Best of the Road to California - Day 1

More than 39,000 visitors from all 50 U.S. states and several foreign countries come each January to visit the Road to California show in Ontario, California.. This quilt show features traditional, art and modern quilts. Here are some of the award winners and our own favorites from the 2018 show.

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Erin by Sandy Curran (Newport News, Virginia)

Erin was awarded a first place ribbon at the Road to California show. Sandy Curran says, "To me, my daughter, Erin, is one of the most beautiful people on earth. I have been afraid to do a portrait of her because I believed I could never do her justice. So, I created an unlikely color scheme and a simplified pattern. You can still recognize Erin, but, because it is not literal, I don’t have to agonize over whether or not I captured her."

Santorini Sunset by Melissa Sobotka (Richardson, Texas)

Santorini Sunset won the Best Use of Color award. Melissa Sobotka says, "I desperately tried to photograph the golden hour (sunset) in Santorini Greece, but that was an image so many had already captured. So I added a new twist, and challenged myself to turn the sunset-washed town into an abstract for a new perspective."

Melissa’s photo-realistic style of quilting is created by appliquéing numerous pieces of raw edge fabrics, and then enhancing them with inks to give them greater depth. You can see more examples of her work at her website, MSfiberart.

Rainbow Dash by Michelle Howe (Irvine, California)

Michelle Howe says that Rainbow Dash was completed in one week in a class given by Susan Carlson.  We admire Michelle's clever use of batik fabrics in creating this collage quilt with raw edge applique.

Remembering Roatan by Pamela Kuck (Shawano, Wisconsin)

Pamela Kuck achieved a remarkable realism in this seascape. She says, "This view of the sunset is from our home in the Western Caribbean Bay Island of Roatan. This piece uses raw-edged fused applique, thousands of ¼-inch fabric bits, a layer of tulle, and embellished with 500 Swarovski crystals to help the water sparkle."

Gilded Roses by Susan E. Stewart

Gilded Roses won the Best Domestic Machine Quilting award. Susan Stewart says, "this quilt was inspired by the lacy, watercolor-y rose machine embroidery design from Urban Threads, in a variety of soft colors to make all the roses just a bit different. The gold swirl designs are from OESD; the fold lace motifs are John Deer's Adorable Designs. All the quilting was free-motion on an APQS George."

Your Place or Mine by Marva-Lee Otos (Ketchikan, Alaska)

This quilt design was a block-of-the-month project by Australian designer, Wendy Williams. Vibrant fabrics by Kaffe Fassett enliven this quilt. Marva-Lee Otos says, "I have always been inspired by Wendy Williams' vibrant use of color. This quilt was a personal challenge to myself as it used non traditional applique techniques."

Marva continues, "I liked the combination of needle turn and wool applique on the pieced cotton background. That, coupled with use of a creative variety of embroidery stitches, allowed me to express my artistic options."
Image credits: Photos were taken by Quilt Inspiration.

International Quilts From P.I.Q.F. 2012

Today we're featuring some wonderful quilts from different countries that were displayed at the Pacific International Quilt Festival in October, 2012.  We think you'll really enjoy these intriguing works from New Zealand, Germany and Japan!

Ride With Me, 35.5 x 37.5, by Joanne Mitchell, New Zealand

This enchanting merry-go-round pony is actually very high tech. There's a motion sensor sewn into the quilt which causes lights to flash and music to play whenever a viewer walks near it.  Joanne writes, "An original design based on the early carousel horse of my childhood. The original music from the old steam driven organ and the flashing lights are all part of the memory. Thanks for the technical assistance from my husband Paul and Carl of LED Dunedin."

Close-up of  Ride With Me

In this close-up, you can see some of the sparkling embellishments on the carousel itself, as well as the beautiful quilting on the horse's head and mane. Featured on the cover of  New Zealand Quilter,  "Ride With Me", won not only First Place but the Viewer's Choice Award in the Hoffman Challenge.

