by Ruth Stanton
During this Covid 19 season, I have used my time to paint two mats for my kitchen. The first one, featuring the official provincial and territorial flowers, is actually a repainting of the mat that lies in front of our kitchen sink. It received so much wear that I had to scrape and sand away the old design so that I could repaint the mat.

With the second mat, I turned to the quilt block motif. I chose the colours, but the designs are generally old traditional quilt blocks, used by housewives in making quilts for the home. Several years ago I found these patterns in McCall’s Quilt Block Patterns. You can still locate the blocks here: https://www.quiltingdaily.com/free-quilt-block-patterns-library-from-mccalls-quilting/
The site has many patterns, but I chose 16 and then used the flying geese motif to separate the rows. As with the first mat, I painted on the back of a piece of scrap linoleum, purchased at Ranger Carpets in Alexandria. I paint the back rather than the front because I find, when lain right side up, the edges tend to turn up and trip me.

I used white wall paint for the base coats, sketched in the designs with a graphite pencil and painted them with acrylic paints. For my colours, I use the inexpensive acrylic paints that I find at the dollar store. These give me a fairly wide choice of colours at a reasonable price. They work well enough for a floor mat, but I’d want better quality acrylics if I were painting something to hang on the wall. Once the mat is painted, I varnish it with a water-based varnish. My mats are not indestructible but they do last from ten to fifteen years depending on how much wear they suffer.
Collectif members, send an image (or a few) of very recent work to cagac.ca@gmail.com with up to 100 words describing what you did, materials used, inspiration, etc. Maybe share how you’re feeling & how creativity helps. We’d like an informative, inspiring show & tell. Writers, send us poetry, lyrics, a short piece or excerpt.
Stunning work, Ruth! And so interesting to read the process and materials you use.
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Ruth: Wow. Beautiful rugs. That looks just like a quilt. I could get into doing these. Thanks for showing your talent.
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Very original! I love the geometric mat you painted. Thanks for sharing this.
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These are really wonderful Ruth! I can picture these in your wonderful home. How beautiful to have this art under your feet!
I love the colour scheme for the quilt block mat. The design is similar to a quilt we have, made by husband’s grandmother and friends almost 100 years ago.
Bravo!
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I like those mats. Very nice with the quilt motif. Love the blues. I have made a few many years ago and still use them , they last forever. Mine is also near the sink and fading away. Your inspiring me . Might have to start making them again. Never knew anyone making them. Thank you for sharing Love it.
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Beautiful, Ruth!!! I love both – the flowers are so bright and cheerful, and the quilt looks like something you could pick up and wrap around yourself. What a wonderful idea! Hmmmm… 🙂
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Beautiful work, Ruth! I have often wanted to try doing one of those. I love the vibrant colours and the mixtures of patterns.
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