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Quilt Shows

Shades of the Southwest – Curated by Donna Barnitz and Gail Garber

One of the most exciting and fun things I got to do this past year was to work with my BFF, Donna Barnitz, to curate an exhibit for the American Quilter’s Society Albuquerque QuiltWeek.  Our theme was “Shades of the Southwest”, which left a lot open to interprentation.  We were so excited to select 31 amazing quilts for the show.  Due to camera issues, I was unable to photograph each and every one, but here is the first installment.

Yucca and the Moth by Shannon Conley Yucca and the Moth, 52" x 59".

Yucca and the Moth by Shannon Conley, 52″ x 59″.

Shannon, who hails from Moore, OK, writes this about her quilt, “This quilt was designed to capture the symbiotic relationship between the yuccas of the high desert, sparkling in the crisp New Mexico sunshine, and the tiny yucca moths that pollinate them.”

Green River Sunset, by Pat Gould

Green River Sunset, by Pat Gould, 51″ x 36″

Pat Gould, an Albuquerque resident, writes this about her quilt, “I designed this piece based on photos I took at Dinosaur National Monument in Utah.  The site is famous for the large dinosaur fossils embedded in the rocks.  The colorful rock cliffs along the river and the amazing sky inspired me.”

Ancient Flight by Barbara Striegel

Ancient Flight by Barbara Striegel, 58″ x 62″

Barbara Striegel hails from Rio Rancho and is very active in the local quilt community, participating in the Thimbleweeds Quilters and serving as treasurer of the Fiber Arts Fiesta, which will take place over Memorial Day weekend in Albuquerque.  We need more folks like Barbara!  Here’s what she has to say, “The 16 ancient designs depicted represent both Pueblo and pottery designs.  The Zia Dragonfly soars over a river observing the many animals found living in the Pueblo lands of the ancient Southwest.”

Seeing the show with my friends - what a treat!  L-R:  Sami Sanborn, Pat Folsom, Cynthia Figueroa-McInteer, Lizzie Roberts

L-R: Sami Sanborn, Pat Folsom, Cynthia Figueroa-McInteer, Lizzie Roberts, and Mary Chappelle.  (and no, those are not horns growing out of Cynthia’s head!)

Seeing the show with my friends – what a treat!

Southwest Sampler by Floyd and Wilma Moss

Southwest Sampler by Floyd and Wilma Moss, 67″ x 78″

Nothing says New Mexico, like a Southwestern Sampler!  This one was created by Floyd and Wilma Moss of Suphur Springs, TX.  They say this about their quilt,  “Ah, the Southwest! Shades of ochre, copper and russet define canyon walls, plateaus, and minerals. Shadows of charcoal gray emphasize the depths of the canyons and give distinction to native flora which is seen in relief against the brilliance of the setting sun. Turquoise skies and ecru clouds reflect in streams and lakes and find substance in the gems which hide in the earth. The shapes and designs in the quilt recall the art, pottery and textiles of the peoples of the southwest.”

I Went to Albuquerque, by Sylvie Poulin, 36" x 43"

I Went to Albuquerque, by Sylvie Poulin, 36″ x 43″

Sylvie Poulin, who hails from Val-Dor, Quebec, Ontario, traveled the greatest distance to see her quilt hanging in the show.  She says this about her quilt, “Mythical Kokopelli travels to another village in his eternal wanderings through the Southwest desert.  The rays of sun and their swirls remind us of the summer heat, while the rainbow colors bring back the sky at sunrise and sunset.  But is it the sun or are we seeing the top of a hot air balloon rising above the festival?”

New Mexico Hillside and the Roadrunner, by Jeanne Hurt, 17" x 34"

New Mexico Hillside and the Roadrunner, by Jeanne Hurt, 17″ x 34″

Jeanne Hurt, a local resident, created this three dimensional quilt with a myriad of things New Mexico.  She says this about her quilt, “The wildlife, the fauna and the colors of the state of New Mexico helped me to make this landscape a beautiful place to enjoy every day in my home. I see the Turquoise Trail, the Rio Grande, and the rocks and grasses come to life. The roadrunner hunts his favorite food, the lizard, along the path and life goes on in New Mexico.”

