MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR

I WISH YOU ALL THE BEST FOR THE FESTIVE SEASON

GOOD HEALTH AND LOTS OF JOY AND HAPPINESS

PEACE AND LOVE WITH LOTS OF MOMENTS TO TREASURE

HAPPY QUILTING!

'CAROLYN'

Where have I been?

Enjoying my grandson, Jacob Alexander, born August 31st 2011

Jacob Alexander, Kingston, Jamaica

In Jamaica we have an ole' expression.....

"Every Jon Crow think 'dem pickney white!"

We grandparents think our grandchild is the most beautiful of them all.......

The Nuttall Hospital, Kingston, JAMAICA

The Hospital with its old charm.....

With a name like Jacob...you know the pattern of my next Quilt....

'Jacob's Ladder'

Enjoy Life...Enjoy Quilting...Enjoy the pieces of life being woven together as one!

'Carolyn'



The Summer of 2011 is soon to pass and we have spent a glorious time at our Beach Cottage.

We have enjoyed our peace and tranquility....

I have enjoyed reading my Magazines....cover to cover!!

Dreaming of my 'Gammill'...Smile....one day!

Our first grandchild is due tomorrow....

 as we await his arrival with great excitement

I have been busy....

With the inspiration of  Lily and Will's - Fabric Collection by Bunny Hill design for Moda

and my love for Beatrix Potter - Peter Rabbit - I made a few Quilts and a

Diaper Cake for her Baby Shower!...We had such fun...

HOWEVER....

As the summer ends I look at the sand... at the numerous footprints that remains only for a time.

I think of the 'pittar patter' of little feet

I think of how life is woven together

like fabrics...like Quilts.

I think of Steve Jobs and his words I read not too long ago...

“Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life. Don't be trapped by dogma - which is living with the results of other people's thinking. Don't let the noise of other's opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary.” Steve Jobs

ENJOY LIFE!

'Carolyn'

The Quilt Collector

You know I am settling when I write twice in one day!

Today - July 17th 2011 - in the New York Times-
a beautiful story of a Collector and her Quilts

Do read and enjoy!

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/17/arts/ardis-butler-james-quilt-collector-dies-at-85.html?_r=1&ref=deathsobituaries

Ardis Butler James - The New York Times - July 17th 2011

The International Quilt Study Centre and Museum www.quiltstudy.org

This article was sent to me by a dear family member who understands 'passion'
Thank you

"Noting great in the world has ever been accomplished without passion"

'Hebbel Quote' - German Poet (1813- 1863)

'Carolyn'

My youngest daughter just graduated from University of Waterloo, Ont. Canada.

---

Two persons fall in love

get married, have kids

Play Dolly House

Alas...

Its play time but....

We have to prepare our kids

for the challenges in the real world

How.....

Through Love

Through Education

Through Security

Then....

Our kids, spread their wings

flying the path of their own journey

Knowing...

we are home always

with open arms!

"Tiffany" Jamaica

----

We visited our favourite spot...St. Jacobs,

a small village outside of Waterloo with quaint little shops.

The main street..maybe 1KM

The summers are full of activities. Farmer's Markets, lots of craft activities

and of course Quilt Show!

My favourites...The Quilt Shops..yes...Quilt shops!

Reichard's...a lovely quilt shop, so friendly and warm.www.reichards.com full of Moda!

The Mennonites trekked from Pennsylvania in the 1700"s in their wagons,

settling in and around St. Jacobs. Hence,

their Quilts, their beautiful handwork can be found in this small village.

St. Jacob's Mennonites Quilts  www.stjacobsmennonitequilts.com

St. Jacobs Country Inn, where we stayed, had on display in the Reception area -  

Quilts hanging on the wall in support of a fundraising for Breast Cancer.

"Quilts on display" St. Jacob, Waterloo Canada

Quilts.....a true sign of Love!

 

'Happy Quilting'

'Carolyn'

Life runs smoothly, routines are perfectly planned,

All of a sudden, there is a twist

Life becomes hectic...but....

joyful!

My hubby and I have just returned from a lovely vacation, driving through the

rolling country sides of England, Wales and Ireland.
I had great plans to hop into a couple Quilt Shops in Ireland.
It was not to be....however, the talents of the Irish was much enjoyed.
When I visit a country I love browsing through the craft stores,

The craftmanship tells me so much about the people, the culture, the talents!

