For those of you who have been following this blog, and who have been wondering if we just vanished into thin air when we left Uganda, let me reassure you that yes, we are home, but it has taken much longer to get our feet on the ground than expected. I must remember for next time that jet-lag has as much to do with a sense of place and purpose, as it does with a sense of
time. For the first few days, I wandered aimlessly from room to room, wondering what it was exactly that I do when I'm here. I looked out my window and there were no people in evidence anywhere. I went outside, but the chilliness of this world chased me inside again pretty quickly. And I didn't want to unpack. Something in me didn't want it all to come to an end, so I delayed and delayed. But then this last weekend, I attended a quilting retreat, and that was just the ticket I needed to get myself back home. So here I am again, in Comox, BC. This marvellous quilt pictured here is by Judy Morningstar, and is called Stitching Bright Tomorrows. It captures the energy and fun and determination of the Bitengye Designers in Judy's inimatable style, and is surrounded by actual bags and placemats made with African fabrics. It's Judy's entry in the Turning the Tide exhibit, the sequel to the hugely successful Seeds of Hope exhibit, a fund raiser for the Stephen Lewis Foundation. I love it, love it, love it. And am so thankful for Judy's generosity in first making the quilt, her support for the Bitengye Designers, and for letting me post the photo here on my blog.
I have long been a fan of quilts made by Manitoba's Judy Morningstar. I was first introduced to her colourful creations while reading an early 80's issue of Quilters' Newsletter Magazine. Since then I have had the treat of seeing several more, as well as meeting Judy some years ago. I'd like to share a few of them here with you. The wall-hanging was made a couple of years ago, and features tiny screen printed batiks enclosed in wonky African huts. The "poverty piecing" she has used as her background works so well with the wonky huts. The two bed quilts were made more recently, and combine African impala fabric with other fabrics,
so that the impalas are shown to best advantage. I love the sun in the centre of the first quilt, and the red and orange bordered blocks. (The blocks themselves were actually made by Sheilla of the Bitengye Designers, and never made it into the tablecloth for which they were intended. Judy purchased these scrappy wonders from me, and in her inimitable way, incorporated them into the quilt. What a creative imagination she has!) Both of Judy's bed quilts were made on commission, for two children whose lives must be enlivened by such beautiful additions to their bedrooms. Many of you will remember a photo I previously posted, Judy's rendition of the Bitengye Designers. It's
fantastic. After the mid-March Victoria event which showcases the entire collection of quilts made by the North Island Quilters for Community Awareness, to raise funds for the Stephen Lewis Foundation, some very fortunate person will be hanging that particular quilt in their own home.
