I am so pleased and proud (super duper proud even) to have an opportunity for you to meet some of the amazing members of the Maritime Modern Quilt Guild. We are forty strong and I am continually impressed by the skill, passion and just plain niceness of the folks in our amazing little guild.
I started the Guild back in 2013 because I needed to find my people - like minded folks who cut up fabric and put it back together in some sort of modern way. I found them! It is an absolute Joy being the President as we have found our way from a half a dozen ladies who came together on a stormy night to today where we are continually learning and inspiring each other. We truly do have a modern community now in Good Ol' Nova Scotia, one which I know will continue to grow!
So, something about me...I think I will let you get to know me through a little story. This happened yesterday....
I am a Project Manager by day, a quilty addict by night. I travel quite a bit for my day job and lately I have had the good fortune to travel to every nook and cranny of my home Province. Of course while I am driving around I am constantly on the look out for quilt photo opportunities. Do you do this? Fact - no quilt is truly finished until it has had it's photo shoot!
Besides my day job I have also journeyed into the world of teaching this year, teaching beginner quilting classes at our LQS Patch Halifax. These two plus baby quilts are samples that I sewed along with my students, they are also earmarked for two very special babies-on-the-way. Fact - several years ago I was paralyzed with fear at the though of public speaking and teaching was something unattainable. Nowadays - people cannot shut me up! In fact if you take me to Karaoke you will have to tear the microphone out of my hand!
I saw this amazing old wooden building, peeling and a little neglected, and immediately knew it would make a great backdrop for these little quilts. I made a quick U-turn - Fact - I rarely follow speed limits - and pulled in and started scouting the area.
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| you are welcome for the squinty face reflection! |
Start snapping again - clearly not noticing that every picture has a reflection in the window not of the beautiful country side but of my car with the trunk open and sometimes even me squinting! Fact - I am not an award winning photographer. Pick Up Truck number two pulls up! This is the husband of the woman who stopped the first time. He informs me I am trespassing and I again turn on the charm - Fact - I am charming (oh and modest) - and instead of kicking me off the property we talk quilts and I think I may even have a new custom order coming! Fact - I just bought a shiny new Janome 8900 and have deemed myself a sweatshop until it is paid for.
So now that I have trespassed, taken pictures and broken some driving laws I throw the quilts into the back seat and realize Charlie(my dog) - Fact - I am the mother of three fur babies - has left mud everywhere and now quilts need to be washed - AGAIN.
So, there it is, a day (well an hour anyway) in the life of me. I wonder how many rules I will break today? Cannot wait!
Enough about me, let's do something really fun - giveaway some fabric! I have this wee bundle of Fat Quarters to give away to one lucky reader. For a chance to win, simply leave a comment - anything at all - but it would be fun to hear about your quilt photo-shoot adventures. Draw is open to the whole universe until Friday, May 15th at midnight Atlantic Time.
I hope you will continue to hop along with us! Tomorrow Tracy will be quilting it up on the Dark Side!
Monday, May 4 - Introduction @ Maritime Modern Quilt Guild
Tuesday, May 5 - Jenn @ A Quarter Inch from the Edge
Wednesday, May 6 - Adrienne @ Chezzetcook Modern Quilts - YOU ARE HERE!
Thursday, May 7 - Tracy @ Quilting on the Dark Side
Friday, May 8 - Anja @ Anja Quilts
Saturday, May 9 - Val @ Purple Boots and Pigtails
Sunday, May 10 - Linda @ Scrapmaster
Monday, May 11 - Jeanette @ Stamp Stitch Create
Tuesday, May 12 - Dominique @ The Running Thimble
Wednesday, May 13 - Aimee @ Candy Coated Quilts
And if you would like to know more about MMQG - please visit us at our Blog or on Facebook!
Happy Quilting!
Adrienne
That's an awesome story!! I got connections with lawyers and Judges.....just saying.....
ReplyDeleteWell played Missus.
ReplyDeleteTresspassing your way to a custom order... Clearly that's why you are President.
Are you a member of the Badass Quilters Society as well?
The nice thing about quilts is that the more they are washed the softer they become, which I love. I kinda like the idea of a Badass Quilters Society!
