Favorites from St. Mary's

The previous two posts have been about the second annual St. Mary's Quilt Show held in Plantersville, Texas.  This post will include some of my favorite quilts from the many on display.  In fact, this post includes quilts that are also on my quilt-bucket list (which is a list of quilts that I hope to make myself one day ......)

This lovely kitty quilt received my vote for "Viewer's Choice" award (sadly, I do not know which quilt won Viewer's Choice).  I love the cat and the garden of flowers surrounding her.  This quilt inspires me make it, specifically to make this quilt using the fusible applique technique, possibly with some surface embellishments (paint, beading, embroidery, etc).

I've seen this pattern (possibly this quilt too?) previously.  It looks like a straight forward pattern, possibly made using one or more layer cake sets (10" squares of fabric often sold as charms from one entire pattern line).  I think I may try making this using all the floral fabrics that I've collected.  I have always purchased floral fabrics, then when the "fad" of watercolor quilts became popular in the 1990's, I actively collected even more floral fabrics with the idea of slicing them into 2" squares that would reappear in a watercolor quilt.

 

While I am slicing into my collection of floral fabrics, perhaps I will also consider making this quilt.  I am not certain of the name of this block but it reminds me of both the Goose in the Pond block and a combo nine-patch center of a churn dash block.  I can picture making these 9" blocks, 3" half square triangles with 1" squares and rectangles to make the nine-patch center and the middle side pieces.  I wonder how many blocks I can make, when each will feature different floral prints?

This quilt, "Special Flowers of Red and White" is made by fellow member of the Block Builders Bee Barb Paliatsos.  She sews prolifically: quilts, pillows, tea towels and much more.  She sells her creations in craft shows and at local quilt shows.  Special Flowers of Red and White makes me smile!

This lovely quilt is made using vintage handkerchiefs, many of which were gifts from the quilter's grandmother!  The Artist Statement (which I've included below) tells the story of this Granny's Hankies" quilt made by Marsha H Dolhonde.

I have table linens and a few hankies that my grandmother and her sisters embroidered.  I've been wanting to make something special with these "family heirlooms" of mine, but have been stumped on what to do, how to do it.  This is my reminder to keep planning this quilt of my quilt-bucket list!

This lovely quilt is my reminder to stitch MORE APPLIQUE!  I have made many applique blocks, but really want to focus on finishing a queen-size quilt made entirely with my applique work!

This is a lovely Jinny Beyer quilt that was sold in kits in the late 1990's and early 2000's.  In fact, I've purchased this very kit in this colorway .... but have been too chicken to get started on it!

 I love this view of the pews covered in colorful quilts.  The Angel quilt in front reminds me of one designed by Robin Pandolph years ago (perhaps this is it?).  I'd love to make an Angel quilt .... one of these days.

Can you guess how long my quilt-bucket list might be?  I fear it is only growing and getting even longer!  I'm tickled that I won this too.

St. Mary's Quilt Show

In one month I was fortunate to visit two quilt shows displayed in two lovely (and very different) churches.  The first was the 26th Annual Quilt Show and Sale at the United Church of Hyde Park in Chicago, Illinois held on April 15th and 16th, 2016.  The second was the St. Mary's Quilt Show held in the beautiful historic painted church in Plantersville, Texas on April 29th and April 30th, 2016.

Below are photos from the St. Mary's Quilt Show:

 St. Mary's Church in Plantersville, Texas

 After parking your car and before entering the show, you enter this open covered-patio area where an entire red-n-white quilt exhibit is waving from above, hanging in the rafters.

Surprisingly, this is NOT the quilt show!  It is only one small extra for the day! 

I am inspired all over again to make and build my own collection of red-n-white quilts.

There are tables and chairs set up.  

Many people are enjoying picnic lunches in this uniquely special setting.

 One enters the quilt show from this side of the church.

Once you enter, you are swept away!

Quilts from all time periods are draped over every single pew in this teeny, tiny lovely church.

 Viewers walk up the far left side of the church,
then down the center aisle ...

 and back up the center aisle again
to then walk down the far right side of the church,
admiring quilts everywhere and
the wonderful details embellishing the interior of this sweet church.

 It is peaceful and quiet as everyone is respectful and in awe of the beauty of the quilts on display as well as the beauty of this historic painted church.

There are so many quilts, that some are draped over the choir's balcony!

This is the Second Annual "St. Mary's Quilt Show".  

The Third Annual St. Mary's Quilt Show is scheduled to be held April 28th and April 29th, 2016.

Check out their website: http://www.stmarysquiltshow.com/

Stay tuned for more photos to be shared soon.

