Friday, October 22, 2010

Giveaway at Green Fairy Quilts

Hello all!
Happy Friday! Just wanted to post this link to invite you all to enter this fun Moda giveaway on Green Fair Quilts.

http://greenfairyquilts.blogspot.com/

Sorry - you'll have to copy and paste the above link - couldn't get the actual link embed in the post :(

Good Luck!

Piece out :)

Sunday, October 17, 2010

Charley Harper Quilt Show at Farbach Warner Park

Warning: This is a photo-heavy post LOL!

I posted my quilt that I submitted for this quilt show in my virgin blog post found here. It is an annual show put on by the RiverCity Quilt Guild, a group I am a member of. There were many quilts in the show that were nature-related that I didn't take photos of. I did take pictures of every Charley Harper quilt in the show, but a few are missing as they were blurry. I blame the new camera :( It didn't help that the show was held in a dark barn with limited lighting. Great location for the quilt show theme...not so good for photos.

If you want to compare these quilts to the original prints or lithographs, you can see his collection of works here.

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Last year's well-deserved 'Best of Show'


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My Lucy posing by mommy's 'Cool Carnivore' quilt (despite driving me nuts as late, I love this girl!) And, no, her leg is not missing, she is propping it up on the display!


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The simple cross-hatch quilting on this one is perfect and really highlights the piece. The veins on the leaves are hand-stitched with black thread - adds a nice dimensional detail.


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This one is so impressive in person - the bottom where the rat is hanging ot is actually covered with a black mesh with the "junk" items in underneath. It's a must-see in person! See the actual print here.


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The use of the Indian corn on this quilt is perfect!


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B-E-A-TIFUL quilting on this! Appliqued by guild founder, Jan Doench, quilted by her daugher, Katy.


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The fabric used for these snowy owls is perfect. It has a ribbed texture that really imitates the work done by Harper.


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Very "COOL" - a very popular Harper print. Appropriate subject for the tri-state.


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Beautiful, simple quilting echoing the leaf applique. The eyes made from two round, black beads are the perfect finishing touch.


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One of my favorite Harpers! Lisa left the edges of the bitten watermelon as raw edge and brushed it to make it appear as if the racoons had actually munched on the fruit slice. So cute!

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This one was a new addition to the show this year. The garland is fabric tied to look like popcorn and red wooden beads. So beautiful!


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Check out the quilting in the background - so pretty!


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Added dimension here with an actual peacock feather sewn onto the fabric.


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Couldn't resist ending the post with this picture. Lucy was so well-behaved and patient, keeping herself occupied at a kids coloring table while I went around taking pictures. I love catching her in action when she doesn't know I'm watching.
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Thursday, October 14, 2010

Guys Girls and Dolls...doll QUILTS, that is!

Here is one of my latest projects that I'm excited about. It's the first quilt that I drew up in EQ6 (Electric Quilt Software) and took all the way to completion! I have designed more quilts in EQ than I will ever be able (or want) to actually create. It's nice to play around with fabrics and colors and know that I don't have to physically create that particular quilt if I don't want to.

This quilt, that I've called 'Pipeline,' was for a doll quilt swap for the new quilt guild that my friend Jill and I have joined (AND LOVE!), Cincinnati Modern Quilt Guild (HOLLLLLAAAA, Jill!). It's a wonderful group of girls - we have similar loves of fabric lines and designers and share lots of fun and laughter. We have a monthly "swap" where we agree on a project, are given parameters and bring back our project the following month. For this quilt the only guideline was to make a bound quilt that measured no larger than 18" x 24". I think mine fell right at that measurement, but forgot to measure. At least I got pictures :)

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Shot of the back
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A closeup of the quilting
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I received a beautiful aqua, red and white quilt made by our guild founder, Heather. I will post a picture of it in the coming days when I can get a nice sunny, outdoor picture. It's very worthy of a nice day to be photographed :) Thanks Heather - I [heart] it!

Can't wait for next month's swap: a set of 4 drink coasters!

Piece Out,
-Babs

Cincinnati: A River Runs Through It

Hello all!
I had really hoped to post this post over a week ago, but uploading issues prevented me from getting pictures on here. I hope to not have so long between posts in the future ;)

This second mini quilt was be part of a collection for the RiverCity Quilt Guild's show called 'A River Runs Through It.' Each guild member was challenged to create a 18" x 22" mini quilt panel representing something about our great city. This might include a landmark, a sports team, institution, business or even a local favorite food. I chose a landmark that was very important to me - a gazebo in the popular Eden Park.

I visited this gazebo as a young girl when my grandparents took me to Eden Park. My grandfather was mason/bricklayer. As a little girl, I would often ask him what buildings he had built around the city. One day, he took my brother and myself to this park to see the brickwork at the base of this gazebo. He had been on the team of bricklayers that worked on this beautiful landmark. It has remained one of my favorite memories of my grandfather.

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For this quilt, I used printable cotton sheets to print a photograph of the gazebo along with the vintage sign that adorns the entrance of the park. In the closeups below, you can see the awesome vintage sign and the tufts of grass I added using embroidery thread. All fabrics are cotton with the exception of the river, which is a beatiful, rich, blue batik. The same "river" fabric was used on all member's rivers creating a continity between panels. When we signed up, we were assigned to have or river begin at 6" wide or 3" wide and then end in either 3" wide or 6" wide. This allowed the panels to be placed side by side, showing the river that runs through our great city.

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Isn't it striking? I loved this challenge, and I'm glad I took it on.

Here are the pictures from the quilt show! Enjoy :)

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Piece Out
-Babs