week 2 – quilt square revival

This Monday night is a little different than most for mesh. Melissa is in New York on business…so I am at my very own Kitchen Table instead of hers!

On Saturday, my new husband Michael took me over to the Garfield Park Conservatory (http://www.garfieldconservatory.org/) here in Chicago. It was really beautiful and most importantly it made me think that Spring might actually be here! One of my favorite flowers to look at and photograph are the orchids! There are so many varieties, and they each really appear to be one-of-a-kind. Each unique, original, and special…

Many product lines that mesh has designed and produced have been one-of-a-kind. In addition to our beaded necklaces, which can be found on our portfolio website at www.meshchicago.com, we have a collection of clutches/money pouches.

Often when I go home to Central Illinois, my Mom (Marilyn) and I walk through the local small town antique mall. Last year, during one trip home we walked thru the booths and I stumbled upon a stack of quilt squares that some woman had toiled over, but had never made into a quilt. This collection included 66 quilt squares that were fashioned in the “crazy quilt” pattern. There were fabulous colors and patterns in the fabric swatches, many were very familiar and reminded me of the clothes my grandma made for herself.

I stood right there in the antique mall and said “I have no idea what we will do with these…but I must buy them”.

Soon thereafter Melissa and I were sketching little clutches and having a mock-up sewn.

There it was…a one-of-a-kind collection of 66 clutches called “Marilyn’s Revival”. Each one in this art collection is individually numbered. I’ve since used it to accent a little black dress for summer weddings, used it as a wallet in a larger slouchy bag, and even used it as a makeup travel bag.

I love the thought that some woman had innocently sewn these with intension of making them into a quilt….I would just love to see the look on her face as she heard that some sassy women in Chicago were sporting her handy work during cocktail hour.

To purchase a crazy quilt clutch, email us and we’ll send you a few photos to choose from. Clutches are priced at $36 (tax & shipping included) and each has one inside pocket and small handle.

meshdesigns@yahoo.com

-sherry