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These little pieces called ‘Journal Quilts’ provided a freedom to experiment, explore and create textile stories and to combine new techniques, different textiles, media and stitch.

I have travelled widely, but began at home in my garden with ‘Hellebores’ and then my horizons and experiences broaden; taking visits to different cultures as source material and inspiration please explore with me  . . .

The specialist Contemporary Quilt Group of the Quilters ‘Guild of the British Isles (QGBI) started a Journal Quilt (JQ) project in 2007, with some 30 participants at the start – but each following year many more quilter’s took part.

Each year there was a defined size, specific theme or series of themes. Hopefully, you will notice from my JQ’s  that, although sizes are varied, they are ALL SMALL! This form of quilt allows for ‘quick’ results with relatively little investment of time or materials. Brilliant . . . what can go wrong?

Through this creative project I discovered that I liked working small, in themed series with specific and focused inspiration. The making of Journal Quilts also reinforced how useful it is to have a deadline, which given my design background, really suited my design methodology, working process and helped avoid procrastination (almost)!
However, it is possible to ‘cheat’ and work at whatever pace suits you.

I often made several following the theme whilst always pushing ideas, experimentation and exploration of techniques.

Like a written diary, each quilt shown represents a ‘page’ in a quilter’s life story; chronicling curiosity, fun, frustration, travels, serendipity and many events and emotions in between.

Capturing the experience of the beautiful to the mundane, the everyday or unique special moments.

Any form of inspiration can be explored through creative artistic, textile and making principles.

I have travelled widely, but began at home in my garden with ‘Hellebores’ and then my horizons and experiences broaden; taking visits to different cultures as source material and inspiration please explore with me  . . .