30″ x 60″, 1986, cotton blends, hand appliqued.

Blazing Splendor by Marlene is part of the Permanent Collection of the American Quilter’s Society in Paducah, Kentucky. The AQS publication documenting the permanent collection includes this description of the quilt:

“My first quilt was a high school graduation gift for my daughter in 1976 – it depicted the campus of Valparaiso University where she would attend college. A second quilt was not done until 1980 (for her daughter’s college graduation gift). I dabbled in a variety of arts and crafts before determining quilting was my true love. Applique has since become my specialty. I enjoy designing my own work so applique is a natural way to express my ideas. Blazing Splendor, an original design, is a bright splash of color depicting the Christmas poinsettia. Four shades of red are used for the bracts of the poinsettia and four shades of green for the leaves. The small flowers of yellow-green are embroidered.”

The book, “MAQS Quilts: The Founders Collection”, includes a photo of Blazing Splendor and a Quiltmaker Profile of Marlene. It notes, “Now retired from pre-school teaching, she quilts daily.”