MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR

I would like to thank all of you who have stopped by to visit Caribbean Quilters.

May your dreams come true bringing you lots of Joy and Peace.

GOD BLESS YOU ALL



CARIBBEAN QUILTERS - KINGSTON JAMAICA 2010



BE HAPPY

"EAT, PRAY AND LOVE"

Lots of Blessings

'CAROLYN'

Christmas Time

The Christmas season is here! 

People rushing about, buying gifts for family, friends and loved ones!

Homes are being filled with treasured collections of  Christmas decorations - or - out to the store

for something 'new' this year!

I collect Santas. As a child,  I looked forward to Santa. I laid in bed fighting sleep, hoping for a glimpse of this amazing man with such a big heart..... I marvelled at his ability to visit all the children in the world!

Santa - CaribbeanQuilters



I left a bottle of 'Red Stripe Beer' and cookies with a Thank You note.

A tradition passed on to my children. 

Each morning we wake to the smell of our Christmas tree,

 full of memories...each ornament telling its story.

We give thanks...how blessed we are!

Christmas Tree - CaribbeanQuilters

"Happy, happy Christmas, that can win us back to the delusions of our childhood days, recall to the old man the pleasures of his youth, and transport the traveler back to his own fireside and quiet home!" - Charles Dickens

Enjoy !

'Carolyn'

I have finished several Quilt tops...and..
I just love machine Quilting.
I have fun quilting one quilt,
I get in the rhythm
I finish... then have to wait to do another quilt.
As I am in the groove...
I wish to quilt ' in that moment'!

Hence....
I have decided, to make a few tops,
prepare them for quilting and off I go...all set!
Well... I have accepted that one can not enjoy
ALL aspects of  Quilting..
putting the quilts together
I find so tedious.

On the positive side,
it's a challenge to see how I can rectify this situation
This is a very important part of the whole process.
I shall continue my research....
I do welcome any suggestions....

Will keep you posted...

"What you leave behind is not what is engraved on stone monuments, but what is woven into the lives of others" - Pericles

Enjoy!

'Carolyn'

Quiltmaker 100 Blocks

For those of you who did not purchase the first edition of
Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks...Do not miss the second edition.

In Jamaica, Quilting magazines are rarely on the shelves..
We need more quilters!

I am a Magazine fanatic and am anxiously awaiting this Issue....
my daughter who lives in Canada arrives home next week....
what a sweetheart... she treks off to Indigo and Chapters
hoping it will be on the shelves before her departure!!

Click on the button and Enjoy the Blog Tour .....be inspired!

http://www.quiltmaker.com/blogs/quiltypleasures/



Take a block, use your favourite fabrics and enjoy the repetition of the blocks unfolding into an amazing quilt....your creation....

'Let go and fear not the unknown but enjoy the journey!'

My Blue Mountain Coffee



Old Tavern Coffee Estate - Twyman - Kingston JAMAICA



I love coffee, I am very fortunate.....

The finest coffee in the world comes from my homeland. (Smile)

Whenever I travel I take coffee as a gift, however, persons do not realize,

like everything there is a 'shelf life'.

When the  coffee beans are stored in the refrigerator waiting for a special moment,

you loose the fresh essence of the freshly roasted beans.

This of course IS my opinion based on my experiences.

For me these days.....Fresh is the Best! Indulge in the 'here and now',......there is no better time.

Caribbeanquilters - KINGSTON, JAMAICA

I have fixed my 'Twyman's  Blue Mountain Coffee and I am pondering on my Quilt in process on my design wall....'Turnovers'... these are 80 pre-cut 6 inch triangles by Moda. It is so good to let go and create....no pattern....I am learning a lot and have many questions to ask or reading of magazines and blogs to do.

It is so great to challenge oneself....

Holly Jolly Snowman by Moda

"Impossibilities are merely things which we have not yet learned" -- Charles W. Chesnutt

Enjoy!

'Carolyn'

CANADIAN THANKSGIVING

Happy Thanksgiving to my children and their wonderful companions and families.

Happy Thanksgiving to my Friends and Quilters.

God Bless you All

Enjoy the turkey, enjoy the pumpkin pie, most of all enjoy your family, friends and your Quilts.

'Carolyn'

In Canada Thanksgiving is celebrated on the second Monday in October. Unlike the American tradition of remembering Pilgrims and settling in the New World, Canadians give thanks for a successful harvest. The harvest season falls earlier in Canada compared to the United States due to the simple fact that Canada is further northof remembering Pilgrims and settling in the New World, Canadians give thanks for a successful harvest. The harvest season falls earlier in Canada compared to the United States due to the simple fact that Canada is further north

The Quilting Blogging World

continues to grow with great excitement.

In the mornings, I check my e-mail....hmmm...

let me take a quick look on a blog....just for a minute....whoops!

I shall not say how much time has passed,
I am excited and full of inspiration.

Off I go to my studio, listening to the music of my machine.

 'Serene' made by 'Carolyn' Kingston, Jamaica

After much consideration I decided to make my binding subdued, allowing one to focus on the colour that reaches out. The colour that appeals to you, I believe, is a reflect of ones emotion in that moment.

I went neutral. The fabric is 'Cotton Blossoms' by Bonnie and Camille for Moda.

Bonnie - http://cottonway.blogspot.com/  

Camille:-http://www.camilleroskelley.typepad.com/

Feelings are much like waves, we can't stop them from coming but we can choose which one to surf. ~Jonatan Mårtensson

Lots of Blessings,

'Carolyn'

My New Quilt!

