Category: International Quilt Festival

“Athletes”

Several special exhibits were eye-catching and the “Athletes” was one of them.

Before we look at the individual quilts, let’s hear Ann Houle talk about them…..

Each of these quilts has so much movement and they were a joy to view.

Several had the same landscape format which was very effective……

“Canoeists on Lake Placid” by Ann Houle
“Charging The Net” by Anne Houle
“Fencers” by Ann Houle

This one reminded me of a foggy day in the Northwest……

“Time Trial Cyclist” by Ann Houle

You can FEEL his pain as he climbs the hills!!

This quilt was inspired by photos from the parents of this young climber…..

“Climber” by Ann Houle

Ann notes that she spent a lot of time getting the tools of the trade correct!!

I found this quilt interesting…..

“Gymnast Pyramid” by Ann Houle

….because she changed her quilting and included some non-linear quilting….

It was very effective to have the sky quilted this way!!

The background on this one looks like the running lanes….

“Four Runners” by Ann Houle

And, the motion depicted in this next one is perfect…..

“Strike One” by Ann Houle

Finally, this was probably my favorite of all of them…..

“Multiple Cyclists” by Ann Houle

I found this entire exhibit to be outstanding and I am truly impressed with Ann’s work and so appreciate her speaking with me!!

Come back tomorrow….we will be checking out some award-winning quilts from my home state of Texas!!

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If you don’t want to miss my personal tour of the International Quilt Festival in Houston, be sure to subscribe…….

A Bit of Applique

Since I seem to be working in alphabetical order, let’s look at the Applique category. I always find it interesting that both turned applique and raw-edge applique are included in the same category.

Regardless, here are a few of my favorites.

Since many applique quilts are filled with flowers, this one stood out as being different…..

“Toronto Architecture” by Keith Dommer

Note that each of those pieces are finished with a piped edge. That is a LOT of piping!!

There are so many wonderful touches in this next quilt….and I apologize that I failed to get the name of the maker. IF you recognize the quilt, please let me know the details so that I can add them here….

Not only is the applique impeccable, but the quilting adds a new dimension….

….and there are some sweet touches too…..

I am a sucker for daisies……

“Daisy Dots” by Lynne Taylor

Look at this fun border….

This quilt truly appealed to me….

“My Favorite Indigo Blue and KUMIKO” by Chiyoko Yoshimori

It is such an imaginative way to use bias binding!!

AND, it got me thinking about planning a hand applique with Celtic Applique or something similar!!

Isn’t this fun!!

“A Crowd of Strangers” by Jill Kerttula

The Third-Place quilt was one that truly caught my attention…..

“A Crowd of Strangers”by Jill Kerttula

There are SO many things about this quilt that were interesting, starting with the floor…..

….and continuing to the individuals in the view…..

The Second-Place ribbon went to…..

“Wild Rose” by Noriko Kido

It was exquisite in the piecing, applique, and quilting!!

The Winner of the Category was…..

“Coming Home” by Lyn Keogh

Again, the details were well done and the workmanship was exquisite!!

We met Lyn as she stood with her quilt and loved her interaction with several students who were asking questions about the quilt, particularly about her inspiration for the quilt…..

Lyn Keogh talks about the inspiration for her 1st place quilt

She was a kind and humble woman and we enjoyed talking with her.

So….that is the Applique Category……

Tomorrow I will tackle a special Exhibition called “Athletes”! Come back for some amazing quilts and an interview with their maker!!

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If you don’t want to miss my personal tour of the International Quilt Festival in Houston, be sure to subscribe…….

Let’s Get Abstract!!

The first category that I want to highlight from the International Quilt Festival are the Abstract Quilts. A number of these had also appeared at Quilt Con back in March. Isn’t it interesting how the two categories intertwine??

The Blue ribbon went to……

“Swamp (Pond Series No.5) bu Roberta Lagonmarsini

The quilting added a lot of motion to it……

This quilt was a fantastic conflagration of diamonds…..

“Rough Cut” by Peter Hayward.

At first glance, it looked like very tiny pieced diamonds, but after reading the artist’s statement, we realized that all of those little pieces are fused!!