I’m sure you will agree that there is so much variety in this exhibit.  Stay tuned for more in a couple of days!

 

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AQS Quiltweek Albuquerque – Large Competition Quilts, part 2

Here is another set of the large competition quilts from AQS Quiltweek Albuquerque.

Carnival is a bright and festive original design by Margaret Noah, Montrose CO. She used the 10º wedge ruler and big, bold printed fabrics to achieve this dashing entry. It was quilted by Gale Smith.

 

232 Margaret Noah Carnival

 

Linda McGibbon, Beaverton, MI, designed Sun and Sand using EQ7. Her goal was to design a Mariner’s Compass quilt using Square in a Square and Flying Geese Blocks, and as you can see, succeeded very well indeed!

 

229 Linda McGibbon Sun and Sand

 

Carol Jaynes, Savannah, GA, created this Judy Niemeyer design as one of the five patterns Judy asks her certified instructors to undertake. The quilt is called The Feathered Goose and was paper-pieced.

 

224 Carol Jaynes The Feathered Goose

 

Just look at the beautiful interesting quilting on the geese as well as in the background.

 

224 Detail

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AQS Quiltweek Albuquerque – Large Competition Quilts, part 1

Today, I get to start showing some of the fabulous quilts that were entered into the AQS show in Albuquerque in January. There is such variety and creativity exhibited! It’s really stimulating!

This first quilt is a stunning example of what can be accomplished with only three colors – black, white, and red – and emphasizing shapes and design. Georgia Spalding Pierce, Seattle, WA, received an Honorable mention for this stirring quilt. The black sashing represents the formal lines essential to the art form. This quilt is hand-appliquéd, embroidered, and machine quilted.   The motifs are inspired by Pacific Coast Indian art as documented by Jim Gilbert and Karin Clark.

234 Georgia Spalding Pierce Spirit

Spirit, by Georgia Spalding Pierce, Seattle, WA

234 Detail 2

 You know how I love birds!

234 Detail

Isn’t this a great anthropomorphism of a whale? And just look at that quilting!

236 Julie Sefton See Rock City - Tennessee Favorite of my friends“See Rock City” instantly grabbed the attention of my friends, some of whom hailed from Tennessee and knew exactly the story behind this quilt.  They were absolutely enthralled by the story represented by seeming barn sampler.  It is an enchanting quilt.  Julie Sefton, Bartlett, TN, free pieced twelve barns, four Mid-South season, farm animals, tractors, silos, signs, and a windmill. Chris Ballard quilted it.

243 Laura Trenbeath tinks Choice

Laura Trenbeath, Waynesboro, VA, won First Place for Tink’s Choice. Laura treaded dangerous ground by asking family members for their opinions as to the choice of pattern! The only one willing to weigh in was her sister-in-law, Teresa Herring, aka Tink. Good advice, Tink! This quilt is pieced and long-arm quilted.  The design source is Audrey III pattern by Deb Karasik.

245 Kris Vierra I Dream of Wild Horses

Kris Vierra, Lincoln, NE, won Second Place for this dream catcher motif, I Dream of Wild Horses. This quilt represents the perfect good dream, as well as Kris’ passion for all things wild. The design was inspired by a drawing by Jody Bergsma, Bergsma Gallery.

245 Detail 1

We see the wonderful quilting in this detail shot. This is truly a quilt that is lovely at a distance, and lovely close up.

 245 Detail 2

Here’s a shot from the back, showing the beautiful quilting. Look at all that delicious detail!

Stay tuned for more!

 

 

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The Big Winners from the 2015 AQS Albuquerque Quiltweek

I am so excited that the American Quilter’s Society brought their QuiltWeek to Albuquerque!  It was an honor and a privilege to be one of the judges, but it also was very challenging because the competition was exceptional.   Of course, everyone who entered is a winner: you got to share your beautiful work, and we got to see it! Thanks to all who participated!   I did a search for the websites of all of the winners; if they have one, I have linked to it.

