Thursday 16 August 2012

Festival - Part 1

So my feet are a little sore, and I'm feeling weary after day one of Festival ...

Now, about that challenge quilt ...

I thought about the theme 'Britain what it means to you' long and hard, and how I could depict that in pictorial/quilt format ... and this idea grew and grew strong. so strong I had to paint it as a watercolour to make sure I could get it out of my head and make it work ... Sorry I don't have pics of that here ... But I can reveal the quilt now it's on show ..




As you can see, it's not your average tea, cakes and glory bunting ... so how did it come to,this ....

during my 21+ years in the Royal air Force, all the many detachments, deployments and serving aboard, every time I came home, what I was alway struck by was this green and pleasant land. I'm proud to have served my Queen and Country, and I am proud of the medals I earned doing that. whilst there is a broach which is a real copy of my medals on my quilt, I could not display them without a poppy attached to honour all who have gone before me, those who have served, those who continue to serve ... And those who came home to rest. On my poppy I have quilted the words Pride and Honour to reflect all this.

In the hills and contours I have quilted the words of the poem by William Blake, This Green and Pleasant Land.




None of my quilts on display are winners, and that's ok, I enter as without the quilts ere would not be a show, I never expect to win, but some how, this challenge quilt made me anxious, it is so different to,all the others on show, there will be those who get it, and those who don't, and tonight I'm ok with that.

Now it's time to go eat!



31 comments:

Manda said...

Ooo thats amazing! I love how you've subtly put the union jack in and quilted in the poem. Wish I could see it in person but the pictures still look fab! Enjoy the rest of the festival!

Pippa Parsons said...

that's a very moving quilt, love the quilting, the union jack fluttering with the scenery, cannot believe it didn't win anything :(

Fran said...

That's an amazing and very powerful quilt! Really sorry you didn't win with it, but hope you enjoy it for a long time.

Sarah said...

I think you did a wonderful job Trudes, and you are so right - its not the winning as such, if folk didnt enter quilts there would be no show! Rest the tootsies and have a great day tomorrow.

Liz DandeliondD said...

What a truly special and amazing mini.
I think your explanation alongside it would make it a clear winner.
I am glad to have learned a little more about you and I am both grateful and in awe of your service to our country. Thank you.
I am so loving the Union Jack this year more than any other and your version is sublime. I wish I was going to FoQs I would love to see this in real life.
xxxx

Katy Cameron said...

It's absolutely fab, and obviously very meaningful to you

sweetypie said...

well Im really proud of you and I would have made you the winner, love tina

Mad about Craft said...

Wonderful!! The sort of item that brings a lump to my throat!

Lynz said...

Oh, Trood!!!! That is marvellous. Truly inspired - although my brain always (always!!) offers me a mod target before the RAF symbol. *g* And your quilting is superb. I cannae believe it didn't get anything. The way the Union Flag looks transparent over the hills is just....beyond anything I could do. Just awesome. As in, I am in awe.

Mrs. Goodneedle said...

Wow! Wow!! and Wow!!! This quilt is truly amazing; I bow to your expertise and your talent, in all arenas. Well done!

Judith, Belfast said...

Oh this is stunning T! I got it straight away before I even read your description of it! What a fabulous memory and memorial quilt. It's an outstanding winner in my book! Enjoy tomorrow. Jxo

Leanne said...

You rock! It is brilliant and I totally get it. I love that you included the medals and especially the poppy. I would love to see it in person, will you bring it next summer to the retreat. To me you have made a totally inspired and personal tribute to your country and to those who serve it and also to your own heart. Perfect.

Anonymous said...

That's beautiful. I love have unique and special it is.

Cindy said...

Trudi! You have me teary eyed reading this! It's an amazing quilt - with a lifetime of inspiration behind it. They 100% missed a winner.

Archie The Wonder Dog said...

Oh my goodness, it's amazing! I took one look at the quilt and had tears in my eyes...and then I read your explanation and the tears fell. What a wonderful tribute to those who serve/have served/will serve our country!
P.S. I hope you overhear lovely comments about your quilt every time you pass!

QuiltSue said...

I think it's fabulous, and definitely should have won.

Hope you're having a good Festival.

Betty said...

I so agree with Cindy!
I thinks it's beautiful: idea, fabrics, colours, quilting, chosen texts, poppy&medals!!

Wendz said...

Trudi, I saw this at the FOQ and, in my opinion, it stood out from the others as it paid tribute to all those who played such a significant role in Britians history. After taking a photograph I walked away, but then turned around and went back to study it some more. I loved the poppy and the different layers that the design created. Brilliant!

Indianna said...

I got it right away - you planned this work of art perfectly.

Unknown said...

Trudi, I've just met you at FoQ's! I was the one that you told all about Garden Offices, and how I mustn't undersell, and how I could use the machine on your stand for quilting. I was looking at the model that had a "hand quilting" stitch, but didn't get name and number of model (duh!). If you get the chance, could you let me know which one it is, please? I've been looking at your blog, and it's fabulous. I can be found at mirandaandlu.blogspot.com or Teapots and Thimbles on FB.
Many thanks for your help today, and I hope the rest of the Festival goes well for you.

Lizzie Allen said...

Love the quilt, Trudi. It reminds me of my maternal grandfather who served as aircraft mechanic & bandsman in the RAF during WW2 (he ended WW2 working on Lancaster bombers!). I think he would have loved this little quilt.

Dana - Old Red Barn Co. said...

speechless . . .

amazing!

Shevvy said...

I went and had a good look at the winner after we spoke yesterday. I don't get it at all, it wasn't patchwork was it, just looked like a printed top? I missed it completely on my first look around as it didn't say anything to me. Very odd choice!
But like I said, yours stood out totally amongst them all even though I didn't know it was made by you. Fantastic.

lindsey said...

Hello - I have just found your blog and remember seeing your quilt at FoQ. It was amazing and I looked at it for quite some time and thought the message it conveyed was very powerful. Not everyone can win, of course, but you will have given pleasure to many thousands of people. Well done and thank you!

Tracey said...

I found it after I saw you...and it is a very powerful and lovely. All your quilts were actually, so don't give up entering!.

Jan Alexander said...

Trudi, your quilt is just beautiful. I couldn't make it to FoQ's this year, but I do hope that I get to see your awesome creation in real life some time in the future.

Catherine said...

This is such an amazing quilt Trudi : it should have been a winner!! My dad was in the RAF for 30 years, my brother is also in - so I am with you on the patriotism

Sheila said...

What a beautiful piece of work,it is wonderful to be able to express yourself so well in fabric.Very special.

Wendy said...

perhaps the judge didn't understand 'Lincolnshire' with its rolling fields and air force bases. It is a beautiful representation of our country and perfect. I love it :)

Sarah said...

Catching up on missed posts now that I'm back from hols and just had to comment here. This quilt is so beautifully executed. I wouldn't worry about those who don't get it, after all this is what Britain means to you. My hubby is ex forces and I understand in him a similar quiet national pride as a result of his service that most of us civvies probably never know. Fabulous Trudi!

Isisjem said...

Like Sarah's comment right above me - I'm just catching up on some back posts since my hols and I too just had to comment on this one. I think the whole concept and execution is brilliant. If this had been in a competition open to public vote I would have voted for this to win. It's just brilliant.