the nova scotia quilting mafia

...and my mother? She’s the godfather. Teacher, retreat organizer, gallery star, historian, ball-busting unionized steveodore complete with warm-from-the-oven rhubarb swirl cake. All that and she’ll whip up a mobile in a weekend, ‘just a little something’ (or at least littler than a handpieced, handquilted 20-year warmth-giving work of art), and there it hangs at our front door, swinging and spinning with every arrival or screendoor breeze.

I know, I’m bragging. But she’s my mom. And she loves polka dots. And stripes. And she points to the little one all by himself at the very bottom, the blue one, and says that one’s for Liam, you see, there are his stars. I got the fabric from an old pair of flannel boxer shorts from Frenchy’s.

Memory box shmemory box. This is love, right now, that of a grandmother.

++++++++

This week, I’d love to see your creative shots of creativity—funky weekend projects, canvases, fabric creations, sketches, cakes—yours, or someone else’s. Tell us about it—where did the idea come from? Did it turn out as you’d hoped? Nothing against utilitarian snapshots, but can you capture it with the verve it deserves?

'Cause the more we see each other retreating to create art that’s not needed but wanted, the more likely we’re apt to postpone vaccuming that can wait. And that, my friends, is time finely spent.

Comments

[Jeana]

I had just cut this out and was taking a break before I got ready to sew when I read your post - such a stunning photo of your mum's work!
Hope I get to finish my quilt soon...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jeanamarie31/2644467697/

[Meryl]

Where do you take a picture of a felt fried egg that was made for absolutely no other purpose than to make a grown woman smile?

Why in a frying pan, of course!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/blackbird13/2236219906/in/set-72157603833826606/

[laura - dolcepics]

The bird mobile is exquisite as is your photo of it. Just beautiful! Your mother has such talent. I'm not very crafty but my dad made a quick pinwheel for his granddaughter one time. I love the simpleness of it's beauty.

http://www.dolcepics.com/dailypic/pinwheel/

[Marcie]

There's not a lot of 'crafty' that goes on in my life. A little outdoor flower arranging can go a long ways from distracting me from the househole chores that are waiting;

http://www.marciescudderphotography.com/index.php?showimage=447

Love the quilted mobile!

[Tracie]

I love those birds. Love them!

This is a photo of an experiment that started out as a whim at my kitchen table--and then grew into something more. I made it entirely from recycled materials. Making this new thing opened a door for me and has changed the way I am approaching my next body of work. That is exciting for me!

http://tracienolesross.com/sketchbook/?p=136

[amanda]

Sometimes the best canvas turns out to be... a toddler tummy?

http://amanda.smugmug.com/gallery/5074529_tpZXV/1/308221710_VQdox/Medium

[carrie]

cool idea! My mom can also whip up fabulous creations with fabric. I didn't inherit that skill, but I draw and instead of showing you a picture of one of those, here's a self portrait of me working on one of my portrait orders.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/carrielouise/2051883014/

[Sarah-Ji]

I've always envied folks who could create things with their hands. What a beautiful mobile your mother made!

Here's a photos of some balls of rag strips at my friends' apartment. I just thought they looked beautiufl sitting on the shelf. I'd display these as works of art in my home.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/sierraromeo/2603462508/in/set-72157605766789531/

[Andie]

I always take a picture of the finished painting and also of the painting still on the easil. Something about the latter has it's own "interestingness".
http://www.flickr.com/photos/21551925@N05/2312414771/in/set-72157603385446667/
a.

[heatherfeather]

Back when I used to be able to take self-portraits I found quite a bit of joy in taking a picture of myself in something I made by hand from a perspective that made it seem as though someone else had captured the moment.

This is my shot with the most views on all of Flickr and my favorite thing I have ever made. Annie Modesitt is a fantastic designer and worthy of enormous praise!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/swandive00/186721161/

[camerashymomma]

Handiwork + art = imagination!
Dare I share?

Here’s my boy turned dragon:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/camerashymomma/2631357222/

and he dreams of the sea, of ships and mermaids:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/camerashymomma/2590324566/

I say these are for him, but they are momma’s love of owls:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/camerashymomma/2264537806/

[nicky thomas]

Hello Shutter sisters

Here's something from our pottery class

http://flickr.com/photos/8034108@N07/2645674745/

great fun had making it.

We also have 2 quilts designed by my mother in law, Ann. Cedar got hers a couple of years ago and Izzy got hers on the day of Ann's funeral. Ann knew she would be too ill to finish it so she asked her sister in law to finish it off. Apparently she also designed one for Juniper.

