Virtual and missed Shows

QuiltCon Together 

My calendar revolves around QuiltCon, looking forward every February to taking a couple weeks off work to travel, spend time with my sister and visit quilty friends.  Although the MQG and crew did a great job with the virtual show and I did attend a couple viewing parties via zoom, I missed the usual stuff so much.

Abstract Whimsy 

Having two quilts juried in was wonderful especially because they represent very different styles, improv and modern traditional and yet they are very "me". 

Fabric Challenge

Looking forward to walking the hall in Phoenix AZ 2022 . Hope to see you there.

2020 AQS and 2020 QuiltCon

"Reflections" almost made it to Paducah.  For the first time ever - I entered a quilt into the AQS show and my BeeSewcial quilt was accepted!  The show did not take place and it was mailed back to me.  It has now “aged out”. I am thankful to have a catalogue to document what almost happened.  

The QuiltCon 2020 publication is also a bitter sweet and a bit strange thumbing through remembering the carefree hugs and unmasked crowds during the last in-person event pre-pandemic.  

FPP Aurifil Artisan Challenge

When it comes to trying new techniques, or in this case giving FPP a second chance- I’m all in. 

Foundation Paper Piecing comes naturally for some makers and they love it. Since I do not fall into this category, an open mind was necessary and fortunately the perfect project presented itself at the The Threadhouse Virtual Retreat. 

With time set aside to focus and devote to learning all the tips and tricks Lynne Goldsworthy had to offer, I was able to get in the groove. Knowing that support was at my fingertips via the private Facebook group and re-watching the instructional recording videos multiple times took the pressure off. 

The fabric placement echoing the center Dresden is a brilliant design and the fact that all of the geese are the same size helped reduce confusion.  

Taking a moment to organize my thoughts and my parts was key. I could not be more pleased with the results and would totally do it again!  

If you are new to FPP or have struggled in your previous attempts, choosing a pattern with only a couple of pages that are used repeatedly for a dynamic result like this outer flying geese ring is wonderful for skill and confidence building. 

I pieced with Aurifil Mako 50 weight 2000,  a great neutral. 

Happy Stitching, Karen

Quilty Honors

I’ve been quilting more in 2021 so far than all of 2020 and hope to be blogging more frequently as well.

Today I want to share a few honors kicking off with joining the Aurifil Artisan Team  announced today on their Auribuzz website.  It's an amazing lineup of makers and is sure to be a Blast!  I'll be sharing my projects occasionally here on the blog, but regularly on Instagram, so follow me HERE. 

Aurifil Artisan 

Aurifil Artisan Team 2021

It's no secret that I am a big fan and have used Aurifil thread in much of my quilting and am excited to explore some of the other weights that I haven't tried.  

Visuals #4 National Quilt Competition 

Watching the Spring Quilt Festival Online awards on Wednesday live on my computer and hearing that it my quilt won Best Use of Modern Traditionalism in the Mid-Modern category was thrilling.  They are keeping the show open until the end of the month, so you can still check it out.

my Instagram post

In November, our local South Bay Area MQG held our 9th annual Fall Quilt Retreat but in a virtual format.  They did an amazing job with impressive attendance.  One of the activities was to create a Lone Round Robin quilt using specific prompts.  My quilt hung the others in a special exhibit - digitally that is. Pajaro Valley Quilt Association put together an online version of their show. 

Limbo 42"x62" 2020

I dove wholeheartedly into creating Limbo and it is the most "authentic" design in recent memory.   The maximalist in me loves scrappy and taking advantage of being at home with endless resources available was key to the organic development of the piece.  

The MQG Retrospective Exhibit 

“Bend, don’t Break “ was created for and originally exhibited in Nashville GA for the QDAD Quilt Design A Day challenge QuiltCon exhibit in 2017.  It is currently in Paducah KY, one of 35 quilts chosen to represent and making this an incredible honor. 

Photo from the National Quilt Museum

You can see more photos on the museum's Facebook page. My quilt is in great company with Christine Perrigo's Northern Obsession,  Sheri Cifaldi-Morrill's Big Love and more.  

Bend, don't Break 62"x62" 2016

Happy Stitching!

Karen