Names

I loved the names of the designer studio or company in the various booths. Here is a small selection.

We were escorted around to meet various booth owners.

The September Patchwork Classroom was opposite October.

This one is from Taiwan.

Various sewing machine companies had demonstration areas.

Smile!

 

 

South African National Quilt Festival 2015

I've always harboured a secret desire to visit Africa one day. In fact I've made a number of African inspired quilts over the years and these details are from a quilt made with friends after a day of swapping and sewing blocks for us all.

Now I'm very excited as I've been invited to be the tour host on a Down Under Quilts 13 day, small group, escorted trip to South Africa culminating in the South African National Quilt Festival! Tour dates June 24- July 7 2015 with options for extensions.http://activetravel.com.au/Trips/south-africa-quilting-fair/
Active Travel, based in Canberra have put together a very interesting tour, but we need a minimum of 10, maximum 16 participants. Is this something that appeals to you? I would love you to join me on this new adventure in the company of textile enthusiasts. A little rubbing along the way, anyone?
 

Quilt Expo en Beaujolais

Mexettes rule at the Expo! Our little exhibition was very well received and the crowds filed past for the 4 days. On the first day we gave a small artist talk about the work.

Could not have done without our support team! L-R Bob, David, Ian and Doug. Nick was there too.

I'm looking tired but am very happy that all went smoothly after 2 years in the planning for Beautiful Australia.
 

Caught my eye in Florida #2

Bridget Wilson Matlock was a student in my Monoprinting Magic workshop & was very excited to have won a ribbon with her quilt 'Queen Nemo' detail above.

Lisa Gorski has an interesting story to go with 'Zebra'. Hope the print is large enough for you to read it.

Detail of  'Blue Toucans' by Margarita Korioth which uses recycled laminated newspaper & magazine clippings with beaded detail in the pink section.

Caught my eye in Florida

It is so evident that as quilters, we are influenced by our surroundings. The following is a selection that caught my eye at the Florida World Quilt Show. 'Breezy' above by Janine Ward. Janine is also the maker of 'Brown Pelicans'.

Unlike the white pelicans we have in Australia, I saw brown pelicans when on the intercoastal waterway yesterday on a Diva Duck tour. 

Detail from 'Blowing in the Wind' by Marianne Williamson who achieves a very painterly effect by intense stitching over collaged fabrics.

'Weight,Weight- Don't Tell Me!' detail from a humerous quilt by Pat Kumicich.

Caught my eye in Houston #2

Congratulations to Lisa Walton, the Jewel Pearce Patterson Scholarship for Quilting Teachers on her exhibit. I loved seeing this work, 'Gaudi Star' in person, it really glowed.

'Blackbird' by Sally Westcott was also part of the exhibit.

Maria Elkins with 'Windblown' winner of the Fairfield Master Award for Contemporary Artistry.

'The Monumental Way' by Karlyn Bue Lohrenz stopped me dead in my tracks, as only 3 days before I had been standing under this arch, named Delicate Arch in the Arches National Park, Utah.

Caught my eye in Houston

There were many, many stunning quilts that caught my eye in Houston. This is a very small, personal selection from exhibits where photography was allowed.

'Radiance' by Susan Stewart was awarded the Pfaff Master Award for Machine Artistry. I don't think the photos can show the skill & precision in the placement of the digital embroidery over the pieced diamonds & the lacy edge.

'Dixie Dingo Dreaming' by Susan Carlson won the 'What's Good for You' contest.

'The Summer Sun II' by Reiko Naganuma, in which woven pieces are intergrated into the pieced design.

I always love Betty Busby's work & seeing it in person is a thrill. This is from the 'What's Good for You' contest- 'La Puz', a prize winner.

Festival is over for another year

I have been absent from my blog because there is just so much to see & do at Festival. Like this Texas boot, Festival seems to be bigger & better each time I visit. This was only the third time I have experienced it.

Francie, what goes on in Hosuton stays in Houston, so sorry, but I can't give you the spoon secret!

It was a delight to meet quilters from many countries & thank you to everyone who joined me for my floor talks. The future of quilting is in good hands- 6 year old Quinley, a stitcher, declared that 'Blue Cottonwood', the quilt behind us, was her favourite. If you'd like to see the full exhibition Destination Texas, it is on my website in the portfolio section.

This is a view of the front entry section before opening at 10am & the sign below summed it up!

World Quilt Competition

A gentle reminder to all Australians that there is still time to post me, your entry for the World Quilt competition. Your quilt will be admired by thousands of viewers at 4 major quilt shows in the USA run by Quilt Fest. Mancuso Show Management who run the festivals are donating $10 for each quilt entered to the Japan Relief Appeal.

The details on how to enter & the entry form are on my website under the World Quilt button on the navigation bar. Friday May 20 is the deadline for entries, so please post before then or express overnight post. And good luck to all who have entered so far. When we get 10 entries or more we are eligible for a Best of Country Award. All quilts entered, traditional & innovative, are eligible for all the major awards which have cash prizes.

AiR #12

The shared vision of cousins Karey Bresenhan & Nancy O'Bryant for a Texas Quilt Museum is taking shape in La Grange. Above L-R Karey & friend Patricia. Restoration of  two adjacent 1800's buildings, formally a furniture & hardware store, is exposing the beautiful hand-built brick foundations.

The Texas Quilt Museum will open during International Quilt Festival 2011 with special tours from Houston available.

So many good things at Festival

Diane, Festival was such a good time I just have to share a few more things, quilts which caught my eye, in no particular order. Above 'When Curlers are too Tight' by Betty E Ives, Canada in the Hands All Around 2010 International Quilts exhibit.

'Rare Catch' by Diane Stefen says the blue lobster is a genetic anomaly & a 1 in 5 million occurrence. This is for you Rita Rita, lobster eater.

 

'Graceful Dance' by Janneke DeVries-Bodzinga so fluid & powerful I can hear the African singing.
Mary Fisher had a very moving exhibition 'ART & Soul'. And finally some Houston views from our hotel room.

Tactile Architecture 2010

Congratulations to Trish Alcorn, a Queenslander from Winton, who had 2 quilts in the Tactile Architecture 2010 exhibition. This detail is from 'It Should be Constitutional' & below 'H.B. Guggenheim & Me'.

I also met the delighful author of 'Quilting with Aliens', Lisa-Marie Sanders. The book is very funny with a beautiful message.

Luke

I met Luke Haynes at Festival, as I recognised him from his quilt 'On My Bed #3' which was had an Honorable Mention. You might like to check out his other work- awesome.

Terrie Hancock Mangat

I did one of the 2 hour Sampler sessions on offer & got to meet, for a brief time, someone whose work & fabric designs I've admired for a long time- Terrie Hancock Mangat. Terrie works large, colourful, bold & embroiders amazing faces on her pieces.

I also came across a green coloured batting that is also green for the environment, being made out of 100% recycled plastic bottles. Made by Quilters Dream Batting it is the new kid on the block- Quilters Dream Green.

Old friends & new friends

I had such a great time at Festival seeing old friends & making new ones, some of whom I don't have photos of- how did that happen? L-R Deborah Boschert, Judy Coates Perez, Melly Testa & me.

Eileen Campbell & Betty Busby were winners in the Festival Gallery of Quilt Art: Wonders of the World & you can see part of their quilts behind them.

'Flower Songs' by Eileen was first & Betty's 'Sandia Mountain Spring' second.