New Header

I have been meaning to update my blog header for a really long time, and I finally decided that today was the day. It didn't really take that long; I'm not sure why I waited so long. The three quilts in the header are, from left to right, Sticks & Stones, A Paris Window, and Happy As A Clam. All three are my original designs. Sticks & Stones and Happy As A Clam are improvisationally pieced (meaning that I didn't have a plan for the final outcome when I started each quilt) and were done independently. A Paris Window was started in a class I took from Jean Wells Keenan in February of this year at Empty Spools Seminar and used a photo I took in Paris in the fall of last year as my inspiration.

Fiberworks 2018

I am thrilled to announce that one of the quilts I showed in my last post, Sticks & Stones, has been accepted into Fiberworks 2018 by Fiber Artists of Oklahoma (FAO). According to  FAO’s website: “Oklahoma’s largest and best-known juried fiber arts show will celebrate its 40th year with Fiberworks 2018.” I have considered submitting quilts to the show in the past, but never have. I’ve attended the exhibit many times and have always been impressed with it.

According to the prospectus:  “This 40th annual exhibit provides Oklahoma fiber artisans an opportunity to showcase their work encompassing traditional crafts to innovative art. This eclectic show honors quality workmanship and original design. The exhibit also educates the public about the many facets of fiber artistry by presenting a wide range of media, techniques and traditions. The event will be held from June 15, 2018 through August 10, 2018 at Individual Artists of Oklahoma (IAO) Gallery, in Oklahoma City’s Film Row District, at 706 W Sheridan, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Gallery hours are 12 noon to 6 pm, Tuesday through Saturday.” 

New Quilts

I have been enjoying a new-to-me piecing technique called Improvisational Piecing. This is where you sew pieces of fabric together without a plan and see where it leads. I have also started naming my quilts more consistently; I used to only name a quilt occasionally. Here are two of my latest quilts:

Happy As A Clam

I called this "Happy As A Clam" for two reasons. First, it made me happy to make it. And second, the quilting pattern on the main (center) square is called clamshell. It is 15" W X 18" H.

Sticks & Stones

I called this "Sticks & Stones" because of the straight lines and the (sort-of) circles. It is 21 1/2" W X 15 1/2" H.

Quilt Guild Challenge Quilt

My quilt guild had a challenge that started at our Christmas meeting last year. Each guild member who wanted to participate brought a yard of an ugly fabric from her stash. It didn't have to be ugly; it could be a fabric that was out of style or you were tired of. When we arrived at the meeting, we put our fabric into an unmarked brown paper bag. Then after all of the fabric was collected, each participant drew a bag from the collection. The only way you could put the bag back was if you happened to draw your own fabric. We then had to use at least 75% of the fabric in a quilt, and bring the quilt to our May meeting.

The fabric that I drew was truly ugly. In fact, if there had been a prize for the ugliest fabric, I believe I would have won that prize. It was Duck Dynasty fabric; here is a picture of it.

I knew right away that the only way I could use this fabric was to cut it up into very small, unrecognizable pieces, so that is what I did. Here is my finished quilt.

I used the challenge fabric in the narrow strips within the colorful blocks, in the background, and in the binding. My quilt won 3rd place. It was a really good challenge that stretched my creativity and I enjoyed it. Considering what I started with, I was very pleased with my results.