The quilting is going slower than I thought but it is one of those quilts that can't be rushed. I will post more photos once it is quilted.
Thanks for visiting!
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| Quilt made by Mona |
Sunday, May 5, 2013
TEXAS sampler
It has been a crazy couple of months, busy with family, quilts, short trips and just life in general. For the last few weeks I have been quilting this beautiful Texas sampler. It is perfectly pieced and the embroidered elements are exquisite!
The quilting is going slower than I thought but it is one of those quilts that can't be rushed. I will post more photos once it is quilted.
Thanks for visiting!
The quilting is going slower than I thought but it is one of those quilts that can't be rushed. I will post more photos once it is quilted.
Thanks for visiting!
Wednesday, March 27, 2013
Oscar Silva
Just a few minutes ago, while dusting my home, I came upon a small piece of art made
by artist Oscar Silva. I'm so grateful I own this art piece, not only because it is beautifully made but
because is the only reminder I have of Oscar. He passed away on March 11 on his sleep, he was 53.
The fiber arts community lost a very talented artist and he will be missed. I will miss running into him at exhibits. We often joked that we always ended up "together" because in various occasions
our art pieces would end up next to each other. To see some of his art please visit Oscar's blog. I'm sure Oscar's partner, Varner, will keep it open for a while.
I'm having a difficult time reconciling with the fact that such a talented person is no longer with us.
Rest in Peace, Oscar.
by artist Oscar Silva. I'm so grateful I own this art piece, not only because it is beautifully made but
because is the only reminder I have of Oscar. He passed away on March 11 on his sleep, he was 53.
The fiber arts community lost a very talented artist and he will be missed. I will miss running into him at exhibits. We often joked that we always ended up "together" because in various occasions
our art pieces would end up next to each other. To see some of his art please visit Oscar's blog. I'm sure Oscar's partner, Varner, will keep it open for a while.
I'm having a difficult time reconciling with the fact that such a talented person is no longer with us.
Rest in Peace, Oscar.
The best way to describe how we love Oscar's creative spirit is with these words by Wayne Alan Brenner of the Austin Chronicle.
'Organic: Basic Inspirations' Studio2Gallery
"We are bound to art by our very consciousness. Pattern recognition draws us toward order, toward the ordered forms of this world (or toward those forms that are intentional repudiations of order), and we are helplessly in thrall. Our perceptions: woven into the tapestry of what we perceive, warp and woof and sense of wonder.
Oscar Silva, featured artist in Studio2Gallery's "Organic: Basic Inspirations" show, is no stranger to weaving. This is the man who spends hour upon countless hour tying together fiber and lengths of handmade paper, wire, and weeds in service to his muse. This is Silva, who layers wafers of wood into delicate architectures of meaning, who binds beauty in braids of raffia, horsehair, and jute..."
Saturday, February 9, 2013
Quilts and fiber art.
This week was filled with quilts and fiber art.
On Monday nite I attended the Austin Area Quilting Guild meeting, the speaker was Annie Smith and her beautiful applique quilts. Then, on Tuesday morning, I drove to Georgetown to attend the Chisholm Trail Quilt Guild. One of the reasons for me attending the meeting was to hear the speaker, because that same day, in the evening, I was going to speak and have a trunk show at the Happy Hearts Quilt Guild in Giddings, Texas. By listening to other speakers I learn a little, since I don't have much
experience in the field of public speaker. When I arrived at the meeting I sat down next to this woman, who I thought, was just another member of the guild. I did notice that people were coming over to say hello and talk to her, but, hey, this is Texas and people are friendly here! A little later, before her presentation, I realized that I was sitting next to someone famous!
Little did I know that the surprise speaker at CTQG was Liz Porter, of the quilting pioneer duo Fons and Porter.
Well, her presentation was so good, lots of beautiful traditional quilts and she is smart and funny. She now lives in Austin and loves it here.
