MILLBROOK- When Lillian Angus moved to The Fountains at Millbrook, a Watermark Retirement Community, six months ago, she had no idea that her quilting prowess would be displayed for the entire community to enjoy. Angus’ elaborate, colorful quilts were recently put on display for the community’s art opening.
The Fountains at Millbrook has long been a community where artists of all types find camaraderie, celebrate each other’s skillsets, and grow in their crafts. Angus fit right in! Her room is a bright kaleidoscope of handmade quilts. Sixteen of these designs were on display at the community’s Art Opening on Thursday, April 18, 2024.
Several of the quilts are prize winning, as Angus has been commemorated for her handcrafted artworks many times over the years, including by the Mississippi Valley Quilters Guild in their Quilts by the Lake Show. “I try to design things that nobody else would think of,” said Angus. “I love the unusual, not the everyday design.”
Angus started her quilting journey around 40 years ago in her former home state of New Jersey. “One day, I saw a friend quilting and it looked beautiful. She suggested I start with one square and the rest is history!” Several members of her family, including her daughter, joined Angus for the April art opening.
Since she started quilting, she’s put together over 20 pieces of every shape and size which can take up to three years to complete. Her latest piece and her current favorite is a queen-sized Jacobean-pattern quilt resembling a wrought iron fence. She likes to make the best use of her time, using long car rides to family vacations and visits to relatives in Florida to work on her pieces. After all, “have quilt, will travel” is her motto.
She described quilting as a very cooperative experience, having met many friends through the craft and connecting with other artists as pen pals. “If I see a design that catches my eye, I write to the artist and see if I can get permission to try my version of it.” Every quilt grows bigger and better with each new addition, and she gets to connect with new people over their shared love for the art. Angus has settled into the community of artists well, “The people here are friendly and everyone is willing to help when you need it. It’s a wonderful place!”
Angus’ work will be on display in the community for the remainder of April.