Best of Show at American Quilter’s Society Quilt Week in Albuquerque went to “Stars on Mars” by Gail Stepanik and Jan Hutchinson, Minong, IL. Wow! This is one gorgeous quilt!

Stars on Mars, by Gail Stepanik and Jan Hutchinson, Minong, IL

Stars on Mars, by Gail Stepanik and Jan Hutchinson, Minong, IL

The Best Original Design Award went to Ann Horton, Redwood Valley, for “The Birds’ Perspective – Life at the Water’s Edge.” This delightful nature scene has a lot going on.  The longer one looks at it, the more that one sees.

The Birds' Perspective - Life at the Water's Edge, by Ann Horton, Redwood Valley, CA

The Birds’ Perspective – Life at the Water’s Edge, by Ann Horton, Redwood Valley, CA

Lorilynn King from Longmont, CO, created this lovely. sparkling study in blue. She received the Best Wall Quilt Award for “A Pocket Full of Paisleys.”

Pocket Full of Paisleys, by Lorilynn King, Longmont, CO

Pocket Full of Paisleys, by Lorilynn King, Longmont, CO

The Best Hand Quilted Award went to Antonia Hering, Hoorn, Noord-Hooland, Netherlands, for “Dreamtime.” If you didn’t get to see it in person, just let me tell you this: each one of those little circles is hand-appliquéd!

Dreamtime, by Antonia Hering, Hoorn, Noord-Holland, Netherlands

Dreamtime, by Antonia Hering, Hoorn, Noord-Holland, Netherlands

Here is “Byrnes Spiral” by Beth Nufer and Clem Buszick, Borrokings, OR. The Best Use of Color Award went to this stirring creation. I love the squares within circles in the corners, and of course, the geese!

Byrne's Spiral, by Beth Nufer and Clem Buzick, Brookings, OR

Byrne’s Spiral, by Beth Nufer and Clem Buzick, Brookings, OR

“Majestic Mosaic” by Karen Kay Buckley and Renae Haddadin, Carlisle, PA, earned the Best Longarm Workmanship Award. This lovely quilt has great balance of colors, shapes, and quilting, not to mention all of the incredible applique.

Majestic Mosaic, by Karen Kay Buckley and Renae Haddadin, Carlisle, PA

Majestic Mosaic, by Karen Kay Buckley and Renae Haddadin, Carlisle, PA

Just look at the lace on this beauty! Susan Stewart, Pittsburg, KS, took home the Best Home Machine Quilted Award for her “Snow Flowers.”  Amazingly, she custom made the lace in this quilt using embroidery motifs.

Snow Flowers, by Susan Stewart, Pittsburg, KS

Snow Flowers, by Susan Stewart, Pittsburg, KS

 

The Viewer’s Choice Award went to Kathy McNeil, Tulalip, WA, for “Jingle Bells,” a winter scene with two jingle bell-festooned horses.  You can take a look at it here.

Stay tuned for more from this show in the weeks to come. . .

 

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AQS QUILTWEEK IS COMING TO ALBUQUERQUE!

American Quilters Society QuiltWeek®

Albuquerque, New Mexico

January 14-17, 2015

It includes two very special exhibits near and dear to me!

Click Here to Visit the Admissions Page

 

 

Shades of the Southwest, curated by Donna Barnitz and myself

The Southwest holds a special magic that speaks, not only to those that call it home, but others who’ve only visited.  The thirty one quilts in the Shades of the Southwest exhibit embody all of the qualities that make this landscape unique, from the granite rock formations, to the Native American culture, to the plants and animals that call the desert home.  The quilts honor our vibrant blue skies and unforgettable sunsets, our stately yucca and prickly cactus, and our favorite mode of transportation, a humble pickup truck.  Quilt artists were inspired by the designs of the ancient inhabitants, the traditional art of the region and particularly by the colors of this beautiful part of America.  The exhibit drew entries from throughout the United States and Canada.  Click Here to see more images of quilts from this exhibit.