Mandala Magic, 69 x 69, by Judith Ross, New Zealand

Judith notes : " [The circular designs] of mandalas have always fascinated me. I enjoy the contrast between their restful symmetry and joyous colour. This original design is based on ceiling mandalas I saw in Sikkim temples. Techniques include printing on silk, machine piecing, applique, and quilting. The centre is a piece of the antique Indian zardozi embroidery." For more information,about Judith's creative \and original quilts, please visit Judith Ross' website.

Pineapple Blue, 61 x 84, by Brigitte Morgenroth, Germany

Blue ribbon winner for "Best Use of Color" in the World Quilt category, Brigitte says, "Pineapple is a variation of a log cabin pattern; the pattern is very clear and severe, but so interesting and modern thanks to the choice of colours and materials. Dupioni silk gives wonderful light and shadow reflections because it was sewn in different directions. This work is paper pieced, and the white circles are magnified through hand quilting."   For more information on this talented quilter, please visit Brigitte Morgenroth's website.

Zen by Yoshiko Katagiri,  Japan

P.I.Q.F. 2012 featured a special exhibit titled "Life", by very skilled Japanese quilter Yoshiko Katagiri. She created the "Life" exhibit in gratitude for the contributions of quilters and others around the world to the relief work after the 2011 large scale earthquake and tsunami in Japan. Yoshiko notes that this natural disaster and the help sent to Japan caused her to consider the role of nature in our lives and the importance of the lives of each animate being, no matter how small.Yoshiko's "Zen" quilt displays a giant red peony flower, sitting placidly amidst a contingent of energetic dragonflies.  

Close-up of Zen
 

Yoshiko notes,  "The peony is called the 'queen of flowers' in China.... but the Japanese people [often liken it to] the image of  a beautiful sitting woman." In this close-up, you can see some of the intricate piecing involved in the construction of the flower.  

Uneri by Yoshiko Katagiri

The word "Uneri" in Japanese can be loosely translated to mean "Undulation, or like a wave that rises and falls."  Yoshiko writes, ...."Life has many ups and downs. Sometimes it pulls by a strong power; the other times it tangles by various happenings, like a rope."  Yoshiko has characterized the "peaks and valleys" of life by depicting them them as these colorful fabric ropes which twist, turn, and wind around each other. 

Ushio by Yoshiko Katagiri

A very approximate translation of  "Ushio" is "the tide."  Yoshiko says, "The regions where the earthquake and tsunami hit had the luxuriant forests and the rich sea. ......The destroyed forests and sea are going to [recover]  by the efforts of numerous people."  We love these vibrant, eye-catching fish with their strong fins, which swim in all directions, both with the current of the water and against it. Look carefully, and you'll see several outlines of fish quilted into the black background.  

Corona by Yoshiko Katagiri

Brilliant warm colors denote the flames of gas which surround the sun's surface like a crown ; hence the name "corona." Yoshiko notes,  "Without the sun, I imagine that life would never have existed on earth. I think that the entity of the sun itself is natural, but close to wondrous. "

Western quilts Roundup !

~ Stay tuned for the September Giveaway  ~

~ Stay tuned for Free Pattern Day (tomorrow !) ~

It's time to lasso those Western quilts, and to celebrate the cowgirl spirit. Dale Evans once said: "'Cowgirl' is an attitude really. The cowgirl faces life head-on, lives by her own lights, and makes no excuses. Cowgirls take stands; they speak up. They defend things they hold dear." These designers make their homes in Missouri, Oregon, Texas and Montana, and these quilts make us dream of horses, cattle, and wide open spaces.

