Dallas Quilt Show

Today is "Fun With Friends" Day.  Or, in other words, The Dallas Quilt Show.  Each year Stephannie plans a meet-up that includes food and so much eye candy that I would be a fool to miss out.  The Original Market Diner is our meeting ground and when Tracey arrives, she has my new bracelet finished.  Ooooooh, I love it and can't wait for the first Red Hat event to wear it to.

Yes, I know this is about quilting, but my quilting friends are talented in so many way.  It's fun to see each facet and support one another whenever possible.  At first there are six of us at the restaurant, but we soon fill up the tables with the addition of three more.

Clockwise from lower left in picture above:  Virginia, Stephanie, Stephannie, Janet, Tracey, Sherri, Julie (welcome to the gang), and Tammy.  When the waitress asks if I want to be in the picture too, well naturally another one is taken.  Now, let's eat.

The main event is the quilt show so let's get to it.  As soon as we walk in the door, BEST OF SHOW is front and center.  It is by Jennifer Carter of Richardson, TX and quilted by Deb Wendt.  Jennifer writes, "This was a multi-year journey through a variety of hand applique techniques -- back basting, off block, broderie perse, scherenschnitte reverse.  Pieces were stuff, braided and woven, topped with embroidery and embellishments."

Okay, okay.  If you have followed my blog, then you know that this quilt won Best of Show in Plano last year and I spotlighted it then.  However, I really didn't look at it close enough that go round.  Now, in order to truly appreciate the work that went into this, you gotta get up close and personal.  I mean it.  Here are a few pics to show how truthful my statement is.  Can you see all the intricate embroidery?

How about here?  Each leaf has the veins sewn in.  Oh my.   A well-deserved award.  Congratulations Jennifer.

From there, Sherri and I are off to just take this row by row.  The outside edge starts with vendors and when we get to the Cynthia England booth, we are stopped fast.  Ooooooh, an up close look at this must be done and I am in so much awe that it's crazy.

Cynthia asks if we want to take our picture in front and -- well --- YES!!!  This quilt is called "Through Tuscany" and Ms. England says that, "This quilt was inspired from a photograph taken by Terry Donnelly in southern Tuscany in the village of Sorano, Italy.  The photo captured a wonderful interplay of light on the ancient cobblestones and my goal was to recreate the same play of light in fabric.  This quilt took almost a year to complete and has around 22,000 pattern pieces.  Insects and a bird are hidden within the vine foliage."  It is simply breathtaking and although it is from 2006 and I've likely seen it before, I LOVE it so very much.

While I'm at it, I'll give another shout out to Cynthia.  I'm sure you all remember this piece from Houston International Quilt Festival a few years ago - Reflections of Cape Town won the Handiquilter Best of Show Award in 2016.  Her method is simply amazing.

Okay, now where was I?  Oh, yes -- shopping.  I need a little bit more variety for an upcoming retreat next weekend where I am making a new Mondo bag with Texas fabrics.  Tea Time Quilting had just what I needed and with only two items on my shopping list, I've tackled one.

Ooooh, we've gotta run.  It's time for the group picture and I hate being late.  Oh yeah -- hey there Lori.  Okay, now back to the show.

It's time for some eye candy.  This part makes my heart happy and since I've already developed these pictures, apparently I'm more into color this year.  Bring it on.

First up is  Kaleidoscope by Sheila Relyea of Allen, TX.  She says, "I'm constantly playing around in Photoshop.  This is where I created this pattern I all Kaleidoscope.  it reminds me of the prisms you see while looking thru this childhood toy.  I used two tones of the same colors to give some dimension to this quilt." 

Celebrating 50 by Kathy Thibodeau of Carrollton, TX grabs my eye next.  I do like the little pieces but also am enjoying the open spaces of the more modern feel to it.  She says, "This quilt was made for my sister who will celebrate 50 years of marriage this year.  I used charm squares to make this quilt."

This is the second time that Timberline, by Lynne Fritsche, has stopped me in my tracks.  It was also in Plano last year.  Lynne says, "It took several years to piece all the blocks, mostly at retreats.  I quilted it on my domestic Bernina.  It took awhile, but I'm pleased with the result."  I think it's wonderful, but what I really noticed this time is the borders.  I love how they actually look like piano keys due to the staggered piecing.

