Houston Inter'l Quilt Show 2012

Here's some wonderful inspiration from the quilt show...

Below is a beautiful quilt called "Une Belle Amitie`", by quiltmaker Cynthia Williford & designed by Harold Williford (her son).  This quilt was inspired by Baltimore Friends Album by Mary Simon.  

I enjoyed meeting them both & hearing about their inspiration, design, & completion.  Scroll down for a full view of the quilt. 

A labor of love...

A closer look at center block...

You can't tell from my photos but, there is quite a lot of hand beading.  

For more details about this quilt & the house in the center block visit Cynthia's website at www.cynthiawilliford.com.  If I remember correctly, there are wonderful close up pictures of more of the blocks on this quilt on her website.  Cynthia is also available to teach & lectures as well.  In person, her quilt was breathtakingly beautiful.  

The next quilt is another beautiful traditional original design by Sharon Schamber called, "Once Upon A Time".  It also has a lot of hand work & is machine quilted.  Her work is also beautiful.  Again my pictures do not do these quilts justice.

Close up of the center...

Close ups of the border...

I'm so inspired by these quilts that I'm going to close this post for today & actually make some progress on my own quilts.  

Carve out a little time each day for happy hour in your creative areas...

Thanks for taking time to visit my blog.  I hope today's post inspired you in some way.

Until next time...

Houston Inter'l Quilt Show 2012

Today is a dreary cloudy day.  However, that shouldn't stop anyone from finding inspiration.  Sometimes just admiring other artists work is inspiration enough to get us motivated.  

Below are a few photos of original designs by artists work exhibited at the Houston International Quilt Show 2012.  

Below is a quilt titled, "Hidden Treasures" by David Taylor (hand appliqued & inspired by Sandy Corbin's photo).  Isn't it beautiful?

Next quilt is, "Natsumi On Her Bike", by Hiroko Miyama (her inspiration was her beautiful granddaughter).  Hand applique & many, many dimensional small flowers.  Beautiful work of art in person.  

Next is, "Little Girl & Dog", also by Hiroko Miyama.  Again, her granddaughter was the inspiration for this beautiful piece.  

Next is, "White-Throated Sparrow", by Barbara McKie (image transferred to fabric then, thread painting & applique).

Next is, "Heidi's Schlowers", by Andrea Brokenshire (handpainted silk applique fused to confetti background).

Next is, "Synergy"by Nancy Sterett Martin & Karen Sisteck (hand painted on silk).

My pictures do not do these beautiful art pieces justice.  This is why it is such a special event to attend in person, if you're able to do so.   I'll post more later when I have a little extra time.  

I'm currently working on my own original  but not yet ready to post anything just yet.   In the meantime, I hope you found the above photos inspiring.   

I'd love to hear your comments...

Until next time...

Bluebonnets...

So happy to have finished something I actually started earlier this year.  

Here's a peek...

Closeup of leaves...

Closeup of tip of a flower...

The picture below is what started this art quilt...

I took this photo while taking a walk in my Mom's neighborhood.  During our walk, my Mom was telling me how clear everything looked to her.  She was recovering from having cataract surgery.  We stumbled upon a field of these bluebonnets & my Mom said, "Oh how beautiful!  So many bluebonnets in one field".  So I named my quilt, "Vision of Beauty". 

For a look at my bluebonnet art quilt, go to Gallery-Floral.

If you're interested in seeing the process of how I created this quilt, see my July 3, 2012 blog post labeled Bluebonnets...

Stay tuned because I still have to post pictures from the Houston Inter'l Quilt Show.  I'll try to get around to it during the early part of next week.  I like to include the quilter's name if I post a picture of their quilt in my blog.  This usually takes a little extra time.  

Hope you enjoy viewing my quilt & the process it took to create it.

Thanks for taking time to visit my blog.

Enjoy your weekend!

Christmas Eve 2012

I didn't think I would have time to write until after the first of the year but, I managed to carve out a little time to post this morning before everyone wakes up.

A day or so ago, my blog was deactivated but is now fixed.  I also discovered that I am now following my own blog.  Not sure how my picture wound up in the "followers" section but there it is.  I'll figure out how to delete it later. 
  

It would be nice to see a little snow outside but, I think we'll have to settle for the pretend snow around trees below.  

