When I first started this quilt, I was undergoing a tragic time upheaving my life, so I found solace with practicality in piecing this.
QUILTING PLAN
In the practicality was the need to develop my sewing skills to ultimate obtain income.
Since my major head surgery many years ago, where one of my balance nerves was cut, I had to learn to walk again.
Although I managed that, too many tabs open in my head cause visual fatigue which increases body fatigue.
Although I’m known for juggling several projects at a time, I do that better on my unique time schedule, which dooms me for fast paced life in the busy world.
Thus, sewing was my plan for income, so I whipped out a lot of quilt tops that year.
Packing them away when the house sold, I awaited the day I’d finish this quilt top, which I really liked.
Since I sewed my quilt tops seasonally that year, this one came at the end of summer.
By then I had determined my favorite quilting fabrics are batiks which lend to impressionistic harmonies.
Continuing my seasonal pursuit in my apartment, the world wide disease hit, so I hand stitched my Harlequin Quilt, then my Starry Night Quilt, then a baby quilt for my new granddaughter.
By hand stitching all those quilts, I was developing speed and finesse of my 18th century sewing skills, where I hoped to derive income.
As I worked on my Jinny Beyer Garden Path Quilt, Mr. Bachelor called for my help.
POMONA PAINTING
When Mr. Bachelor asked me to be his strategic advisor on buying a house, he then asked me about recommended paint colors for his new living room walls.
Seeing a painting propped against the wall, of which I’ve heard hours of cherished family stories, I knew it had to be the focal point of the living room.
It was painted by his uncle in the 1930s, before he was killed in combat in the South Pacific during World War II.
When I asked about the location of the scene, Mr. Bachelor said it was of Mexico, about 130 miles from his uncle’s hometown of Pomona.
Since Mr. Bachelor inherited his first name from this uncle, and spoke extensively of all the family lore of Pomona, I ensured this painting was the inspiration for all we did.
As I recommended paint and furniture colors to him, I pulled them from this cherished family painting: light sage greens for the walls for a soft neutral, deep leather browns for masculine comfort.
However Mr. Bachelor deviated fromt the plan when he bought a massive white couch that does not fit the space, but I deviate from the story. 😉
CURRIER RANCH – POMONA
Part of the family lore was of a great uncle with a ranch, Alvan T. Currier, who inspired Mr. Bachelor’s middle name.
Originally from Maine, Alvan T. Currier moved to California in the 19th century, establishing the Currier Ranch in Pomona.
Since I’m a Texas gal, I asked if his Great Uncle Currier raised longhorn.
Surprised I’d ask such a question, W said no, the California ranch grew citrus.
Okay, in Texas we’d call that an orchard, but the fun of visiting different parts of the country is learning their unique heritage.
VINEYARD QUILTS
I suspect that orchard led to Mr. Bachelor’s favorite Bible verses related to vineyards which led to his desire for vineyard quilts.
When I brought my completed quilts over to Mr. Bachelor’s house for photography, because he has an amazing balcony from which to hang them for better photo ops than my small apartment provided, he got an idea.
He asked me to design three vineyard quilts for him, in various sizes: large for over his massive white couch, a small one for the little foyer, and a medium sized one in between those areas.
Pulling out my phone, I showed him a picture of a large impressionistic vineyard quilt top I had recently pieced together, which he loved!
Well…that one was mine, but I’d sew another for him…
MARRIAGE
Not long after that, Mr. Bachelor finally decided to marry this Texas gal!
During numerous noisy house renovations I hand stitched the quilt layers of that impressionistic vineyard quilt, which we recently hung over the couch, across from the family painting.
With the quilt complete, I turned my attention to preparing for our trip to California, which included a day in Pomona.
Before we flew to California, I shared my research with my husband, telling him that this painting tells the story of Great Uncle Alvan T. Currier, who bought 2400 acres near Elephant Hill where he established the Currier Ranch and raised horses and grew orchards. Upon that ranch he lived in an adobe until the great house was built.
Needing to find those mountains, I took a photo to handily keep on my cell phone for reference…stay tuned for that exciting story!