Postcards from the East

This lovely quilt, Postcards from the East, began with a block swap with my QGGH Block Builders Bee.  Each block is a lovely Asian print with a black strip pieced into the center.  

Making these blocks is quite simple and basic.  

  1)  Start with a 5" square.

  2)  Slice this square down the middle, resulting with two rectangles 2.5" x 5" each.

  3)  Stitch an insert, a 1" x 5" black solid piece, into the middle split.  Use 1/4" seam allowances. Be cautious of piecing the insert into the former middle of the original block.  Depending on the print, this may not matter -- but on larger prints where the design continues across that black strip, it adds to the block.   

  4)  The resulting block will measure 5" square.   

  5)  Repeat steps 1 - 4 until you've made the number of blocks that you desire.

In this swap, we could make as many as 8 blocks that were identical, made using the same asian print.  After the trade is completed, we each receive a multitude of different blocks in return for the identical ones that were submitted.  Swapping blocks like this make it much easier to create scrappy quilts.  One more tip: I like to keep one of my original blocks before any of our swaps as my own record (to help me remember which blocks that I made). 

This past week-end, Postcards from the East was hand-delivered to Beverly who had been waiting patiently for over a year.  As soon as I gave her this quilt, I realized that I had not taken a nice photo of it for my own records.  At the time we were enjoying a lovely breakfast in a cozy New Orleans restaurant where there was no room to open the quilt to take a photo then, so Beverly promised to share a photo.   She sent this photo within an hour of our good-byes!  Hmmm, might have to start a new quilt for her soon ....

The quilt below was exhibited in the 2015 Joy of Quilts show held by the Quilt Guild of Greater Houston (QGGH).  It is made with some of the very same blocks that I used in my quilt for Beverly. 

"Asian Delight" made by LaNell Neel and the Neartown Bee,
Machine quilting completed by Jane Plisga.

LaNell was gifted with many of the Asian blocks from the Neartown Bee on her birthday, as she loves Asian fabrics.  She then used them to create the borders surrounding the center panel which she had in her collection of fabrics. 

Same blocks, different setting, makes for two lovely quilts.

More favorites from the Joy of Quilts show

The Quilt Guild of Greater Houston held its bi-annual quilt show this past week-end and here are a few more favorites that were in this amazing show.... starting with one of my own, Mmm, Pot Pie.

Mmm, Pot Pie (a Michael Miller challenge) by Cathy Winter, quilted by Pam Biswas

Mmm, Pot Pie was made specifically for a Michael Miller Challenge given to the Modern Quilt Guild.  Sadly, my quilt was rejected and never displayed at QuiltCon in Austin earlier this year.  How exciting that it won a 3rd place ribbon in the Small Wall Quilt category at the Joy of Quilts show!  Click here and here to see earlier posts about this quilt or click here to go to Pam's website.

Spring Landscape by Jo Sweet

My friend Jo stitches amazing photographic pieces, though the image is entirely rendered with thread and small bits of fabric.  They are often inspired by photographs she or her husband have taken.  This tiny quilt was easily the smallest quilt in the show, except possibly for the miniature quilt category.  Jo states "Every spring the earth presents a lovely gift to Texans.  All manner of wildflowers take their turn embellishing the land, but the bluebonnets truly enchant."  I totally agree with you, Jo!

The next quilt is in keeping with the Texas theme....

Boot Scootin' Boogie detail view of boots

Boot Scootin' Boogie by Suzanne Purvis, quilted by Jane Plisga

I first saw this pattern on display at Quilt 'n Sew Studio in Katy and learned that it was featured in the Sept/Oct 2000 issue of the Fons and Porter magazine (click here to purchase).  The pattern is called Boot Scootin' Boogie, and is on my "quilt bucket list".  I fear that this list only grows lately -- might be time for me to get busy and sew sew sew.

Making a basket quilt has been on my quilt bucket list for years. Now I can check 'basket quilt' off of my quilt-bucket list.  Below is my Red Summer Baskets quilt which is the only one of the four quilts I entered in this show that did not win a ribbon.  Regardless, this is my all time favorite quilt and lives proudly on my living room wall.  After reading the judges' comments, I understand why they did not like my awesome quilt (also quilted by Pam Biswas), and I disagree, but that's OK.  It is what makes entering quilts shows so challenging and fun as you cannot predict what the judges will love or not love.  I know that I love my Red Summer Baskets and I will not fret over the judges' opinions.  Click here and here to learn more about its making.

On display to the left of my quilt are two quilts: City Living by Pam Tedeschi, which won an Honorable Mention in the category of Pieced Wallhanging Small, and The Bottom of My Spool Drawer by Susan Pain.  I served as the Co-Chair of Daytime Programming of QGGH with Susan Pain seven or eight years ago.  We had a blast working together.  The other fun thing to note - making a spools quilt is on my quilt bucket list, as is making a city horizon of my own.