I enjoyed her presentation but listening to her speak just made me feel a little more insecure about my speaking abilities. By the end of her trunk show I did mention to her that I was going to speak at a small guild that evening and how nervous I was. She told me just to be myself ! And that's what I did that evening! I was myself and I talked about my journey as a quilter. I just hope people enjoyed my presentation as much as I enjoyed Liz Porter's!
Some close ups of Liz Porter's quilts
Then fiber art:
Wednesday evening I headed to South-East Austin to see an Austin Fiber Artists Exibit called Fast Forward. The beautiful venue is Tokyo Electron and this is the second time that we have been invited
to show our work, although this time I didn't have a piece in the exhibit. I was still on my sabbatical when
submissions were requiered. Anyways, I had a good time visiting with AFA members and seeing beauful
fiber art pieces. Here are a few:
On Thursday, my husband and I headed to Round Top to visit Copper Shade Tree Gallery.
The Art in Fiber 2013 exhibit is called "A View From My Window". For details please click on the link above. Unfortunately I don't have pictures, I took a ton of pictures all week and I forgot to charge my battery so by Thursday it was depleted. I hope you can visit the Tokyo Electron and the Copper Shade Tree exhibit, it may just be what you need to kick off your creativity.
Au revoir! Have a wonderful weekend!
On Monday nite I attended the Austin Area Quilting Guild meeting, the speaker was Annie Smith and her beautiful applique quilts. Then, on Tuesday morning, I drove to Georgetown to attend the Chisholm Trail Quilt Guild. One of the reasons for me attending the meeting was to hear the speaker, because that same day, in the evening, I was going to speak and have a trunk show at the Happy Hearts Quilt Guild in Giddings, Texas. By listening to other speakers I learn a little, since I don't have much
experience in the field of public speaker. When I arrived at the meeting I sat down next to this woman, who I thought, was just another member of the guild. I did notice that people were coming over to say hello and talk to her, but, hey, this is Texas and people are friendly here! A little later, before her presentation, I realized that I was sitting next to someone famous!
Little did I know that the surprise speaker at CTQG was Liz Porter, of the quilting pioneer duo Fons and Porter.
Well, her presentation was so good, lots of beautiful traditional quilts and she is smart and funny. She now lives in Austin and loves it here.
I enjoyed her presentation but listening to her speak just made me feel a little more insecure about my speaking abilities. By the end of her trunk show I did mention to her that I was going to speak at a small guild that evening and how nervous I was. She told me just to be myself ! And that's what I did that evening! I was myself and I talked about my journey as a quilter. I just hope people enjoyed my presentation as much as I enjoyed Liz Porter's!
Some close ups of Liz Porter's quilts
Wednesday evening I headed to South-East Austin to see an Austin Fiber Artists Exibit called Fast Forward. The beautiful venue is Tokyo Electron and this is the second time that we have been invited
to show our work, although this time I didn't have a piece in the exhibit. I was still on my sabbatical when
submissions were requiered. Anyways, I had a good time visiting with AFA members and seeing beauful
fiber art pieces. Here are a few:
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| Maya by Georgia Zwartjes |
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| Grid Diminished by Mary Macauly |
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| Seraglio by Oscar Silva |
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| Asian Autumn by Georgia Zwartjes |
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| Which layer do you want to understand? by Ruthie Powers |
On Thursday, my husband and I headed to Round Top to visit Copper Shade Tree Gallery.
The Art in Fiber 2013 exhibit is called "A View From My Window". For details please click on the link above. Unfortunately I don't have pictures, I took a ton of pictures all week and I forgot to charge my battery so by Thursday it was depleted. I hope you can visit the Tokyo Electron and the Copper Shade Tree exhibit, it may just be what you need to kick off your creativity.
Au revoir! Have a wonderful weekend!
Tuesday, January 1, 2013
A New Year
It is always difficult to start a post when I have been away for so long (and for no reason at all). I feel that today being the first day of 2013 is a good excuse for writing a post and maybe, maybe this year I will be a little more consistent about posting. This past year was an interesting year because I ended up doing things that I have never done before. I 'm not saying that the things I did were extremely exciting or risky, but nevertheless different from my usual.
