Meeting Marlyn

I am still in Israel, and while enjoying the best of all my 7 or 8 trips here so far, last Tuesday afternoon I had the great pleasure of meeting Marlyn, another acquaintance I made from the IJQ list (Internet Jewish Quilters ).   After meeting her near her home, she walked me back to her place and we shared 2 hours of delicious "coffee and quilting".

Marlyn has a great studio...small, but quite functional.   I was impressed by her ability to maximize her storage space with cabinetry in every possible place,  and she gets maximum usage of two tables that line two of her walls.  She uses one long table for her sewing machine and computer and a high table for standing and cutting.   As space is a valuable commodity in Israel, it is necessary to make the most of what space one has, and Marlyn has done just that.
We both agreed that her studio is "full" but not cluttered.  (And there IS a difference!)

Two windows in her studio allow for wonderful natural, bright lighting.   And, of course, her kitties love basking in the warm sunshine as they snoozed in the bottom of the metal window cages which are characteristic in many of the older Israel architecture.


Marlyn and I both shared our passion for fabric as well as a few necessary points upon which we agreed:
1.  There is no such thing as having "too much" fabric
2.  When going to a fabric store, it is not necessary to purchase any.  Just going to look at it is quite fulfilling and satisfying.
3.  We'd rather receive fabric than any other gift item.  (a gift coupon will do...hint, hint)
4.  Whatever extra petty cash we have is best spent on .....___________(take a guess!)

After discussing her studio, Marlyn took me into another room to show me a few of her bed quilts she has made.  Marlyn has completed approximately 70 bed quilts.  Along with being amazed by her  incredible productivity, I was totally impressed by her talent.  Marlyn has a great eye for use of pattern and color, as she masterfully blends fabrics that she has collected from Australia, Africa, and many other places.   Her collection of fabrics was quite unique....Though I was able to control my drooling, it was hard to contain my fabric-envy!

Marlyn with 'skewed' log cabin quilt, and Cleo


Our two hours together whizzed by!  We parted with hugs and good intentions of keeping in touch.  Thank you, Marlyn, for meeting with me....I look forward to keeping posted with what you are doing.