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Based on the hits over the last few days from my blog post of my latest debacle, I would guess that you enjoy seeing me struggle-ah, I see how it is… As I begin working the border, I am totally surprised at what the fabric is doing to the thread-it’s just engulfing it! The fabric is silk noil, so it’s nubby and bumpy. Plus, it’s set upon 2 layers of batt: Orient on the bottom for stability and wool on the top for puff. That combination just seems to swallow any thread I put upon it. I haven’t documented all SEVEN threads that I tried,…
I am committed to showing my learning curve on this blog. You don’t always get what you want (Rolling Stones in the background, giggle)! Case in point, I began working on this piece and ran into some…issues. It’s based on a childhood memory I have of Lilly of the Valley surrounded by ferns in my childhood home. I’m making this piece for a purpose but it’s also kind of a test for a much larger piece. The center is wholecloth and my thought was to really focus on the puff of the quilting to tell the story, not the thread. Well, just a few choices got…
I visited the Pioneer Quilters Guild Show and Boutique on Friday. I made quite a haul at the boutique-did I get any Christmas presents?? Heck no, but I got some great stuff for…me! Right when I walked in this quilt caught my eye. It’s a great mix of Kaffe Fassett, batiks and other colorful fabrics. This king-size quilt hung dead straight, no wave-a rare sight. Great collaboration between Mary Hammarin and quilter Lana LaPlante.This sweet quilt by Diana Meier combined appliqued yoyos and 4-patches, a combination I have not seen before-charming! What a riot of color and flowers-you can’t help but…
Warning: If you are not interested in Free Motion Quilting, skip this post! I wanted to pass on some of what I learned in the class I took from Diane Gaudynski, “The Adventure Continues” at the National Quilt Museum in Paducah, Ky last week. The class was created as an offering to the experienced free motion quilter, so it was challenging. Any photos I took in class were allowed for personal use only, but you can see Diane’s work here. The photos I have included here are of the work I did in class (samples). I learned several beautiful, useful motifs,…
Continuing on with photos from the 2011 Pacific International Quilt Festival, I’ve included photos of the main competition section as well as some special exhibits. I only had a brief time at the show so my photos are not inclusive by any means! The name and title of each piece can be seen by scrolling over the photo. The following two garments were in the “Ethnic & Cultural Influences” currated by Rachel Clark:I of course love the color but also this coat was artful but very wearable (Gayle Hazen).I’m a sucker for anything sheer and I continued to enjoy this…
I was able to spend the tiniest bit of time last week at the Pacific International Quilt Festival in Santa Clara. I’ve split my images into two posts: here I have included photos of the “World Quilt Competition XV: On Tour” section as well as the “A Slice of Oz” exhibit by Gloria Loughman. The name of each piece and its maker will appear if you scroll your mouse over the image. This first section highlights Australian Gloria Loughman’s work: Gloria Loughman’s work is amazing. I would love to know how she achieves this kind of luminosity with her thread work. This…
I recently had the pleasure of taking a trip to Paducah, Kentucky where I took a class from Diane Gaudynski. Paducah is the Mother Ship of Quilting, home to the National Quilt Museum as well at the infamous Paducah Quilt Festival held each April. My travels took me to the new terminal at Sacramento Int’l Airport which is filled with art.The iconic centerpiece image of the new terminal is “Leap” a 56’ aluminum leaping red rabbit created by Lawrence Argent. It’s an intriguing piece that holds your attention from every angle. It dominates the interior space and appears to be leaping from…
Monday was a Red Letter Day! I traveled to Oakland Hills, Ca for a Studio Art Quilt Associates critique session. Before the critique session began, we stopped by the Creative Framing and Art Gallery in Oakland to see SAQA NorCal Rep Franki Kohler’s work there. What a fabulous collection! Franki uses hand dyed fabrics as well as sun printing and beautiful quilting. Her pieces are nature inspired and many times feature leaves, especially gingkoes.It was an All-Star Cast with (l to rt) Kris Sazaki (SAQA VP), Deb Cashatt (SAQA Exhibits Coordinator), Paula Chung (Quilt National exhibitor), me, Franki, Sandra Sider (SAQA…
I love fall-I was raised in the upper Midwest where fall brought an outrageous show of color. Here in the Sacramento area fall is more, hm, subtle? Changes are more micro than macro. My first clue that fall is on its way comes from my grasses-they all go to seed and with the slightest breeze my backyard is filled with movement. My olive trees are laden with ripening olives. My sedums begin to change color, eventually going to a pretty brick color.My Smoke Trees turn into this fluffy mass of “smoke”. Grasses begin to turn color…and the Kangaroo Paws dry to a golden brown.The Echinacheas…