Alan's Memory Quilt Wall Hanging

Alan's Memory Quilt Wall Hanging

It's easy to think handmade quilts are only for beds but one of the best ways to use them in home decor is on a wall. Especially quilts that are made as quilted wall hangings to begin with, they can retain and reflect wonderful memories and keep them where everyone can enjoy them.

Quilted wall hangings can be as simple as the first quilt block someone makes or several quilt blocks finished in a smaller size than a regular quilt. Let's face it, it can be daunting to make a full size quilt the first few times one is learning to piece so those few blocks don't go to waste if you can turn them into wall art. 

It's also one of the reasons why we carry lap quilts and throw-size quilts, you can easily change the look of a room by hanging something seasonal like a throw that reflects a special occasion. Better yet, get a lap quilt throw that can also be used as a quilted wall hanging that has all four seasons on it!

Back to my main story. This lovely applique and embroidery quilted wall hanging from Piece and Plenty's 2017 bi-annual show in Rolla, Missouri is a good example of preserving memories through textiles. This quilted wall hanging is called "Alan's Quilt" and designed to celebrate a worldwide tour Alan took as part of a musical singing group "Up with People."

There are several noteworthy elements to this quilted wall hanging starting with the design.

Look at how meticulous Bobbie Wedge was with the details on Alan's Quilt wall hanging. Yes, the flowers in the costume are nice but note the details on the arms of each of the figures, you can see fingers!

Details in Alan's Memory Quilt include tiny flowers and stitched fingers.

As I was looking at the different costumes, I couldn't help but wonder which one might be inspired by Alan himself.

I haven't asked Bobbie yet but I suspect there's a little of him in every one of these charming characters. Nice touch with the three-dimensional hat tassel and belt.

Details of one of the boy characters in Alan's Quilt wall hanging by Bobbie Wedge.

I can't sing worn a darn but I could sense what a unique experience this tour would have been for a young man seeing the world as he was singing. This quilted wall hanging is a lovely tribute to those memories!

Charlotte

Midnight Ride Quilt Wall Hanging

Midnight Ride Quilt Wall Hanging would make a wonderful addition to a house entrance.

Midnight Ride Quilt Wall Hanging

It is time for goblins, black cats, ghosts, and witches and this handmade quilt from the 2017 Piece and Plenty Quilt Guild show in Rolla, Missouri is just the ticket!

The handmade quilt is the perfect size for a wall hanging, which I suggest because of the wonderful center block of the applique witch against a moon silhouette. Bats and strange branches appear in the scene while a haunted house is in the background.

Doesn't this look like a close up of the moon?

I really like the pocka dotted dark fabric that outlines the moon, gives the whole scene a nicely spooky vibe.

Most handmade quilts have a story. I'm sure this one does as well but it wasn't included in the quilt guild information besides the name of the handmade quilt maker Judy Fox.

The handmade quilt maker didn't have much of a story but then, who needs one?

So we will have to make up our own Halloween story:

"One dark Halloween Eve, a strange shape appeared against the clear full moon.  At first I thought it was just a bat but the eerie shadow was far bigger against my house wall. Turning to look closer at the moon, the figure appeared flying on a broom...."

Trick or treat!

Charlotte

Painted Wall Paintings

Painted all scenes on a concrete block wall at Missouri Baptist Hospital in Sullivan, Missouri.

Painted Wall Paintings

I love to turn original artwork into quilts and these painted wall scenes at Missouri Baptist Hospital In Sullivan, Missouri looked just like a giant version of one of our custom artwork quilts!

It's hard to tell from a distance but these were painted on concrete blocks. The blocks are easier to see in the close ups of the painted scenes.

There was no explanation of how they painted these where I was sitting but I imagine they needed scaffolding to reach the higher areas of the wall.

Love the squirrel waiting patiently at the bottom of the hill!

The kids must have had a blast getting the design on the wall, then filling them in with colors.

Although these look small, look at where the concrete block lines are in each of the scenes.

And each scene is a story all of its own.

My, those are very tiny flowers and people!

There were about two dozen different scenes in all, representing the four seasons. It was hard to pick my favorites so I concentrated on photographing the ones closest to my window.

Snowball fight!

This gives a new meaning to wall art. What a lovely way to wait in a hospital, it takes one's mind off the more worrisome thoughts!

Charlotte