For some time, I wanted to make a trilogy of quilts - Serenity, Courage and Wisdom, inspired by the Serenity Prayer written by the American theologian Reinhold Niebuhr. A little research revealed that Niebuhr's prayer originally asked for courage first, and specifically for changing things that must be changed, not things that simply can be changed.
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| Quilting Serenity |
Father, give us courage to change what must be altered, serenity to accept what cannot be helped, and the insight to know the one from the other.
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| Of course I sleep with polar bears |
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| Blues and Greens |
I also feel that way about Life's Journey. Courage is what defines our youth. Middle years bring Serenity and Acceptance. And it is only in old age that one can claim to be wise, with the knowledge of hindsight.
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| Warming the Frozen Plant |
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| Aliens are welcome :-) |
I am sure that I have exhibited far more courage than serenity in my life aptly reflected by the size of these two quilts.
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| Icy Blue, Cozy Quilt |
Serenity is made up of 20 Picket Star Quilt Blocks, with 1.5" borders.
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| Purple Binding |
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| Traditional & Modern Prints live happily together |
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| Quilt Rose? |
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| Layered Quiltyness |
I chose a sparkly purple binding. Serenity finished at about 69" by 86"and will be sent to Bernie for Mercyful Quilts.
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| Serenity 69" by 86" |
Courage is made up of 30 Picket Star Quilt Blocks, with a 2" border and finished at 85" by 103". At "that" size I could quilt it. After all I had quilted Aurora and Esmeralda both of which are 80" by 96".
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| Dwarfed by the Large Flimsy |
But indulgence swept over me and I decided to treat myself to some longarm quilting expertise bestowed lovingly by Rebecca Grace. I sent the finished flimsy and the Impressionist Wide Backing (Connecting Threads) to Rebecca.
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| Oh baby, I am never letting you go! |
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| Be Mine |
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| Quilty Goodness |
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| Red Binding |
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| Meet me in the corner... |
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Warmth & Heat - I want it all
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When I received the quilt, it was neatly packed, beautifully, nay exquisitely quilted and came with a letter and a poem. Yes, a POEM!!! Paul is glad that she did not ask me to marry her with that poem because I would have said YES.
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| Quilting Detail |
Rebecca says that she is thankful for giving her the opportunity to quilt for me and I am so overcome with joy for the love and beauty she showered upon my flimsy.
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| Beautiful Quilting |
And although I can be serene all by my lonesome self, I could not have been this courageous without Rebecca in my corner :-)
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| Breeze was no help |
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| I don't have three hands. Paul helped. |
With Serenity and Courage completed (Leela was finished earlier), I am done with all the Picket Star Quilts.
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| Courage and Serenity |
Are you wondering - where is the Wisdom quilt? Well, when I feel wise enough, I just might make it. For now wisdom eludes me, and I have a quilt to prove it. Oh yes, I will be posting about "my lack of wisdom" quilt soon.
I will be sharing with all my favorite linky parties (see full list on the sidebar) as well as Angela's Linky Party. How do you feel today? Serene or Courageous? I'd love to hear your thoughts.
Oh my goodness - these blocks made stunning quilts!! Wow!! I do love your idea of making the 3 quilts in the them of courage, serenity and wisdom.
ReplyDeleteI love your Serenity and Courage. I have no doubt that wisdom will follow.
ReplyDeleteOMG -- I love Picket Fence block and all of these quilts. They really are terrific. So let me know if I am right: you use two colors in the same family but one has a little more color/pattern in it, the other is more reads as solid or not a lot of pattern/color? I ask because I'm pretty sure I'm picking this block for a group I'm in. Every other month someone picks a block and the rest of us make blocks for them. I think this is such a cool block and I would love to make some sort of quilt out of it. I'll be sending my friends to your post to learn how to do it. Anything else I should tell them... give credit where credit is due....? And, big thanks for sharing the tutorial and these great quilts. Must try the block today!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Bonnie. When I was designing the block, this is how I thought about the two fabrics - If all values of a color (all the pinks, for example) lived along a single long street, from the lightest to the darkest, pick two that live three/four doors from each other. Not adjacent and not too far apart. However, you can make the pattern all your own and choose any way you want. Some other choices could be a solid paired with a floral/geometric print; a large scale print combined with a small scale print in the same color/value (look at the black blocks in my quilt). In the end, the two fabrics should look good together :-) I am answering here so that all can see.
DeleteThanks for the ideas. I can see the whole colors living on the block part.
DeleteOh... your finishes are so beautiful. Courage is a stunner with your fabric choices, that backing fabric and Rebecca's quilting. I am sure Wisdom will follow, too. Awesome finishes, Preeti!
ReplyDeleteWow! Your Picket Fence quilts are beautiful! Your color choices are perfect! Congratulations on your finishes!
ReplyDeletethe quilt turned out so pretty and looks wonderful outside and on the bed!
ReplyDeleteI love seeing both of these quilts together! Whether fiery warm colors or icy cool ones, it's such a striking design. It was such an honor to see Preeti's workmanship in person -- in case anyone's wondering, the back of her quilt top is just as immaculate as the top, and her fabric mix is even more nuanced and beautiful in person than what you see in the pictures. Every time I advanced the quilt, I was delighted by the next row of blocks waiting to be quilted. The only downside to quilting for Preeti is having to give the quilt back when it's finished! :-)
ReplyDeleteOh, I'm a little sad to see your Picket Stars come to an end. Such pretty quilts, and such a fun block.
