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."

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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..

Desert Adventure: Quilt Arizona ! part 2

Warm sunny weather greeted us upon our desert adventure to Quilt Arizona!, the new name for the 2016 annual show of the Arizona Quilters Guild in Mesa, Arizona.  Here's part I of the highlights of the show, plus some of our personal favorites.

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Arizona Starry Night by Alicia Sterna

Third Place winner in the Pictorial Quilts category, Alicia notes, " [This was] inspired by Vincent Van Gogh's painting The Starry Night. Small pieces of fabric were used as brush strokes to depict an Arizona desert night."

Closeup, Arizona Starry Night 

Alicia quilted this lovely creation herself, using a stationary machine. In the original work, Van Gogh painted a dark stalk of wheat in the foreground. She has replaced the wheat with dark stalks of saguaro cactus, the state plant of Arizona. We really admire the innovative way that Alicia has modified the famous painting by adding ideas of her own - the cacti that typify the Arizona landscape.

Small Moments by Patsy Kittredge

Second Place winner in he Pictorial Quilts category, Patsy says of her original design, "This quilt shows  my parents taking a break from raking leaves. Not much happening, but the love shines through. And it did, for 63 years." 

Closeup, Small Moments

Patsy quilted her heartwarming work by herself on a stationary sewing machine. Here you can see all the different fabric and thread colors used to depict the angles, lines, and shadows of the subjects' faces. This quilt was one of our favorites, as this artist's creation is so expressive. We found ourselves drawn to the representation of fondness and joy of life this couple displays for each other.

Tangled Up in Blue by Debbie Stanton

Honorable Mention winner for Medium Size Pieced Quilts, Debbie states, "Starting with a commercial pattern for the central motif, I designed my own borders. Quilting was inspired by Zentangle Doodle Designs. [I] used Cindi Edgerton's tissue paper foundation for the feathered star. All else is original."

Closeup, Tangled Up in Blue

In this closeup, you can see some of Debbie's outstanding workmanship on the appliqued border.  The cute heart in the middle of the applique gives a charming touch. Debbie quilted her work on a track mounted machine.

At Sunset by Alicia Sterna

Third Place winner for Abstract Art quilts, Alicia explains, " A failed graduated bargello piece provided the perfect background for a sunflower quilt. I wanted the flowers to float on the background. "
By the way, we at Quilt Inspiration do not see anything  "failed" about this work ! We love the color contrasts of the fabric and the circles of print fabric that cap the tops of the green bargello design.

Closeup, At Sunset

Alicia quilted this beautiful work herself on a stationary machine. These sunflowers done in gold thread give such an elegant look to this lovely quilt.

Japanese Fans by Judith Salb, quilted by Jessica Gamez

Second Place winner for Medium Size Pieced Quilts, Judith writes, "Asian inspired fabrics remind me of my memorable visits to Japan, China, and Thailand. I hope the re-create this quilt someday in oriental kimono fabrics. [The pattern for this quilt is] Japanese Fan by Judy Niemeyer for Quiltworx.

Closeup, Japanese Fans

Jessica Gamez quilted this stunning work on a track mounted machine. The softly muted warm colors give "Japanese Fan" such a gracious and dignified look.

Image credits:  Photos were taken by Quilt Inspiration.