not Mi Tierra

Traveling around Texas recently landed me at a friend's doorstep, not at Mi Tierra, but rather at their home fondly named Tierra Fina. 
  

 I get  kick out of the funky decorative use of their upcycled cowboy boots!

Isn't this dainty patriotic angel, welcoming all who visit, simply charming?

This baby quilt, made for Dennis so many many years ago, is displayed simply and proudly in their front room.  I love this crazy quilt, especially the interesting assortment of fabrics.  Everything went into the making of this little quilt from silks and cottons to feed-sacks and other fabrics.  I wonder if the quilt was made by salvaging pieces of fabric from well-worn clothing, or from the left-over scraps from cutting and stitching garments brand new, or both?

One highlight of visiting Chela and Dennis was seeing gifts I had made and given to them years ago currently being used in their cozy home.  This little pillow was stitched up when we were all living in the Texas valley, where we met.  Chela and I taught mathematics in the local high school in Los Fresnos.  My, that seems like a million years ago now -- time has a way of flying by!

This quilt was started in one of the first classes I ever took at the International Quilt Festival after moving to Houston nearly twenty years ago.  It now resides on the back of the loveseat in their living room.  When we held it up for this photo, I was so surprised -- I am positive that my quilt was much bigger when I made it.  Can time also shrink reality?

Thank you Chela and Dennis for a lovely time in Bandera!  Kathleen, I hope you don't mind if I visit again before you return to Texas.

A Legacy of Quilts

A new exhibit featuring antique quilts has opened at the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum in Austin, Texas.  Titled A Legacy of Quilts, this exhibit runs from November 21, 2009 through January 3, 2010.

A Legacy of Quilts is the first public display of the Briscoe Center's Joyce Gross Collection. Spanning more than 100 years of quilting, the exhibit features 28 quilts made approximately between 1844 and 1950. Each of the quilts is a story written with fabric, needle, thread, and loving hands.  Included in the display are award-winning quilts from the 1930s, red and green appliqué quilts that were popular in the mid-19th century, a Hawaiian flag quilt and two remarkable album quilts.

Additional programs offered:

High Noon Talk - American Quilt Makers

Wednesday, December 2  
Noon - 1 p.m.  FREE

Marcia Kaylakie, a quilt collector and AQS Certified appraiser, will speak on American quilt makers Bertha Stenge and Pine Eisfeller.

Explore the Story: Stitch and Kitsch - Intergenerational Stitch Party

Saturday, December 19  
1 - 3 p.m.  FREE with exhibit admission

Spend the afternoon at a 1930s-style stitch party, set to hot tunes from Aunt Ruby's Sweet Jazz Babies. Bring a current project or start a new one; enjoy knitting lessons, special prizes, and more.

Be sure to come to Austin to view this special exhibit of quilts.

Read more about the Joyce Gross Quilt Collection (and how the University of Texas acquired it) by clicking here.

To learn more about the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum (including directions and admittance fees), click here.

Antique Folk Art Quilt

Along with the acclaimed juried IQA Quilt Competition, the International Quilt Festival has many other special exhibits featuring a variety of other quilts. Today I am featuring one of my favorite quilts from the Quilt Festival Antique Quilts display.



This Folk Art quilt is a classic antique quilt in that we do not know who the original quilter was, so we must credit an unknown maker. What an excellent reminder to today's quilt artists to sign & date your work!



Dating to the 19th century (c. 1800), this quilt was made with hand-stitched piecing and applique. It features a wide variety of natural dyed fabrics and measures 81" by 84 1/2".


I especially love the baskets and the manner in which the brown border frames the center of quilt. I can only wonder what the original coloration must have been, as colors dating back 200 years have faded long ago from their original brilliance.


On another note ...

Have you ever seen a better looking group of sisters?

What a delightful surprise and treat it was when they showed up in the booth today! I have had great fun meeting so many new people/new friends during the show, as well as running into my quilting and fiber art friends (some new and some old). But my family is the best!




Wonder who will pop by the Graywood Designs booth or the Thangles booth tomorrow? Only time will tell .....

or I will ... later....