Selecting the right colour binding I find to be very important.
Which colour do I wish to 'pop' - orange looks amazing..hmmm..but the blue will soften the Quilt...
Any suggestions?......

A Quilt Jigsaw Puzzle

You know you are a quilter when you are on vacation with your family, hence,  all your 'Quilties' are in your Studio,
Alas, you do a Quilt Jigsaw Puzzle!  My children with their respective companions enjoyed the puzzle immensely.

My Seaside Quilt

I know.....a Quilt by the seaside! The quilts were so enjoyed during that afternoon nap.
As we would say in Jamaica - 'When you are Feeling the rum, Belly-a- Full, Sun on the body.....say no more"
a quilt and AC -

'A Quilt will warm your body and comfort your soul'
Author Unknown

Happy Quilting,

'Carolyn'

My husband and I have been travelling....now..when you are a quilter, a quilt shop is the No.1 tourist attraction.  Eagerly, I began my research on the various quilt shops en route..whoops.. I had to promise...this trip is a 'holiday'. Husbands always think we have a lot of fabrics! Finding that little piece of fabric to bring all the energy of a quilt together can be so difficult. It's just not there in my stash!


I was very good, however, in Paris my dear husband weakened. Excitedly, we tried on several occasions to visit  'Le Rouvray'.  We were either too late..too early or the wrong day...I stood looking through the window, relishing in the moment, my hands moving slowly across the glass... I thanked my hubby.


All was not lost, our visits to the Bookstores allowed me to enjoy and purchase many quilting magazines...smile!  In Jamaica, it's difficult to find a quilt magazine on the stand, hence, I do subscribe to a few. The Quilt Industry continues to grow at such a rapid rate its awe-inspiring.  One of my favourite, is Quilters Newsletter....there have been a lot of changes...buy one and relax with a cup of coffee and Enjoy!

'Carolyn'

This weekend, beginning May 21st is

The International Quilt Market Spring 

held in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

How I wish I could be there in the midst of all the latest Fabrics and technology in the fast growing world of Quilting. Instead, as I drive along the coast of our island I enjoy the simplicity of life.......

A Little Shop on the roadside...it's Sunday...they are closed.

JAMAICA

JAMAICA

I find inspiration from the colours of nature and reflect on the times when I am in search for that one piece of fabric that going to make my Quilt 'pop' -better known as the 'wow' fabric.

I look yonder...

JAMAICA

                                                                                Follow your dreams!

I will be in my studio attempting a new technique of trapunto. It looks exciting and rather simple. I shall keep you posted, although I tend to go for the challenging elaborate task to begin my journey, I have decided to be somewhat timid and go simple.......and enjoy the simplicity of life.

Happy Quilting

'Carolyn'

There is something soothing about quilting by the seaside, the waves lapping on the sand bringing its own form, only for a moment, returning back to sea to revolve again. We are always revolving.

I am quilting away making lap size quilts to throw on chairs in my Beach House. Yes, I know Quilts in a Beach House! Quilts adds such warmth to a home and today, the quilting fabrics are so amazing!

Runaway Bay, JAMAICA

I finally completed my Blue and White Quilt, which I made for someone
who is very dear to my heart. She loves Blue and White!
Christmas came and went and I had not finished her gift...it's never too late..
a gift from the heart that touches the soul  of someone dear to
you is whats important. The month of April is fine! and so it was.........

'Stars' Quilt pieced by 'Carolyn' Kingston, JAMAICA

Life is so precious, each day is a gift to be treasured,

each moment to be enjoyed.

Yesterday is the past - its gone,

today is the presence - its here - tomorrow is the future

it's not here - and may not be.

As a quilter, there are so many quilts you wish to make, the span of life is too short!

Happy Quilting.

Blessings

'Carolyn'

It has been so long! On February 6th 2010 our daughter got married. We are so blessed as Madelaine and Craig are an amazing and beautiful couple.



The Holy Trinity Cathedral, Kingston, Jamaica
Copyrighted - 2010 - PHOTO by Alan Smith,Jamaica

Our ‘Holy Trinity Cathedral’ is so beautiful. The amazing work of art you now see was all painted grey in the early 1970’s! The journey of restoration has begun , although a long road, the unveiling of history in its true form touches the core of ones soul. There is something so mystical about history.

Over the past months I have been so enveloped with wedding plans my ‘quilting life’ was forced into the background. I have certainly experienced withdrawal symptoms. I have been spending quiet time in my studio, stroking my fabrics, turning the leaves of my magazines and Quilt books, enjoying each word and photo of inspiration.

The quilting world is moving at such an immense pace. Ideas are constantly evolving; Although feeling a little behind, a few more quiet days in my studio and I will be in my quilting zone!

Until then..from Jamaica.....

Runaway Bay, Jamaica - 2010

Happy Quilting,

'Carolyn'

Happy New Year and Happy Quilting for 2010.

On Tuesday December 22nd 2009 American Airline was most anxious for their passengers to be on the beach in Jamaica. Land on our beaches and all will survive. What a miracle! It's scary to think of what could have been. This beach is not our greatest, however, all passengers and crew on flight AA331 survivied. Amazing!


American Airlines AA331 - Kingston, JAMAICA


I am looking forward to opening my studio to complete my unfinished projects. I look at the birdbath and await the arrival of the birds....


It's a daily visit....

With a splash they enjoy their bath - so free - free as a bird!

"In three words I can sum up everything I've learned about life. It goes on"

Robert Frost - (1874-1963)

Happy New year and Happy Quilting for 2010.

'Carolyn'“