Arlinda's Art Quilting

Winter is the season I dislike most in the Midwest, and saying dislike is putting it mildly. Everything dies up here in the winter. Trees full of radiant color in the autumn shed those glorious leaves and stand naked and exposed to the world for the next few months. Earth which was warm and inviting becomes barren and cold. The world loses its color and warmth and part of me goes into mourning for what was.

The one good thing about winter is there is nothing to distract me from quilting if I can overcome the lethargy which rules me for the season. I think I was meant to go into hibernation during the winter. I stay so tired and the world seems a little gloomy.

What seems to help is the colorful designs for quilts that spring to mind when I am in the studio. The view from my windows can be dreary and empty of life, my design wall more often than not, has scenes of summer or my rapturous visions of the sea.

The sea has been my soulmate since childhood. I am fascinated by its many moods and the diverse wildlife that makes their home in its depths. It doesn't matter whether I am swimming in its caressing warmth, watching sunlight sparkle on its surface, or just inhaling the aroma of the salt air; the sea wraps itself deep inside my consiousness and I am content.

I have been studying my fabric stash lately to see what is missing. I find my eyes constantly turning toward electric blue, turquoise and bright yellow. Memories of days at the beach haunt my dreams and follow me into wakefulness.

I have been wanting to do a series of quilts pertaining to the sea and now maybe it is time to start. By building a marine quilt I can escape the cold and swim with dolphins and sea turtles. I will feel the breeze and watch the palm trees sway in the moonlight. Laughter will wipe away the cold and tropical sunlight will cheer me up. Let's see, where is that sea turtle print I just had to have this summer?