Brody's Bots and Aiden's 'Droids both by Susan Pain

Can you guess that these two quilts are for young brothers, who happen to be Susan's grandchildren?  These quilts are fun and playful and perfect for her grandsons.  Nice job, Susan.

Nathan's Quilt by Ellen Brodsky Gaber

This Astros quilt is the first quilt Ellen ever made.  It uses many of her son's Astros t-shirts and was a labor of love.  Ellen states that her son "is passionate about baseball and loyal to his home team."  This describes one of my sons perfectly and I am not surprised that he loves Nathan's Quilt.  It looks like I will be making a quilt from my son's Astros t-shirts .... one day.

Zen Batik by Suzanne Purvis

Suzanne's was inspired to make this quilt using a jelly roll and a few more pieces of batiks after seeing a post on Pinterest.  I love this look, and the simplicity appeals as well -- may have to make one of these too.

The photo below shows a close-up view of a beautifully embroidered quilt, a hexie quilt!

Second Chances by Rhonda Dort, detail

Second Chances by Rhonda Dort

This quilt, Second Chances, is another by the talented Rhonda Dort.

Second Chances by Rhonda Dort, 2nd detail

This quilt is named Second Chances because Rhonda has given a second chance to life, or as shes states: She is "giving life to old, stained, tattered and torn vintage linens, buttons and ribbons.  Each hexagon is heavily hand embellished.... created with what might have ordinarily been unusable vitage pieces, easily discarded."  This is a design and execution of Rhonda's own creation.  A lovely creation it is too.  Good job Rhonda!

Cascading Blooms by Suzanne Purvis and Cotton Pickin' Bee, quilted by Linda Beiswanger

I love the modern take on traditional hexagonal flowers in this quilt.  They look like they are cascading down from the heavens above.  Lovely job to the Cotton Pickin' Bee!

Anwyn's Quilt a.k.a. Rainbows by Fran Urquhart, quilted by Jane Plisga

Let's end this post with one last Modern Traditional quilt, and one also using hexagons.  Jane made this quilt for her granddaughter, Anwyn, after her granddaughter saw the pattern in the Spring 2014 issue of Modern Patchwork.  The only alteration Jane made was to add more colored circles than were shown in the original pattern.  The colors reflect those found in a rainbow and stand out nicely against the mixed neutral, stormy grays of the background.

Joy of Quilts show - a few favorites

 The Quilt Guild of Greater Houston held their bi-annual quiltshow "Joy of Quilts" recently.  Here are some of my favorite award-winners ... not all of them, just a few of my favorites.  Let's start with this view of the Winner's Circle:

These are some of the first place ribbon winning quilts on display at the front of the gallery, as one enters the show!

The quilts are (left to right):  Welsh Beauty by Carolyn Butler, Best in Hand Quilting category;   
Tuscan Dream by Jackie Hillman, quilted by Mary Jo Yackley, Best in Pieced Wall Hanging Large;
B'nai Mitzvah by yours truly - me!, quilted by Pam Biswas, Best in Modern Quilt;
Passing Fancy by Fran Urquhart, quilted by Mary Jo Yackley, Best in Mixed Technique; and
Red Delight by the Golden Triangle Quilt Guild (it is their 2016 raffle quilt), submitted by Dot Collins and quilted by Martha Vincent, Best in Group Quilt category.

Dannemiller B'nai Mitzvah by Cathy Winter, quilted by Pam Biswas (pictured above)

Imagine receiving an email while on a cross-country summer road trip with family that states you are in the Winner's Circle and can you be at the show at 9:00 am before it opens on Friday?  This is how I learned that I had at least one award winning quilt in the show and sadly my family and I were far away on the east coast.  Since I could not attend, I sent my friend Pam Biswas to stand in my place! After all she quilted all of my entries in the show and I had no idea which quilt won nor did I realize that the Winner's Circle specifically included only the first place ribbon winners.  Here is Pam standing by our quilt Dannemiller B'nai Mitzvah wearing her blue ribbon.  It is almost as if I were there too, standing beside her.

Passing Fancy by Fran Urquhart, quilted by Mary Jo Yackley

In the Winner's Circle, hanging next to my quilt, is this lovely quilt, Passing Fancy, made by my friend Fran Urquhart.  It won first place in the Mixed Technique category.  Examine this close-up to see the quilting, piecing and applique, as well as the award-ribbon.  The pattern can be found in Kim Diehl's book Simple Techniques.