Carolyn and Hubby - Kerry Bog, Ireland

Where there is warmth - there is a quilt!

We are now back home, in Jamaica, safe and sound.

Ready to Quilt, ready to go...

Inspiration everywhere!

'Carolyn'

HAPPY EASTER

TO ALL OF YOU

LOTS AND LOTS OF BLESSINGS

'CAROLYN'

So sorry to be long in writing on my blog.

I have recently finished teaching a Beginner's Class with three amazing ladies!

My journey to introduce quilting to the Caribbean begins here, in Jamaica,
and it has been a wonderful journey. The ladies in this class are going to be amazing quilters!
Thank you...

Sampler's Quilt
designed by
 'Once upon a Quilt'
made in Kingston, JAMAICA

 Have you read Kaffe Fassett 's book 'Quilts in Provence?

Kaffe Fassett is such an inspiration, his use of colours and the simplicity of his patterns

and source of his inspirations are all so overwhelming. Beautiful Quilts and a wonderful read.

http://www.kaffefassett.com/Home.html

I am off to do some quilting will keep you posted

Happy Quilting

'Carolyn'

Today, March 19th, is NATIONAL  QUILTING DAY....

My project for the day...CARIBBEAN QUILTERS, KINGSTON, JAMAICA

In the quilting world we meet other quilters from all over the globe. There is such an amazing bond between us all and a genuine feeling of 'caring'. We have come together in so many ways and through different means to help one another. 'A block' is all it takes...a simple  'Block'  that speaks volumes from the Heart.

Thank you Helosia for your wonderful comment.

"Cute blog! The world of patchwork makes us travel to each point we take in our work. Your blog made ​​me travel as a needle and thread in the fabric. Thanks for sharing. A big hug from southern Brazil, Heloisa"

Speaking of 'Blocks'....my goal has been to introduce the 'Wonderful World  of Quilting' to persons in the Caribbean. I have begun with my island. Jamaica. Tremendous encouragement came from Lisa, http://www.onceuponaquilt.com/, where I bought my Bernina - Thanks Lisa.

Time Ticking Away. KINGSTON, JAMAICA

At the moment, I have an amazing group learning to Quilt - when one strokes their fabric - I know the passion for Quilting will only continue to grow!

As time continues to tick away on National Quilting Day

I would like to wish you all a Happy Quilting Day.

Vision without action is merely a dream. Action without vision just passes the time. Vision with action can change the world! - Joel Arthur Barker

'CAROLYN'

The Hawaiian Quilt

What colour sashing would you use? Would you use a sashing?
We welcome your comments......

Enjoying my Studio

I have been reading my favourite 'Quilting Blogs' and am so thrilled to read
the different ways Quilters tidy their Studio after each project.

Before a new project, I have to be organised.  Here's the problem...
I stroke my fabrics...Ohhh.... I had forgotten this FQ....
Oh My...These Jelly Rolls are so beautiful.....
As for these Layer Cakes.....they would be perfect for 'that pattern' I saw last week...
hmmm... now which Magazine???...with a cup of Blue Mountain coffee....in my chair
flipping through my magazines....This is heavenly!

The fabrics, the magazines, the tools!....

Let me try a Dresden Plate with my Darlene Zimmerman  EZ tool.
This fabric is perfect.......

What have I been doing?  My head is about to explode with all the ideas..so..one step at a time..

I have to regroup... so off I go to the hills.....of Jamaica.

THE VIEW FROM NEWCASTLE -  JAMAICA

Our beautiful island in the sun...we have the best of both worlds
The beaches and the hills........

NEWCASTLE - JAMAICA

Time spent by yourself is never wasted, see the gate open, walk the path

and enjoy your journey.

'CAROLYN'

A Brief History of Hawaiian Quilting........



It was in the 1800’s when missionary women brought bolts of  fabrics and steel needles from their sea voyage. They taught the Hawaiian people how to make patchwork quilts. The Hawaiians, did not see the point in taking these bolts of fabrics, cutting them into small pieces and sewing them together again! How senseless they thought!

The children were taught how to cut snowflake patterns from folded paper. The Hawaiians found this method of folding a more efficient way to create the designs which they were already printing on their bark cloth Kapas.

