Four-In-Art Challenge Reveal

Illumination and Light, the theme for the 4th quarter reveal of the Four-in-Art challenge this year. Our online group has been creating quilted projects this year under the general theme of LIGHT, with ILLUMINATION as the sub-theme for this quarter. 

I found this sub-theme tough. When I searched the word "illumination," the medieval art of illuminating books was foremost in the results. I was thinking along the lines of light bulbs shining on a performance stage, a book while reading, a window, and many more concepts. 

I chose some photos I had taken. I liked the sun shining on the tops of trees. I really liked the lighthouse at night, and an evening sunset as we finished fishing on Lake Michigan. 

My idea was to use sun and trees. Using a shimmery bridal fabric I combined techniques I learned in classes from Ann Lovelace and Lenore Crawford. 

Illuminating Sunlight is the name I gave my quilt. The use of the bridal fabric gave it the illumination I imagined.

This is the final reveal for the Four-in-Art quilters' group. The group started 5 years ago. I joined in 2013. The founders are looking toward new quilting adventures. I have enjoyed working with this wonderful group of quilters and on the quarterly challenges. I have gained friends. I have tried new quilting techniques. I have learned so many concepts of art and quilting as we have shared our pieces over the years. I am thankful to have been a member of Four-in-Art quilt group.

Please visit the other Four-in-Art members' posts listed below. 

Simone

Rachel

Janine

Elizabeth

Betty

Catherine

Nancy (That's me, you are here!)

Our Four-in-Art Group Blog

But there is good news!

A few of us have signed on to a new quilt art group started by two of our members. 'The Endeavourers' will be revealing their first theme projects on February 1, 2018, with 14 quilters in the group. I look forward to this quilt art group as we show how we "embody the spirit of our quilts." I hope you will stop back to see what I have to reveal on February 1! 

A Trunk Show, A Hint of a Pattern and a Giveaway

The Tall Pine Quilters Guild had a trunk show at the February meeting. Robyn House-Guettler brought so many of her quilts. I have known Robyn for many years, having met her at a family reunion when she was young. Her mother is a quilter, as were her grandmother and great-grandmother. We attended many Mystic Lake quilting retreats together. She is a wealth of quilting knowledge and skills.

Robyn's quilts were stunning. She is now publishing patterns. I bought 2 patterns and have them in my TO-DO basket. I will share a few photos with you, with her permission. She has information on her Facebook page named Between Patches. Unfortunately, the only photo I got of Robyn was not flattering, and if I posted it she would probably cut me off as a shirt-tale relative.

And My Projects: 

What in the world could I be doing sewing all these strips together?  Yes, I asked myself the same question when I got half way through! I signed up at the LQS to participate in a "sewn strip exchange" related to Edyta Sitar's book, Friendship Strips and Scraps. Well, I signed up to sew 5 sets of strips which had to be the 18" x Width of Fabric. Of course I waited until the last possible day and spent well after midnight last night sewing. I got them done and will take them to the store today. I am not sure what I am going to make with the 5 strips sets I get in return, but I am sure it will be a fairly large project. Any suggestions?

 

I made 2 paper-pieced log cabin blocks for the annual guild quilt project.

New Pattern in the Works

I can't give details right now, but I am working on my next pattern for Cut Loose Press. I have a deadline in order to have it ready for Spring Market. I will give you just a little photo hint. 

      

Scraps put to use. 

I can't throw away most scraps. So from the projects I have been doing, I am using Angie Padilla's suggestion of turning  them into fabric collages. (She has lots of other ideas for scraps at her website.) So I lay them on a batting scrap near the cutting table to be sewn and then cut into inchies, made into a cosmetic case, etc. Presently, I am making a tiny landscape in the style (and I use that word loosely) of Ann Loveless, from whom I took a class a few years ago.

Spur of the Moment Giveaway! 

Microwave Bowl Cozies are my latest project. I am making them to sell at the Gala Gourmet, a local kitchen shoppe. I will be able to use some of my large cotton fabric stash for these. The photo shows just 2 of the many that I have made. They are reversible. They are made of totally 100% cotton materials and come with instructions for use. They are like a potholder that can be used as a pretty server under your bowl of oatmeal, soup or whatever from the microwave. Just hold opposing corners as you take it from the microwave and you are all set. 

In fact, I have just decided to have a SPUR OF THE MOMENT GIVEAWAY. Well, heck if you have read this far, you should have a chance to get a free cozy. So leave a message, giving me a suggestion of what to do with those strips I am going to be receiving. I can't tell you what fabric colors your cozy maybe, but we can probably work out some pleasing colors.

However, I will only be able to send to a winner within the United States. One winner will be chosen on Wednesday, March 5 at 9 PM EST. In fact, you can earn a second chance by signing up to follow my blog, leave me a second comment telling me you are a follower. And what the hay, share this Spur of the Moment Giveaway on your website or blog and leave me the link for a THIRD chance! But remember to leave me a method of contacting you. Anonymous comments go to my spam folder.

Happy Quilting!

A Little Bit of This and That

In the email I got from AQS today my eye was drawn immediately to the words:  "What A Boost: Art Quilt Wins BIG!" The article is about the Art Prize Winning Quilt by Ann Loveless. If you'd like to read what AQS has to say, here is the link:

A section of "Sleeping Bear Dune Lakeshore" 

Art Quilt by Ann Loveless

Later today I opened the email from The Quilt Show and there was a link to hear the interview Alex Anderson had with Ann Loveless. There was a slideshow of some photos from Ann that show her process and some of the quilts. Click HERE to hear the interview.

What is it worth?

As I looked through my Facebook feed, a quilter asked how she should figure the price for a quilt she has been asked to make. I think we all have faced this dilemma at some point in our quilting journey. I am facing it right now as I prepare items for a local craft show. A reference was made to a blog post from November 2012. I am bookmarking this blog post because I am sure I will refer to it in the future. (A follow-up was posted on April 4, 2013.)

WHAT IS IT WORTH?

Follow-Up: A BIGGER PICTURE

Off to sew some mug rugs. What are you sewing?

Art Quilt Genre Gets Big Boost

I will cut to the chase. Ann Loveless won the $200,000 Art Prize Award for her stunning art quilt! The public had 10 finalists to vote for as their choice for Grand Prize Winner. I quote my friend, Leslie's, Facebook post:

"More than 49,000 people cast 446,850 votes over 16 days, 

divided into two rounds of voting, 

to pick "Sleeping Bear Dune Lakeshore" its favorite 

among 1,524 works of art in ArtPrize 2013. It is amazing!"

Her work is amazing. She has entered the ArtPrize twice before. Guess "3rd time is the charm."

MSN News has a report here.
A local story shows more photos of the mural.

Ann taught a workshop for our guild a year ago, which I was able to take.  She is an amazing artist and a wonderful teacher. It was so easy to follow her instructions and leave with a great landscape quilt. Unfortunately, I was able to visit ArtPrize only one day and did not get to see her piece.

I am going to be participating in another Blog Hop sponsored by EQ and headed up by Bea from Beaquilter. I look forward to designing another cute fall-themed applique to share with you. Mark your calendars for the starting date of October21. 

I have finished the last of the Persian Star blocks for the swap. Well, I still have one of my own blocks to finish, but those that had to be mailed are done and sent. I wish I could have gotten better photos, they do not show the actual colors.