Highlights of Quilt Arizona 2019 ! part 3

The Arizona Quilters Guild has over 35 chapters, and they all get together annually for the Quilt Arizona show. The 2019 theme was Jewels of the Desert: "Every quilt is like a gemstone, the dancing colors play through patterns to endlessly fascinate and amaze. This year your quilt should convey Arizona's iridescent beauty, from golden sunsets and emerald cacti, to clear sparkling memories."

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Mod Cactus by Ellen Born, quilted by Ellen Born

“I had fun trying this modern quilt called Mod Cactus. The curved pieces were made using the QCR ruler (Quick Curve Ruler). The quilting in the background was a foray into some different quilting, some with ruler work.” The Mod Cactus pattern is by Sew Kind of Wonderful.

Star Light, Star Bright by Linda Hopkins, quilted by Linda Hopkins

Winner of Honorable Mention, Mixed Technique, Linda Hopkins says: "I enjoy combining different techniques into each quilt. Shiva art stick rubbings, applique, embroidery and beading on hand dyed fabric make this an unusual quilt."  We love this creative use of hand embroidery, shown below.

Earl the Burro by Karen Adams, quilted by Karen Adams.

Winner of Honorable Mention, Mixed Technique, Earl the Burro was taken from a personal picture of a burro in Oatman, Arizona. Karen Adams says, "I was attracted to him with his goofy expression and tough, good eye contact and his personality. Earl became known and is a symbol of Arizona." The quilt was started in a collage quilt class taught by Susan Carlson; you can see the work in progress on Susan Carlson's website.

Prickly Pear In All Its Glory by Maureen Pastika. Quilted by Maureen Pastika.

Maureen says, “I bought the pattern in 2004. It sat in a drawer with all the fabrics I had picked out for it until September (2018) when I ‘found it’ again! The theme of this year’s quilt show (Jewels of the Desert) was a perfect fit for this quilt."

Tango, Rhythm of Buenos Aires by Georgia Heller, quilted by Georgia Heller.

Winner of Honorable Mention, Pictorial – Original Design, Georgia Heller says, "This quilt was inspired by a trip to Argentina where we watched several dramatic tango performances" This quilt incorporates all of the musical instruments of the tango, along with the graceful lines of the dancers.

Image credits:  Photos were taken by Quilt Inspiration at the 2019 Quilt Arizona show.

Happy Valentine's Day ! (1)

Happy Valentine's Day 2019! We love this holiday, dedicated to friendship, love, and romance. Join us as we take a look at some of these red and white quilts which celebrate such a fun time of the year!

My Best Friends by Jo Ann Kilgroe,  Arizona U.S.A.

JoAnn says,  "[This is] an original design inspired by [quilt designer] Carol Doak, Possibilities, and Quilter's Cache. It's a fun sampler quilt, expressing what the Arizona Quilters' Guild and my quilting friends mean to me." Here are two quilting buddies who appear to be holding out their hands with strips and squares of fabric all ready for the sewing machine.

Close-up, "My Best Friends"

At the 2018 Quilt Arizona! show in Mesa, Arizona, the theme of the year was the Ruby Extravaganza. The guild celebrated its 40th year of by inviting its members to create quilts that showed the importance of quilting in their lives.
Winner of an Honorable Mention Award,  JoAnn did an excellent job of applique, especially in the tiny, fun details like the Valentine heart, the necklace, earrings, and the facial expressions on these two friends. They look very determined to get right down to work !

Heirloom Heart by Guinevere Cassidy, Arizona

Guinevere explains about her original design, "[This is] a techniques sampler quilt. It's machine appliqued for the vintage hankie. Sharon Schamber's trapunto technique was used for the quilted heart and her piping technique was used for the binding."  We love this incredible looped edgework, which is so perfectly done.

Guinevere's exquisite work is both so delicate and so fluffy at the same time, that the two motifs provide a delightful juxtaposition. She won an Honorable Mention award for "Heirloom Heart."

Poppies and Posies by Linda Hopkins,  Arizona

Linda notes, "My interpretation of the 40th anniversary of the Arizona Quilters Guild, the Ruby Extravaganza, incorporates the elements of life 40 years ago and includes the modern as well. Hankies were an integral part of the 1970's. "

Close-up, Poppies and Posies

Elegant pearls, ribbons, and delicate embroidery embellishes Linda's work, full of dainty, brightly colored blossoms.

White Lace on Red Velvet by Lauretta Crites, California

Lauretta writes, "I am endlessly inspired by the works of art created by those who came before us. Master lace makers of the 1800's create elaborate yet delicate patterns using bobbins, needle, and thread. Here, fabric, needle and thread showcase detail of an exquisite Point de Gaze (a French phrase meaning 'gauze lace')  handkerchief I photographed in Brussels, Belgium. 

Close-up, White Lace on Red Velvet

Lauretta's fabulous work is made of cotton fabric, polyester net, tulle, cording, buttons, hand embroidery, and fabric paint.

Amaryllis Among the Stars by Kim McCloskey, Utah

A 2018 blue ribbon winner at the Springville, Utah quilt show, Kim remarks,  "This quilt was inspired by the Utah Valley Quilt Guild's red and white challenge. In Greek mythology, Amaryllis was a shy and timid nymph who fell in love with a handsome, but cold-hearted shepherd, Alteo. All he wanted was a unique flower that had never existed before. After thirty days and through her own blood, she created that flower and won his heart."

Close-up, Amaryllis Among the Stars

Kim adds, "The flowering of this late-blooming quilt came as a result of patience and a few drops of my own blood, as I'm sure every hand-made quilt does."

Close-up, Amaryllis Among the Stars

The Carolina lily block pattern spectacular here, enhanced by the strong geometric motif around the outer border. We really admire Kim's workmanship on what seems to us  very likely to be a treasured heirloom.

Image credits:  Photos were taken by Quilt Inspiration at the 2018 Quilt Arizona show (My Best Friends, Poppies and Posies, Heirloom Heart), the 2018 Road to California show (White Lace on Red Velvet), and the 2018 Springville Utah quilt show (Amaryllis Among the Stars).