Flowers for All

Happy Mother's Day to everyone who is a caretaker for her own family or who is a caretaker for another family.  We hope you have time on Mother's Day to take a quiet break and to enjoy some flowers - either in nature, photos, or quilts. The stunning quilt below, which features one of the largest flowers on earth, caught our eye at the 2020 Quilt Arizona show.

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Don't Cry for Me, Argentina, by Debra Goley

Fabric artist Debra Goley created this spectacular art quilt to celebrate the flowers produced by the Argentine Giant cactus (Echinopsis candicans). They have huge, fragrant white flowers, generally 6 to 8 inches in diameter, that bloom at night. Although they are not native to Arizona, they grow well here, especially in the higher altitudes.  Each flower lasts only one night, providing much excitement for  night pollinators such as bats and moths, as well as early morning photographers.

In keeping with Desert Stars, the theme of the 2020 show, Debra Goley says: "The Argentine Giant Cacti is one such desert star that looks familiar as a long cactus arm, but the surprise of its flowering in the night is breathtaking.  It's a star of hope at the light of dawn." Debra quilted this piece with a variety of decorative stitches, adding much texture and interest, as shown below.

 

Image credits:  Photos were taken by Quilt Inspiration at the 2020 Arizona Quilters Guild show.

Highlights of Quilt Arizona 2019 ! part 4

The Arizona Quilters Guild has over 35 chapters, and they all get together annually for the Quilt Arizona show. The 2019 theme was Jewels of the Desert: "Every quilt is like a gemstone, the dancing colors play through patterns to endlessly fascinate and amaze. This year your quilt should convey Arizona's iridescent beauty, from golden sunsets and emerald cacti, to clear sparkling memories."

Note: please check out our E-Bay shop for great bargains on quilt patterns, fabric, and vintage jewelry ! (For continuous free quilt patterns, please visit us on Twitter !)

Mother and Baby Giraffe by Barbara Renoux

Barbara says, "I fell in love with the eyes of this family ! I decided the piece needed embellishments, so I added beads and needlework to really bring them to life. They are an exotic pair with exotic blooms!" This pattern is by Toni Whitney.

Barbara quilted this very fun, expressive piece herself. We love the fringe embellishment which comprises the mane along the back of the giraffe's neck.

Flying High by Martha Baltram



2019 Best of Show winner and First Place winner for large applique quilts,  Martha remarks, "This original design was inspired by the many birds that fly around our house and make their nests in our garden. I included high flying birds, bees, and ladybugs to round out my theme."

Close-up, Flying High

Martha's stunning work contains many spectacular applique motifs. Here's the center block, where two charming birds are building a nest. On Flying High, Martha did all the quilting work herself.

Cacti at First Light by Debra Goley

Debra states, "As an inspirational artist, I find clues from nature. The cacti that dots the landscape is brought within safe view. At dawn's light, the prickly pear thrives, stretching forth to the sun's rays."

Cacti At First Light shows a creative juxtaposition of textured light and shadow, as the leaves react to the early morning sun. Debra quilted her innovative work herself.

Spiky Spirals by Judy Salb, quilted by Jessica Gamez

Honorable Mention winner in the Paper Pieced category, Judy notes, "I've long loved this pattern by Karen Stone, called 'Happy Chihuahuas'.  I created the border, as I wanted to add something of myself to the design."


Close-up, Spiky Spirals

Judy's cheerful quilt is really a whirlwind of color and energy. She's done an excellent job of blending contemporary black and white fabrics with these vibrant, high-chroma hues.

Grandmothers' Spring Bouquets by Joyce Strassburg, quilted by Jessica Gamez

First place winner for medium size applique quilts, Joyce writes, "This was my first Edyta Sitar pattern. Her quilts have made me a true admirer. These bouquets remind me of my grandmothers' gardens; and I hope they make my descendants as happy as they make me."

Close-up, Grandmothers' Spring Bouquets

Richly saturated batiks, in a profusion of shades, highlight this beautiful foliage against a light background. We're certain that Joyce's descendants will always consider her quilt to be a treasured heirloom.

Image credits:  Photos were taken by Quilt Inspiration at the 2019 Quilt Arizona show..