This year I didn't buy poinsettias.  Somehow I got busy & simply decorated with the bare minimum.  Red flowers make striking bouquets.  I'm planning on designing a poinsettia art quilt in the next year.

This year I noticed a trend of bird ornaments everywhere I shopped.  I've always liked birds because it's sort of like bringing the garden indoors.  Of course, I have a sparkling partridge on my tree.

For today, I will close by wishing everyone a Merry Christmas & a Happy New Year!  

Now I'll resume my blog break until after the first of the year.  

Until next time...

Blog Break...

Today I remembered that I have neglected posting to this blog.   Because of the busy holidays, family visiting, etc., I've decided to take a blog break until next month.  


I hope you & your families have a Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!

Until next time...

The Holidays...

Happy After Thanksgiving to Everyone...

Our family had the traditional thanksgiving meal & gave special thanks for being able to be together on this holiday.

We usually take walks after a meal, weather permitting.

This warmer weather brings everyone outdoors.

We've taken our artificial tree out & still need to decorate it.  The branches need to be opened outward from being squished together while in a box all year.  

This tree below is a picture from last year.  Wish I could just wave a magic wand & the lights would be automatically on the tree.

Today my Mom & I might have some fun with a little quilting.  We are going to enjoy the morning & see what we can do together.  I give thanks that my Mom & I have several things we can do together.  We may just have an extra cup of coffee this morning & take a trip down memory lane.  After all, this is one of the many reasons for this season.

Enjoy your day!

Until next time...

Unfinished Projects...

Don't we all wish we could have a little bit of help in our sewing studios?

Especially with those little tasks that require us to stop, like re-threading or filling the bobbins.

Someone who could help straighten & hold the fabric while it's going under the needle.

After each day, someone would reorganize the mess that we make.

Wishful thinking of course.  This is one wish that is probably never granted but, only in movies. 

Haven't had anything to post because I'm getting ready for family who will visit soon.  

Stay tuned to see some of the Houston International Quilt Festival 2012 pictures of spectacular quilts.  I will get organized, with no outside help, & post a few pics soon.  

Enjoy your weekend!

Value Study in Hexagons & Stars...

Happy November 1st!

Why happy? Because the Houston International Quilt Festival is in progress.  Quilt Market started last week & for the quilting consumer classes began on Oct. 28th.  Non-quilters do not understand what all the fuss is about but that's just how it is.

Anyhow, I just read a post by a blogger(wish I could remember which blog I read it from) stating that hand sewing is hot right now.  I seem to remember that English Paper Piecing came back in vogue around 2009 or 2010.  I didn't catch on to it at that time until this year.  I'm working on a grandmother's flower garden but, not yet ready to post progress pictures.  

Below is a hexagon quilt (made using the english paper piecing method) that was in the 2011 quilt show.  It was made by Cheryl  See of Virginia.  This quilt is called, "Starstruck",  & has 12,256        hexagons in it.  All I can say is wow!  What an accomplishment.  Congratulations to Cheryl See & thanks for entering in the show for all of us to enjoy viewing this beautiful quilt.

This beautiful quilt is like looking at the color wheel...

Compare to color wheel below...

Close ups so we can see the fabrics used...

Notice the gradual blending of values...

Now go back up to the first photo & notice how you don't see the detail in the fabrics.  The fabrics blend just perfectly as you go around the quilt from color to color.   Great example of a value study.

Keep in mind that your quilt doesn't have to be this big to work on a value study.  You can also achieve this by working smaller.

Prepare a color study by testing your fabrics using a one star block as shown below..

Compare to the next block, almost the same block, simple value changes & it looks a little different.  The four patch in each corner was eliminated with the use of a half square triangle, everything else is the same.

Look at this next simpler variable star pattern...

Now reversing the lights(I should say brights) & darks...

Last example which has trapunto in the center but, the camera didn't pick it up.

Final note:  It's best to sew a test block with the colors you've selected before cutting all the fabric you've purchased.  With a test you'll be able to see if your color selections will work or if you need to make modifications.   I've learned this the hard way. 

Remember that a color study should be fun to work on & also takes practice.  Be patient with yourself.  Good luck with your next color study.  

Now for a break from blogging so, I can actually get some work done.

Until next week.....