“THE FIRE WITHIN” Our Spirit Of Creativity 1998 © designed and created by Vikki Pignatelli

Within each one of us burns the spirit of creativity...special gifts and talents given to us by our Creator. No matter how insignificant we perceive our own talents and abilities to be, these gifts are capable of reaching out into the world to influence the lives of people around us. These abilities are not limited only to the arts but also include the creative talents of being a good parent, spouse, care giver, teacher, and loving/helping others who need us. In my quilt I depict this concept with the spiral (our creativity) burning deep within us. Our gifts and talents (flames) radiate outward through the world, affecting others in ways we are not aware. The spiral and many of the flames are three-dimensional and raise off the purple background of the quilt surface. Some flames are twisted or turned and some move off the quilt to show our ability to touch others is boundless. This quilt was at the same time the easiest and hardest quilt I have ever made. Technically, it went together beautifully even though my experience with dimensional piecing was limited and I was making up the rules as I went along. Emotionally, it was draining. I definitely felt I was not alone as I made this quilt. I was engrossed in my work and when I would "come to" would be overwhelmed with tears with what was created. I still cannot explain these tears. They are not from sadness or joy, and they cannot be held back I often needed to leave the house and walk to re-center myself so I could work again. This quilt is dedicated to the Holy Spirit in gratitude for his gift of creativity to me. (detail photo)

"Breaking Point"-- 1995 -- 40"l x 48"w

The years 1993 and 1994 were very stressful ones for me and my family. Many times I felt as if I would break if even one more disastrous event happened to us. Thus, the idea of "Breaking Point was born. The focal tree symbolizes each of us as individuals and the blowing wind and rain are the inevitable storms of life we all much endure. One way to survive is to bend and ride out the storm rather than fight against it. I feel this relates to the stress all women face, especially those in middle age who must deal with issues such as aging parents, teens and sometimes life threatening disease.

I was inspired to make this quilt as I watch a beautiful tree in our from yard buffeted by a storm in the spring of 1994. I felt just like that tree. Ironically, as I was sewing this quilt in the summer of that year, a major part of that tree was toppled by a violent thunderstorm.

This quilt was featured in Quilter's Newsletter Magazine--Oct. 1996 and Pfaff Club Magazine#19, July, 1997

"Fire and Ice--1995--44"w x 45"l

This quilt is a study in colors and shapes. The flaming vivid red, yellows and oranges of fire is in direct contrast to the jagged icy blues, grays and lavenders of winter. The inspiration for this quilt was a comforting fire in our fireplace during a very cold winter's night!

This quilt was featured in Quilter's Newsletter Magazine, May, 1997 and Pfaff Club Magazine #19, July, 1997. It also won "Best Amateur Entry-Innovative", in the 1995 Pennsylvania National Quilt Extravaganza.

"Portrait Of My Soul"--1996-- 65"l x 65"w

The idea and inspiration for this quilt was conceived during a church service. Instead of paying attention I was daydreaming. As my mind wandered, I clearly visualized an image I feel portrays my spirit. I see my spirit as a sunburst of energy, swirling and constantly moving, almost flickering. The vivid, colorful flame-like shapes depict the emotions that "color" my soul. Red stands for love and passion; purple is spirituality and sorrow; blue, happiness; yellow, joy; gray is my fear and anxiety; etc. The gold lame represents God. The black surrounding my spirit symbolizes the world. While I was machine quilting "Portrait", I encountered a lot of difficulty that brought me to my knees--that was the humility in this quilt! I did complete the quilt exactly how I visualized it that evening in church.

This quilt is featured in the Pfaff Club Magazine #19, July, 1997 and the American Quilter's Society Engagement Calendar, 1998.

"Portrait Of My Soul" has won three ribbons. It won 1st place in Art Large, at the 1997 International Quilt Festival in Houston, TX. It also won 1st Place-Innovative at the 1997 Pennsylvania National Quilt Extravaganza and won 2nd place at the 1997 Vermont Quilt Festival.

"After The Storm"-- 1997-- 62"w x 56 3/4"l

This quilt is a sequel to "Breaking Point. Now, four years later, my life is considerably calmer. This quilt's purpose is to demonstrate that life's storms are often followed by more tranquil and brighter days. On this quilt, I machine appliqued the binding on after the quilt was machine quilted to give a picture-framed appearance, and also free-motioned quilted with 2, 3, and 4 strands of threads through a single needle.

This quilt won Honorable Mention--Art, Small at the 1997 International Quilt Festival in Houston, TX.