Valerie Hearder on the art and soul of quilting

Almost

I had a call this afternoon from my textile friends who collected the found quilts from the police. The police wanted to photograph all the quilts before they released them.

It's not a complete retrieval. None of my teaching materials, teaching demos and slides have been included in the haul. Further, I'd tucked some of my small framed collages and landscapes into my plastic teaching portfoilos. They are still lost. Still, I'm counting my blessings and VERY happy to have the most important pieces back! The out-pouring of support from everyone has been the biggest blessing of all.

I just can't wait to get them safely home!
best,
Val

Billy found the quilts.

Billy Jordan found the quilts while walking in the woods. Apparently nature called....... read about it in the Chronicle Herald:

(hmmmm, I can't get this link to work, but if you're interested, cut and paste this link
http://www.thechronicleherald.ca/Search/1063500.htmlinto your browser or, for the story and a photo or.... read it on my Facebook page!)

Tomorrow I have to make arrangements with textile friends from the Anna Templeton Centre for Fibre Arts in St. John's to collect the works. I'll update this blog as new links and developments happen.
Val

Found!

Friday 20 June:  This afternoon a journalist from a t.v. station in St. John's phoned to say that a young man had called the station to say he'd found my quilts. The journalist interviewed the fellow, and saw my quilts and they aired the story this evening.  I'm told  they are undamaged. They were found in 2 plastic garbage bags on a well used path - obviously dumped there today. I spoke with the finder who handed the quilts to the police and I am waiting to hear from the police

I'm thrilled and overwhelmed. The out-pouring of support and care from everyone has been so heartening.
So many were positive they would be found - and I knew that if magic could happen in any city, it would be St. John's where there is a big heart and everyone cares. I heard from a quilter in St. John's this evening who said even her postman asked everyday if the quilts had shown up yet. When the quilts were stolen a local t.v. station contacted me to say the whole town was pulling for me! I love St. John's!

I've seen my work published in many forms over the years, but taping up "Reward" posters of my quilts was one of the most disheartening things I've done. I could only think of them as "Lost" - because that meant they
could be found. So it is!

Thank you everyone for your kind emails and calls. I may not be able to respond to them all but, please know that I'm very grateful for your positive thoughts and care.
Love Val

Lost Quilts

Yes, sadly, it's true.
2 suitcases were taken from the locked trunk of my car just after the Quilt Canada conference here in St. John's Newfoundland. I've lost a significant body of work.
Flamboyant
Tropic of Capricorn
Fertility
Several small wall hangings and collages
Almost all of the landscapes from my new book "Points of View"
Also gone are all my teaching samples, slides etc.

Flamboyant in on the homepage of my web site and I'd just borrowed it back from a collector here in St. John's for an exhibition in August.

I still need to make a complete inventory when I get back home to Nova Scotia, so will keep you posted later on next week. In the mean time, keeping an eye on eBay, Kijiji St. Johns', Freecycle web sites and flea markets in the St. John's area are one way to perhaps spot them. Phone the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary if you do. A reward has been posted around this town for their return. There are optimistic people here in St. John's who feel they just may turn up. So, positive thoughts are gratefully received!

I've had an outpouring of support from quilters around the globe. You are all so wonderful and positive. I'll try and respon to you all later on next week.

Right now, I'm staying with my original plan to have a short vacation on the coast of Newfoundland.
I'll post again when I have news and when I can get back to my computer and access to photos.

best,
Val
p.s. I still love Newfoundland!!