Kim Hanson

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A Symbol of Unspoken Love

March 1, 2021 | 8 Comments

I’m getting to that age in life where I’m so very grateful to be alive. I’ve lost family members and friends and acquaintances who have not been extended the same privilege as I have…to still be here in my sixth decade.

Thoughts turn to…What can I leave behind? What will my legacy be? Is it possible to touch the lives of my children and grandchildren when I’m no longer living? Basically, I wonder….can I leave a piece of my heart behind?

When they were young, my children were the center of my universe; my life revolved around them in a real sense. School, their activities and sports kept me running from one place to the next in a chaotic, frenzied way, never mind that my paid job also had to fit in. Days sped by like vehicles on the highway, turning into a blur month after month. Sometimes, the only way I remember those frantic and hectic days are when I look at all the photos, and thankfully, there are tons of photos.

My solace in those days, came in the evenings when the kids were tucked safely into bed. That’s when I would work on my latest quilting project, often late into the night. I felt such peace and strength and creativity as I sat stitching at my sewing machine, my fingers smoothing out the fabrics as they ran under my needle. Hours flew by, and I had to force myself to stop sewing and head to bed. I felt such joy and a sense of accomplishment when I would finish a quilt and be able to lay it atop one of my children’s beds. It was my way of protecting them, wrapping them safely in my love. But, did my children feel that?

Now, I have grandchildren – the greatest gift and blessing of all. I have quilted and sewn for both of them, many times over. Now, with the luxury of time, things have changed. I no longer have to choose between sleep and stitching; I work on my quilts during daylight hours. Life’s frantic pace has slowed down, and I can breathe and relax and reflect.

But one thing has not changed. I still feel such joy and a sense of accomplishment when I finish a quilt and lay it atop one of my grandchildren’s beds. It’s my way of protecting them, wrapping them safely in my love. But, do my grandchildren feel that?

My stash-cupboard has baskets and crates, filled to the brim with fabrics that tingle the senses; vivid, intoxicating colours of teals and pinks and reds, fabrics that are just waiting for me. The patterns and colours evoke joy and make me feel like a kid again – full of excitement, endless possibilities and wonder. But will those fabrics speak for me?

I have a lot of work to do in the upcoming years. So many quilts to make, so many stories to tell – I pray that I will get time to expand and express myself in all the ways that I wish to. Even at this age, my brain is still overflowing with concepts and plans and ideas for the future; I doubt that will change. As long as I’m able, I want to be creative. Perhaps that is part of my DNA…part of what drives me. More likely though, it’s my veiled attempt at articulating love.

So again, I wonder when I’m gone, will my quilts remain? Will my family truly understand that they are, and always have been, an expression of my love for them? Will they “get” me? Of course, my secret wish is that they do understand. I’m ever hopeful that my quilts will serve as a symbol of unspoken love. I’m ever hopeful that my children and grandchildren will still snuggle under one of my quilts, late at night, and feel protected and cherished and secure. I’m ever hopeful that they will know, with each quilt I’ve stitched, I’ve left behind a teeny tiny piece of my heart.

Take care.

Kim

Filed Under: Uncategorized | Tagged With: quilting, QuiltingforKids, quilts, ragquilts

Perfect Flying Geese

January 23, 2021 | 1 Comment

Good day everyone. I’ve always said, “I’m not a typical quilter. . . a typical quilter is very precise, pays close attention to working in a step-by-step manner and quilts by the rules.” Unfortunately, that’s not me, never has been.

I’ve always been too time conscious, worrying more about getting the project done quickly than getting it done precisely. My rushed manner has always left me with a mistake or two or more. It’s always left me with seams to rip out and many re-dos. Perhaps daily meditation has helped me to see this behaviour? I don’t know.

I’m trying to work in a less hurried and more well defined, concise way. I’ve decided to spend more time on my cuts and my stitches and my pressing. I’ve decided to be a little more detail-oriented and a little less time conscious. I want to slow down in my quilting work and get it right the first time.

Recently, I wrote a profile piece about a mother-daughter quilting duo for an American quilt magazine. While doing my due diligence, I watched several of their online how-to videos on youtube. One of the videos I tuned in to dealt with “how to make perfect flying geese”.

