An Expert Machine Quilter’ Blog
Seems recently I keep running across beautiful blogs of machine quilting experts who specialize in feathers.  Feathers appear simple and elegant. Most things that look simple to do are in fact challenging. Making complicated things appear easy is what the pros do.
Sally Bramald’s blog has a beautiful header which immediately draws [...]

Jewel tones

Crisp edges
Bold Contrast
Geometrical Shapes
Surprise

These are the qualities that describe most of my art quilts. These are the design elements I frequently post about on “Your Inspiration Zone” blog. You can see how I make them on my website, Quilts4u.com.
I find visual inspiration everywhere. I don’t feel the need to make Statement Quilts, and expressing [...]

New AQS Show in Lancaster, PA

The American Quilter’s Society has added the Lancaster County Convention Center in Lancaster PA as the location for a fourth show and contest in 2010, (others being in Des Moines, IA, Knoxville, TN and Paducah KY). Approximately 200 quilts will be judged  in various categories with more than [...]

Signature Style in Art Quilts – Part 1

Now here I go out on a limb…
For commercial reasons, I am changing to a new signature look in the art quilts I make for sale. There are 3 reasons, and the first is that the art quilts in my “new” series are SELLING!! [...]

Gary W. Priester’s 3D Stereogram Gallery
In this post you will see 4 stereograms created by Gary W. Priester, c0-author of several Magic Eye books of stereograms. Gary also has a lot of information on stereogram creation on his Eyetricks.com website. While next to impossible, I think, to create a true stereogram with fabric, these stereogram [...]

Stitching together an artistic vision
BY ROBERT L. PINCUS, UNION-TRIBUNE ART CRITIC – SUNDAY, JANUARY 3, 2010
Gallery director Beth Smith harnesses a passion for textile-related media: ‘It’s really rewarding to see artists change and surprise you’.

Museum Director: Beth Smith
Institution: Quilt Visions
Previous institution: Oceanside Museum of Art (director of development)
Current show: “Interpretations,” featuring [...]

The National Quilt Museum announces 18 winning quilts from the 2010 An Old Favorite Contest.
on exhibit Mar. 19 – June 15, 2010 and traveling through Dec. 2011.

The Paducah Sun, Jan. 1, 2010
The National Quilt Museum has announced the 18 winning quilts of the 2010 Sunflower-themed New Quilts from an Old Favorite contest.
These quilts represent [...]

in the CQA Quilting News
from the Lansing City Pulse
MSU Museum Shows Off Quilt Scholar’s Collection through Sept. 5, 2010,
by Eric Gallippo
‘Unpacking Collections’
The Legacy of Cuesta Benberry, African- American Quilt Scholar
Visitors to Michigan State University Museum’s “Unpacking Collections” exhibit will get a peek into the vast research and materials accumulated by pioneering quilt scholar Cuesta [...]

Two Books to Consult if you’re thinking of Accelerating your Quilting Career

Insider’s Guide to Quilting Careers – This excellent guide produced by Linda Hahn and Merry May introduces the reader to the incredibly wide variety of careers available in today’s quilting world. The book offers practical advice and detailed instructions on how to start [...]

Photos of Unusual Holiday Light Inspire Shining and Exuberant Quilts
(and kindle ideas for cheerful, joyful, bubbly, bouncy and merry quilts as well)

Do these odd baubles appeal to your geometric instincts? I see quilts all over the place.
Round things, pointy things, the energy in these ornaments can animate your ideas and your art work. Why not bookmark this page for after the holiday season.

Color Palette + Design = Impact
These Creative Commons.org photos by Crystal Writer demonstrate that traditional quilt styles combined with stellar palette choices and ingenious layouts can result in stunning artistic art quilts. Enjoy Crystal’s computer created kaleidoscopes. More photos by Crystal Writer and her personal vision.
Why not try a new direction in the new year, [...]

in the CQA Quilting News, December 4, 2009
YOU MEAN 72% OF US BUY FROM BIG BOX ART RETAILERS?

excerpt from: Tips to buying art at Metro Arts Expo, by Michael Morain,  Des Moines Register, 11-1-09
(with specific reference to quilt art purchases)

Des Moines Arts Festival director Stephen King was speaking to a community group a few [...]

in the CQA Quilting News
Artist evolving as quiltmaker
Nancy Crow’s latest work, the ‘Markings’ series, shows she’s kicked it up a notch
article by Dorothy Shinn Ohio Beacon Journal art and architecture critic, 11/08/2009
In the past, I’ve had difficulty writing about the work of Nancy Crow.
It’s not her fault. She’s seen as a leader in her field.
In [...]

Sagittarius, November 23 to December 21
Sagittarius, if you have definite aims and objectives, with your good administrative abilities, you will be forceful in getting your quilt projects finished up.
Without a clear vision, your sensitivity and vagueness may lead you to drift and those unfinished projects could pile up.
As a lover of freedom, you would [...]

2009 Hoffman Challenge Winners Announced and

2010 Collection Announced

Fabrics for the 2010 Hoffman Challenge have been announced. The theme fabric is shown below.
Hoffman Challenge is the place to go for all the information you need to consider if you plan to enter next year’s contest. Apparently up to 1000 entries are received annually.
The Hoffman [...]

When you are inspired by a scene or subject
original post dated August 31, 2009, from Fine Arts Views, written by Keith Bond
1.  Figure out what it is that excites you.
2.  Then develop a composition which helps express that emotion.
3.  Make informed choices.  Use color and techniques which also emphasize, not distract from, your [...]

3685, a poem about the DMC embroidery floss color, burgundy red 3685,
by Stephen Beal,  The Very Stuff *, Poems on color, thread, and the habits of women. (It seems appropriate to celebrate burgundy at harvest time.)
Say you see it in a store, in a dress, this red, you could well say,
“Too dark” and pass [...]

International Street Markets
These photos of markets from around the world should inspire your quilter’s eye. Not only the autumn colors, but the repetition of shapes, variety of arrangements and mysterious produce add a local flavor that would energize a delicious art quilt. All photos were taken from Flickr’s The Creative Commons.
After preparing this post and [...]

2009 Houston Show Winners, some of my favorites-