These three words express my intent in life.  As long as they stay my focus, it can get no better. 'GRATITUDE' is made with fabric won at a Prince Edward County Quilters' Guild meeting. 'LOVE' is made with fabric given to me by my 95 year old Aunt Jeanne. 'JOY' is made from fabric that makes my two granddaughters giggle. Quilted by Deanna Gaudaur. Photographed by Mike Gaudaur. quintestudios.com

When my partner passed away after a long  battle  with cancer, I  experienced the true meaning of  being at peace. The pain and  discomfort were gone.  There was finally a peace for us both. This quilt is my  attempt to capture both that peace, and the  complexity  of that peace, using over 30 white, and white on  white  fabrics. But even within the peace, there is the  dripping red of tears. Mostly they were tears of gratitude.  It was surely a loss ... but also  an incredible blessing to  have loved and been loved so deeply.

A map of Canada tells a story ... about geography that divides; climate that challenges; roads that take forever to connect; about a people so varied that we often don't speak the same language; about a country that is rugged and often unrefined; about sophistication and harshness.   It is a country that shouldn't work.  But it does, and I love it!   This is my interpretation of that Canada ... our Canada. Thanks Joni, for the words ... about a love that can't work, but always will. Photographed by Mike Gaudaur,  quintestudios.com