Modern Love by Connie Hansen of Hamilton, TX and quilted by Angela McCorkle pulls me in with the color palette.  It's just so where I am these days and I do like X's and O's.  I want to do one as an exchange, in fact.  Her comment is so simple and yet so perfect:  "I had a layer cake that I liked and decided to do a quick quilt."  There ya go.

As I look at the next one, instantly I tell Sherri that it looks like our friend, Maria's, quilting.  By golly it is.  Woohoo!!!  Vases and Bowls is by Janice L. Mowery of Arlington, TX and quilted by Maria Hall.  Janice says, "After being in a Kaffe Fassett class, my husband purchased this kit for me."  It's divine.

Two colors and two fabrics.  Such a great concept.  This one is entitled Civil War Quilt by Joan Crittenden of Fort Worth, TX and quilted by Susan Corbett.  I want to try something like this some time.

Fine Feathered Friends by Tamera Gross of Wichita, KS and quilted by Jan Hutchinson is right up my red-headed color alley.  Tamera says, "Two quilters talked me into making a feathered star block.  We started out trying hand piecing.  I was the only one who continued the challenge although I drew mine on EQ and made a finished quilt by paper piecing and hand applique."  Just drink it in and quietly tell yourself, "someday."  The borders on this are just so incredible and the quilting plays against them perfectly.

Sherri and I are both pulled towards this quilt and it's only after we have picked our jaws up that we even see the ribbons everywhere.  It is phenomenal.  We both hand quilt and this is incredible.  Entitled Lotus Pond, by SunMee Seen of McKinney, TX, this piece is something to behold.  She says, "A couple of years ago, I visited a Korean temple in which the lotus petal patterns left a deep impression on me.  I created this quilt by picturing the lotus flowers floating on a pond.  I really enjoy hand quilting and I truly enjoyed working on this piece."  It is the recipient of the Fine Hand Workmanship Betty Carpenter Memorial Award.

Here are a couple of close ups on the quilting.  Sublime.

This next quilt by Rosemary Raley of Irving, TX has everything I love.  Small pieces, different units and a repeating pattern.  She says it was, "Inspired by Elsie Vrendenburg's first quilt in 1959 which I saw in the November 2003 issue of QNM.  It was made from an unidentified pattern.  I figured out the quilt blocks and made my favorite quilt ever."  It is called Shooting Stars.

Ooooh, this one could be an entry at Houston this year in the "Sapphire" competition.  Blue and white.  I adore the tiny blocks.  So simple and yet, so deceptively hard.  It is called Blue Nine Patch Around the World and is by Linda Burk of Dallas, TX.  Her comment is, "289 nine patches set on point - I love this color.  Is there a limit of quilts that I can make with Crocus Fairy Frost?"

Ooooh, the theme is It's A Jumgle Out There.  We can play.

We no sooner put the toys down and turn around to spot this.  I HAVE to look closer.  First of all - I truly love Crabapple Hill patterns.  Secondly, Halloween is such fun.  Third -- the quilting in here takes my breath away.  Truly.

Do you want to see more.  Isn't the coloring wonderful as well?  Oh my.  This is called Salem Witches Quilt Guild - Featuring the YaYas!  It is by Kathryn Bernstein of Dallas, TX along with Cindy Brauntmann and quilted by Susan Corbett.  The card says, "My beloved quilt group, The YaYas, always support me when I get a crazy design idea.  I always hope my quilts will magically work out and finish themselves!  This pattern reminded me of the YaYas and our witchy ways.  I modified the pattern to note our motto:  "Completion Trumps Perfection!"  Such FUN!  Where do I sign up to be a part of this group?

Okay, so confession time.  I spotted this quilt and loved the idea that it went from cut 1 1/2" squares to cut 2 1/2" squares to cut 3 1/2" squares.  I was remarking on it and certain that I had it figured out.  However, Sherri patiently stood by and corrected me until I saw the error of my ways.  The black ones are not cut 3 1/2" squares.  It doesn't change that I love this and love the fun movement of it.  It is by Sarah Daneke of Edmond, OK and quilted by Kerry Fishbeck.  Entitled, It's a Book, "the pattern for this is based on an antique quilt, name unknown.  Sarah changed the color to create, It's a Book!."

I can see my mother loving this next quilt.  It really takes me back home.  The blues are soft and the pattern has so much fun in the fabric that I just want to play with it.  Asian Blue by Dr. Carolyn F. Troupe of Weatherford, TX and quilted by Sabina Thompson is "a basic 12" block using an Asian print Carolyn had.  Voila!  Another dent in my stash."

