Maria is one of the high priestess that walks amongst us. Even those in such positions needs a moment of emotional support, and reassuring. Living so far away from a friend that needs a nurturing hand is difficult. Quilt making has become a popular art product for showing, selling, and promoting individual ideas. The core value of a quilt is to protect, and provide comfort. As an artist, sometimes I need to stop with all the big ideas, and make something for someone who needs a little love.
While sitting on the river bank, Maria and I found our private spots to meditate. We were both dealing with loses. We both offered our own individual healing thoughts to the river by writing on the water’s surface how we envisioned our future. As a gift, the river gave her a heart rock. I’m calling her the High Priestess of Heart Rocks. We all need someone who has a heart that is solid as a rock, and not someone who is stone hearted.
I was getting distracted from quilting by my love crafting all things. I was wanting to return to my quilt making routine. At the same time I knew a kind gift like a quilt would be nice for Maria, and I knew the process would be kind for my own heart. Hand appliqué is a process of clearing your mind of all the noise. It’s giving total attention to your needle, your thread, your material, and the path you are stitching on. This is the quilt that brought me back to my sewing meditation. When I quilt all the hard stuff in the world around me disappears. I love tiny stitches. I love them even more when thinking about someone I love. I finished the quilt by free motion quilting hearts flowing down the quilt like a river full of heart rocks.
Portrait of Maria in hand appliqué. Here she is a strong, peaceful, independent woman finding joy in a simple moment. She is almost skipping, or dancing around the flower patch. She is breathing in the healing scents of nature.
Jennifer Haston Quilts 