Let it Snow! by Rhonda Dort

This fun quilt earned a 2nd place ribbon in the Machine Embroidery category.  It is one of many made by Rhonda Dort, who won four separate 1st place ribbons as well as the Best in Show.

Aunt Bea's Parlor by Rhonda Dort

Aunt Bea's Parlor features machine embroidered blocks, a pattern by Black Cat Creations and is also made by Rhonda Dort.  I must make a blue-n-white quilt this year, for they are as striking as the classic red-n-white quilts.

Little Red School Houses by Carolyn Hurst

Carolyn Hurst was inspired to make Little Red School Houses, after her bee made a school house quilt for an auction.  I love how she has used fabrics that "read" as a "red fabric" even if they have sprinklings of other colors in the prints.  These bits of other 'non-red' colors add a special sparkle to this traditional red-n-white school house quilt.  I have a new passion for red-n-white quilts that continues to grow.

Red, White and Beautiful by Members of the Late Bloomers Bee, quilted by Marilyn Boismier

The Late Bloomers Bee of QGGH made this quilt, Red, White and Beautiful, for the auction that happened at the end of the show.  It is simple, classic and beautiful.  I must make one of my own to add to my personal quilt collection. 

Fields of Blue by Cathy Winter, quilted by Pam Biswas

Since I am showcasing red quilts, blue quilts and red-n-blue quilts, here is another one by yours truly, me.  Fields of Blue is another award winning quilt, it won an Honorable Mention in the Modern Quilts category (where I won first place also).  It was made for my son after he selected the pattern and the blue fabrics (I only overruled a few - needing more light-lights).  This quilt stitches together quickly which is good as I must make a second one for my older son....one of these days.

American Pie by Jo Sweet

While looking at red, white and blue quilts that were in the show, I must include this one by my friend Jo Sweet.  So classically American, Jo states: "This quilt reminds her of old-fashioned summers: Fourth of July parades, church picnics, family reunions with potluck suppers.  It brings to mind simpler times and small town joys."  Don't you agree?  Such a sweet quilt featuring slices of apple pie in patriotic colors.

Dannemiller B'nai Mitzvah by Cathy Winter, quilted by Pam Biswas

This is my first quilt to win a First Place ribbon - ever - so please forgive me for showing it again.  Click here to learn a little more about the making of this quilt.  I hope to win more ribbons at other shows .... or at least to defend my title at the next quilt show put on by my traditional guild, the Quilt Guild of Greater Houston.

Floral Lotto blocks

My Block Builders Bee, part of the Quilt Guild of Greater Houston, holds a block-lotto about eight times a year.  This month's block was so cute that I decided to make the maximum (2 blocks equals one chance in the lottery) of 8 blocks giving me 4 chances.  I just knew that I might win!  Here are sixteen lovely blocks that I ended up making....

Yes, I made a duplicate set for myself to keep, in the event that I didn't win the lotto.  I'm so glad that I did because I didn't win - sigh.  But these are four of the ones that I kept.  Aren't they sweet?

Here are the directions to make one block:

First, choose a color for your flower and select 4 scrappy squares (3.5") in that colorway to be the flower petals.  Each block also takes:

      4 (1.5") squares of yellow for flower center, 

      8 (1.5") squares of green for the leaves, 

and a light print for the background which is cut in these numbers and sizes: 

      4 (1.5") squares, 2 strips (1.5" x 6.5") and 2 longer strips (1.5" x 8.5").

Draw a diagonal line on the back of the 16 (1.5") squares, which will be the stitching line.  Sew one yellow square to one corner of each of the four petals, stitching on the drawn diagonal line.  Then sew a green square to each corner next to the yellow corner.  Sew the background square to the last corner (opposite the yellow corner).  This makes a Snowball block of each square peratl for the flower.  Now flip the triangles back to the corners and press.  This is the classic stitch & flip technique.  

The excess fabric can be trimmed away from the corners, leaving 1/4" (.25") for seam allowance.  Press the seams away from the center of each block.

Carefully layout the four snowball petal squares so that the four yellows meet up in the flower's center, the background corners are the four outer corners of the larger pieced block and the greens touch each other making larger triangular leaves.  Stitch these four squares into a four-patch using a 1/4" seam.  To aid in keeping the flower center flat, press these seams on the back so that they spin in the center.

Last of all, add the 6.5" strips to top and bottom sides, then add the 8.5" to the left and right sides.  Press the seams toward the border strips.  Trim the final block to 8.5" (if needed).

Here's a photo before the lottery happened.  They look so precious!  I will be making more of these sweet flowers ... possibly multiples of more, as I love this simple block.

By the way, I'm already pulling fabrics for next month's block lotto -- selecting fabrics to use in a Christmas and black&white tree block (even though I celebrate Chanukah).