Row 1: Prairie Moon Ranch, Cowboy Christmas Stocking,  and Cowgirl Up, by Shelly Pagliai at Prairie Moon Quilts
Row 2: Royal,  The Guardian, and Mellow Meadow, by Toni Whitney at Toni Whitney Design
Row 3: Rodeo Gals and Working Cow Horse, and Wranglers, by June Jaeger at Log Cabin Quiltworks
Row 4: Boot Bash block-of-the-month for 2011, by Molly Fryer at Molly’s Place
Row 5: Texas Cowboy Crests Embroideries,  Bronco Embroidery, Dancing Boots Crest Embroidery, and Texas Wildflowers Embroideries,  by Susa Glenn at Susa Glenn Designs

Quilts of the Wild West Part 5

~ Stay tuned for the September Giveaway  ~

When we think of Texas, we think of all things Western: cowboy boots, hats, saddles, and horses. Oh, yes: and prickly pear cactus... steer skulls... and armadillos.  These Texas cowboy motifs, Texas Wildflowers, and more, can be found in Susa Glenn's fascinating embroideries and quilt projects. We love her intricate designs, one-of-a-kind themes, and inspiring tutorials.

Cowboys Crests Embroidery Project, 44 x 54", including The Bronco and Dancing Boots, by Susa Glenn at Susa Glenn Designs

Susa Glenn took up digitizing machine embroidery in 2005 because she wanted to embellish her bag patterns and quilt tops with it. She says: "All of the embroidery designs on my site were designed and digitized by me. I take a lot of time getting the design and the stitching just right. Sometimes the drawing/digitizing takes just a few hours and sometimes it takes days (examples: The Bronco and the Dancing Boots). I enjoy digitizing three dimensionality into my embroidery designs that makes them come to life when they are stitched using rayon thread. Rayon has a nap which gives it the same light reflective characteristics as velvet and corduroy. It reflects light if viewed from one direction and absorbs it if viewed from the opposite direction." Susa even includes one or more projects, such as the quilt shown above, with each of her embroidery collections.  For closeups of all of the cowboy crests, click here.

Texas Wildflowers, 30 x 36",  including Armadillos, by Susa Glenn, at Susa Glenn Designs

Susa Glenn tells us: "The Cowboy Crests collection was inspired by my group of Japanese Crests that I digitized and designed a quilt for several years ago. Immediately after completing my Japanese Crests quilt, I created my Texas Wildflowers embroideries." The downloadable wildflower collection includes Texas Bluebonnets, Indian Paintbrush, White Yarrow, Black Eyed Susans, Wild Daisies, Indian Blankets, a Sulfur Butterfly... and the Armadillo crest, because "A Texas meadow is just not complete without an armadillo or two."

Armadillos are mammals that are known for having a leathery armor shell; the Aztec called them azotochtli, which means “turtle-rabbit.” Although they are interesting creatures, armadillos can be a big  nuisance to homeowners, because of the digging and the damage they cause with their powerful claws. Susa Glenn explains the inspiration for her armadillo: "I didn't have a satisfactory design with which to embellish the corner blocks, and I wanted to add some humor to the wall hanging. We were being invaded by armadillos at the time and they were wreaking havoc on my wildflower meadow. Early one morning it came to me as in a vision that what I needed was an armadillo crest for those corners, so I jumped out of bed and created one! The ones at the top are the 'bad' armadillos and the ones at the bottom are the 'good' armadillos as they have assumed the dead position (!)"

Image credits:  Images are shown with the generous permission of Susa Glenn.  At her site you can also find Hibiscus Cowboy Leather Tooling Designs, Cowboy Boot Stitching Feathers, Bodacious Sunflowers, an adorable ladybug Fly Away Home quilt project, and many beautiful Asian designs.

Quilts of the Wild West Part 4

Question: What is a "Boot Bash"? Answer: A free and fabulous quilt block-of-the-month for 2011, by Molly Fryer.  Molly is a creative quilter, rancher's wife, mom, Nana, and proud Texan.  She says: “In every man, woman and child on this planet, there is a person who wishes just once he could be a real live Texan and get up on a horse or ride off in a pickup.” Or how about the next best thing: a quilt with 12 different cowboy boots, one for each month? It’s not too late to start ! Molly's motto is “Remember--no bitchin, only stitchin !”