In 2012, I made the decision of not entering any fiber or quilt related shows, a decision that was painful at the beginning because I do like the competitiveness of it. But saying NO to "things" felt so good.
In 2012, I stepped out of my comfort zone by speaking in public and having a trunk show at a local guild, which lead to another trunk show scheduled for Feb 2013.
In 2012, I committed to traveling to the 4th. Expo of Patchwork and Quilts in Puebla, Mexico to teach and jury an exhibit. My stress level before that trip went through the roof but I survived and ended up
having a great experience.
In 2012 I had the opportunity to visit 3 beautiful cities in Mexico unknown to me. Puebla, Queretaro and Cuernavaca. I got over my fears of travelling in Mexico and I can't wait for my next trip.
Now back to 2013. No resolutions. I will just go with the flow and take whatever comes my way with a stride. May you have a wonderful year and thanks to clients, friends and family for supporting my business. Life is really good!
Sunday, October 7, 2012
Expo Patchwork and Quilt 2012
"The city of Puebla was founded in 1531 in an area called Cuetlaxcoapan, which means "where serpents change their skin". It is located in East-Central Mexico. The fourth Expo Patchwork and Quilt 2012 took place in this magnificent city; its downtown declared a world heritage site in 1987.
I went to Puebla to teach 2 quilting classes and jury the exhibit. I flew into Mexico City from Dallas and took a 3 hour bus ride to Puebla. The Expo was a huge success and I met so many wonderful quilters. Here are some pictures of the quilts participating in the contest "Los Colores de Mexico".
One of the criteria for the contest was to include the color green, white and red, the colors of the Mexican flag.
In most quilt shows there is a 1st, 2nd and 3rd place and honorable mention. In this exhibit I had to select just 1st place from all the entries, something the organizing committee determined before sending out the call for entries. I disagreed with it because it left out many wonderful quilts without any recognition, but I was there to judge, not to manage the exhibit. The quilts were judged based on points using a judging form. The criteria is design, workmanship and general appearance; within those categories there are sub-categories. Judging is not based on "this is the quilt I like". It is based on "this is the best made quilt ". The quilt with the most points wins regardless of my likes or dislikes.
My favorite quilt was the one below. From the first day I felt very drawn to this quilt but unfortunately it didn't get first prize. The winning quilt, "Mystical Quilt" had the most points, in fact, it was a one point difference between Mystical Quilt and Quetzalcoatl. I understand the disappointment of the maker of "Quetzalcoatl" because it is an outstanding quilt and I have been in their position as a participant in quilt shows.
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| Downtown Puebla- Cathedral |
One of the criteria for the contest was to include the color green, white and red, the colors of the Mexican flag.
In most quilt shows there is a 1st, 2nd and 3rd place and honorable mention. In this exhibit I had to select just 1st place from all the entries, something the organizing committee determined before sending out the call for entries. I disagreed with it because it left out many wonderful quilts without any recognition, but I was there to judge, not to manage the exhibit. The quilts were judged based on points using a judging form. The criteria is design, workmanship and general appearance; within those categories there are sub-categories. Judging is not based on "this is the quilt I like". It is based on "this is the best made quilt ". The quilt with the most points wins regardless of my likes or dislikes.
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| "Mystical Quilt" by Marinaldo Ferreira The quilt speaks for itself. Excellent use of color and very close to being pefect. |
My favorite quilt was the one below. From the first day I felt very drawn to this quilt but unfortunately it didn't get first prize. The winning quilt, "Mystical Quilt" had the most points, in fact, it was a one point difference between Mystical Quilt and Quetzalcoatl. I understand the disappointment of the maker of "Quetzalcoatl" because it is an outstanding quilt and I have been in their position as a participant in quilt shows.