New Mexico's Turquoise Trail, by Vicky Conley

New Mexico’s Turquoise Trail, by Vicki Conley

The Quilts of Gail Garber:  Thirty Quilts from Thirty Years

I am very flattered that the American Quilter’s Society QuiltWeek Show in Albuquerque is featuring an exhibit of thirty of my quilts, from 1980 to 2014.   This special exhibit includes some quilts from private collections as well as two that are in the collection of the National Quilt Museum in Paducah, KY.  This will be the first time that this many of my quilts have been exhibited together.  Follow the trail of my quilting life, from that very first quilt, through my fascination with pictorial applique, to the color saturated, free-form pieces that I enjoy now.

First Quilt, by Gail Garber, 1980

First Quilt, by Gail Garber, 1980

Climate Change, by Gail Garber and Kris Vierra, 2013

Climate Change, by Gail Garber and Kris Vierra, 2013

Great Group Quilts

Friday, January 16

10:00 a.m.

Registration Information

On Friday, January 16, at 10 a.m., I will lecture on my work creating Great Group Quilts.  One of my specialties, as well as one of my favorite things to do is to coordinate a ‘Quilt-in-a-Day’ my way.  I’ll share knowledge gleaned from twenty-two years of experience creating full-sized raffle quilts each pieced in a fun-filled, one-day session for 10-14 quilters, ranging from beginner to advanced.  Lest you think that this is a staid affair, you might be wrong!  Join in the fun and see what happens at Quilt Retreat!

Hawks Aloft Raffle Quilt 2013

Hawks Aloft Raffle Quilt 2013

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Nancy Prince – Grand Prize Quilter at International Quilt Festival

Congratulations to Nancy Price, who won the Best of Show at International Quilt Festival 2014!    It is a stunning quilt!

On This Winter Day, by Nancy Prince

On This Winter Day, by Nancy Prince

And here’s Nancy doing her happy dance!  I am so happy for her.  What an amazing amount of work went into this masterpiece!

Nancy Prince Doing the Happy Dance

Nancy Prince Doing the Happy Dance

Stay tuned.  More posts to follow!

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More Amazing Wall Quilts from AQS Chattanooga!

Dang!  So many great quilts and they couldn’t all get ribbons!  This particular category, Wall Quilts, is  without doubt the most competitive category of all.  Enjoy tonight’s selection.  First, I have one leftover from last night in the traditional category.

Barion Cut Saphires, by Linda Barrett, Lexington, SC

Barion Cut Saphires, by Linda Barrett, Lexington, SC

Elegant in the simplicity of design, the quilting and use of embellishments make Barion Cut Sapphires a true gem.

Barion Cut Saphires -detail

Barion Cut Saphires -detail

Here’s some of the amazing detail that does not show in the full view of the quilt.

Grief, by Sandy Curran, Newport News, VA

Grief, by Sandy Curran, Newport News, VA

I particularly liked the emotion evident in this quilt by Sandy Curran.  Grief is part of her series on human emotions.  Sandy believes that if the eyes feel alive and convey emotion, the work is successful.  It is beautifully done and certainly embodies emotion.

Nosey Neighbors, by Sherrie Cahill, Madison, AL

Nosey Neighbors, by Sherrie Cahill, Madison, AL

Nosey Neighbors by Sherrie Cahill is unbearably cute and a masterpiece of raw edge applique.  I love the well executed whimsy of this charmer.

So Much Life in a Tiny Seed, by Sharon l. Schlotzhauer, Castle Rock, CO

So Much Life in a Tiny Seed, by Sharon L. Schlotzhauer, Castle Rock, CO

Sharon Schlotzhauer’s entry is so well designed and the color placement so masterful, that this quilt just draws one into it. There’s so much going on here and yet it blends perfectly and reflects the theme.  She says, ” This quilt is a celebration of God’s glorious creation.  It colorfully symbolizes the wondrous capacity for every living things to reproduce from just a tiny seed.