Boot Bash BOM, Blocks 3, 4 and 5, by Molly Fryer at Molly's Place

We had a hard time picking our favorite Boot Bash blocks, as we love 'em all. Just look at the adorable blanket-stitched cardinal in the March block; the barbed-wire embroidery in April; and the realistic, cracked-leather boot for May.  The button-and-ribbon detail in the May block is the perfect touch. You'll find links to all of the blocks on the sidebar at Molly's place, plus recipes, tutorials, a Tree Time BOM (think: Christmas) and so much more.  Don't miss her comprehensive, easy-to-follow feathered star tutorial. In fact, there's so much to see that Molly says: "Hey, take a load off and stay awhile". We think we will... because Molly's Place feels just like home.

~ FOR A HAPPY HEART AND A BLESSED DAY, TAKE TIME TO QUILT AND A MOMENT TO PRAY ~ "Words to Live By", as seen at Molly's Place

Image credits:  Images are shown with the generous permission of Molly Fryer.

Quilts of the Wild West Part 3

Toni Whitney is a pre-eminent wildlife painter and quilt designer. Her home and studio in Northwest Montana is nestled up against miles of wilderness, where a never-ending abundance of inspiration walks by her studio. Toni's wild west designs include moose, bear, elk, buffalo, cougar, wolf, and eagle. Of horses, she says: "I am deeply inspired by the beauty of the horse, whether standing, running, grazing... Any horse lover knows that a mere glimpse into the eyes of a horse can stir the soul."

Royal, 19-1/4 x 22-1/4", by Toni Whitney at Toni Whitney Design, as seen at the Bigfork Bay Cotton Company

"Royal" is (was) Toni Whitney's own horse, whom she rescued from the meat market at three years old.This magnificent palomino appears to be leaping right out of its quilted frame ! As for all of Toni's art quilt patterns, "Royal" is designed for fusible applique. For more beautifully realistic horses, check out "Guardian", "Pride and Joy" and "Lazy-Days" at Toni Whitney Design; and 4 Ever Friends, Spring Storm, Wild Girl, and Wild Horse Canyon at Bigfork Bay Cotton Company.

Midnight Glide, 13-1/2 x 21-1/2", by Toni Whitney at Toni Whitney Design

The Great Horned Owl is an impressive bird, with a wingspan of 40-60 inches (101–153 cm). Owls have spectacular binocular vision allowing them to pinpoint prey and see in low light; they hunt at night by waiting on a high perch and swooping down on prey. The eyes of Great Horned Owls are immobile within their sockets; their neck must be able to turn a full 270 degrees in order to see in other directions! Toni Whitney's "Midnight Glide" perfectly captures the majesty of this bird in flight.

Backdoor Bear, 8" x 10", by Toni Whitney at Toni Whitney Design

This little black bear hung around the back door of Toni's studio for days, just waiting for his close up. Two small black beads in his eyes give off just the glimmer that you see when they look right at you. "Backdoor Bear" is designed to be mounted on canvas (instructions included) or to be made as a wall hanging using the background fabric with thread play as borders. Right now, Toni is off teaching "Backdoor Bear" on a quilting cruise to Alaska (wow !)

Image credits: Images are shown with the generous permission of Toni Whitney. In addition to North American wildlife, her quilt patterns include an elephant, lion, giraffe, tiger and zebra. The quotation in the first paragraph is from an interview with Toni Whitney at whohub.

Quilts of the Wild West Part 2

"Cowgirl Up" is the female version of the old rodeo call "Cowboy Up", meaning that the rider was in the chute, seated on the bronco or bull, waiting for the gate to open to enter the arena. Over time, "Cowgirl Up" has evolved to mean that a challenge is awaiting and we are ready to tackle it. "Cowgirl Up" can mean : be your own woman, make your own path, and take responsibility for who you are and what you do. An extremely well-designed quilt,  "Cowgirl Up" sparkles with warmth and charm.

