One last KUDO to a Road Quilt

I know this has happened to you too.... You've gone to a show, have become awestruck by a quilt that had no ribbon on it. This was exactly the case for me at Road this year.... "The Archer" created by friend Wendy Knight from San Diego is her original design and pieced. BEAUTIFUL. Only after I stood in front and drooled over it did I realize this was Wendy's work. Fantastic. I enjoy the in and out of focus of the elements of this piece. The mystery of just that draws me in.

The story of this piece is a good one.

From my arms distance perspective, this piece is strong artistically and technically. WOW! Look at the smooth cursive done here in the background. I'm impressed.

I lied.... a second KUDO lest I forget .... If you attend Road each year you hopefully notice how effectively quilts of similar interest are grouped for display. THIS IS NOT AN ACCIDENT but is the creative planning and inspiration of Phyllis Morrow of Orange County, Ca. If you are putting on a big event,quilt show or otherwise, Phyllis would be a treasure on your event staff.

THANK YOUs to students

I can't express how much fun the Road To California shows Painted Quilt Art class was. Such great people...

One of the things I like about this class is that almost everyone is doing a unique project. THAT keeps me on my toes for sure. I always say.. the teacher is the one who learns the most in classes.

We end the 2nd day with a "WALL OF FAME" exploring with our new supportive art family of sorts, what we learned, how we might move forward with finishing. Notice the photo of 2 kids and the painting of same directly above. Great job!! Our WALL of Fame was actually multiple walls as we went around the sides of the room. I apologize for not having all work shown here. My brain is not on blogging in the middle of class. Argh!!!

This is a piece (by Elodie of Sherman Oaks) I can't wait to see finished. The original photo was her own from a trip including a visit to this Greek Restaurant (original photo at bottom) . The colors of the original are fresh and the scene inviting, and Elodie is absolutely on the right track toward a gorgeous result.

Wish I'd had time for more photos... Rats.... I'm looking foraward to receiving finished project pics from students.

Marilyn Badgers Super Star

This woman is a phenom on the long arm or otherwise.

This quilt is truly a "super star".... here's a couple closeups of her work on this quilt which took top honors at Road To California.

and

If you ever get a chance to study with Marilyn... do it. She's great!!!

Gotta Love David Taylor's work!!!

I've never seen any applique quilter "paint' using needle turn so beautifully as does David Taylor. Many have heard him say he started saving small 'scraps' of fabric as a kid. He found them fascinating and years later had boxes of small scraps. When he began a quilting career, he was most comfortable working with such small pieces that he literally can almost paint pictures with his varied/small fabric choices. I love this curious feline!

All Noble Seasons Quilts on Parade TOGETHER

Mark your calendars!
The entire collection of Noble Seasons - All Artists, All 4 Seasons on exhibit for the 1st time at:
The Quilt Fest of New Jersey VIII
March 1 thru 4 2012
Somerset, New Jersey
Click Here for Quiltfest's web site.
I have 4 pieces in this exhibit...
Spring 2009 "Spring Break"

Summer 2010 "Seasonal Changes" ( My hubby then and now )Notice much difference???

Maybe not as funny as it seemed when I painted it! BUT TRUE!
SUMMER OF '42

and then LAST SUMMER

Fall 2011 "Outside My Window" (in Mt. Baldy Ca. mountains)

Winter 2012 "Winter's Veil" ( The long cold winter )

As Luck Would Have It

Here's another of my Road To California Show favorites. Most every quilter has had the challenge of what to do when you don't have enough of a given fabric. The owner of this quilt was beside herself as the center top was made years ago by a family member. After searching for a matching pale yellow fabric to finish the border, she gave up and figured she had to do something completely different. Lucky decision as the red border added made this quilt shout out "LOOK AT ME." It's a gorgeous quilt that I think is superior with this border addition.

My Monthly SHARE project

Some may remember last month when I talked about rotational personal projects that move month to month within my Wanabe Quilters Friendship group. While someone else works on my project this month, I'm working on another friends plan for all of us to use up small scale scraps. The originator thought this might be a philanthropy quilt. We'll see! ... I may want to make a different philanthropy quilt to keep this. I think it may well be spectacular as well as simple. Each of the 9 units in a 6 1/2 inch block is made up of 9 varied small square 2 1/2 in squares snowballed at 2 opposite corners with 1 1/2 squares.

Nine snowballed units will make up the block. (excess underneath snowball and base square fabric trimmed away)

A sewn together block reveals an interesting slanted 6 point star.

As other blocks go together one with another 6 pointed stars will fill the entire quilt.

I've made several of 9 unit blocks but have cut plenty for the next couple sewers to use. Not everyone has small scale prints. I'm reminded here of a box label quilter Melody Johnson has (wowmelody.com) ... IT is a box labeled ( pieces too small to save ). Ofcourse it is full!