Tuesday 21 October 2014

Meeting the 1st Love Entwined!

Last week I blogged about Narelle Birchall and her LE - she is an extraordinarily talented quilter and the first person, as far as any of us know, to have finished Love Entwined. Am I serious?! Yes I am! Just thinking about it leaves me a little breathless. But Narelle isn't just talented, she's also generous and giving too. Last week we met up at Quilts in the Barn over in Wonga Park and I was able to see her work firsthand. This has been the first moment I've had to blog about the whole experience.

Oh my.
(L-R) Narelle, Brenda Papadakis and yes, that's me grinning in admiration and awe. It was cramped in there for a quilt as big as LE, but we were keen to unfold it and have a look at its beauty and it wasn't long before everyone present was desperate for a better look...
So it was taken outside and pegged to the tennis court fence. It was an incredibly bright day and the glare was overwhelming for me, all my photos turned out blank or washed out and I got one of those instant sun headaches, so I was very grateful to Linda who knew my camera better that I do and put it on the right setting so that I could capture a photo with Narelle in front of her majestic quilt. We are both somewhat stunned by the light in this image, but I think you can see how spectacular Narelle's Love Entwined is. Narelle, you are talented beyond words.
I can tell you that it truly is spectacular and that Narelle has accomplished years worth of work at a rapid pace. And yet, it's incredible in every way. Her fabrics, her workmanship, everything just left me speechless.

I'm already at that stage with Love Entwined, where I just don't know what to say about it anymore. It has been an epic and heartfelt journey for me and I feel in many ways that I have done what I felt I needed to when I started this project. With the last installment released this month, I feel somewhat 'finished' emotionally with the drive that was needed to release it. From this point onward, it belongs to whoever makes it and takes on its own character at each hand. Seeing Narelle's quilt made me fully 'realise' that this quilt is out there in the world now and this leaves me deeply contented.

Did I mention Narelle's excellent workmanship? She really is talented. This is perhaps the most difficult block in the entire quilt and she has made it look effortless and simple.
It's very difficult to photograph a quilt like LE because there is so much detail and these details are not distinguished in overall quilt front pics. So here is a close up shot. I can tell you first hand that every inch has been made extraordinarily well, this quilt is a masterpiece. 
My deep thanks and gratitude to Linda who allowed us to unfold LE and then peg it on the tennis courts, and for taking the images I am in when I couldn't manage my own camera (honestly, I'm hopeless with those things), and to Brenda Manges Papadakis (that's a whole other post!) and of course to Narelle Birchall - its incredibly generous to take the time to show your quilt and to have allowed me to see it in real life. Thank you so much for thinking of me.

Yes, Love Entwined is officially out there. What do you think?

25 comments:

  1. Wow, that quilt is just breath taking!! What a masterpiece and a great accomplishment!!

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  2. Wow! Wish I had seen it in person. It looks fantastic in the photos!

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  3. Esther you must feel so very proud to see your vision executed so beautifully, congratulations to you both.

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  4. WOW!! It is just amazing - Narelle you did a fantastic job. Thank you Esther for blogging about it. WOW!!

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  5. It is beyond mere words.

    Is there any quilting in the quilt? It was hard to tell in the pic's.

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  6. What an amazing job Narelle has done. You must have felt thrilled to see it finished. I can understand that you feel a bit drained and possibly empty now that a very major project has reached it's conclusion. Enjoy a few months of 'nothingness' and new ideas and plans will gradually start filling your brain. You've done all quilters a major service by releasing these patterns. Thank you.

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  7. It's amazing! nice to see you with this masterpiece.

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  8. How lovely that you met up with Narelle and her stunning Love Entwined quilt. It really is amazing. I love it too.

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  9. Beautiful! Stunning! Gorgeous! Very well done, and great that you could see it Esther.

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  10. It really was incredible to see it and I'm so thankful to Narelle for thinking of me.

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  11. Wow it is breathtaking I am so jealous.
    Esther you must have felt that this was your baby all grown up. You are so very generous.
    Hugs Bunny

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  12. Astonishingly beautiful! Well done, Narelle! Thanks for sharing this, Esther (had to laugh at the pic with you and Brenda P - two people who I have WIPs for in one photo!).

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  13. It is absolutely stunning! so tempted to restart my own version :)

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  14. Amazing!! Stunning! Gorgeous! WOW! Thanks for sharing this post. Congratulations to Narelle!!!

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  15. Like Jacqueline..I'm wondering what the finish was? Is there quilting? It's stunning and fabulous, of course. I've just made a bumbling start on one. Wow! Just think how you'll feel when there are lots of these out there! Thank you for all your hard work on the pattern!

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  16. Very beautiful! Bless her for sharing it with us and you for the untold hours of effort to bring the pattern to all of us.

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  17. It is beautiful!!!!!!! Love it ,

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  18. Thank you for the close up pictures. She never gave up. I love the way your LE quilt is coming.

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  19. Thank you for all the wonderful comments. I am basting the quilt on the weekend and will then hand quilt it. I will echo the applique as I want to maintain the original coverlet appearance. Thank you again Esther for the excellent pattern and all the best to those completing this journey.
    Narelle.

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  20. This is so beautiful...beyond words at seeing these pictures. Narelle you are amazing to have this finished so fast. Can't wait to see the quilting. Esther, you have made it all possible and there will be more. Ask Brenda : ) she knows how this all works. Now to finish Brenda's quilt so I can start on yours.
    Missy

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  21. What a joy to see the quilt hung like this so we can see it in all its glory with the designer and the quilter. What a thrill for you Esther to see the birth of your first Love Entwine after all the Labour you put in to her been born. Narelle your quilt has a mythical quality around it, from that glowing soft pulsing compass to the very last stunning border, I have been in at least 6 times to day to just sit and look at it. Thanks for been such an inspiration the whole time you were on your journey constantly sharing its growth with lots of photos and always answering emails when a question was asked. This is an incrediable accomplishment. Cheers Glenda

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  22. Seeing Narelle's beautifully completed LE is encouragement to press on with my version. Narelle has set the bar very high in terms of beauty and quality. Esther, this American gal is grateful for the opportunity to make LE. Thank you. Mary in Tennessee

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  23. Simply gorgeous! I've had to put my LE on hold but I've not put it away. It is in plain view just waiting for me to get back to it. Narelle you are an inspiration. And that goes double for you Esther!

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  24. Wow, I have just gone weak in my knees; I can never do this! Who am I kidding?
    xx

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