Jul 27, 2008

Sometimes A Great Notion



If you're a quiltmaker, then the words 'sometimes a great notion' might mean a new design idea, the latest in rotary cutters, or finally finding a Sidewinder for half price. If you're from Oregon, have ever lived in Oregon, grew up during the 60's and 70's or just like to read books from that era, then "Sometimes a Great Notion' means you've read Ken Kesey's best selling book by that name.

However, if you ever lived in Oregon, like to read and are a quiltmaker ...like Finn, from Wisconsin..then "Sometimes a Great Notion" is the name of a quilt you mailed to Michele, who lives in Salem ....likes new design ideas, rotary cutters, wishes for a Sidewinder for half price, spent those decades straddling life in Alaska AND Oregon... and yes, did indeed read Ken Kesey's best selling book.

This great notion was beyond great. Dear Finn, while Paying It Forward, not only created and quilted me a beautiful little comfort quilt (which could also be used as a fabulous wall hanging) but it is SUCH a sweet quilt which also PERFECTLY matches my rustic Christmas colors. AND she sent me other unbelievable finds...a linen table cloth from my home state of Alaska and a vintage 1992 copy of Ladies Circle magazine where the entire issue was devoted to quilts and quilters in......you guessed it.... Alaska! To top it off, she included some lovely plaid fabrics, and instead of 'never giving an inch' sent me wonderfully sized pieces. Fabrics that are perfect for my current craze of making morsbags and giving them away as re-useable shopping bags.

From the Oregon coast, over to Wisconsin, through my heart in Alaska and back down to Salem...the arrows show me the way through the falling timbers and all of the rivers that run so deep. Thanks, Finn! It was indeed a very great notion and I just loved every piece of it!

5 comments:

Trisha said...

I just love your blog! I love the way you write. You suck me right in.

jovaliquilts said...

Perfect timing -- only last night at dinner I asked my daughter if she'd ever read Sometimes A Great Notion (she had not). I remember that horribly depressing childhood verse, too, that caused me to wonder long before I ever read the book.

Michele Bilyeu said...

Kesey took the title from the song “Goodnight, Irene” (later popularized by Lead Belly.)

"Sometimes I live in the country
Sometimes I live in the town
Sometimes I get a great notion
To jump into the river an’ drown"

Kristie said...

I just love your goodies!!! I have made one of those quilts before, I think it was called "Road To Jerico", I just loved the pattern.!!
Kristie

Holly said...

Hi Michele, I've been a little scarce online so it's time to catch up with what you are doing. Thanks for the lovely Sisters photos. If I'm not mistaken, GM and FM will be in Sisters next year so you'll have another chance to see them. Very interesting about those web awards. I had no idea as I'm sure most others don't either so thanks for doing the research and letting us know! Sorry to hear about Randy Pausch's passing. He left a good lasting legacy especially for his children and he finished well. There is a lot to celebrate about that man's life. Stunning quilt from Finn!! Woweee. It's a beauty. Lucky you :)