ReplyDeleteWow, they are both beautiful quilts, Preeti, but the warmth of Courage is stunning! Your vibrant colors and fabrics are complimented perfectly by the creative quilting. xo
ReplyDeleteSo lovely!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful quilts :)
ReplyDeleteSerenity and Courage... Both SEW beautiful, Preeti. The wisdom was sending (that huge batch of) Courage to Rebecca for quilting!! :o))
ReplyDeleteYour quilts are gorgeous, your post, as always, thought provoking and I love that Impressionist backing, yummy.
ReplyDeleteTwo amazing quilts Preeti, wonderful quilting, so nice to see them finished. Feeling neither serene or courageous today 😄 getting motivated to go and swim some laps of the local swimming pool.
ReplyDeleteBoth of these quilts are just gorgeous, Preeti!
ReplyDeleteMichelle
https://mybijoulifeonline.com
Hi Preeti! I am so thrilled to see the quilt that Rebecca quilted - she alluded to it and it turned out so beautifully. Serenity and Courage turned out great, and I adore the picture of you quilting. {{Hugs}} Take care and stay safe. ~smile~ Roseanne
ReplyDeleteBeautiful quilts representing courage and serenity!!!
ReplyDeleteSo happy for you that these are done and beautiful!
ReplyDeleteLovely color quilts. I love how you used different neutrals for the backgrounds- that added a different dimension.
ReplyDeleteBoth beautiful quilts, and you should definitely keep the Courage for yourself. Beautiful quilting, well worth the cost. It just enhances an already-beautiful quilt, though. Well done!
ReplyDeleteBoth of the Picket Fence quilts are wonderful, but Courage is my favorite. It looks like a big bouquet of beautiful flowers. Rebecca Grace did a great job on the quilting. I've seen that backing fabric in the Connecting Threads catalog. It would go with many quilt tops from kids, to florals, to geometrics. And I think you are wise enough to go for the third quilt in the series.
ReplyDeletePat
You've inspired me. I want to and make a picket star quilt too :)
ReplyDeleteYour quilts are all very beautiful.
Positively fabulous! I would be hard pressed to pick a favorite! Courage is stunning! Serenity is beautiful! Just awesome!
ReplyDeleteThese quilts are absolutely stunning!
ReplyDeleteSuch lovely quilts, especially when photographed on a bed.I hope you keep at least one but if you keep all, then you can sleep under the one who's power you need most each night.
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh - I am thrilled to know that Mercy will be getting (another) one of your masterpieces. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!!! Can't wait to see it!
ReplyDeleteYour quilt is beautiful! You did an excellent job with the piecing and Rebecca's quilting was frosting on the cake, both just lovely! Happy stitching!
ReplyDeleteI am new to following you but wanted to let you know I enjoyed reading your recent blog post. Beautiful quilts and I loved reading about them.
ReplyDeleteBoth of your Picket Star quilts are stunning, Preeti! I love how you separated them into warm and cool colors. I also love their scrappy look, both the colorful parts and the backgrounds. Love that you're keeping one to sleep under - and giving one away. Comfort all around!
ReplyDeleteYour PicketStar Quilts are just lovely. The warm and cool, brilliant and muted all mixed in....truly serenity and courage. I had to laugh about Paul's comment - although they more often than not make me chuckle. Love Rebecca's quilting on it - you deserve the indulgence - you are one busy woman!
ReplyDeleteI love both versions. The cool and the warm blocks. But I am happy you picked the warm ones for yourself. They fit so much better ;) And the quilting design is so you! I am very glad you love your new quilt and hope it will keep you warm and give hugs. xo
ReplyDeleteBeautiful Picket Star quilts! Those blocks sure make a nice pattern and look great on the bed.
ReplyDeleteWow, both are great color combos. Love the quilting.
ReplyDeleteI believe you are very wise! Thanks for sharing these beautiful quilts and as always your captivating posts that keep us coming back for more!
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your beautiful quilts - they are wonderful!
ReplyDeleteO.M.G. both quilts are stunning, Preeti!
ReplyDeleteBoth quilts are so pretty - and I love the Extra on Courage. and a poem! I love it!!
ReplyDeleteI laughed at the "I don't have three hands" caption. Don't we all wish we had an extra hand sometimes! These are beautiful, Preeti! Rebecca's quilting is fabulous!
ReplyDeleteI did not know that the words we usually think of in the Serenity Prayer are not the originals. Thank you for making me aware of that. I like the original better. Once again, exquisite quilts!! I love looking at all the details in the fabrics and the purple striped binding along with the backing made me squeal. These are just so wonderful and show how lovely quilts can be whether quilted by a long arm or a domestic machine. Well, done, Preeti, and I'm glad you get to keep one.
ReplyDeleteSimply stunning.
ReplyDeleteI'm trying hard to practice serenity these days. Such a great series. Looking forward to courage
ReplyDeleteAll blocks are beautiful, but I love the blue ones best. That long arm quilting pantograph you chose is absolutely perfect, Rebecca Grace did a fabulous job. You must love that quilt (aren’t you glad you kept it?). :-D. Serenity Now, Serenity Now… wish that mantra worked! ~Diana K.
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