Hoola Hoop Poodle, by V'Lou Oliveira, Norman, OK

Hoola Hoop Poodle, by V’Lou Oliveira, Norman, OK

What whimsy there is in Hoola Hoop Poodle!  It is sometimes difficult to masterfully present a humorous subject and V’Lou Oliviera has a charmer in this quilt.

A Simple Touch, by Pat Rolie, Tulahoma, TN

A Simple Touch, by Pat Rolie, Tulahoma, TN

“A mother’s simple touch can comfort, soothe a pain, express love and communicate her commitment,” says Pat Rolie about this lovely quilt.  The emotion is evident in the presentation of this design and execution of this quilt.

I Have My Eye On You, by Lily Kangas, Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Canada

I Have My Eye On You, by Lily Kangas, Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Canada

Another whimsical winner.  What a fun quilt this is!  I always enjoy quilts that feature animals.

Adagio, by Dianne S. Hire and Pat LaPierre, Northport, ME

Adagio, by Dianne S. Hire and Pat LaPierre, Northport, ME

This image does not do justice to this masterful quilt by Dianne Hire and Pat LaPierre.  Dianne’s take on Adagio for Strings by Samuel Barber is that it is painfully sad, yet sumptuously beautiful. Dianne’s Adagio took 17 years to create and corresponds to Barber’s sad nuances.  It is an especially masterful quilt.

M.s Lantana, by Mary Ramsey Keasler, Cleveland, TN

M.s Lantana, by Mary Ramsey Keasler, Cleveland, TN

Lastly, for tonight at least, Ms. Lantana by Mary Ramsey Keasler is exemplary in creative piecing  and color.   I had taken another detail image but it wasn’t in focus so I cannot share the incredible detail of this quilt.  It is an amazing piece.

Stay tuned.   There is more – so much more!

 

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More from AQS Chattanooga – Prize-winning Large Quilts

Oh, my!  These were nothing short of amazing!  I cannot believe the quality and creativity embodied by these masterpieces.  There were others, of course, and I couldn’t photograph them all, so I hope you enjoy the selection below.

Greg's Song by Cheri Meineke-Johnson and Linda V. Taylor, Corinth TX

Greg’s Song by Cheri Meineke-Johnson and Linda V. Taylor, Corinth TX

Hadassah, by Audra Rasnake. Meadowview VA

Hadassah, by Audra Rasnake. Meadowview VA

Hadassah Detail

Hadassah Detail

Not only was Hadassah intensely quilted, it was quilted by hand.  Amazing!

Fire and Ice, by Kimberly Einmo, Manassas VA

Fire and Ice, by Kimberly Einmo, Manassas VA

Isabelle, by Kathi Carter, Vineyard, UT

Isabelle, by Kathi Carter, Vineyard, UT

Magnolia, by Claudia Clark Myers, Duluth, MN, and Marilyn Badger, St. George, UT

Magnolia, by Claudia Clark Myers, Duluth, MN, and Marilyn Badger, St. George, UT

Big Bertha, by  Margaret Solomon Gunn,Gorham, ME

Big Bertha, by Margaret Solomon Gunn,Gorham, ME

Blue Rhapsody, by Carolyn Rider, Portsmouth, OH

Blue Rhapsody, by Carolyn Rider, Portsmouth, OH

A Splendid Display, by Cindy Seitz-Krug, Overgaard,AZ

A Splendid Display, by Cindy Seitz-Krug, Overgaard, AZ

A Splendid Display detail

A Splendid Display detail

One of the most noticeable commonalities in all the prize-winning large quilts was the amount of quilting in them, both those quilted by machine and those quilted by hand.  To me, it seems that one of the biggest changes in quilts of today is the quilting!  Touche to everyone whose quilt was accepted into this prestigious show.

Stay tuned!

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