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| "Quetzalcoatl" by Sissi Gutierrez Such an original quilt. The maker(s) did extensive research to create this beautiful quilt. This quilt could very well hang in a museum due to its cultural significance. |
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| "La Libertad de Mexico" by Cheryl Riverbank A minimalist quilt, sometimes less is more and this quilt accomplished that. Very well done. The quilted eagle on the background is beautiful. |
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| "Regalos de Mexico al Mundo" by Martha Maldonado A whimsical quilt with a message. The title of this quilt is "Gifts from Mexico to the World" |
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| "Pasion por Mexico" by Lourdes Cruz Very good use of materials that had been in the quilt make'sr family. Simple but effective. |
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| "Confluencia de Caminos" by Silvia Reyes Beautiful sampler, |
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| "Sunset Walk in Mexico" by Joyce Osbourne Excellent use of color. Very good workmanship. |
Thursday, September 13, 2012
Capital of Texas QuiltFest 2012
Happening this weekend is the AAQG Capital of Texas QuiltFest 2012, Please click on the link for information about the show.
Although I didn't enter any quilts this year, I have to say that I'm well represented because I quilted
the beautiful raffle quilts made by members of the guild. This quilt is a treasure, all hand appliqued and made with batik fabrics. It took me many, many hours to quilt it and I was very happy with the results.
For more about the quilt click on this link.
So head on to the quilt show and please buy many raffle tickets. The proceeds help the organization fund their programs for the upcoming year.
The show takes place at the Palmer Center, this is the second year at this venue and it is a beautiful space to showcase incredible quilts, and parking is next door.
Have fun!
1st Place - Open Division Group Quilt Category - 2012 Dallas Quilt Celebration!
Although I didn't enter any quilts this year, I have to say that I'm well represented because I quilted
the beautiful raffle quilts made by members of the guild. This quilt is a treasure, all hand appliqued and made with batik fabrics. It took me many, many hours to quilt it and I was very happy with the results.
For more about the quilt click on this link.
So head on to the quilt show and please buy many raffle tickets. The proceeds help the organization fund their programs for the upcoming year.
The show takes place at the Palmer Center, this is the second year at this venue and it is a beautiful space to showcase incredible quilts, and parking is next door.
Have fun!
1st Place - Open Division Group Quilt Category - 2012 Dallas Quilt Celebration!
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Wednesday, August 29, 2012
Quilted Bird and Teaching in Mexico
I knew I had been away from blogging too long when I had to look for the password to access my account! I just couldn't remember it! Needless to say it has been one crazy summer, and that is without even leaving home because except for a quick trip to Galveston, TX in late May I didn't go anywhere this summer.
I have been busy quilting other people's quilts, going to pool parties and entertaining friends! Lots of visitors this summer, one of the perks of being so close to Mexico!
But life is about to get serious now that child has gone back to university and I'm wrapping up quilting jobs before my trip. I have a few weeks left before I leave for my teaching and judging engagement in Puebla, Mexico.
Mexico is having its Cuarta (IV) Expo de Quilt and Patchwork and I'm honored to be the guest teacher as well as judging the quilt exhibit. I will be spending a few days surrounded by Mexican quilters and eating delicious food and visiting a city I have never been to. So I have reasons for being EXCITED!
But, I still have a million things to do before heading south of the border. I'm trying to keep to the schedule and not to procrastinate as I usually do.
Since by now you are probably yawning, I'm posting a few pictures of the last quilt I quilted. I hope Lori doesn't mind me posting the quilt but I would like to show you the process I used to quilt this beautiful quilt made with Japanese designed fabrics. Originally, it was going to be entered in the Austin Area Quilt Guild Quilt Fest but its owner changed her mind. It will be entered in other shows though.
I have been busy quilting other people's quilts, going to pool parties and entertaining friends! Lots of visitors this summer, one of the perks of being so close to Mexico!
But life is about to get serious now that child has gone back to university and I'm wrapping up quilting jobs before my trip. I have a few weeks left before I leave for my teaching and judging engagement in Puebla, Mexico.
Mexico is having its Cuarta (IV) Expo de Quilt and Patchwork and I'm honored to be the guest teacher as well as judging the quilt exhibit. I will be spending a few days surrounded by Mexican quilters and eating delicious food and visiting a city I have never been to. So I have reasons for being EXCITED!
But, I still have a million things to do before heading south of the border. I'm trying to keep to the schedule and not to procrastinate as I usually do.
