The Tulip Tango
Over the past year I've been challenging myself to design my own quilts. And, that's a pretty easy task when I'm inspired by original artwork that my friend Maureen has been working on.
Here is a picture that we had taken recently by our friend Perry Struse.
Maureen Miller and Heidi Kaisand
She has so much creativity and art abilities that I don't have! Check out this doll (in progress) that she made in a class this past week. So fun. You can tell the doll has a great personality.
Maureen and I worked together many years ago, she as art director, me as editor. I'll never forget how thankful I was that we hired Maureen. (Maureen will chuckle at the story behind that sentence. If only I could share that story with you all...) For seven years we created quilting stories, did photo shoots, planned magazine issues. We were a team. We even had a joint credit card. We often said we spent more time together than we did with our spouses. Then the corporate world we worked in made some changes, sending her in a different direction professionally and our friendship into new territories. It wasn't easy, I'll admit, because I was not only loosing my art director and partner, but my friend. Well, then you have to remind yourself that friendships are much more than working together and seeing each other daily. It's about sharing a passion for similar things, it's about truly caring what the other person is doing. It's knowing that she'll listen to me rant about whatever, she loves my kids, it's me wanting to push her beyond her comfort zone of creativity, and SO much more. So like any good true friendship, the storm was weathered and we came out stronger than ever on the other side.
In 2007 when I wanted to start blogging and create my web site, I turned to Maureen. I knew she knew me and could help me express that in the look of my sites. Thanks to her, I have a charming logo and coordinating pieces. She hand-painted the hen and chicks. If you haven't figured it out, I'm the hen and the three chicks are my children. Today, she's helping me create the cover sheets for my patterns. We've got great ideas for a fabric collection...we're hopeful we've found the fabric company that will help make that happen.
In the meantime, I'm inspired by Maureen's abundant collection of motifs and patterns to create quilts. The Tulip Tango features an appliqué motif that has tulip leaf stems coming together to create another motif. I like how it feels like the tulips are dancing around. This pattern will be available for purchase soon!
I know as the years move forward, Maureen and I will only continue to grow and strengthen our friendship. Whether we work together or not, I treasure her being a part of my life. Thank you for being my friend, craziness and all. Love ya, Maureen!
Here is a picture that we had taken recently by our friend Perry Struse.
Maureen Miller and Heidi Kaisand
She has so much creativity and art abilities that I don't have! Check out this doll (in progress) that she made in a class this past week. So fun. You can tell the doll has a great personality.
Maureen and I worked together many years ago, she as art director, me as editor. I'll never forget how thankful I was that we hired Maureen. (Maureen will chuckle at the story behind that sentence. If only I could share that story with you all...) For seven years we created quilting stories, did photo shoots, planned magazine issues. We were a team. We even had a joint credit card. We often said we spent more time together than we did with our spouses. Then the corporate world we worked in made some changes, sending her in a different direction professionally and our friendship into new territories. It wasn't easy, I'll admit, because I was not only loosing my art director and partner, but my friend. Well, then you have to remind yourself that friendships are much more than working together and seeing each other daily. It's about sharing a passion for similar things, it's about truly caring what the other person is doing. It's knowing that she'll listen to me rant about whatever, she loves my kids, it's me wanting to push her beyond her comfort zone of creativity, and SO much more. So like any good true friendship, the storm was weathered and we came out stronger than ever on the other side.
In 2007 when I wanted to start blogging and create my web site, I turned to Maureen. I knew she knew me and could help me express that in the look of my sites. Thanks to her, I have a charming logo and coordinating pieces. She hand-painted the hen and chicks. If you haven't figured it out, I'm the hen and the three chicks are my children. Today, she's helping me create the cover sheets for my patterns. We've got great ideas for a fabric collection...we're hopeful we've found the fabric company that will help make that happen.
In the meantime, I'm inspired by Maureen's abundant collection of motifs and patterns to create quilts. The Tulip Tango features an appliqué motif that has tulip leaf stems coming together to create another motif. I like how it feels like the tulips are dancing around. This pattern will be available for purchase soon!
I know as the years move forward, Maureen and I will only continue to grow and strengthen our friendship. Whether we work together or not, I treasure her being a part of my life. Thank you for being my friend, craziness and all. Love ya, Maureen!
Great post, Heidi, very enjoyable
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Beautiful quilt, Heidi.
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A lovely post about the joys and strength of your friendship.
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Heidi always an inspiration. Thank you for a wonderful story of friendship and talent.
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