Now ordinarily, I would not have paid too much attention to the content of the videos. I figured my flying geese were good enough the way they were. But, in light of my new “intention”, I paid close attention.

The ladies used a Bloc-Loc flying geese ruler. Basically, all the ruler does is square-up all your geese so that they all measure exactly the same. It doesn’t help with the actual construction of the geese.

I chose to buy a 3″x6″ ruler; but it comes in many sizes. It’s a little expensive I’d say, but I now feel it’s very worthwhile.

The ruler has already come in handy for a quilt I’m making for my book. The ruler also comes with a guide to making flying geese – i.e. what size to cut the rectangle, what size to cut the squares, which is also very helpful. Once the flying geese units are stitched together, the ruler is placed over the unit, and any excess fabric trimmed away. (I used to trim flying geese units using my regular quilting rulers, but they were never all exactly the same). It’s very likely that most of you use a ruler like this already, but for me, it’s different and I love it! I will always use it now.

What do you know? They’re all exactly the same size! Yippee.

Please take good care of yourselves and your family.

Kim

Filed Under: Uncategorized | Tagged With: Bloc-Loc, flyinggeese, quilt, quilting, quiltruler, quilts

With Glowing Hearts – My Poppy Quilt

November 11, 2020 | 2 Comments

It’s Remembrance Day everyone. It’s the day we stop, take a moment and remember all our War veterans.. . . those young souls – men and women – who fought for us and the freedom of our country. I hope you all have a peaceful Remembrance Day.

Awhile back, I made a quilt from fabric designed by a young Canadian designer, Grace Noel. The fabric collection was called With Glowing Hearts and it was created to commemorate Canada’s 150th birthday in 2017. I loved the name of the collection, loved Grace’s story and was drawn, as usual, to the “teals” of the collection.

Since the fabric has been on the market for several years now, it would be hard to find any to purchase. You could do an etsy.com search or contact me. I have some of the collection left.

My quilt was not necessarily made for Remembrance Day. But the poppy row of the quilt was.

Freedom, democracy and our way of life is sacrosanct. It only takes a few minutes to remember.

Thanks so much.

Kim

Filed Under: Uncategorized | Tagged With: GraceNoel, quilt, quilting, quiltpattern, QuiltPhotography, Trend-Texfabrics, WithGlowingHearts

Just a wee sneak peak

October 12, 2020 | 1 Comment

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone! I’m sending out a quick blog post today to let you know I’ve been working on an original quilt that I will call All Around the House. The pattern is the simplest of simple. Using the fabric collection called Jubilee from Cyndi Walker (a Riley Blake designer), I honed in mainly on the pinks, greens and whites of the collection.

I must say I really fancied this collection! I’ve never worked with fabrics designed by Cyndi Walker in the past.

Supplementing with some yellows and deep navy’s, I think the combination is quite pleasing.

So, I shall reveal the quilt to you all as soon as possible. It will be photographed in the outdoors.

Take good care.

Kim

Filed Under: Uncategorized | Tagged With: CyndiWalker, Jubilee, quilting, quiltpattern, QuiltPhotography, RileyBlakeDesigners

The Appeal of Quilt Retreat

July 11, 2020 | 4 Comments

Good day everyone. Hope you’re doing well.

The Autumn 2020 issue of Quilter’s World magazine is out in print. I love working for Quilter’s World; they approve my idea and then let me run with it. That’s truly the best way to work!

My piece is entitled, The Abiding Appeal of the Quilt Retreat and begins on page 66 of this issue. As with all my writing, I’m so very fortunate to engage with some wonderful people. For this article, thanks go to the following ladies: Angela McPherson, Vivian Sergeew, Donna Bonn and Alvina Saliken, (of Sweet Pea Quilting in Parksville, B.C.) all of whom were kind enough to spend some time with me…answering my questions and providing me with some of their lovely photos.

You can pick up an issue at your local quilt shop or grocery store or Chapters. Alternatively, you can purchase an issue online here.

Thanks again to four special ladies who helped me make this article happen. I’m very appreciative and grateful for your kind assistance.

Kim

Filed Under: Uncategorized | Tagged With: quilt, quilters, QuiltersWorldmagazine, quilting, quiltretreat, retreat, SweetPeaQuilting

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