April 17, 2009
Memories and Merlot for Blogger’s Quilt Festival 2009
Amy at Park City Girl came up with this fabulous idea to do a Blogger’s Quilt Festival. I read about it and wholeheartedly decided, I’m in!
“Memories & Merlot”, 56″ x 64″, is a variation of my Cathedral Window Technique. The center features single 3D squares I filled in the edges of the center and the border with 3D triangles and felt that really gave the quilt it’s Cathedral Window feel. 
The quilt was stitched in a grid and the bias folds of the 3D squares and triangles were rolled and stitched at the quilting stage. It took me a while to finish, being one of those projects that I would set aside when other more pressing projects came along. Life got in the way as well, three moves in two years. Lots of memories of those times. The fabrics are all yummy batiks, different prints in the same color ranges and it does gradiate lighter in the center to darker at the outer edges. It took me ages to come up with a name. The Redish colors always made me think of wine and I do like my wine…..oops, did I say that out loud? Shiraz is my favorite but a good Merlot is very acceptable.
Click on the pictures and it will take you to high resolution ones on Flickr. Maximize the browser and you will get a larger picture.
Snips and Bits from Shelley's Studio 
Zonnah said,
April 17, 2009 at 6:51 PM
Wow! This is BEAUTIFUL.
Jocelyn said,
April 18, 2009 at 2:12 PM
Your quilt is beautiful. Such stunning colors and the placement is lovely. I also like your little zipper bags. Is there a tutorial on it?
Jocelyn
http://happycottagequilter.blogspot.com/
Shelley Swanland said,
April 18, 2009 at 2:18 PM
Hi Jocelyn,
Thanks for the complement on my quilt. It really is one of my favorites. I did just finish the pattern for the Zip Bags for a presentation I had yesterday. I was going to post it to my Blog in the next day or so. Send me an email if you’re interested. They are really easy!
Penny G said,
April 19, 2009 at 12:58 PM
The colors are so calm and peaceful. The quilt is beautiful. I want to wrap up in it on a stormy day by the beach.
anna said,
April 19, 2009 at 3:44 PM
What a lovely lovely quilt with rich sumptious colors. It looks like it was a challenging piece that was well worth the effort.
Thanks for sharing your beautiful work..
Regards,
Anna
The quilt rat said,
April 19, 2009 at 4:28 PM
since photos never really do the quilts justice I just know that this is absolutely stunning up close and in person!
Shelley Swanland said,
April 19, 2009 at 4:50 PM
I just added a detail picture of the quilt. I don’t often enter my quilts in shows so I was pleasantly surprised when it took a 1st place at the Hemet Quilt Show. Thanks!
Amy @ parkcitygirl said,
April 20, 2009 at 7:45 AM
What a beauty! I love the colors you used and the depth that they create. I too would love to see this in person – I still can’t wrap my brain around cathedral windows 🙂 Thank you for sharing!
Terri said,
April 20, 2009 at 1:40 PM
Wow, pretty quilt, Shelley!
Toni Swedberg said,
April 20, 2009 at 2:59 PM
Just lovely, so many shades and tones!
Janet Brady said,
April 21, 2009 at 11:38 AM
OMG, I wish I could see this in person! The batiks are absolutely beautiful. My personal favorite lately is Riesling Auslesse. I’ll have to design a quilt for that.
Lori Ricci said,
April 21, 2009 at 4:22 PM
Shelley! Wow! Memories and Merlot is stunning! I would love to make one of these quilts and will absolutely be checking out your technique. Ahh, quilting and red wine … they make my personal top 10 list! Thanks for the inspiration and something to look forward too.
Ariane said,
April 24, 2009 at 12:09 AM
Beautiful quilt!!!