Grande Design - Artist's Statement

I love handwork. In my early teens, I learned to crochet, knit and embroider. My grandmother later showed me a quilt top made by her mother, and I thought "I can do that!" In 1970, I made my first quilt out of squares of gingham.

Since that time, there have been many others: samplers, miniature quilts, a whole cloth baby quilt, a stenciled quilt, quilts that I have made, quilts that have made me, and quilts that took on a life of their own. I have especially enjoyed working with my daughters at their school to facilitate class quilts.

I have been influenced by all my surroundings; my husband, our children, our friends, my travels and our backyard. As I look at the quilts I have made or "facilitated," each one brings a special memory: the trip to China, the Fern Science Project, to the hummingbirds and roses in the back yard.

I have continued to knit, do counted cross stitch, and study lace. But, I always come home to quilting. Over the last few years, my focus has been Appliqué. The luscious variety of fabrics, ribbons of all sizes and colors bring about endless quilting possibilities. Traditional Appliqué can be updated with Ribbon Appliqué where quick simple embroidery stitches not only enhance the finished product, but take it to a new level of sophistication.

Thank you for visiting the site. I hope you have as much fun browsing through all the sections, as I had creating all the quilts and ideas featured here!
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Thank you,

Wendy Grande