Fun and Inspiration with Mary Ellen Hopkins

Back in the early 1980's I was a new quilter. My husband was watching the children while I spent a Saturday at a WQI meeting (Wis Quilters Inc.) At the time, the members had to bring their own lunch to eat between the morning lecture and the afternoon speaker.  This particular meeting, Mary Ellen Hopkins was the speaker for both time slots.  I had no idea what was in store for me that day.

Mary Ellen Hopkins

What a treat, she was a stand up comedienne/quilter.  This was the first day I was ever hit with a big idea, inspiration that kicked off my own colorful quilting career.  Mary Ellen was so funny, her entire talk was lots of fun.  She started to talk about finding a colorful splashy fabric that could be cut up into half squares; arrange the pieces and sew them back together! Just one fabric, not 5, 10 or 20! This is when the inspiration hit.

Only the day before I had been shopping in a local chain store and seen a red, blue and yellow print that I loved, but couldn't figure out what to do with it. You can guess what I did. The very next day, I drove to that store and purchased some of that fabric*.  I set the triangles in a black border and was absolutely thrilled with the result and ready to create another. This quilt led to another, and another, and you get the idea. 

Closeup of a similar quilt, using one fabric and sewing it together.

Mary Ellen has recently died.  She taught, lectured, and wrote books and articles that entertained and inspired quilters around the world.  I was one of them.  Thanks Mary Ellen.

Symphony of Color by Ann Fahl

*Ann no longer has the quilt that was inspired this day.  It was called "Fun with Triangles."  There is no photo of it, but it is in the collection of Wheaton Franciscan Hospital in Racine.  The fabric scraps, if there were any, were all cut up into triangles and used up! Some of Ann's more recent triangle pieces can be seen on her website. Half squares will always be an important part of her quilts.

Crisis in Orange

Here we are, Christmas is almost here. Everything should be red and green and sparkly.  So what's the problem?

You know I love the color orange.  It used to be my least loved color, but today it has become part of my repertoire. When I look back at my childhood, how could I have left that orange crayon in the box unused? Below, you will find an anatomically correct, Oreo, walking under some giant coneflowers on a warm background. Actually this was made of leftovers, but it is a really successful quilt.

Under the Giant Coneflowers, (c) quilt by Ann Fahl

Years back, before "Under" was created, the members of the quilt/art list helped me extend my selection of orange fabrics by sending me orange squares to create this colorful piece. I was hoping for 100 squares, but I actually received more than 300.  Wow, That's Orange is one of my top 10 favorite quilts in my career. There is more of the story on my website.

Wow that's Orange, (c) quilt by Ann Fahl

So what's the problem?  I'm wearing an orange top and jacket today; and I needed to wear my only pair of orange socks; my friend Sally gave them to me a few years ago. When I put them on, I realized there were holes in each heel, but I wore them anyhow! It's about time for these socks to go, sooooo sad, because I love them.  I guess I know what I'll put on my list for Santa!

Ann's favorite orange socks

 It is a sad day, but I will recover!

Merry Orange Holidays to everyone.
Ann Fahl

It's Party Central at My House!

Party Girl, a quilt by Ann Fahl

We never go out for New Year's Eve any more.  I prefer sitting down with a Diet Coke with fresh lime and watch a good movie.  Oreo however likes to celebrate in a much more active fashion.  This quilt was made in 2002 when her favorite "doll" was much more attractive and the little plastic balls are scattered all over the floor.  She will party with some catnip this evening. 

Here's how the doll "appears" in the quilt.

Being conservative, we always keep our celebrations small and not too boisterous! Here is Oreo's doll.  Don't let this happen to you! 

This is her "fav" doll as it exists 2011.  It's kind of a mess, but she loves it.

Happy New Year.

Ann Fahl

A Really Old Chistmas Quilt

Christmas Jewels, (c) 1988, hand quilted, 67 x 81 inches

My best friend Linda and I met in 1983.  We were so much alike it was almost creepy.  She had 3 boys I had two.  She had oriental rugs in her house and so did I.  We even had the same set of family room furniture.  In about 1987, when all the boys were still young, Linda and I took an afternoon to go to a quilt shop and pick out 5 fabrics to use in a quilt.  Here are the rules:

• The blocks had to be 12 inches
• The five fabrics had to be used, but we could add several more light colored fabrics
• She was to choose 6 blocks and I did too
• We were to exchange a block every month or two
• This was secret, we could not share with each other anything about the quilt until each of our quilt tops were finished.

There were no guidelines as to how the blocks were to be put together.  Because we had so much in common we figured out that the tops would look almost alike when finished!  It took quite a bit of time, but the day came for the unveiling of the new tops.  Mine was set in this dark red and green Gutcheon print with the blocks on point; and Linda's was set on "square" with blocks and sashing in a light colored fabric.  You really have to study the two quilts to realize the similarities.

While at coffee, Linda mentioned this year, that she always hangs "our" quilt up at Christmas in her entryway. So I decided to dig mine out too.  It is such a joy to have such a friendly treasure!

Both quilts were pictured in two different Quilting magazines  Quilter's Newsletter Dec 93, and Quilt World 1997.  If you have some archives at home, you might find these!

Have a wonderful holiday with family and friends.

Ann Fahl

Red and Green for Halloween!

Last Christmas I showed you a photo of my cactus in bloom.  It is a huge show piece.  Well now it is also ready for Halloween.  Because of its size,  it no longer goes outside.  It's too darn heavy.  However, late summer it started to sprout a beautiful red and green coleus plant, which had been near it the year before. 

So my Christmas Cactus wishes you a Happy Halloween.

Ann's Christmas Cactus with Coleus all dressed up for trick-or-treat!

I'm wearing my pumpkin necklace, skull earrings, orange t-shirt and socks.  Get all dressed up in your costume and have a chocolate filled trick-or-treat.

Ann Fahl

National Pecan Pie Day and Other Things

Today I heard on the radio, it was National Pecan Pie Day , I cannot let this day pass without making a comment or two.  My mother was a top notch classical pianist,  not the best cook in the world!  Several times she made a pecan pie for a Thanksgiving dinner. It was really yummy, even though it wasn't chocolate!  So celebrate this day by having a small slice of pecan pie and a cup of tea.  Close your eyes and remember all the good times that accompanied that pie.  I'm so sorry that I don't have a piece of pie pictured on a quilt to show you; or to eat on this special day.

This new birdhouse decorates the counter in my kitchen!

This past weekend I had another book signing at Winona Lake IN.  I am done having book signings as they are lots of work, for the number of books sold. This event was in conjunction with my cousin's Vintage Cottage Antique & Collectable sale.  Wow, the people really turned out. My cousin Janet sold all kinds of stuff; from an old dining room table and chairs to a designer sweater.  Looking at all the great collectables was fascinating. I did purchase a birdhouse, that I now have in my kitchen, made by Bob Shull a Warsaw area woodworker.

This summer, it seems like I've been doing lots of gardening.  The geraniums on my deck are spectacular this year.  Every summer about the Fourth of July they are loaded with blooms. This year is no different.

Here's my container garden on the deck.  I love the sundial/birdbath nestled in the center of the flower pots.

After many weeks of no sewing, I have finally returned to my sewing machine. It feels good!  I'm quilting a small wallhanging for my upcoming solo exhibit at the LaConner Quilt and Textile Museum in WA.  You'll have to wait to see a photo of it.

I hope you are having an interesting summer.

Ann