| Paper quilled strawberries I bought from Reita Marks in 1995. To the left of the frame is a bird nest made out of hair from our horses' tails. |
Wild Berries
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Herbs
One of my many favorite pass times, quilling. I had never heard of quilling until the fall of 1995. I'm a happy gal finding the art of quilling. Fifty miles south of the PA border into WV and off I-79 is a little town named Philippi. It happened to be the town where our youngest son went to go to college at Alderson Broaddus. The college sets on top of a mountain overlooking the town with a beautiful old covered bridge that is crossed on the way to downtown. Very quiet and nice, we had some good times exploring the area. There's a lot of history and beauty in "Wild and Wonderful West Virginia". Coal was the building block for the little towns, now the mines have shut down and only the large companies owning the mines remain. Heartache for many, lost jobs and poverty took over. The state is working to bring back jobs and it seems to be on the right track. I commend their state for taking pride in bringing companies to the area. The last trip down I-79 was surprising, a lot of ground moving and building going on between Morgantown and Clarksburg.
We went Parent Weekend at the college which turned out to be a schooling, teach me moment, compliments of a retired Professor from WVU in Morgantown, WV. Great timing, great lady and she was willing to "Pass it On" to me. One of the buildings was set up with local artisans another " ahhhhh moment" for me. The guys went off to do what ever and I told them, "take your time I could be a while". How about all day! I love art and looking at special techniques that an individual has to offer. Only a few times have I purchased items but when I see something I can not get out of my mind, it's mine if the price seems fair. I passed one table and found myself always wondering back to it. For me watching the woman work the small strips of colored paper into beautiful shapes was amazing. One more stop and to my surprise she looked up and said, " you want to learn how to Quill"? I do! I sat with her for 5 hours learning as much as I could and loving every minute of it. She had a story and as most peoples stories it was interesting, all you have to do is listen and learn from it. The place started shutting down, I had already set aside one of her beautiful pictures to buy. She wrote down her address, asked me for mine and gave me the name of a company to buy paper if I decided to keep learning. She also told me how to make the quilling tool and save a few $.
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A week after I got home there was a package in the mail from Reita Marks, Morgantown, WV! She had sent me quilling paper, a tool, a few directions and a sweet letter thanking me for spending the day with her. No, thank you Reita for "Passing it On". When I quill or even think about doing it Reita comes to mind and our day together. I actually thought of this post when getting out the picture I bought from her. It's a reminder spring and strawberry season is on the way. Promise :)
Paper Quilling is an art form dating from the seventeenth century in France and England. The name quilling is derived from the use of a feather quill on which the paper was rolled. Today narrow strips of paper are rolled around a toothpick or needle. These are used to form flower petals, leaves, scrolls ad other forms which when glued together make various designs. Jewelry is also made with the designs.
I have my own box of supplies, if you think it is something you would like to try give me a call or message. I can teach quilling on Monday nights at the OVML along with the "Stitch Gals".
