Iina Alho – Time #5
Time to Stop Searching
This time, my inspiration comes from the American poet Mary Oliver (1935–2019) and her poem “I Have Decided.”
“Time to Stop Searching” is a kind of note to myself.
Since I was quite young, I have carried a longing to feel at home somewhere.
So, my answer to the question Mary Oliver ends her poem with – “Are you following me?” – is yes! I, too, know the paradox of a deep-rooted longing to be somewhere else while at the same time being content with where I am right now.
As in all the pieces in this series, this piece also includes old lace crocheted by women in my family.
In this way, the entire series is connected both to each other and to my past.
“Time to Stop Searching” is hand painted, pieced, machine quilted, and hand embroidered.
What a beautiful quilt and the embroidery is really exquisite. I really feel the connection between the poem and with your vision of it. Bravo!
A great addition to your series, I love the way in which your lace pieces are so varied. A great subject and the stitching is fantastic, well done.
The machine quilting is wonderful, and the hand embroidery is truly spectacular. As always, the story is interesting—and it is even more interesting to see how it transforms into a quilt.
Your use of color really brings the viewer in for a closer look. The embroidery is beautiful as is the quilting motif. I love the feeling I get from the mountaintop home.
I love the way that you have used the lace to connect all of the pieces in your series. The colours and stitching in this piece are beautiful and I like the little house at the top of the hill. Great work
I love the square with that tiny house on top of the mountain. The embroidery and the lace adds the special touch to your piece.
From your family’s lace and the hand painted details to the intricate hand embroidery, this is a stunning, cohesive, and soulful addition to your series. Well done.
This is beautiful. The embroidery is delicate and looks so good against the background.
The color in this piece is stunning. Both free motion quilting and hand stitching are very beautiful. My eyes darted to that house on the top of the mountain straight away! The lovely lace ties this quilt to the previous ones. Bravo
Love everything except the lace, maybe if this a muted colour. Like the significance of the poem.
This is a feeling that I have always had ! until I found the place where I am right now, so I understand perfectly what you are talking about !
I love your little house at the top of the mountain and the hand embroidery you have added on the background.