It’s the beginning of the pandemic and I’m working from home. I’ve just inherited a 1973 Singer Starlet sewing machine. I haven’t sewn anything since college days. This machine is a relic, a real solid clunker. But it runs. Between Zoom meetings and on lunch breaks, I sew my first quilt. Not much to look at. I give it to my cat, since it’s made of cozy flannel bits and looks nice with his orange coat. Things get better after I realize that I need some help. Quilting help, I mean. Many youtube videos later, I create a much less embarrassing wall hanging. The colors are good. The patterns go well with each other. I’m onto something! I mention my “accomplishment” to a friend, who I only know through a political campaign we worked on together, and she invites me over to look through her fabrics. Oh, yes, and her many, many gorgeous, expertly made quilts. She is a master and she takes me under her wing.

In the meantime, I continue to paint my repeating-pattern, brightly-colored thrift shop wooden bowls, plates, and platters. I’ve been doing so for years, after returning from a trip to Cyprus and Turkey, where I fell in love with their ceramics and tiles.

And then I have my “aha moment”: Quilts! Tiles! Fabrics! Paints! It’s all connected! Painted Bird Creations is born!

I hope you enjoy my work, with the unique combinations of color and pattern and shape. I put a lot of heart and love into making each one-of-a-kind item! Please let your friends and family know about Painted Bird Creations when they’re looking for that special gift or something for their home or travel bag.

Thanks for your interest.

Marion