Road To California 2014

Eagles All Around 

 

 

I had a good time at the Road To California Show. 
Enjoy the pictures!

This award winning quilt was hand appliqued and hand quilted by Joanne I Florence.

I am fortunate to say I know Joanne and have seen some of her spectacular work.  She is a master with a needle.

The pattern is a Lori Smith pattern, Eagle Applique From My Heart To Your Hands.

The rich cheddar ground is stunning - thrilled to see Joanne's skill and handwork recognized! 
She placed third in traditional applique.

Detail - Joanne Florence's "Eagles' All Around"

A detail of one eagle.



There were very few hand quilted pieces in the show!

Winter's Veil Original Design by Patt Blair

This was my favorite art quilt.
It is by Patt Blair.
Original design, I think the category is "Art Critter"

Insanity by Barb Heetland - Original Design

This is an interesting combination of reproduction fabrics in a traditional pattern, with very contemporary machine quilting.

Miniature Ohio Star blocks, I think about 4.5" finished size.  Alternate blocks feature machine quilted feathers.

It was made for a church auction.  The grand daughter wanted it so it was purchased back for $5,000.

Detail of star quilt

This is the machine quilting detail.


With the 4.5" block size you can see how tiny the circles are.

This basket quilt by Ann Feitelson is a fantastic play with color.  Five sequenced solids combine with five sequenced stripes or plaids to make a group of 25.  The groups are interwoven; all the baskets in one color group face one direction.  Directional shifts reveal the color groups.

Original design based on a traditional basket block.

Category:  Innovative Pieced

Album, Hexagon and Album Cross signature quilts

The special exhibits were good too.
"Lest I Shall Be Forgotten" curated by Sandy Sutton

Sandy has a fantastic collection of antique quilts and graciously shares her quilts with others.

This exhibit featured a few of her antique signature quilts.


Thank you for sharing Sandy!

This beautiful signature quilt has a controlled layout with the blocks placed by color.

Each center square is signed.

The  blocks are bound and finished 'pot holder' style.  Tiny, tiny whip stitching secures each finished block together.


I wish I could show you all of the quilts in this exhibit.  Maybe she will do a book!

I've written about Sandy's collection before.  You can read it HERE.






There was also an exhibit of Amish quilts, both modern and contemporary.

This quilt is from Kalona, Iowa.
From The Collection of Roberta Horton.

From the book:
Amish Quilt - The Adventure Continues
Featuring 21 Projects from Traditional to Modern
C&T Publishing





This is just a small taste of the show.  Of course there was some antique shopping!  Saving that for a future post.

Fig Tree - California Sized

The trip also included quality time with friends as well as sunny side trips and adventures.

Now back to reality and SNOW!

...and of course some quality stitching time.


Have a great week!
I hope you enjoyed the show pictures.


Dawn

Noah and Matilda Update and Inlay Sewing Box

I've added another sewing box to the collection.

This walnut box has bone or ivory diamond inlay, a working lock and interior trays.

I have not seen another like it.  If you have, I'd love to hear about it.  I was able to meet the previous owner, he dated it to c. 1840.

Also in the photo is a velvet elephant pin cushion.  The small pocket is...maybe for thimbles.










The thread reels sit on post, with the end of the thread extending through a small hole in the center of each diamond.

In this closeup photo you can see the grain of the walnut and the bone or ivory.  I'm not will to test the inset to see if it is bone or ivory, but I'm leaning towards bone given the brown streaks and pores.

We are very excited so many of you are joining us reproducing the Noah and Matilda Boyce Album Quilt!
 Seeing some finished blocks from the first set is a joy.  
This is the basket or vessel from the first pattern set.  I did mine in prints, the original was done with solid fabrics.  I appliqued my green base down, then appliqued the red triangles on top.
Some have chosen to use a basket or china/porcelain look print.

In this block, also from set one, I combined solids and prints.

I pulled lots of fabrics from my stash including solids and prints.

The quilt has quite a variety of leaf and flower shapes.

Future sets include a bird, various pots and vases, some grapes, wreaths...Very FUN!!







This block from set one is yet another leaf shape.
Lots of flower petals!
It also is one of the few blocks with a yellow print.  The original block had a solid green leaf, but I chose a print.
You can always join - Click HERE
I love to surprise people, so today is the 9th, I refunded the 9th person (Judith) who purchased the first set.
Thank you for all your compliments on the professional quality of the patterns, we are dedicated to accurately petterning the antique.

Happy Stitching!!

Dawn
Enjoying a sunny day along the front range...

19th Century Noah and Matilda Album Quilt

82" x 94"  Noah and Matilda Album Quilt

The Noah and Matilda Album Quilt is part of our collection.  Well worn and loved we have created a pattern set for you to reproduce the quilt.

We are still researching the inked names and date on the quilt.

It is primarily red and green applique.  Several blocks have pieces of pink, yellow and purple.
Some blocks are accented with embroidery.

Each of the four border corners is unique and included in the pattern set mid way through the year.

Presentation Block Inking

The presentation block is hard to read.   The inking gives us clues and questions in researching this quilt.

Is the last name "Boyer" or "Boyce"

"United Lawrenceburg"  or  "Visited S.....by"

I think we could all agree the month of September is clear.

Is the date the "Sixth in 1851."  or "Sixteenth of 1854"

What do you see?

Some of the blocks are embellished with embroidery.

Interesting to see green stems outlined in red, orange and yellow embroidery.


A few green tendrils and stems are also embroidered.





There are Forty-Two Eight inch blocks in the complete pattern set as well as the border.  
The 12 monthly pattern sets are not in the order they appear in the quilt.  Each set will be available the first of each month for 12 months.
Instead, we grouped them with a variety each month.  Midway through the year we will start the borders.  I prefer not to wait to the end to do my borders.
We are doing this pattern as individual use .pdf files that are immediately delivered to your email address.  You print them on your home printer.
Order details are on the right side of the blog. Or, click HERE for month one.

What do you read in the inking?

Have a wonderful 2014!!

Happy Holidays

Angel Bunnies Sharing a Wreath

So much to show and tell you about in the New Year.

Until then, enjoy the rest of 2013.

Wishing you and yours 

the very best of times!

Hand Quilting White on White

Steiff Penguin, Red Leather Sewing Rolls, Hand Quilted Feathers

Oh the weather outside is frightful....
The snow and cold here made me think of the beauty of quilting - focusing on the quilting. 

White on white, cream on cream...
A touch of red...

I'm going to fold some quilts colored side in and stack them up for some holiday decorating.  Place a penguin on the stack, add some red sewing accents.

Velvet Sewing Roll, Quilted Circles and Lines

Maybe swap out the leather sewing rolls for

a larger velvet one?

- OR- 

Thimble Themed Votive, Sewing Emeries

 

Large 'thimble' full of emeries - wool, silk and cotton

If you are in a cold climate - stay warm!

If you are in a warm climate - well, ENJOY it!

 Wherever you are - enjoy some quilt related decorating.