Since by now you are probably yawning, I'm posting a few pictures of the last quilt I quilted. I hope Lori doesn't mind me posting the quilt but I would like to show you the process I used to quilt this beautiful quilt made with Japanese designed fabrics. Originally, it was going to be entered in the Austin Area Quilt Guild Quilt Fest but its owner changed her mind. It will be entered in other shows though.
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| This is the image that Lori's daughter selected to be quilted on the quilt (8" x 11" approx) |
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| I traced the bird onto matte acetate using a .01 Micron Pigma pen, once done I took it to a copy center to be enlarged. |
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| The copy center made to copies of about 4 ft x 4 ft each to be able to fit the bird in and reduce the cost. I taped the 2 sheets of paper before cutting the bird. I outlined the bird's body, legs, feathers and small details onto the quilt to get it ready to quilt. |
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| This is the quilted bird. On each square adjacent to the bird, I quilted Japanese crests and, on the green borders, I quilted free motion designs |
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| Finished quilt! |
Thursday, June 14, 2012
Flowers- Uncharted territory
Last week I went to the Chisholm Trail Quilt Guild meeting. This organization meets the first Tuesday of the month and I don't make every meeting, many times it depends on my workload. Since on this particular day I had some free time I decided to make an appearance. This is the first guild I joined as soon as I moved to Austin, I know a lot of people there so I enjoy visiting and I was curious about the speaker at this meeting, Lenore Crawford. She spoke about her journey as a quilter, a few slides, thankfully, since slide presentations sometimes put me to sleep, and then she showed her work. Don't ask me why but before her presentation was over I had signed up for her workshop the following day.
At the beginning of the year I made the decision not to take workshops during 2012, well, that didn't last long. I signed up for Lenore's workshop. I came home, started gathering my supplies and Wednesday morning I left my home promptly at 8:30 am. to go to the workshop.
I think this is one of the few times in my life as a quilter that I have done someone else's pattern. For this class I could have brought my own photo to make my pattern but since I didn't have much time to prepare I decided to purchase Lenore's pattern. Doing realistic flowers is not my thing, kind of uncharted territory, but I like cone flowers and that's way I decided on the pattern.
The process to make this flower is kind of slow but I actually welcomed it, kind of meditative. By the time the workshop was over I had just done the tip of the flower. I came home and I figured the quilt waiting to be quilted could just, well, wait! and I continued working on my flower as much as life allowed me.
Uncharted territory no more!
At the beginning of the year I made the decision not to take workshops during 2012, well, that didn't last long. I signed up for Lenore's workshop. I came home, started gathering my supplies and Wednesday morning I left my home promptly at 8:30 am. to go to the workshop.
I think this is one of the few times in my life as a quilter that I have done someone else's pattern. For this class I could have brought my own photo to make my pattern but since I didn't have much time to prepare I decided to purchase Lenore's pattern. Doing realistic flowers is not my thing, kind of uncharted territory, but I like cone flowers and that's way I decided on the pattern.
The process to make this flower is kind of slow but I actually welcomed it, kind of meditative. By the time the workshop was over I had just done the tip of the flower. I came home and I figured the quilt waiting to be quilted could just, well, wait! and I continued working on my flower as much as life allowed me.
Uncharted territory no more!
Sunday, May 27, 2012
There is method in her madness
It is kind of funny that in 24 hours I heard the expression "there is method in her madness" twice while watching movies. This expression resonated with me because of the quilting I do and because of the quilts
I have been quilting. I just finished quilting 2 big studio quilts. Again, they can't be shown before the exhibit. All I can tell you is that they are wonderful and I had so much fun quilting them. I would love to post BIG pictures but I have to wait until my client gives me the green light.
The quilts I'm taking about seem to be quilted randomly but there is nothing random about it. It actually required some planning beforehand, because once those babies are mounted on the quilting machine trying to figure out where to quilt them is very difficult. It would be like riding a bicycle blindfolded. Doable but hazardous.
I believe that piecing them also required some planning even though at first glance they seem to be pieced without any rule or method.
