Crafty people Series #7 - Elsbeth Wallenburg

I'm quite fortunate to be adding this very special teacher to our crafty series. The more I've been learning about quilting the more I admire and respect her work. Quilting I thought, was about putting pieces of fabric together. Boy! was I in for a big surprise. It is more like a very dedicated, patient, and precise detective work. All those fabrics just don't quite fit together the way you thought in your head.
So I'm really glad to be able to know a bit more about Elsbeth Wallenburg and her truly amazing quilts.
Her dedication and love for quilting radiates in each and every word! Here she is!

The first quilt she ever made!

The "Houseboat Quilt" she made for her parents

1. First crafty memory?
    My best memory, I don't know if it was my first, but I remember embroidering an appliqué stork
    holding an umbrella. I gave it to my aunt, and I was so proud of it!

2. Favorite craft you have ever made?
    As a house warming gift for my parents when they moved to a houseboat, I made a quilt of his
    design, with 8 houseboats, sort of like a family tree. Each houseboat had fabric that belonged to each
    of our families. It was a design that I made. (Look at the last picture)

3. Favorite material to work with?
    Cotton fabric. It is a weakness. I like them all!

4. Inspiring words you like?
    It is from the fabric designer Kaffe Fassett. Someone asked him; "How do you achieve what you
    have achieved?" His answer was; "the f word." FOCUS!
    I like this a lot because I like doing too many things, so I chose quilting, and I just focus!

5. Favorite color?
    I don't have one. I think every color has a purpose.

6. Tea or Coffee?
    Tea is the best, coffee is too complicated!

7. Mountains or beach?
    Beach, but not in the summer. I like the sea.

8. Where do you find inspiration?
     A lot is from the internet, also old books, and books with old techniques, even postcards (see
     postcard on 4th picture the quilt it inspired)

9. What do you collect?
     Fabrics and books. Books about fabrics and quilting. Old Dutch fabrics (whenever I find one, I'm
     very thrilled)

10. What would you like to make that you haven't yet?
       My biggest ambition is to become a good designer, then again that takes a lot of effort and I do
       work here 5 times a week!

For classes with Elsbeth and to see some of her beautiful quilts in person go to  Den Haan & Wagenmakers, or look at her blog!

Thank you Elsbeth for sharing your beautiful work with us!

Giova.