Quilt Number 400–Old Florida

This is the 400th quilt I have finished. My goal was to reach this number this summer and it’s still summer!

The quilt is hand painted on raw silk. The shibori fabrics used for the borders are both silk and cotton.

If you think of Florida as Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Orlando, the theme parks, the ocean, the Golf and the interstates you may not understand this quilt.

If that is your view of Florida you have missed the best part.

One of the greatest parts of Florida is between the coasts, and a little less than half way down the state.

There is a part of Florida that is disappearing as northerners build out some of the most wonderful parts of the state.

Have you been to the horse country around Ocala where some of the best race horses in the country come from?

Have you been to some of the little towns like Micanopy, Eviston, Mt. Dora, Eustis, Lake City or any of the nearby towns?

Have you driven the back roads and seen the moss hanging from the trees?

Have you taken a boat ride on the back waters?

Have you seen the birds, creatures and vegetation native to Florida?

Have you see the old buildings, some in shambles and some kept up beautifully?

Have you met the people who have been born and raised in Florida and are proud of their state?

It can be a softer more gentle Florida without the hurry up and wait mentality.

If you can’t answer YES to most of these questions it’s time you took time to really see Old Florida before it disappears.

This quilt pays homage to that special part of Florida – it is not one particular place, it is my vision of OLD FLORIDA!