Karen Stiehl Osborn quilt in TCQC 11-14-10

This little Chihuahua puppy named Chili is the reason this quilt is in the Collection. Karen Stiehl Osborn fosters rescue dogs in her home in Nebraska for the Helping Hands 4 Animals organization and took this little gal in after she had surgery to remove one of her legs. The surgery was expensive and to help cover the cost Karen offered one of her quilts to the high bidder - I was the high bidder! This took place in August and since then Chili has found a loving home elsewhere and doesn't seem to realize she is missing anything.

Chili, an 8-month old Chihuahua puppy

"Fifteen" Karen Stiehl Osborn 2010 15" x 15"

Karen made this piece for the QuiltArt Quinceanero exhibition in February 2010. It tells the story of her evolution in fiber art - from traditional pieced work with commercial batiks through her current fascination with painting on canvas.

Her signature is on the front in the lower right corner. I do prefer that quilts be signed on the front, as painters have been signing them for centuries.

The colored strips with batting showing on the edges represents her traditional quilts of yore. The birds on a wire are so special - I always enjoy watching the migrants flow down to land on the wires for a rest.

Karen is an early bird - up and out with her camera whenever she has a chance. I like this excerpt from her journal "...morning I set off early as the ......". I always admire early risers, but I am a confirmed night owl - it takes all kinds we night owls do the swing and graveyard shifts all over the world.

Great vivid blue back on this quilt and a thorough informative label. Check Karen's work on her website: www.karenstiehlosborn.com and on her blog http://stiehlosborn.blogspot.com/