ReplyDeleteAwesome story! And great pictures, made better by seeing your lovely face in the window :)
ReplyDeleteNice to get to know you a little more! I am in the process of making a plus quilt now thanks to your inspiration! My photo shoot story is that I just spent an hour hanging quilts on the line, took pics, took the quilts off the line, and all the pics are too dark, so delete, delete, delete!
ReplyDeleteHa ha ha, I hadn't noticed the reflection of the trunk door until you pointed it out. Clearly, I am not an award winning photographer either! Our next workshop: quoting from Valerie's comment: "trespassing your way to a custom order"
ReplyDeleteYour Maritime Modern Quilt Guilders knew you were a rebel...now so does the world!! You go, girl, aka Madame Prez. :)
ReplyDeleteI find it hard to find a big enough place to hang your quilt, then the right light to take a picture.
ReplyDelete24Tangent@gmail.com
Hurray for starting a modern guild! Well done on your successes.
ReplyDeletePhoto shoot: Husb. at the bottom of the back stairs, my 8 year old at the top, hang the quilt over the railing and I stand on a chair. Works every time! But it's not artistic like yours...
Wonderful post - had a laugh or three. Way to go!!! Custom order on the way lol. If my son takes the pictures they are great and if not they are not good enough to post.
ReplyDeleteI'm not a big photographer. I consider them documented if I remember to snap a photo at all.
ReplyDeleteHahahaha, you had me laughing at your story. I'm venturing out into taking better quilt pics (my old ones were just quick pics in the bedroom floor for my own 'records'). I already see the difference taking pictures outside makes, so I'm excited to keep improving. After my next quilt finish, I'm hoping to go to a local park for some better scenery. Thanks for the giveaway! :)
ReplyDeleteHa, ha, good story. :-) I love finding the perfect photo shoot spots too.
ReplyDeleteoh my, that was a great story! You are a rebel (but a modest one) LOL I have not ventured out "into the wild" to take pics of my quilts, I am still putting them on my living room floor and then dragging over a chair to stand on....hoping no one notices the dust balls.....
ReplyDeleteToo funny! But not surprised. The photo results are so worth it. Gorgeous pics.
ReplyDeleteGood story!! The background is just perfect for the quilts. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteWhat a story photographing your quilts! I had to he opportunity to test a pattern for a NZ blogger and I chose to do the king size. What I failed to consider was how to photograph this on my own! So I clamped the quilt top to the balcony railing and took a ladder out to the back yard to take the photos to have a front facing view in addition to some with it on my bed.
ReplyDeleteGreat post! I like the idea of a local chapter of the Badass Quilters..and some of us in NB are considering starting "Maritime Modern Quilters - Part Deux"...thoughts?? lol Maybe NB can host the Badass and NS can host the MMQG and in the summer when travelling is easier, we can meet and hang out.
ReplyDeleteYour modern quilt guild sounds like sew much fun. Really liking the bright colors and patterns. Perfect shot on that old building. It was calling to you.
ReplyDeletegreat story and love your quilts
ReplyDeleteFunny story! I admire your chutzpah! And yes, that wall made an awesome backdrop! annesimonot@sasktel.net
ReplyDeleteThose look so awesome taped up to the house like that! Was the house vacant? I think it's so funny he came back with his wife. I hope she orders something!!!
ReplyDeleteOMG, so funny. I have spent enough time with JMTZ to look at every place as a potential quilty photo shoot. I know lots of great places for quilts, but I cannot stage a quilt, they look like crap everytime, that's why pretty much all my shots happen on the clothes line. No cool artsy shots from this chick. ðŸ˜
ReplyDeleteHa ha - love your photo shoot adventures. I rigged up a frame made of PVC pipe that I keep in the garage. When I need to photograph a newly-finished quilt, I pin on a sleeve and slide it onto the frame, then shoot it against the white garage wall. Not as artistic as a rustic barn wall, but it's fast & easy.
ReplyDeleteI don't know how anyone is going to top that photo shoot story.
ReplyDeleteI don't know how anyone is going to top that photo shoot story.
ReplyDeleteFrom now on my defense regarding my terrible quilt photos will include *fear of prosecution*
ReplyDeleteThanks for telling us about your adventure. I'm a member of Victoria, BC Modern Quilt Guild!