On a different note, I'm working on 2 of my own quilts, no plans for them yet since I'm trying just
to go with the flow and not let shows deadlines pressure me. I'm hoping to be able to post photos next week.
In the meantime, have a wonderful Memorial Day!
I have been quilting. I just finished quilting 2 big studio quilts. Again, they can't be shown before the exhibit. All I can tell you is that they are wonderful and I had so much fun quilting them. I would love to post BIG pictures but I have to wait until my client gives me the green light.
The quilts I'm taking about seem to be quilted randomly but there is nothing random about it. It actually required some planning beforehand, because once those babies are mounted on the quilting machine trying to figure out where to quilt them is very difficult. It would be like riding a bicycle blindfolded. Doable but hazardous.
I believe that piecing them also required some planning even though at first glance they seem to be pieced without any rule or method.
On a different note, I'm working on 2 of my own quilts, no plans for them yet since I'm trying just
to go with the flow and not let shows deadlines pressure me. I'm hoping to be able to post photos next week.
In the meantime, have a wonderful Memorial Day!
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| Memorial Rotunda- Washington, DC. Photo by Martha Tsihlas |
Friday, May 4, 2012
Quilts of course!
Quilts, quilts and more quilts. The quilt below belongs to Maggie, a member of the Chisholm Trail Quilt Guild. I quilted this for her and I had a lot of fun doing the grid. Time consuming but worth every stitch. This quilt will be in the 2012 Austin Area Quilt Show. Once the show is over I will post a whole picture with Maggie's permission.
On a different subject, life has been kind of hectic. The kitchen remodel took longer than we expected Again, time consuming but worth it. I don't mind when things take longer than expected as long as the results are great.
Have a wonderful weekend and a safe 5 de Mayo!!
Sunday, April 1, 2012
Surface design exhibit, San Antonio, TX.
This past week I attended an exhibit at the Radius Center in San Antonio. The work is from graduating students who attended Jane Dunnewold’s 2010 Art Cloth Mastery Program. Before heading to see the
exhibit we had a wonderful light dinner at the Ocho Restaurant at Hotel Havana by the riverwalk.
exhibit we had a wonderful light dinner at the Ocho Restaurant at Hotel Havana by the riverwalk.
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| "Smile" Laurie Brainerd |
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| "Horizon Beneath the Sea" Karen Turckes |
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| "Killing the Blues" Judy Carpenter |
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| "4 Seasons" Leslie Rego |
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| Jean Dahlgren |
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| Diane Sandlin |
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| "City Square" Ann Graham |
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| Hotel Havana (side view) |
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Happy Leap Year and Janis quilt!!
Here I'm, still living in this planet, quilting beautiful quilts for other people and at the same time getting things together to remodel my kitchen. I didn't realize that the kitchen thing was going to absorb so much time and energy. I do realize that I have been enjoying the process!
On the subject of quilting, below is the last quilt I quilted, as you can see a beautiful piece of art. This quilt belongs to Janis Keane, a member of my quilting guild. She will show this quilt in several quilt shows. Truly a show stopper. Good luck Janis!!
UPDATE: Janis quilt won 1st. place in the small quilt (didn't feel small when I was quilting it) category at the Crossroads to Texas Quilt Guild show in Killeen, Tx. March 30, 2012
She also received a 3rd. place at the Georgetown Quilt and Stitchery Show, March 23, 2012.
Well done Janis!!
(Click on the image to enlarge)
On the subject of quilting, below is the last quilt I quilted, as you can see a beautiful piece of art. This quilt belongs to Janis Keane, a member of my quilting guild. She will show this quilt in several quilt shows. Truly a show stopper. Good luck Janis!!
UPDATE: Janis quilt won 1st. place in the small quilt (didn't feel small when I was quilting it) category at the Crossroads to Texas Quilt Guild show in Killeen, Tx. March 30, 2012
She also received a 3rd. place at the Georgetown Quilt and Stitchery Show, March 23, 2012.
Well done Janis!!
(Click on the image to enlarge)
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