ArtFire

"My Dream House"- 12"x12" Art Quilt Mounted on a White 16"x20"x.75" deep canvas.

"My Dream House" was made as a possible entry for a calendar contest. I didn't enter the piece, and decided it would look great mounted on a pre-stretched 3/4" deep artist canvas. It was entered in a local art show and received First Prize in it's people's choice category. This summer, it was entered in another calender contest and won a place in that calender, so now it is a Calender Quilt!

This piece began with a photo of a falling down house near my home. The real house is surrounded by tall weeds and brush. I had envisioned it as being surrounded by lush, vibrant flower gardens. The inspiration house is a 2 story, but this one is a small English cottage-like house surrounded by flowers that would be found in an English garden. I dream of living in a nice looking house surrounded by flowers and more flowers, so this really is my "dream House".

The flowers, trees, and house are all fused applique. Many flowers are cut from floral fabrics. Freemotion quilting secures all the tiny pieces as well as adding interest and texture to the piece. This is the first in a series I will be doing based on the house photo.

I have been fascinated with the architecture in old buildings. There are so many that are in my area and nearby that are in disrepair and beginning to fall down. I have been photographing many of these old barns and houses in my travels in various rural areas. I love to imagine what these buildings could have looked like when they were newer and cared for. Of course, in my imagination they all are surrounded by beds full of flowers.

cotton, fabric, thread, canvas

See more Art Quilts and other items at my website- http://www.andrusgardensquilts.com/, or see works in progress and inspirations on my blog- http://andrusgardensquilts.com/blog