Cowgirl Up, by Shelly Pagliai, at Prairie Moon Quilts

We love this quilt because of its authentic "cowboy colors" of dusty red, chambray blue and cocoa, its symmetrical, eye-pleasing patterns, and its blend of applique and patchwork. The American vintage look is perfectly enhanced by the center cowgirl image and the images inside each of the cottage star blocks. The designer, Shelly Pagliai, tells us that these vintage quilt block prints are from Olde America Antiques.  Rounding out the frontier theme of this quilt is the prairie points-style border, which ties all the elements together. If you love cowgirl projects like this one, check out the Cowgirl Club at Prairie Moon Quilts.

Cowboy Blessing pattern or kit, by Shelly Pagliai, at Prairie Moon Quilts

Shelly lives with her family on the Prairie Moon Ranch, in the midwest state of Missouri.  She named her quilt business after the ranch, and her western themes are genuine reflections of her family's life and values. Available at Prairie Moon Quilts, here is the endearing Cowboy Blessing, complete with a barbed-wire inner border and horseshoes, surrounding an embroidered wish that reads : "May your belly never grumble, May your heart never ache, May your horse never stumble, May your cinch never break."  This pattern would look wonderful as the center of a table runner or table topper, a wall hanging, or a pillow.

Cowboy Christmas stocking, "Prairie Paisley", by Shelly Pagliai, at Prairie Moon Quilts

What could be cuter than a fancy western dress boot used as a Christmas stocking? Shelly introduces a new cowboy Christmas stocking each year, and "Prairie Paisley" is her offering for last December 2010.  This project uses applique and some hand embroidery in festive red and and cream colors to make a very original stocking. It has a lined body, and stands about 16 inches tall and 10 inches wide at the widest point.  Here's a very unique and thoughtful holiday gift for a cowboy or cowgirl in your life.

And finally, to go along with these great projects from Prairie Moon Quilts, we have found some fun old time western music: "Roll Along, Prairie Moon". Click on the center arrow below to start the song, so that all of us can saddle up our ponies and ride off into the sunset, dreaming of another day of inspiration.

Image credits:  Images are shown with the generous permission of Shelly Pagliai.

Quilts of the Wild West

If the cowboy is the quintessential symbol of the Old West, then the cowgirl is the symbol of the New West.  Dale Evans once said: "'Cowgirl' is an attitude really. The cowgirl faces life head-on, lives by her own lights, and makes no excuses. Cowgirls take stands; they speak up. They defend things they hold dear." This week we're celebrating the cowgirl spirit, with cowgirls and horses in quilts.

Rodeo Gals, 74 x 86", by June Jaeger, at Log Cabin Quiltworks

June Jaeger has been in the quilting business for over 25 years. Her quilt designs feature cowgirls, cowboys, horses and other timeless images of the West. A long term resident of Central Oregon, June works at a veterinary hospital and lives on thirty-five acres in a log cabin at the foothills of the Ochoco Mountains (you can see a photo of her cabin at Log Cabin Quiltworks).   She also has designed over 20 patterns for the Prairie Girls Quilt Shop of Prineville, Oregon, including "Wranglers", shown below.

Wranglers, 30 x 48", by June Jaeger, as seen at Prairie Girls Quilt Shop

June was first introduced to quilting by her sister, Jean Wells. June Jaeger was the inspirational instructor for the 2011 Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show. She also designed "Timeless", the 2010 Sisters' raffle quilt; you can see the quilt and pattern at The Stitchin' Post.  June Jaeger's stunning "Vision of Horses", below, won Judges' Choice at the Northwest Quilting Expo.

Vision of horses, by June Jaeger

As an entrepreneur, designer, and Westerner, June Jaeger embodies the cowgirl spirit. She says: "I am 65 years old, still cutting my own firewood, and still obsessed with quilting and teaching. There are so many quilts to design and make."

Image credits: Images are shown with the generous permission of June Jaeger.  At Log Cabin Quiltworks you can also see her Saddle Up and Horsin' Around patterns, and at Prairie Girls Quilt Shop you can see Forever Sisters, Rodeo Queen and Annie Oakley.