“Oysterville – Then and Now” by Terri Seifried
I’ve heard of holding a crowd in the palm of your hand but, until yesterday, I’ve never considered having a village on my lap! In fact, it wasn’t until I began going to the annual quilt shows here that I’d ever heard of a “lap quilt.” And, even now, I’ve never seen one in use – only on display – and I think of them as art pieces rather than having a practical use. But then, I’m not a quilter, just an enthusiast.
Terri Seifried’s small (also called ‘lap’) quilt, “Oysterville: Then and Now” grabbed my attention because it was so unusual and, let’s be honest, because it depicted Oysterville. Right down to the buildings, the lanes (some of them) and the teeny tiny crosses at the cemetery. I loved it – never mind that the south end of town was a little “off.” After all, Terri lives at the north end. And besides, it’s an artist’s rendition. Fabulous!
“Comfort” by Carol Wachsmuth
Her description in the show’s catalogue said: This quilt is a loose interpretation from an aerial map of Oysterville, WA designed by Rickie Seifried. She was inspired by a workshop she took with Valerie Goodwin. Photos were incorporated to give a sense of time between the present and the past. It was the “loose interpretation” that I appreciated and understood. That’s about all you can do with Oysterville!
I also loved neighbor Carol Wachsmuth’s small quilt which she described as my first done outside of a class. She calls it “Comfort” — a perfect description for a quilt of any size, and although Carol didn’t say so hers, like Terri’s, reminded me of both past and present. It seemed a timeless, classic design but with vivid, new colors.
“Simply Delicious” by Sue Grennan
Our friend Sue Grennan has a quilt — a medium sized one — in this year’s show, as well. It’s her first entry in two years and was well worth the wait. “Simply Delicious” is made for my sister, Judy. She is the best! says Sue’s description. Like her grand prize-winning quilt of 2014, this one features bold shapes and colors and delicious edibles. This time, though, the subject is fruit (rather than vegetables) and the background and overall design, a bit simpler. Which seems right, somehow. It fits the quieter, more delicate essence of fruit.
And I could go on… It was a wonderful show and we didn’t have nearly enough time. Perhaps I was moving more slowly than usual with those visions of Oysterville on my lap…
I love quilts. Am so jealous to have missed the show. Didn’t know Carol had taken up quilting and what a lovely first. Well, what can one expect of a retired nurse but that she would take up the needle?.