I have met more wonderful people who've become
wonderful friends in the
quilting world, than any other group of people I've encountered.
And
you know what? No matter where I go, I meet quilters
and fabric-lovers, and we are instantly
friends because we share this love of sewing and creating.
I am just
about to fly
across the Atlantic Ocean to meet a bunch of quilter friends, who I don't
know yet! But you know what? I know when I meet them, we'll sit down and start
talking and it will be like we've known each other for ages.
Today I was
giggling as I thought about this, because it reminds me of the Loyal Order of
Water Buffaloes on the Flintstones. Remember
that TV cartoon? Except we are more of a sorority than a fraternity, and we wear
tiaras instead of Viking hats with horns. (yes, we let boys into our sorority
too!) We have our special secret jargon (fat quarters, frog stitch, walking
foot, etc.) and our regular guild meetings.
Unfortunately every guild
has a Pearl
Slaghoople, but we mostly try to ignore her monologues about rules, so we
can get on with our sewing and our friendships. Oh yeah, and our appreciation of
each other's stashes!
Many years ago on my first
visit to Rome, the seeds were planted for a new quilting friendship. This
week our blossoming friendship will bear fruit, when Susan Fiorentino's curated
exhibition opens to the staff and visiting dignitaries at the US Embassy in
Rome. eQuilter is a supporter of this exhibit, and in addition I will be giving
a presentation there on Friday, reviewing all the international quilt
exhibitions that I have photographed in the last year.
Next Sunday I will
give the same presentation at the Moscow
Quilt Festival, and new seeds of friendship will be sown… or is that sewn?
*giggle*
*
This eye-popping quilt was made by Larene Smith of Mission Viejo California, and
was photographed at the Irish Quilt Festival in June 2012.
