Wednesday, July 30, 2008

A Quilters's ABC--on Wednesdays--B

for details about
ABC Wednesday--
Who's posted,
How to participate.
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These Bear Paw blocks were made for me by members of one of my online quilting guilds. I discovered--or maybe rediscovered--quilting about the same time I discovered the Internet. The Internet is a huge resource for modern quilters. Just try putting the word "quilt" into a search engine. You will get nearly 3o million hits.
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Fourteen different early sources had a form of this block available. Most of the names had something to do with bear's paws/feet/claws. It was also known as Duck's Foot in the Mud, Cat's Paw, and Illinois Turkey Track. Non-animal names included Hand of Friendship and The Best Friend. Quilting is a great activity for generating friends. Just like blogging.

The blocks in this small quilt are a variation of a block known as Birds in the Air. Think of the dark triangles as birds flying into a central point, and the light triangles as sky.

If you let those birds fly in a circle, you get a kind of a star.

I designed these blocks last year to illustrate Breast Cancer Awareness Pink Ribbons. It is quilted with names of women affected by Breast Cancer. Other quilters made some of the blocks for me to use in some of my fundraising for my 3-Day Breast Cancer Walk.

This post is pre-scheduled, as we may not be back yet from our trip. I will try to visit as soon as I can.

19 comments:

Kyanite said...

The Birds in the Sky quilt is beautiful, what I'd give to own that.
Thought your Breast Cancer blogs were inspired too.

Gerald (Ackworth born) said...

I like the breast-cancer-awareness quilt too.

Anonymous said...

A very creative pass-time. Nice to know the skill isn't being forgotten.

Kim from Hiraeth said...

Beautiful quilts, all.

judi/Gmj said...

Beautiful Bs.

AphotoAday said...

Interesting quilts -- great post...

Rune Eide said...

Highly decorative - must be difficult

Bear Naked said...

You just know that I love that first quilt don't you?

Bear((( )))

Daryl said...

Hope you're having Blue skies wherever you are!

:-Daryl

dixymiss said...

Beautiful quilt work, Katney. That last one is an eXtra-special treasure. Brings tears to my eyes. Bless you!

Barbara said...

It is fascinating to read about the quilts.

Texas Travelers said...

Great quilts and terrific photos.

Come visit our Butterflies, Click here.
Troy and Martha

Cath said...

They are wonderful patterns. I didn't know that the patterns I saw had so many names! Or such a history.
The birds one I always saw fish, but now you explain it, I see the birds too.
I love your pink ribbon design. Very clever and thoughtful. A lot of work has gone into that.
A great B post.

Cath said...

Obviously come over when you like, but...
If you get near a computer on Tuesday 5th, have a look at my post because there'll be an award for you. I'll be away so it's a scheduled post for 1am Tuesday (my time zone!)

mrsnesbitt said...

What a fascinating post Katney! Like others here I love the breast cancer awareness quilt! You have given me an idea now....watch this space!

Anonymous said...

Love the breast cancer awareness quilt!

Just wanted to stop by and say we'd love it if you'd share photos and/or videos of this year's event (and that quilt!) on the official Breast Cancer 3-Day Flickr group, YouTube channel, Facebook fan page or MySpace page.

Paulie said...

Once again, you have posted a great quilt blog. I am loving them!

Nydia said...

The last quilt for the Breast Cancer fund is touching for its idea! SO beautiful and original!

Mary said...

Wonderful! Love the Birds of the Air and BearPaw both! Wonderful, also that you help with the Breast Cancer awareness with your quilting. I have a wonderful book of the Pink Ribbon quilts and their stories.