Sunday, May 15, 2011

A Day with Gwen

Yesterday I got to take a class with Gwen Marston! It was all about making 19th century applique. Here she is with one of her early pieces. I love Gwen's approach, steeped in history and playful at the same time. She is an excellent teacher and a real joy to be around.


Gwen and Tonya are buddies. So I brought one of my blocks from Tonya's book, Word Play Quilts.


Here's the piece I started in class. I thought I was going to make something else, but I was so inspired by Gwen's work and the older applique she showed.


When Gwen suggested we start with a vase, this picture came to mind. Can you tell?


Meanwhile, the Pojagi is growing. I'm thinking about adding a few more inches so it will fit in the back door window.

25 comments:

Unknown said...

Glad you had a fantastic time! I love the piece that you started, strikingly similar to the actual vase. The Pojagi is fantastic!

Sherrill said...

OH, you're so lucky. I was supposed to take her 'Parts Dept.' workshop a month ago with the Dallas guild but I got pneumonia and had to cancel! WAH!

Tonya Ricucci said...

I'm so envious. woohoo!!! Gwennie is sooo cute. love your quilt and the plaid is fab for the vase.

Pinkadot Quilts said...

Wow what a fun class that must have been! Your tulips in the case are wonderful!

Victoria Findlay Wolfe said...

looks like a super special experience!~ green with envy!

Alexis said...

Oh how cool! Love the block you started!

Ann Ferguson said...

Very envious. Gwen Marston is one of my inspirational people

Julie Fukuda said...

Lucky you and your project is coming along nicely too.I like those fabrics together.

Marit said...

Sounds like a lot of fun! I love her ideas.
Also love the applique you started, and the word block, too!

; )

Clare said...

Lucky you!

meli B said...

Your Pojagi is growing beautifully.

Janet said...

How wonderful to do a class with Gwen and it looks like it was lots of fun. The vase and flowers you made looks great and I do so love your pojagi.

Barb said...

How fun! I love Gwen and her quilt making. She has influenced me more than anyone else.
I love your little vase of tulips -
I'm so glad you had a design day with the folk art queen!

Selvage Quilter said...

Oh you are a lucky duck!!

That class with Gwen must have been fun. I like your tulips and vase. And all the great quilts in your slideshow in the sidebar too.

I'm so glad we got to hang out and do our quilty stuff together at Victoria's place.

Helen and I went back to the American Folk Art Museum on Saturday to see part 2 of the quilt show, and we saw a green eyelash quilt. We looked at each other and said "Nifty!" I'll email you some photos.

Hugs, Karen

Kim said...

Me too what Tonya and Karen said and....I want to have a class with Gwen some day :0)

Happy Sewing

Sharon said...

It was great to meet you on Sat, I love your project and look forward to seeing more work inspired by Gwen.

Mary Keasler said...

What fun you must have had playing with Gwennie. I love your applique and YES I can easily see where you derived your inspiration. Love the growing Pojagi. How do you plan to hang it? Or have you decided that yet? Rather than buying a blind for my back door window, I am inspired to create a Pojagi.

Chris said...

Hi! I took a class with Gwen years ago, but I never made my vase and flowers - life got in the way, you know- I think I need to dig out that UFO and have a go at it! Yours looks great!I still remember her warm and fun personality. Thanks for sharing!

Anonymous said...

The class was fantastic and added to that was the opportunity to meet a Rebel from the blog I enjoy so much. Your vase and tulips look great, looking forward to seeing the finished piece.

Theodora quilts said...

How lucky to spend time with such an icon in the quilt world ,I have heard so much about her,I haven't actually seen to much of her work,but it is awsome the little I have seen, your applique looks great and you had an image in mind.xoxo theodora

Jane said...

I took this class with Gwen a few years ago. SO much fun! Gwen is such a good teacher!

YankeeQuilter said...

What fun! I took a class it Gwen last summer and had a blast...(love the plaid vase too!)

Grazia said...

You're a lucky girl! ;)
Poyagi is growing up very well...
Grazia ;)

beth said...

You were fortunate to spend some quilty time with Gwen. She's a real inspiration to us ALL!

Sujata Shah said...

Lucky you, LeeAnn! That sounds like so much fun!
I love your applique. Is that going to grow into a bigger quilt?