Many of my blog followers know that from time to time I create a blog that features a fellow artist. Today I take great pleasure in sharing some work by Carol E. Marlin. Carol first contacted me last fall. After reading my book “Inspiration Kantha” she was intrigued and while healing from shoulder surgery she embarked on research to find out where to obtain the turban cloth I refer to in my book. We briefly exchanged emails and continued on our creative paths… until just a couple of weeks ago I heard from Carol.
I was delighted to have her touch base and asked for permission to share the images she had sent my way. She had created several samples inspired by the Kantha book. Here is a little more about Carol.
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On February 6th Carol wrote:
“Anna, I got the turban fabric and have done a few small pieces. Very meditative. Thought you would like to see what I did.
BTW, the healing process on my shoulder is going quite well. Thank you for the inspiration.”
When Carol responded with a positive reply to my request to share the images she shared the following great news and images with me:
“Anna, Certainly you may use it in your blog. I would be honoured to be mentioned.
Now, I will do a bit of self-promotion. The attached pieces are scheduled to appear in the Reader Challenge section of the April/May issue of Quilting Arts Magazine. I have entered their bi-monthly challenge several times and this is the third time my work, small though it is, will be published. I am a bit proud of myself. 😊 The geometric stitching is done on samples of high-end fashion men’s shirting samples. I used to work in a wonderful men’s wear store in Indy. I collected many samples of all kinds of menswear fabric samples and have used them many times in many ways in my art quilting. The great colours and luxury fabrics just begged to be upcycled.
Thanks for being willing to communicate. If you ever do a workshop somewhere in the Indiana/Midwest, let me know. I would like to try to attend.”
Now, these stitch compositions really got me excited! Once again I contacted Carol… and to my delight, she granted me permission to share! Needless to say, I am so very excited for Carol and a selection of her work to be featured in the Reader’s Challenge in the upcoming issue of Quilting Arts! With Carol’s email granting permission, she volunteered some personal information to share with the images… and best of all, she included even more pictures of her work! I am sure you are all keen to find out more about Carol E. Marlin!
“Anna, You may post any of the images that I have already sent you. I am attaching a few more examples of my handwork. You may use any of these you choose. I have included a description of each if you would like an explanation for your readers. Following is a short bit of info about me. I look forward to being “published.”
I have always had a need and a love of making things. Garment construction, cooking, all sorts of decorative handwork: embroidery, crewel, needlepoint, counted cross stitch, jewellery, home decorating, beadwork, pearl stringing, knitting, growing tomatoes and flowers, crochet, fabric dying, and quilting. Did I leave out anything? I am a process person so the mechanics of producing the work are very important to me. The stitching, knotting, and cutting are my reward. The products are a bonus. I try to make the quilt “right” from beginning to end. I may never be the best designer but I can strive to be the best craftsperson I can be. When people ask the question “What is that for?” when looking at a piece of my art, I want to say “I made it to make ME happy.
Throughout my adult life, I have always been working on something with my hands. Sometimes the work was a necessity. I sewed nearly all of my clothes for a number of years and have made curtains, bedspreads, pillows, etc. for all of my homes. Most of the time my work has been for fun and fulfilment. There were endless gifts for friends and family who now an extensive collection of sweaters, jewellery, bead jewellery, quilts and other items I have given them over the year.
I have used a needle and thread in some manner to entertain and express myself since early childhood. I am a newly retired bookkeeper so I have more time to do the things I love.
Boro 1 – This quilt is the result of a two-day workshop with Lisa Binkley at QSDS in Columbus, OH, titled “In the Boro Spirit.” Boro is a traditional practice from rural northern Japan of repeatedly mending garments and bedding with scraps of fabrics in order to extend the life of the item and make them warmer. This is my interpretation of the practice. The fabrics used are artist dyed, surface designed, and eco-printed; commercial fabrics and denim. All hand-stitched by the artist.
Home Dec Bubbles – This quilt is my contribution to a collaborative show. My theme was textures, recycle, circles. The texture was expressed by a variety of fabrics from velvet to vinyl. The recycle was expressed by the use of fabric from discarded home decorating fabric samples books. The circles? Each piece is its own separate circle. The fabrics used are home decorating samples. Machine stitched and quilted.
Zentangle 1 – I took one of my favourite tangles put it on fabric and quilted it. Just for fun. Hand quilting on unbleached muslin.
Not Your Father’s Corporate Bag – This clutch bag is made from fashion menswear fabrics. The outside is the finest wool suiting patchwork pieced and sashiko-style hand quilted. The lining with its two silk edged pockets is pieced from cotton fabric for made-to-measure dress shirts. The colourful binding is a variety of silk tie swatches. Fabrics that were destined to be worn in board rooms by elegantly dressed men have been transformed into a “power” handbag to be carried to that same board room by a woman.”
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Carol, thank you so much for sharing your work and the inspiration for it! I love how we have connected across the miles! Keep on pursuing your passion and do stay in touch! I can’t wait to see more of your work now that you can devote more time to your creative endeavours. All the best!
Anna Hergert, Art & Design 
I have known Carol for more than a few years now and she never ceases to amaze me. I am so glad she is sharing her many talents with a wider audience. Please all you quilters and sewers please keep making this beautiful pieces of art. This word needs beauty and peace.
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Those a true words!!! Thank you, Vicki!
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Wonderful work! such precise stitching. And of course I love the bag – makes sense to use men’s ties for bias edging as ties are already made on the bias – will have to try that, although Yellowknife men don’t appear to wear red ties!
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Great work gals!!
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These pieces are beautiful. It makes me think about getting back in to handwork again….kind of. Thanks for sharing. I love seeing other people’s work especially on cool winter days.
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