In 1980 we spent our honeymoon in England. Visiting a bookstore I found a book about quilting and applique and I was hooked.....or let me say - I was going to be hooked. Of course during our two newlywed weeks we had only eyes for each other :-).
But when we came home, back to our everyday student life, I found the book at the bootom of my suitcase.
I have done arts and crafts all my life, but patchwork and applique opened a new world to me. And for the next 20 years the needles were seldom far from my fingers.
Starting with small tablecloths and babyquilts, continuing to wall quilts and bedquilts. This was in the toddler age of "modern" quilting in Norway. Fabric was scare to be found, but I collected scraps and started to make friends in USA who sent me bits and pieces, and it didn't take long before I started to teach quilting, to sell my work and to take part in the leadership of both the regional and national quilter's association in Norway.
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But my life took a new turn, and for the last 6-7 years I have hardly quilted a stich. I do enjoy the quilts I have, and I have a dream that I one day will pick up my needles again......... Yes, I will! May be I will look through some of my fabric collections and find some pieces to bring with me on vacation next week........... My stiff fingers could need the exercise.
I made this quilt "Elise in Wonderland" in 1995, inspired by my friend Kathleen Rindal Brooks and also inspired by my collection of fabric. The quilt was made for my daughter Ingrid Elise and named after her and her love of books.
I was a stay at home mum when I made it. Living on only one fee could be a challenge at times, so I was thrilled when I sent the quilt to a competition in a Norwegian magazine and won first price - a new Bernina sewing machine!
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The St.Olav Festival goes on all this week. We pick out highlights. Sunday night Terje and I went to a concert in the cathedral, Rachmaninov's Vesper with The Moscow Pathriarcate Singers and the Nidaros Cathedral choir. Last night at 21.30 we attended a concert in the Archbishop's Palace Courtyard with Bjørn Eidsvåg, the Norwegian singer who EVERYBODY in Norway know and love. My brother Torodd, father of Benjamin, was one of the musicians, and when I met him in the courtyard before the concert he said: Nice to see you here sister. I hope I can read about this tomorrow, and see a photo of myself!"
Of course little brother. Here is a photo. Thanks for a wonderful concert.
Torodd plays the viola and can be seen second left.
