IQA: Whimsical

One of my favorite categories of the annual International Quilt Association's juried show is Whimsical.  They are always delightful and make me smile.  Here are a few of my favorites from this year's IQA show.  I hope you enjoy them as much as I do....


The colors in this one first attracted my attention, then the wavy log cabin block.  Then I saw the villages within each cabin and more little houses surrounding the entire piece.  Karen Eckmeier has a great eye for color and for fun.  I love her own admission which I found on her website: My art is happy and upbeat, concentrating on the positive  and whimsical side of life. Yes, indeed it is!

Around the Block

by Karen Eckmeier

of Kent, Connecticut

Below is a close-up of the lower corner

Karen's words:  "As quilters, we have 'been around the block' when it comes to making quilts!  I thought it would be fun to substitute the central square of the Log Cabin design with a village so that it would be like walking around the block of several different towns."

Techniques:  Fabric collaged under tulle, layered, topstitching, machine quilting.

Materials:  Commercial and hand-painted cottons, tulle

Design Source:  Log Cabin Barn Raising

Winner of an Honorable Mention in Art-Whimsical

Cheryl Costley's piece tickles me too.  Why is it that the healthier way to eat is also a bit more time-consuming?  Don't you love her eggplant, cauliflower, and other veggies?  I am also drawn to the chef's face and curly hair!  I think to myself -- this looks like fun!  On her website, Cheryl says: Creating art is what I love to do, and my favorite medium is fiber. Textiles and fiber can be manipulated, painted, dyed, stamped, cut, stitched, woven, glued and much more. The possibilities continue to challenge and surprise me.

 Cleaning the Veggies

by Cheryl Costley

of Bonita Springs, Florida

Cheryl's words:   "Since adding more vegetables to my family's diet, it seems like all I do is clean the veggies."

Techniques:  Primitive hand stitching for applique and quilting, machine quilting.

Materials:  Painted and hand-dyed fabric by the artist, commercial fabric, assorted threads.

An original design by Cheryl Costley

I adore the wonky-whimsy of the houses in Susan Bleiweiss's award-winning quilt.  If you look at her website, you'll see that she's been having lots of fun with these happy, crazy little homes in many different settings. 

Tutti Frutti Village

by Susan Bleiweiss

of Upton, Massachusetts

Susan's words:  "This quilt was inspired by a digital sketch I did on my iPad using a very simple sketching application.  I used only my hand-dyed sand-washed cotton (yes, even the black is hand-dyed!).

Techniques:  Fused, raw-edge applique with machine stitching; machine quilting.

An original design by Susan Bleiweiss

Winner of an Honorable Mention in Art-Whimsical


I recognized Susan's name right away, too, because the one online course I have taken was one she taught: Journal Making.  I made three journals with the course and still have plans to finish the last few lessons (it was only 5 lessons long, but life does have a way of jumping in and interfering with my 'druthers' at times.) Click here to see my post on this class, if you're curious.

Sue has also authored a book, which I happened across in a local bookstore earlier this fall.  I bought it right away (the only copy!). 

Look for The Sketchbook Challenge in your local bookstore (or online too - Sue has it available on her website - click here for a direct link).  There is a blog dedicated to the challenge of the sketchbook as well, titled (can you guess?) The Sketchbook Challenge and found at http://sketchbookchallenge.blogspot.com/