Grand Central Terminal Centennial Quilt Challenge Finalist

January 5 at the Blair Library in Clawson quilter and writer Theresa Nielsen gave a talk on her art. Nielsen's quilt was a finalist in the Grand Central Terminal Centennial Quilt Challenge sponsored by the City Quilter quilt shop in New York.

The quilt incorporated fabrics designed for the Centennial, including fabric representing the constellation ceiling of the terminal and a picture postcard print with images of Grand Central. The fabrics are still available at The City Quilter's website and store in aqua and ivory colorways.

Constellation fabric represents the ceiling of Grand Central

Grand Central

See more about the challenge at:
The City Quilter: http://www.cityquilter.com/Grand-Central-Centennial-Quilts.html
The Wall Street Journal:
http://www.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702304914904579439090413753278?mg=reno64-wsj&url=http%3A%2F%2Fonline.wsj.com%2Farticle%2FSB10001424052702304914904579439090413753278.html
All People Quilt:
http://www.allpeoplequilt.com/magazines-more/american-patchwork-quilting/grand-central-winners

Theresa Nielsen quilt photograph from All People Quilt

Nielsen's embellishments includes beading and watch parts. Her quilting group friends helped her to collect the embellishments.

Nielsen has had other quilts in challenge shows, including the National Quilt Association's Sew Batik. Her books include stories based on her family life and her many pets, including birds, dogs, and cats.

Nielson had a Redwork quilt on display as well--with presidents and political motifs.

 The library (and city hall!) have quilts on display year round. Some at the library now:

Hometown Christmas Shopping

We have a wonderful store in town called Leon & Lulu that offers home decor, furniture, gifts and books galore. It is in the old Ambassador Skating Rink and the wood floors and snack stand (offering coffee and pop corn) are still there. I have visited the store several times in the past few months. 

Furniture, art, lamps, rugs; modern or industrial; chandeliers of wine glasses or tea cups--it's all here.

 Animal items are big. Leon & Lulu are the names of the owner's dog and cat.

 Either you laugh or shudder at the thought of these target prints in your living room.

 There are cute handcrafted gloves and hats, socks, purses, wallets, and clothing.

 There are a lot of message pillows. This is my favorite.

 These rusted metal signs are really cool. But we sure don't need a sign to tell us to 'eat' at our house!

 Do you need a dinosaur in your living room? At five our son would have said "yes!"

 I love the pottery tiles, including Charlie Harper designs.

 There are fox and reindeer dolls.

There are reminders of the building's roller skating days, like these vintage skates.