Empty Spools class with Hilde Morin 05-08-14

Here is a collage of all the pieces worked on in Hilde Morin's class - of course, they are not finished, but some are closer completion than others.  I will be posting some progress pictures for the next couple of days.  I think it is interesting to see how the work develops - especially since there were no patterns created, everything was based on looking at the inspiration photo and cutting/piecing.  There is no applique and no fusing in these projects.  Although, once the students have taken them home, who knows what will be added! 

 



Carol Esch did this fabulous window from a photo she had taken years ago. 

I think it amazing that she was able to make her work look so much like the photo.

 

Mary Kay Price did just a section of her inspiration photo - the upper right.

I don't know where this picture was taken - somewhere in southern Europe.

 

I took this picture from my hotel window in Denver.  I was struck by the crookedness of the floors and the fact that it is made from yellow brick.  I asked around and was told that this parking structure was built in the 1930s, but have no idea if that is true.   What a contrast to the high rises behind it.

In the early stages the windows were more accurately vertical, but that didn't seem to work, so I turned them horizontal.  And I chopped off one row of windows on the block on the left.  All along I kept auditioning fabrics for the foreground.  I didn't want to put the rain soaked flat roof there, so I turned it into a vacant lot. 

By the time the class was over it looked like this (and still does), but I hope to find some time this summer to work on it until it is finished.  I don't like the piece in the top center (under the sky piece) and will either delete it or replace it with something that seems to me to work better.  There is a lot of work to be done yet.  I used the photo for inspiration and had no intention of trying to make this project look like the photo. 

 

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PIQF 2011 10-16-11

I thought I would drive home today, but I was too tired from yesterday's marathon session at PIQF.  By the time I drive the (up to) 6 1/2 hours I get into the LA basin traffic which is stressful and I am tired from the drive.  It isn't wise to start out tired.  It was a day to rest and relax and visit and work on the computer.  I worked on the pictures I took of the current exhibit at Back Porch Fabrics in Pacific Grove, but they are not for publication - just as a record for the artists in the group that is presenting "More Designing Minds."  If you are nearby you should try to stop by before November 9th and admire the quilts made by these talented women.

More quilts from PIQF:

This beautiful Baltimore Album style quilt is covered with BLING.  But it seems they don't show up in pictures - at least not the pictures I take.  Every year there is one new BIG thing and this year it was BLING on many of the quilts.

You see there are many dots on the appliqued pieces - those are mostly crystals that glitter in the light.  The blue ribbon bow at the bottom shows the crystals very prominently.  And you can see some on the quilted ecru background.

Here the fruits are dotted with crystals and the cornicopia outlined.  Very precise machine applique.

I tried this picture at an angle and the crystals show up a bit more - see the stars on the lower right.  But when seen in-the-fabric it is very flashy.

I don't find a website for Joan, but there are many references if you Google her name.

Gorgeous color - my picture doesn't do it justice  I took four pictures, including one with a flash, but they all showed different color values.  I think this is the most accurate of the four. 

This year I only saw this one quilt that identified Ruth B. McDowell as the designer.  Several other quilts appear to use her piecing technique, but they were not her designs.  This quiltmaker used a clever 'correction' when the quilt was not the correct size. 

It isn't indicated on the label, but this quilt is made with both cotton and wool.  I took the image below to show the very nice wool applique flowers.  There is a very different look to quilts using wool since wool doesn't reflect the light, making the color seem richer and more dense. 

Nice shading on this piece.  Notice the unusual edge finish - a loopy trim. 

I never pay much attention to prizes because I usually don't agree with the judges!  At PIQF the big prize winners are groups in several sections and it is difficult to get good pictures with all the people straining to get a look.  This is the first year I have seen a display of photos of the Best of Show winners - great idea.  I remember when.................!

http://www.ruthpowersartquilts.com/

Ruth Powers had only one quilt in PIQF 2011, but it is a powerful one.  Several years ago on a teaching trip she saw this longhorn steer jumping a creek and eventually made this quilt based on that sighting. 

Wonderful image of fog along an Oregon headland.  And look at this charming little gal trying to sneak up on a seagull.  I don't quite understand the white flange, but perhaps it is supposed to resemble a frame.

More quilts - most of which I did not photograph - http://piecedgoods.wordpress.com/2011/10/15/2534/