Friday, November 29, 2013

Chloe's Quilt


The story of how my first quilt, Chloe's quilt has come about is as follows.

My name is Carla and I live in Tropical North Queensland outside the small town of Bartle Frere. My husband and I have a small farm there.

Beginning 2011 we had cyclone Yassi come through which did a lot of damage outside, but most importantly took out a small vanilla plantation.

A few months later our beloved dog Chloe, at only 4 years old was diagnosed with a malignant colon cancer which was a terrible blow. As my husband has to work away from home a lot I decided I needed to do something for myself to help me to deal with this situation.

Inspired by the movie Julie & Julia I thought to teach myself something new, challenging and give myself a year to do it. (Like Julie in the movie cooking every recipes from Julia Child's book within the year)

A quilt I thought and stumbled on the Glorious colour website, could not look at any other option but Roseville Album by Kim Mclean, was it even possible to make something so beautiful? A starters pack and pattern was ordered and I started my quilt June 2011.

What a journey it has been, I kept going and going coming to the end I decided to take the first 3 blocks out and rebalance the quilt.

Hand appliqued, machine pieced, hand quilted and finished early this year. Last but not least Chloe is happy and healthy which is just a miracle!  Without the inspiration of Kim's stunning work and designs and all glorious applique contributors I feel I would not have pulled it off. 

A big thanks to you all. 
Carla 



As shared with me from Carla! It's positively AMAZING!!! And, so...sew GLAD to learn Chloe is well!!! : ) Piecefully, Pam




19 comments:

  1. I am so sorry that bad things brought you to quilting, but it does the same thing for the rest of us. We can sit with needle and thread---and release some of the bad karma in our world & think about positive things while we create something with our own hands. What a bright and beautiful quilt you have created & finished!! Glad Chloe is doing well. I hope you continue to quilt---you have a knack for it. Judy

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  2. What a beautiful quilt Carla! and glad Chloe is doing well too. I love your story also, you sure have pulled a feat. Have you not done any applique before? Love your fabric choices too. I learnt to applique with Elli Sienkiewicz's book in front of me and a mirror as I'm left handed, there was no YouTube at the time! K

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  3. Oh Carla it is just beautiful! Congratulations on such a stunning quilt and on the dedication to push through... It really is beautiful. Glad to hear that your doggie is doing fine too. What a wonderful story. Take care now. Karen on Keuka

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  4. Carla is a natural!! So beautiful! So glad to hear about Chloe, too. Thanks for this inspiring story.

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  5. I've been waiting for your quilt to show up on the blog Carla.

    It's such a beautiful quilt and what an excellent idea to down-size it a little bit, very clever indeed. Really happy to hear that Chloe is in good health now.

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  6. What a lovely story, the quilt is gorgeous and such an amazing job too. So happy to hear Chloe is well.

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  7. What a touching story about Chloe and what a beautiful response in your finished quilt. Let this be the beginning of many pleasurable years of applique projects.

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  8. Happy to hear Chloe is doing well and what a big undertaking but you sure pulled it off. The quilt is beautiful.

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  9. Thank you for your moving and inspirational story. I am so glad that Chloe is doing so well and absolutely love the quilting you are doing!

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  10. Fantastic, Carla! What an impressive first quilt. Congratulations!

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  11. Just beautiful well done glad your little furry friend is ok .

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  12. So glad Chloe is doing well, and your quilt is phenomenal!

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  13. Carla: your first quilt is a masterpiece. Great job. You've may have found a new passion. Best of luck.

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  14. Such a beautifully made quilt, Carla! I am stunned to think this is your first quilt. I hope you will be able to make your next quilt with more positive motivation. So happy to hear that Chloe is doing well.

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  15. Huge congrats!!!! your quilt is totally awesome. What a prize.....

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  16. Congratulations! That is amazing! I am still trying to perfect a leaf shape!

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  17. Wonderful job! Appliqué is a great comfort. So happy Chloe is doing well.

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  18. Your dog is a miracle, and your quilt is just perfect. I'm so happy for you!

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  19. This is beautiful work, really lovely :)

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