As we here in the northern United States hunker down for a prolonged cold snap—single digits (Fahrenheit) every day—today’s post is a reminder that Spring, while not around the corner, is coming. How quickly it’ll come we’ll have to wait until Monday to find out, when Punxsutawney Phil does or doesn’t see his shadow. By the way, I’d like to recommend the movie “Groundhog Day” for weekend viewing—an annual event for Tom and I, along with our son, Sam. This year we’re adding Tom’s mom to our movie night since she’s never watched it in her 84 years—time to check it off her list. Let us know in the comments if you too are a “Groundhog Day” aficionado!
Keeping in mind the recent cold, snow, and ice that has engaged so much of the US, the winged insects in this collection of Finish Line quilts (such as Marnie Coke’s “Mexican Beauty,” above) have been selected for their fabulous displays of color and warmth. Their delicate features bring to mind gentle breezes and blooming flowers. Maybe they can’t physically warm you, but they can warm your heart and soul.
Please enjoy the wonderful and inspiring images and stories that are shared below—we’ve also included links to other fabric collage works these artists have created.
A reminder that we are running low on Finish Line quilts. Please consider sending in photos and description of your finished fabric collage quilt to share with our supportive and discerning readers.
Ready to share your fabulous collage creations? Click on button below—thank you to all!
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Click on any of the smaller gallery photos in this post to view them larger and to scroll through the photo gallery.
Liza Carter
To see more of Liza’s artwork, visit these posts: On the Road: Maine Fabric Collage Quilt Retreat, June 2019, and her finished horse portrait here, Fabric Collage Finish Line #82.
From Liza Carter of Concord, MA:
In 2019, a quilter friend of mine (Julie Bermant) called me up and said “Go sign up for this course, I’ll tell you what it is about later, but there is no time now as the course has filled and you need to be the first person on the waiting list.” Trusting her judgment, I did as I was told and it turned out to be one of Susan Carlson’s week-long workshops on fabric collage quilting in Harpswell, Maine and a new passion was born.
Drawing on my experience as a watercolorist and photographer, I have fun playing with this very slow and meditative technique of creating an image out of fabric. I describe it as solving a jigsaw puzzle while simultaneously designing the final image and cutting out the pieces at the same time!
“Metamorphosis,” is a deeply personal exploration of transformation, intertwining the life cycle of a butterfly with my own journey from childhood to adulthood. The quilt features four images of my face at different ages, alongside vibrant motifs that symbolize growth and change. Hidden “Easter eggs” throughout the quilt represent the helpers and guiding influences I’ve encountered along the way, offering a tribute to the unseen forces that support us during our most profound transitions.
Hover courser or click on images above, to identify the four images of Liza’s face at different ages.
Barbara Boland
To see more of Barbara’s artwork, visit these posts: Harpswell, ME Fabric Collage Quilt Retreat, October 2019, and The Colors of Fabric Collage in Santa Fe, NM—MISA, April 2025, Part 1.
From Barbara Boland of Lewiston, Idaho:
I found this moth at a camp site inside a building and when I put my hand down she climbed into it. I took her outdoors and put her on a log safe and sound.
Barb’s fantastical “Cleo the Moth,” was begun in April 2025 in class in Santa Fe, New Mexico—see photos, above. What a treat to see it finished! Be sure to note Barb’s out-of-the-fabric-collage-box treatment of Cleo’s antennae!
Marnie K. Coke
To see more of Marnie’s artwork, visit these posts: Even More Fish in the Sea: Fantastical Fabric Collage Part 3, Fabric Collage Finish Line #98, and January 2025 Live Online Class—The PeeWee Pride.
From Marnie K. Coke of Leith, Ontario, Canada:
I first discovered Susan’s art on the internet when I was exploring ways of recreating a painting that my deceased brother-in-law had made, using bits and pieces of his clothing. Intrigued as I immediately was, I began to read Susan’s blog posts and watched as many videos as I could. I attempted my own fabric collage, a portrait of one of my grandsons, and I was hooked. Since then I have participated in work alongs, fly on the wall and most recently a 5 day workshop. I love making fabric collages.
Mexican Beauty is a whimsical version of a photograph of a Monarch Butterfly. She has survived her time in Canada and the long flight down to Puerto Vallarta and now rests comfortably, feasting on the lush vegetation of the sunny south. The source photo was taken by a long time friend and was used with her permission.
Glorious Gecko Follow Along for February 2026
Susan Carlson Glorious Gecko Follow Along
February 5, 12, 19, and 26—7:00 p.m. EASTERN TIME
Cost: $95
REGISTER HERE
Typically each evening presentation (7 pm Eastern Time) runs about an hour and half. As with all our Thursday Night sessions, a recording link will be emailed the next evening to all registrants to review or watch later if you cannot join us live.
Each week via Zoom, I’ll be giving a live demo with Q&A as I gradually take you from beginning to end of a Glorious Gecko collage. You are invited to “follow along” if you wish, or you may simply want to watch as my piece progresses. I start off with a slide show to get you caught up on the progress I’ve made the previous week, I then work live as I progress to the next step, talking through my thought process and creative decisions while demonstrating the technique.
As a registrant you will receive a code for a free gecko pattern from my online shop to follow along as you play with your own fabric stash—but you are welcome of course to use your own gecko design, or just “go with the flow” of your fabric. In between the Thursday sessions, you can apply the steps covered to your own gecko collage.
What inspiring works of art! I hope I can do as well some day.
As for Groundhog Day – my family watches it every year! We enjoy it so much that my daughter and I have decided we each need to make the Irish Chain bed quilt from the movie so we can wrap up in them while we watch the movie! ????
Wow, Ursula! You and your daughter are quite the movie fans—what an idea to celebrate Groundhog Day! When you get those quilts done, or even in-progress, I would post photos next year if you’d like to share them (even though they won’t be collage quilts ;-)) I will be paying special attention for that quilt when we watch the movie tonight!!
LOVE Groundhog Day! “It’s gonna be cold, it’s gonna be grey, and it’s gonna last you for the rest of your life!” 😉
Hi Lizzie! I’m impressed you had that quote on the tip of your tongue! Tonight I’m gonna ask my guys for their favorite quotes. One that comes up for us is, “Don’t drive angry!”
Love the butterflies! Also love Groundhogs Day and have watched it multiple times. I worked in a quilt shop for a couple years in Woodstock Square where it was filmed!
Hi Edy, yes, I love those butterflies With all the cold and winter weather that’s been hitting so many people, the color and beauty of the butterflies are a welcome balm for the season. And one way or another Groundhog day is a turning point to Spring! How cool to watch the movie and recognize the town!
Being from Pa. originally, I am a huge fan of the movie Groundhog Day and watch it a couple of times a year. I have been gone for Pa for over 45 years now but a couple Septembers ago, when I was visiting home in eastern Pa., I made it a point on my way out of the state to go visit Punxsutawney Phil at his home and go out to the Knob to see where they hold all the Groundhog Day doings. It was so much fun.
Hi Elaine, Punxsutawney WOULD be a fun stop to keep in mind!