ReplyDeleteDarling story, great building, I see why you stopped to shoot. I've gotten pics of quilts in the snow, it makes a great contrast background!
ReplyDeleteI usually end up doing a photo shoot the night before I have to turn in a quilt to a show so it's not an imaginative setting. Liked the story and the gray building was perfect. I really don't know why they would tell you were trespassing as you made the building look much better.
ReplyDeleteI persuaded mum and the OH to help hold my photo background stand as I tried to photograph a bed quilt in windy weather - not my best idea I will agree!
ReplyDeleteTruly you are an adventurous soul!!! I fell in love with quilts on a holiday to the east coast and knew it was something I wanted to do.... It took a few years to gather supplies and get started, but now I am clearly addicted to quilting and fabric!!!
ReplyDeleteCute fabrics! Alas, my husband pulls me back from trespassing for photo shoots. Spoilsport. ;)
ReplyDeleteGreat photos. There just something about old, weathered buildings and quilts that make my heart sing! Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteGreat photos I don't have anywhere near as much as you.
ReplyDeleteMy quilt photos generally involve my husband holding quilts on our side porch. I have yet to take them anywhere interesting.
ReplyDeleteWell, you've been on at least a couple of my quilty photoshoots. But my most memorable one was likely getting shoo-ed away by some officially person telling me I couldn't put a quilt on 'ole Samuel Cunard at the Seaport Farmer's Market!
ReplyDeleteAdrienne it was great to meet you and Jennifer at White Point Resort for Quilt Atlantic 2015. So I had quite a photo shoot without going outside the room. What an awesome Trunk Show.. And what a great Blog Hop. Fun to follow along..
ReplyDeleteWay to ho with all the sweet talk while trespassing. I mean really, it was probably the duck tape. Thanks for this sweet little giveaway. I've been following your blog for years. Good Earth Quilting
ReplyDeleteGreat post. Neat projects !
ReplyDeleteThanks !
msstitcher1214@gmail.com
fun story - good thing the truck owners weren't too angry! last summer I took my finished Swoon quilt home so momm could help me photograph it. I started it at the beach (in the winter) while on retreat with my momm so it was fun to photo it there all finished and sunshiny!
ReplyDeleteFact: I am a chicken who is scared of confrontation, so I never take photos anywhere but the side of my house LOL!
ReplyDeleteGreat story! I didn't even notice your car reflected in the window 'cause I was checking out your awesome quilts! I've only taken photos of my quilts laid out on my floor - I know, boring! Thanks for the chance to win some really fabric and the opportunity to visit some great Maritime bloggers.
ReplyDeleteCute fabric! Thanks for the chance to win! I haven't had any adventures with quilt photography yet! I am on the lookout for interesting spots now!
ReplyDeleteI can see why you stopped there. It was a perfect spot for quilt snapping.
ReplyDeleteLove your photo shoot story, The quilts are so beautiful against the old building perfect back drop. I am a western Canadian and enjoying the blog hop.
ReplyDeleteGreat Story of the good , the bad and the ugly. Good Quilt, Bad Trespassing and Ugly trunk of your car. LOL It all worked out and you have the pictures to prove it! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteSince the nice weather has started i can finally start taking some good quilt pictures...but man in winter its small kids trying to stretch and hold up quilts and it just doesn't work very well
ReplyDeleteerin2470@hotmail.com
I almost did a u turn in the midst of heavy traffic to shoot a quilt against an old barn in the midwest states. So, I can relate.
ReplyDeleteOne of my sons fell backwards off a wall during one of our quilt photoshoots! Thanks for a lovely giveaway
ReplyDeleteI'm quite a new quilter, I've only made baby and lap quilts so far so I've just taken photos in my backgarden. It's not very photogenic though, it's a concrete rectangle, surrounded by other houses and contains 2 hutches of rabbits. Rabbit poo in a photo is perhaps not the way forward! I'm about to start quilting my first bed sized quilt though so I will need to find a good spot for a photo shoot.