The story goes...One day while having one of their "sewing bees" in the shade of the Breadfruit tree, the shadow cast by the tree inspired the Hawaiians to create the first "Hawaiian Quilt" by cutting out the design seen in the shadow, from one large piece of fabric. The pattern was then appliqued onto another piece of fabric creating the quilt top. The beautiful gardens of the island were the inspirations for their many patterns. The ‘echo’ hand quilting around the various patterns epics the ripples of the Sea.

The "Breadfruit’ was the Beginning....

'The Hawaiian Quilt' by Carlene Ramprashad, Kingston, JAMAICA

HENCE! My friend Carlene, who loves appliqué and has done some amazing quilts, has begun her Hawaiian Quilt journey, starting with the Breadfruit......according to the Hawaiians ‘The beginning of a spiritual journey’

We in Jamaica have to thank Captain William Bligh (1754-1817)

for our beautiful 'Breadfruit Trees'. 

In Jamaica, there is nothing nicer than a roasted

‘Yellow Heart’ Breadfruit!

“A journey of 1,000 miles must begin with one step.”

~ Chinese Proverb Quotes

Happy Quilting

'CAROLYN'

The Importance of a Stash

"Didi" pillow case designed and made by Jeannie, Kingston, Jamaica

This pillow case was made with love,

a scrappy quilted pillow case

with fabrics from ones own stash!

----------------------------------

One of my students, I have to admit, is now a "Quilter"
What is a Quilter?

A Quilter is someone who begins to panic at the speed of time!

So many Quilts to make....

Each Quilt a challenge and a learning curve....

The stroking of fabrics.....

Inspiration all around us!

The Quilting design on 'Didi' pillow case by 'Carolyn' Kingston, Jamaica



“Being happy doesn't mean that everything is perfect. It means that you've decided to look beyond the imperfections.” -author unknown

BE HAPPY!

'CAROLYN'

Where has the first month of the year gone!

I am in the process of preparing a 'Beginners'

quilting class for a few ladies who would like

to join 'The Wonderful World Of Quilting'

I am so delighted.....

Jamaicans are so creative....a small island we are, rich with talents!

Earlier this month we stayed at a Hotel on our beautiful country side.

In the lobby were two benches with these beautiful embroidered cushions,

made by a 'local' lady.

Our long tail Humming Bird, Our National Bird, is noted in a lot of our craft work.

Hence, I could not resist designing and making a Quilt with our Humming Bird.



'THE PINEAPPLE QUILT' - DESIGNED AND MADE BY 'CAROLYN'
APPLIQUED BY 'CARLENE'



The Pineapple Quilt was donated and designed for a Charitable Organization in Jamaica.

My friend 'Carlene' designed and did the Applique Work, her work is just amazing!

......the Humming Bird was a must!

Happy Quilting

'CAROLYN'


"You give but little when you give of your possessions. It is when you give of yourself that you truly give."

Kahlil Gibran

HAPPY NEW YEAR


A new day has adjourn – it’s the beginning of a New Year –
As we leave 2010 let us take the positive forward leaving the negative to fade into the past

 – it’s now history!

As we move forward many of us are thinking about our goals for 2011.

Over the years,  I have written my goals on paper, imprinted them visually in my mind,

putting the paper in a  ‘safe place’.  

I marvel at the achievements at the end of each year.

Today, I shall embark on a new journey –

the creation of a ‘Vision Board’

What is a Vision Board?

A Vision Board is a poster or cork board on which you paste images that you have torn out of magazines, or created yourself. The idea is to surround yourself with images of who you want to become, what you want to achieve physically, mentally and spiritually for yourself, places you want to go and the quality of life you so desire. Most importantly, what you wish to attract into your life.  

'You control your thoughts; do not let your thoughts control you! '

As I say goodbye to 2010, I look at my ‘Quilt House’,
the windows that have been closed for the season,
I look forward to opening them with great Joy.

Bella - CaribbeanQuilters, Kingston JAMAICA

My Rottweiler, Bella, awaits my company, he loves the music, the smell of my candle and the whirring sound of the sewing machine. He loves the peace and tranquility of positive creation.



Christmas Quilts - made by 'Carolyn'
pattern from Quiltmania Magazine



I pack away my Christmas quilts, a new year has begun.......

 New Quilts will be made, New techniques to be learnt,
and of course New fabrics and ideas!

Enjoy!

Lots of Blessings,

Happy Quilting

‘Carolyn'