That would certainly make it easier to design, but I am not sure how the pieces are held on!! Regardless, I love the designs formed by the diamonds!!

The curved piecing in this next one is perfect…..

“Journey” by Nancy Lambert

….and the quilting highlights it so nicely!!

I have always loved Robbi Eklow and this quilt is no exception

“Meditation” by Robbi Eklow

Look at this terrific quilting…..

This quilt was just FUN……

“Party at the Cabin” by Wendy L. Starn

This quilt appealed to me……

“Mix and Mingle” by Barbara Oliver Hartman

The composition is fairly simple, but the addition of painted elements brings it to a higher level…..

And, of course, I love the straight-line quilting.

This quilt won the 2nd place ribbon…..

“Good Vibrations” by Barbara Oliver Hartman

There were several quilts in the show that used this same technique and I was interested in the texture that they achieved.

As best as I can tell, they are made from snippets and other bits and pieces of fabrics and then QUILTED TO DEATH!!……

The quilting brings out a texture that reminds me of a rug rather than a quilt. It is effective!!!

The 3rd place ribbon was won by……

“Wing Variation 2” by Jane Sassaman

She added some great touches using embroidery and quilting…..

And finally, this wonderful quilt from Jean Wells (the woman who dreamed up the “Sisters Oregon Outdoor Quilt Show”)……

“Surfside & Beyond” by Jean Wells Keenan

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If you don’t want to miss my personal tour of the International Quilt Festival in Houston, be sure to subscribe…….

And the winners are…….

When Linda and I entered the International Quilt Festival, we headed immediately to the BIG winners and they did not disappoint!!

This was the “Machine Artistry” Award…….

“Filigree Caligraphy” by Janet Stone

Janet is known for her perfectionism and also for having an alphabet in her quilt. This one was perfect!!

The “Contemporary Artistry” award was given to this quilt…..

“Summer Shower” by Akiko Matsumura

This was her artist statement—-

On a summer morning, when I looked up on the walkway where I usually walk, I saw a slight blue sky among the many leaves. The sight was very pleasant to me and I love this place. I made this quilt with that feeling in mind.

She DEFINITELY achieved that feeling.

Here is a close-up…..

I love the quilting that she used to help the background recede.

The Thread Artistry award was given to…..

“Fullness” by Yoshiyuki Ishizaki

She added embroidery to the “Baltimore Album” style blocks …..

The “Innovative Artistry” award went to……

“Those Darn Boys” by Judy Crotts

There were several fun things with this quilt, including the clothing that was made from fabrics that were folded to achieve the movement…..

This next quilt won the “Contemporary Artistry” award…..

“Beauty in the Broken” by Kathy Wylie

There is NOT a black background behind this quilt…… it is all “open work” and lace work…..

I am going to have to do some research about this technique as it was AWESOME!!

On day two, the maker, Kathy Wylie was standing with her quilt, patiently answering all of our questions. Here is her description of the process…..

And now for the “Best of Show”….. you have probably been seeing this quilt all over Facebook…..

“Monkeys in My Hair” by Deborah Hyde

This quilt is amazing and there are so many little things to see!! It is based on 1/4-inch squares……

….and the hair contains all sorts of interesting secrets…..

It was truly worth of the BEST OF SHOW and it was such fun to see it up close.

Sadly, most of the makers of these award-winning quilts were not at the show so we haven’t been able to ask our usual questions….like “WHAT WERE YOU THINKING”!!!!

Seeing these six quilts bodes well for the rest of the show!!!

Over the next few weeks I will be sharing quilts from all of the categories and exhibits, so be sure to come back for more!!!

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If you don’t want to miss my personal tour of the International Quilt Festival in Houston, be sure to subscribe…….

On the floor at IQF

For the next several weeks I will be showing my favorite quilts from the International Quilt Festival in Houston, Texas. I had an amazing 3-1/2 days on the floor, loving the quilts, meeting up with quilters (both old and new) and being SO… SO…. SO….. inspired.

So….get your walking shoes on as we hit THE quilt show!!!

Come back tomorrow to see the winning quilts and hear one of the creators talk about her work!!

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If you don’t want to miss my personal tour of the International Quilt Festival in Houston, be sure to subscribe…….