jamaica, Fall/Winter ‘08’ Issue which is available both on the local and International Market. Take a peek and enjoy the wonderful articles. http://www.hhgmagazine.com/contents.php Remember each quilt tells a story, Your story! 'Carolyn' 'Live today as you wish to be remembered'

Jan wanted to make her dream a reality She wanted her family to wrap in the warmth and comfort of her hands. Jan made her first quilt. Congratulations Jan and Enjoy! National Quilt Day is March 21st 2009. National Quilt Day began in 1991 and is celebrated on the third Saturday of March. This is the day to appreciate how we have been blessed with an amazing talent that has brought warmth to not only ourselves but to our loved ones and those in need of the comfort of love. If you are not a quilter, wrap yourself in a quilt, enjoy the warmth and reflex on the hands that have made quilts from generations to generations. Lets all take the time to make the block put out by The National Quilt Association. We are on a journey of ‘serious times’. Have fun with your block and please send me photos of you finished block so we can share with others. http://www.nqaquilts.org/NatQuiltDay.php Good Luck!

January 2009 HAPPY NEW YEAR A New Year is the beginning of new thoughts and new goals. Reflect on the joys of your life and treasure them Reflect on the sadness and grow from them Reflect on your inner self and find peace Reflect on your goals and walk with your dreams It’s your life that has been given to you. Find the time to create Find the time to Quilt Find the time to stitch together The fabrics of life. Wishing you all a Happy New Year with lots of Joy and Happiness and good health for 2009! ‘Carolyn’