Gallery - Out on a LIMB

“Fountain of Freedom ”

54 ” x 55 1/4”

by

Barbara M. Shrank

Every summer our family of three would make a trip from Madison, WI, to the East Coast to visit relatives in Wolfeboro, NH; New York City and the beaches on Long Island – all fun and beautiful places to spend our summer holiday time together. My daughter, Allie, loved being in the water, whether she was splashing in the salty waves of the Atlantic Ocean or jumping into the cool, clear mountain lakes in the White Mountains.

Lake Winnepesaukee is a big, beautiful lake in New Hampshire and a photo taken in that lake of my husband and daughter playing inspired this quilt. Allie and her dad were playing along the shoreline of Lake Winnepesaukee behind my parents’ home. Allie said, “Dad, you don’t have to hold me; toss me as high as you can – to the sky!” And so he let her leave the support and strength of his strong limbs – to exhilarating freedom. This fall she’ll experience more personal freedom as she begins college. What a time; what a rich, happy memory.

“Fountain of Freedom” was made using hand-dyed and commercial fabrics. Techniques used were raw-edge appliqué, thread painting and free-motion quilting.

I’d like to thank Wendy Butler Berns for being a wonderful teacher and giving me the opportunity to take on this challenge – it was a stretch for me, but a wonderful experience.

This quilt project begun in January 2010
was completed in July 2010

Created by
Barbara M. Schrank
Madison, Wisconsin