Finding Joy

I have been a quiltmaker since the age of eleven -- of course, as a youth not to the extent that it is a part of my life today.  I have always tried to find some joy in every day beginning with my relationships with God, my family, and our home.  Quilting, especially in times of uncertainty, has been a way to express that joy in my life. This is my most recent effort with considerable thought and time as to some of the simple, joyful things in my life past and present!

Here is "Finding Joy".  My artistic grandson and I have bantered back and forth by text about that it is really not a quilt, but an art installation.  But, I have always considered myself a quiltmaker playing with fabric, loving to sew, and making quilts; and certainly not as an artist!  It is just what I do.

The Concept:

Joy can be elusive; it is sometimes hard to find in the simple things of life.  It is necessary to really search for it on some days.  Therefore, I decided this mini-quilt would be rolled up on my grandmother's rolling pin in order to necessitate a search to unravel those pockets of joy from my life.  There are twelve blocks, six to each side,  plus 23 dangles of little things I've accumulated over the years that have brought me joy.

The techniques involved include machine foundation piecing, machine embroidery, machine quilting, with a little handwork.  The fabrics are scraps from previous quilts and clothes from years past. The drawings were scanned from the originals and printed on fabric. The blocks are 7" square.

The Result:

The Blocks:

Block #1 Side #1.  Our grandson is in the Navy now; and this drawing was on the back of his first letter to us during boot camp.  After several weeks of Navy-imposed noncommunication, this was a joy to finally be able to communicate with him.

B #2, S #1.  Celebrating my joy of playing with fabric and fussy cutting.

B #3, S #1. In the 1950s, I typed this 'Essentials of life' with a picture of my boyfriend (now my husband of 62 years) and put it into my billfold where it has remained all these years reminding me of the important things every day.

B #4, S #1.  The joy of a quilting challenge brings joy and accomplishment.

B #5, S #1.  The math aspect of quilting always brings joy to the day for me.

B #6, S #1.  Doodling is a joyous, relaxing activity.  This is one doodle of several I did, then transferred onto a quilt in 2003. 

B #7, S #2.  Living in Canon City for 40 years has been a joy.  This is a stamp I had made of a simple doodle of our Royal Gorge Bridge to use as a signature on my quilts.

B #8, S #2.  This is a drawing by my grandson that he recently sent me.  I have made previous quilts with drawings by both my grandson and granddaughter.  These little gifts from them are always a joy and warms my heart.

B #9, S #2.  The little drawing by my granddaughter 18 years ago gives me joy even today as I type this.

B #10, S #2.  The fabric on the outer two ribs resulted from an art project my granddaughter did in middle school.  It started out as paint on a textured piece of paper towel.  I then scanned the painting, and transferred it to white fabric.  I have always found joy in collaborating with my grandchildren even if it is just loaning my paints and modpodge to them (and never getting them back)!!!

B #11, S #2.  A piece of applique gone wrong -- even mistakes can bring joy -- always a learning experience.

B #12, S #2.  Finally and most important -- the joy I find in my Christian faith.

The Dangles:

The dangles are from many sources, including from my grandmothers' button boxes and broken pieces of my Mother's jewelry.  These four beads are from a bracelet my granddaughter as a preschooler made for me -- "I love Grammy Sally".  What joy!

Two precious belongings -- the tiny brass frame was part of my childhood doll house.  And, the pencil stub sharpened at both ends belonged to our grandson. I had picked him up from 1st grade; and we settled down to do a little homework and the pencil appeared. I promptly gave him a new pencil, and he was a happy camper!   He said they didn't have any pencils at home???????  I couldn't throw that stub away as the sight of that wonderful, tiny left hand persevering to write with it brings joy to my heart.

The Photo Shoot:

The quilt unfurled - Side 1

Side 2 unfurled

This project highlights only a small part of the joyous experiences I have had during my lifetime.  Not referenced in this project, but a large part of my joy stems from our two children, Mike and Jenni.  I need to do another "Finding Joy" quilt project in the future for them -- perhaps one with photographs.

 FIND JOY IN YOUR LIFE!