ReplyDeleteMy quilting photo shoots are invariably a rushed & less than ideal business- mostly due to the fact that my quilt holder-upperers are less than thrilled with their task (can't blame them though!). I'm grateful to friends & family members who help out but often resort to photos using the washing line & lots of pegs. Thanks for the chance to win.
ReplyDeleteLoved reading your story about the photo shoot and your quilts do look perfect on those old shingles ! I don't have any tales quite like yours but do often look for those golden opportunities to take pictures in odd places . I enjoy your blog and wish I was closer to become a member of your growing group !
ReplyDeleteI've only taken bed-based quilt photos - not brave enough to venture out like you! x
ReplyDeleteWe have a lot of old buildings in our town and after reading your blog I want to run out and hang my quilts from them.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the story and inspiration in branching out in taking quilt photos.
ReplyDeleteTrespassing was totally worth it to get those shots!
ReplyDeleteSo far I've used our yard only for snapping a few shots of my little projects. I love taking shots of the things I've made. Nothing beats a nice back round for a beautiful project!
I have used magnets in the past to hold a quilt against the garage door to take a photo of a quilt when my quilt holder isn't available.
ReplyDeleteI have used magnets in the past to hold a quilt against the garage door to take a photo of a quilt when my quilt holder isn't available.
ReplyDeleteThat is a great story. Good thing you're a smooth talker! I think my toughest photo shoot so far was the one I had a quilt top balancing on the railing of a bridge trying to stop the wind blowing it into the water and passersby looking at me as though I were mad!
ReplyDeleteI've been to the East Coast. You're lucky you weren't accosted by a shotgun wielding over-protective neighbour. Congratulations on all the successes of your quilting endeavours, Adrienne. Most of my photo shoots happen on my own 50 acres atop the old hay wagon. No one notices but the wind.
ReplyDeleteGreat story. I get crummy pictures of my quilts and really need to work on them. I have a tendency to just take something quick and don't put much thought in it.
ReplyDeleteLoved the story AND it was a great place to do a photo shoot. crystalbluern at onlineok dot com
ReplyDeleteYou're too funny! Enjoyed your little adventure and learning more about you!
ReplyDeleteGreat story. I always think of doing a photo shoot, but I usually get so excited about finishing it and getting it where it's going that I forget to.
ReplyDeleteUsually I am to rushed for a deadline of gifting, to even get artistic photo's,lol. On the bed or maybe over my fence if the weather is nice. I should try to have a project or two completed for my travels home this yr and see if I can do better! Thank you for the giveaway
ReplyDeleteI've never photographed my quilts - they've always been gifts that I try to keep secret!
ReplyDeleteI love taking my quilts outside to photograph them against plants or the wall - they seem to look much better outside!!!
ReplyDeleteYour photos look great! Much better than mine. I love the photo of the baby plus quilt .... Something bright and modern against something old and Gray.
ReplyDeleteFunny photo shoot adventure for sure! I can see how that would happen. I often sneak around through back alleys in my neighbourhood looking for places to tack my quilts up, usually on someone's fence or the back of a paint-peeled garage door. Recently I found a wonderful spot in a public park with some beautiful tiered rock walls. Bonus is that it's often protected from the wind, which is a factor often to be considered. Sun and not sun ... those are other issues for me, being that I am a totally amateur photographer with a critical eye. You can see my recent rock wall photo shoot quilt photos here, if you care to ... http://lovepeacequilt.blogspot.ca/. For smaller quilt projects, I like to use our greyed natural cedar deck for backdrop.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great building/backdrop! Mostly I just convince my sister to hold up quilts in the wind & snow & cold. Enjoyed hopping thru the links -- I've followed your site for awhile, but the others were all new to me.
ReplyDeleteMy quilt shooting isn't nearly as entertaining. I usually try to coax my oldest into holding it for a few minutes (that's all he'll give me) at the bottom of our front steps. The wind is nearly always blowing so it always takes longer than I think it will and he's always incredibly annoyed.
ReplyDeleteMy Mom always said you get more bees with honey then you do with vinegar (or something like that). I love your quilts and the backdrop you used.
ReplyDeletebut it provides a good practice run for a more advanced project. Once you finished your trial sweater pick the weight that your pattern suggests and try again. piggelen garn
ReplyDelete