Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Shannon's First Quilt!


I have to show you the fabulous quilt my friend Shannon finished today. Shannon is not a quilter, or at least she wasn't, but I'd say she is now! She wanted to make a quilt for her little boy and asked if I would help. Shannon is the kind of person that wants to do it herself and learn along the way, and wouldn't expect me to do it for her, and I love that kind of person, so of course I said yes!

Shannon knew exactly what she wanted and didn't even buy a pattern. She is a trained architect, so she got on her computer and drew up her own picture of how she wanted the quilt to look, then bought it to me and said, "This is what I want"! It was simple enough...except for all the applique. She wanted to applique all different modes of transportation onto the blocks - eg a train, firetruck, plane etc. Shannon's parents ride Harleys so of course there had to be a Hog like Grandma's in the quilt...Now remember, Shannon was an absolute beginner, but eager to learn, so I showed her how to needleturn. The next time I saw her, perhaps a week later, she had done about half the blocks already! She was amazing and took to the needleturn like a duck to water. And I only showed her how to do it once. She finished up her applique blocks and got the whole top put together, then it was time to quilt. Now what do you think a beginner quilter would do? Straight lines? In the ditch? Simple, simple, right? Oh no, not Shannon. I knew from her natural ability to applique that she would do great with free motion, so I set her up at my machine and showed her how to do free-motion words and squiggles, and well, you can see the results:) Isn't it amazing for a first quilt??? I think anything she tries next will be easy. She has already done the hard parts - hand applique and free-motion quilting!

Doesn't it look awesome on her son's bed?!And look, she even made a matching pillowcase that says, "Vroom"

The best part of these past few weeks though has been that Shannon has been at my house quite often - usually 3 hours once or twice a week for the last month or so, and we've had a great time talking, gossiping (oh no surely we wouldn't do that??!!) and just having fun. She has to start another project just so we can keep up with our weekly girl time:)

Shannon also has her own jewellery making business and makes gorgeous stuff. I am totally promoting her on my own here, (she didn't ask me to) because I honestly love her things. She made me a necklace and 2 pairs of earrings to thank me for helping her with her quilt, and they are just perfect for me! She also took some of the little purses I made for the craft fair back here, and embellished them and is selling them. It's just amazing how great she made them look. From this...to this...She also has different ones over on her site.

Anyway, I am off tomorrow to visit my quilting friend Anna in Maryland, just out of DC, and I am beside myself with excitement! A whole week + of quilting and doing the whole touristy thing. I've never been there, so it's very exciting! The kids, hers and mine, are beside themselves!! If you don't all hear from me for a wee while then you'll know why;) I'm sure I'll return with some great stories and photos to share!

18 comments:

Karen said...

Shannon has lots of talent, and a really good teacher;) Sounds like you're in for a great weekend. Look forward to seeing your pics when you get back. Have fun;)

busy lizzie said...

Wow I can't believe that is the first quilt she has made. Incredible. A natural, and obviously she has a very good teacher!! Im going to look up needlenturning now. Have fun in DC, by the time you read this you may have already flown off into the wild blue yonder! :)

antique quilter said...

LOVE Shannons story and quilt
Tell Anna I said HI!
make sure you take pictures of her quilts
I am looking forward to seeing her work again...does she have a blog? website???
She was designing her own patterns and teaching is she still???
thanks
Kathie

Lisa said...

Kudos to Shannon!!! have fun with Anna!

Nedra said...

Wow. That is your friend's 1st quilt? And she machine quilted it too? I'm impressed.
Have a wonderful trip.

crafty diane said...

What a fantastic quilt! She did a super job for it being her first!
Blessings,
Diane

Mary on Lake Pulaski said...

Hey, give some credit to the awesome teacher too! You BOTH did an amazing job teaching and learning. Have a great trip to DC, I have great memories of bringing my kids there - they loved it and still talk about it.

Brenda said...

You should not be posting all kinds of Kudos for that overachieving Shannon. She is a bad role model for us beginners! Like who does she think she is whipping out a bed sized quilt, with turn under applique and then quilting it too? The freakin nerve! How do you think that makes us "normal" beginners feel? Now I'm all depressed! LOL!
Tell her to stick to bedazzling, until I catch up with her "beginner lever" skills. What's she gonna do next? Make her entry for the Lowell Quilt Show? The nerve! hahaha.
Now I have to go get me one of those bedazzled bags before they sell out my favorite is the orange, of course!

Shannon said...

Wow! Thanks for the great comments. I had a lot of fun making the quilt for my son, and now have to start on another for boy #2. Joanna is a great teacher, but really just hanging out was the best! If you'd like to purchase one of the Swarovski studded pocket purses please do so through my website www.freewebs.com/jmstudiocharms

Trisha said...

Wow, Shannon rocks! I hope this is the beginning of a love affair between her and quilting. With all that natural talent, it would be a shame if she didn't keep going with it.

Have fun on your trip!!

Sherri said...

Yay for Shannon!!! And have fun on your trip...I've never been to the DC area either...and I'd love to someday!

Lindsey said...

Unbelieveable first quilt...very cute...a keepsake for sure....Can you imagine the feeling her son gets when he crawls into bed? Magical.

jacquie said...

good for her and what a good friend you are! sure wish you could teach me needleturn.

Marie Rayner said...

I am playing catch up here this morning Joanna. What a lovely quilt Shannon has made! I just love it. I love all the quilts and fabrics and goodies I have seen here this morning. They're all so very beautiful. You are one very talented quilter! I, too, hope that you have a great weekend away in DC! Springtime in Washington is very beautiful I hear!

Nanette Merrill said...

This quilt is really darling. I love it. And the little pouch is so cute.

Teresa said...

Wow..great job Teach! Looks like you had an exceptional student too. The quilt is wonderful.

Mary said...

I just found your blog - love it! How fun to have a quilt buddy that's so talented. That's an amazing first quilt.

And I love your little purselets that she embellished, both before and after --

Gwendie

Absolutely Ladylike said...

Oh this is so so beautiful...how fantastic is to "work" together with your friend :-) I need to do that often. I'm into cross stiching lately and I love it! I love to do handwork and decorate my home with it (never made quilt before). Fantastic job and I "envy" you a little bit for this experience. Love: Evi