REJOICE for RACHEL

“REJOICE for RACHEL!”

This is the first quilt in a series I am planning… dedicating an art quilt to each of several Sisters and Friends.

REJOICE!  That’s what I feel everytime I see this lovely young lady, RACHEL. I rejoice! So this art quilt is dedicated to her!  (And it is her birthday gift too!)  This young lady was part of a girls basketball team that won their school’s first-ever Class C basketball championship several years ago – their highschool has only 32 kids in it!  She now plays college basketball at MSU-Bozeman, MT.  (GO BOBCATS!) Charming, warm-hearted, strong, faithful, and FULL of  vibrancy our Rachel is… beautiful, athletic, and a good friend to others;  she’s a hard worker,  (see how she can help her Uncle John vaccinate cows!)  

That vaccinating gun is “hot!”

Charming, and warm-hearted!  I am so fortunate to know her, and we and the rest of the girls have an awesome blessing of spending time together at Flathead Lake whenever we can. Moms and girls… we’ve had the huge blessing to share some absolutely fabulous memories together! I love you Rach! 

It’s a fairly small quilt; approximately 8×10″ is painted on a muslin base using tissue paper, and acrylic paints.

Free motion couching adds dimension and texture in a very free-wheeling way!  Lovely fabric flowers are fused on.  Heavy bobbin play in pink for added visual interest.  By now you know there is lots on this blog about Bobbin Play, couching, metallic threads! 

I loved this sweet little birdie posed on a “wire” or branch of decorative stitches! This quilt is finished with a very “free” bound edge… the fabric is simply folded over, and stitched somewhat randomly!  FUN FUN FUN!

Detail of Bird and Decorative stitches in “RACHEL”

I really had to challenge myself to get out of that ‘perfect box’ — it truly is entrapment!   So I let my stitches BE imperfect, meandering, and decided I could just do a decorative stitch and STOP in the middle of the line if I felt like it!

OH… AH… how I really ENJOYED doing it!  Couching… bobbin play… no ‘perfect’ plan… just being… FREE!  Much like Rachel!

I love her freckles and pearls… right at home on the ranch!

Detail of Free Motion Couching onto the Fabric Flowers — HOW FUN IS THAT! Thank you Lord, for Rachel!  Bless her as she continues to grow, learn and be your LIGHT! Amen!