Oh my.  I really like this.  Little pieces and sample blocks everywhere.  What could be better?  This is called Kisselburg Road and is by Karen Edmondson of Wylie, TX and quilted by Rose Davis.  Karen writes, "This quilt feels like tradition and family.  Kisselburg is a family name and Kisselburg Road has been a home for generations of Kisselburgs.  It holds many childhood memories."  It DOES feel like family.

Little nine-patches are catching my attention all over the place today.  This one has a double nine patch alternate block and it's one of my favorites.  It is called Twinkle and was made by Jill Isakson of McKinney, TX.  Her statement of, "Simple blocks made from fabrics/colors I love" says all it needs to.

Now, I have never tackled a t-shirt or memory quilt of any kind.  However, I truly love this one and it has opened a whole new world to me.  The Big Show was made by Susie Auger of Dallas, TX and quilted by Deb Wendt.  Susie writes, "This quilt commemorates my husband's 40 years in the entertainment industry.  He worked as a property master on movies, as well as a stage and film technician."  What a perfect memory quilt.  LOVE the Playbills.

I spotted this next one and instantly thought of my sweetheart.  There is always one quilt in the show that I think he would stare at for awhile and today, it's this one.  Jars of Clay by Sharon Schlotzhauer of Monument, CO is simply the colors he loves and portrays pottery art that he loves.  Sharon's notes read, "The inspiration for this quilt came from scripture:  Isaiah 64:8.  WE are the work of the Master Potter - each beautiful and unique in our own way.  Tsukineko inks used for enhancement.

This next piece by Barbara Hartman is wonderful.  Followers may remember the entire post I devoted to her back in 2017.  If not, here is the LINK so that you can see her incredible method for doing these.  This one is Help:Fire Power.  Barbara lives in Flower Mound, TX and says, "this is made using small bits and pieces left from previous projects and applied by machine.  This was inspired by the wildfires in California in 2018."

I would really like to try something like this next quilt sometime.  So many versions of little strips being sewn together.  They are not all log cabin blocks, but you get that feel from it.  A Maze in a Quilt is by Charlotte Fowler of Richardson, TX and quilted by Joan McGee.

Ahhhhh, scrappy wonderfulness.  I can do this.  Not at this skill level, but I can make something similar.  Cindy's Star Gift is by Jill Isakson of McKinney, TX along with Cindy Blount and M.J. Fielek.  It is quilted by Kathy Bradbury and is the McKinney Quilt Guild Raffle Quilt for 2019.  Love it.

Aqua!!  White!!  Green!!  Do you think of water or oceans? I sure do and the randomness of this modern quilt appeals to me.  Entitled Waterfall Hexagon, it was created by Anna Aldmon of Frisco, TX.  She says that, "this is my version of a modern quilt.  The hexagons tumbling down with the applique fabric fading away . . . . . in my mind like a waterfall."

More of the same color palette.  Still modern.  Still appealing to me and still reminding me of water.  I guess that's good since it is called Cool Water.  It is by Carol Dennis of Garland, TX and quilted by Lee Jenkins.  Carol shares, "I have always wanted to design my own quilt.  I paper pieced the large pieces for accuracy!  I managed to get ten pieces to come together in the middle." 

STRINGS!!!!!  I love strings and this next quilt shows me a way to use ALL the colors I have collected.  Pathway Star by Deb Putman of Lewisville, TX is sheer scrappy delight.  She writes, "Edyta is one of my favorite designers.  When I saw this pattern, I knew it would be perfect for my smallest treasures."  I agree.

Look up close.

Now, we all know that I am really not an art quilt person.  But seriously!!  Who can resist the look on this emu's face?  It is absolutely joyful to me.  Called Georgeous (oh what fun that name is) it is by Melissa Sobotka of Richardson, TX.  Melissa says that, "while in Australia I tried to photograph an emu.  As the animal awkwardly walked towards me, I said 'Hello Gorgeous.'  It was at that moment that it tilted its head and posed as if to say, 'Are you talking to me?'"  Such fun.

And one for my friends Stephannie and Stephanie.  This is the best doxie quilt I have seen.  Dagwood is by Adrienne Poppe of Plano, TX "in honor of our Gingergirl, who passed in 2015.  I love machine applique."  Let your hearts be happy, my friends.

And that's it.  Another great show and it's time to head home to my sweetie.  Hope you enjoyed the eye candy and, as they say, we'll do it all again next year.