Forgot to share...

I almost forgot to share the quilt we made for the 20th Anniversary of Storytellers in Cloth.  As I mentioned in my last post, this group of women have been getting together once a year to quilt and enjoy one another's company for the last 20 years.  I was invited to join just in time for their 15th anniversary celebration, 5 years ago.

In prep for the 20th Anniversary, they asked all of the 50+ women to make a block that would go into a quilt to commemorate the occasion.  Most were asked to make 6 1/2" blocks, 5 (including myself) were asked to make 18 1/2" blocks to serve as medallion blocks.  We were all given one fat quarter of either blue or yellow fabric and we were allowed to add other blue or yellow fabrics, but nothing else.  The blocks could be embellished, but the embellishment could not protrude more than 1/2".

Well, here was my contribution....  I used my Silhouette Cameo cutter to cut the letters, so much easier.  I love my Cameo...

And here is the entire quilt...  51 - 6 1/2" blocks were submitted, by 46 quilters, plus the 5 medallion blocks.  It is amazing how the piece just shines, considering we all took the design to a different level..

A weekend of bliss...

Run, run, run... Work, family, obligations.  That is my life, and while I love it, it is weekends like these that make it all worthwhile.  Yes, I admit, I love my crazy life, but in the end it is being able to enjoy the pleasures of life that is so great.  Take my vacation to Italy this summer, along the Amalfi Coast.  Oh it was wonderful.  But as great as it was, I still believe spending a weekend with my quilting sisters, doing nothing but quilting, chatting and laughing is even better!  Crazy right?

Think about it... and you just might agree...

I spent 4 days with 62 women, who all love to do the same thing I love, yet who won't care a bit if I sewed all weekend, or just strolled around chatting with everyone, never opening up my machine... Who encourage me to stretch my boundaries, but yet are just as happy if I just sewed squares all weekend.  No demands, no expectations, just be there and allow yourself to fuel your tank anyway it needs to be fed!

On top of all that these women are amazing artists, all at different levels of self awareness, accomplishment and notoriety.  This was the groups 20th year of getting together (I have only been a member for 6 years).  To celebrate we put on a show that we opened to the public.  One viewer who is the president of one of the largest Northeast Guilds made a very valid observation....how often do you get to see a wonderful show, where all the quilters are in attendance and of whom you can asked questions on technique and materials?  I would venture to say never.. That is except for last weekend.  All but one of the 50+ quilts, were made by someone at the retreat/show!

I didn't not take pictures of them all, but I did take pics of some that were new to me or moved in such a way I wanted to share them with you...

Here are pieces made by Yuanita Yaeger...http://www.juanitayeager.com

Here are some quilts by Lola Jenkins. Lola was our featured speaker for the weekend as well.  She is not a member of the group, but we are hoping she decides to come back and join us again.

I think you would agree... Absolutely wonderful.... Now you know why I enjoy getting together with these amazing quilting sisters.... Pure inspiration!

Until next year you quilting sisters....

Renee

Fire Dancer Wins at Quilts Unlimited!

So while my last post was about the show, I forgot to let you know that Fire Dancer was awarded the NQA Ribbon for "Best Use of Color". I was jumping for joy, right along with the dancer in the quilt.

At the reception last month it received wonderful comments from viewers, as did my two other quilts in the main exhibit.  

Interesting enough, even though I added some shading to "On Pointe" to highlight the fact that she was casting a shadow on the floor, with the bright lights of the gallery, only I knew the shading was there.  Guess that piece comes back into the studio when she comes home for a bit of a touch up.... 😌.