Cutting Quilt Pieces
Several of her traditional quilting masterpieces have shown at juried shows. “The awards don’t matter,” she says. “They don’t mean anything to me. I just love doing it!” One visit to her studio and it’s apparent that is true. Bolts of fabrics, jars of beads, buttons, and findings, share shelf space with patterns and fabulous works in progress. Her work table, large enough for cutting and measuring, is padded and doubles as the ironing table. Beneath the table top are cubbies for storage, designed and built by Steve to meet her needs. Her top-of-the-line sewing machine has its own table. A beautiful white bedspread, completely hand quilted in four years, covers her bed in the next room.
Carol considers it an added blessing to be able to work with her husband on some of the projects, marrying their skills in a beautiful creative way. Steve paints some of the background detail work on Carol’s designs. Carol quilts some of Steve’s book illustrations making lovely wall hangings. The picture above is the cover of his book, Do Turtles Have Talent? It’s a combination of painting and quilting using their combined talents.
Sharing her talent and skills is also a blessing to others. Carol is working with a group of women from her church teaching fourth and fifth grade girls to make simple quilts for homeless children in Philippines. The girls belong to an after-school group called God’s Girls and have met the missionary who will take the quilts. Carol says, “They’ve never sewed before and they are so excited to learn and to do this.”
The girls are lucky to have Carol as their instructor. They will realize as adults how much she added to their enjoyment in life by teaching them these skills.
Carol and Steve sell their work in Steve’s studio at 142 Whitewater Road, 281 South, Sapphire, NC. Their business is called Original Custom Creations by Steve & Carol Daniels.