Here is a corner of Cedars heavenly quilt
http://www.flickr.com/photos/nickythomasphotography/2440951549/
and the back (musical notes because her daddy is a musician)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/nickythomasphotography/2317802315/

have a lovely day

nicky

[Jen - beebee mod]

You know my creative niche...it's on your little one. I love this mobile idea. Jeez!!! Thanks for the link. xo

[Daisy Sharrock]

I'm kind of with Marcie, I don't find myself immersed in crafts too often, but I garden something fierce. It is my creative wonderland and currently these are inspiring me to greater heights of creativity:

http://www.sharrock.net/2008/07/salmonella-free.html

[mnkathy]

{{{sigh}}} I am in awe of your mother. The way you write about her makes her sound like the fairy grandmother every little boy or girl deserves. You and your boys are so very lucky...

Here are a few photos of my "creative" endeavours. Kinda sorry, but it's all I got. I am pretty proud of the first one! :)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/25773211@N07/2646812830/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/25773211@N07/2646814610/in/photostream/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/25773211@N07/2646814048/in/photostream/

[Lawyer Mama]

Most of the craftiness that happens in our house is done by my toddlers:

http://flickr.com/photos/lawyermama/2521474190/in/set-72157603643073069/
http://flickr.com/photos/lawyermama/2518710723/in/set-72157603643073069/
http://flickr.com/photos/lawyermama/2521473166/in/set-72157603643073069/

[Sharon]

Baking and photography are two of my passions, so naturally I love to photograph what I have concocted. My childrens' birthdays are probably my favorite baked good to take pictures of, because there is always so much whimsy.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/queenofsheba/2646075657/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/queenofsheba/2646077321/in/photostream/

[e.darcy]

I was sleep deprived, clicking away on the internet. and stumbled across inspiration-
I knew that I had to give it a try, and I am so pleased with the way he turned out!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/edarcy/2630000247/in/set-72157605926113836/

[Steph]

First Thanksgiving as a married couple, first time hosting my parents in our home... and the first time I made anything from scratch. Apple pie with our new monogram. You can see the look of shock and disbelief on my mothers face behind me.

The camera was set up perfectly for dinner table shots... and this one!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/stephwiese/2646291835/

[The Other Laura]

Sock and a half

http://www.flickr.com/photos/laurahealy/2646474789/

[Chris]

I've been feeling a bit creative lately which is unusual for me but circumstances moved me to do it.
http://myphotographiclife.blogspot.com/2008/07/feeling-creative.html

[mika]

i started several projects yesterday... making some ribbon leis and summer postcards...but...have no photos to share quite yet...hopefully, i will have some up soon... happy creativity :)

[brandi]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/dandelionseeds/2648227734/

I talk about the meaning in the description. The theme has been so important to me lately.

[Julie Alvarez]

Hello, sisters!
I am in the midst of lots of projects at the same time, preparing myself for a design fair, and a show (I am a singer).
Here are some of the things I'm making right now:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/juliealvarez/2638448080/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/juliealvarez/2638461248/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/juliealvarez/2629603050/
And the tale of my busy week here:
http://juliealvarez.blogspot.com/2008/07/semana-ocupada-busy-week.html
See you tomorrow.
Julie

[Teri]

Love the shot - love the mobile!! I wish your mother would adopt us b/c that mobile would look amazing in my toddlers bedroom. My daughters room is decorated with flowers and birds.

What a sweet blog today. =)

[kristine]

Here's what I am working on...
http://laundrynotes.blogspot.com/2008/07/moving-along.html

[Stacy]

You mother did a fantastic job on that mobile and you photographed it beautifully.

I am always sewing up items - mostly clothes that I design for my daughter. Now that she is becoming more independent she is not as apt to wear the dresses. *sigh*

These are some of my favorite action shots:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/kraft/2289715823/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kraft/2566994028/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kraft/1811787801/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kraft/1330833622/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kraft/1125555157/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kraft/832211799/

Sorry...that was way too many! :)

[Danielle Neale]

Hi there and congratulations on a gorgeous squarespace - my jaw is dropped and I am in awe of your talented selves. Go sisters! I have loved photography all my life and always wished my thousands of shots would one day amount to something. There is a substantial difference between my shots and the ones shown here but when I read the shooting from the hip tips; (cause I am the angles queen, I'll shoot from the ankle if I think it will look good) I though maybe it's not my technique that's lacking but my equipment,. Currently I used a dented and well worked 6.0 megapixel digital fully automated point and soot happy snaps type number. I was thinking of buying a digital SLR but I wouldn't know where to start - any tips you might be able to share would be greatly appreciated - thanks so much and happy clicking to all!

[Lani]

Oh wow! I live in Prospect, NS and haunt the Sacville Frenchy's! AND we have quilting mafia here too!! Ha!!