Quilt Works of Art – Exhibits at Houston Quilt Market

I wanted to end my review ot the Houston International Quilt Market, held in October, with photos I took of some of the most amazing and beautiful quilts on exhibit. Each quilt was a work of art and produced an “ahhhh”.  I loved reading the inspiration for the quilts and love the wonderful imagination of the creators in designing their quilts.

Eat Your Vegies Quilt from Houston Quilt Market

Eat Your Vegies was created by Judith Roderick of Placitas, New Mexico.  The techniques were hand-painted, machine quilted, pieced, fused and embellished. Judith firmly believes the Beatles’ lyrics from the 60’s – “you are what you eat you know”.

 

An Autumn Breeze quilt at Houston Quilt Market

An Autumn Breeze, created by Akiko Kawata, OIsake, Japan, features machine and hand piecing and is machine quilted. The quilt expresses the scene of an autumn mountain path in Japan.

 

Leaves of Costa Rica quilt at Houston Quilt Market

Leaves of Costa Rica was created by Pam Berry of Lincoln, California.  The techniques include free-motion quilting, hand applique, with bead and yard embellishment. The leaves are two-sided with wire inserted to give form, and produced a beautiful dimension.

 

Serengeti at Twilight quilt at Houston Quilt Market

Serengeti At Twilight by Leona Harden, New Tazewell, Tennessee, used the techniques of raw edge applique, no piecing, and free motion quilting.  This quilt was featured on the cover of AQS’s American Quilter magazine, November 2010 issue. I wrote about this award winning quilt and Leona in a prior blog post. (Leona used a block that I designed in an earlier quilt that was her first awarding quilt).

 

Quilt based on pastoral settings at Houston Quilt Market

Oh Deer, Look What’s Become of Me! was created by Judy Coates Perez, Chicago, Illinois. The technique is whole cloth painted with textile paints and machine quilted. This quilt was inspired by the Medieval hunting paintings of deer in pastoral settings. This also reminds me of the beautiful Medieval tapestries.

 

Quilt on exhibit at Internation Quilt Market, Organic is good for you

Organic is Good for You! Bodil Gardner of Lystrup, Denmark, was inspired by growing her own organic vegetables in creating this quilt. The techniques include applique and machine quilting.

 

Hope Quilt by Ann Pigneri at Houston Quilt Market

 

Hope was created by Ann Pigneri of Louisville, KY. The techniques are paper piecing, machine quilt and bobbin stitching. This quilt is adorned by over 2500 crystals in 6 colors which, unfortunately, do not show up in the photo.

 

Quilt Black-Eyed Susans & Yellow Mexican Hats at Houston Quilt Market

Black-Eyed Susans & Yellow Mexican Hats was created by Mary Ann Vaca-Lambert, Austin, Texas. The techniques used were raw edge applique, thread painted, fused, beaded, and faced. Mary Ann was inspired to create this quilt from the flowers she sees on the way to work. The flower centers were very thick and dimensional and covered with beads.

 

In Bloom Quilt on exhibit at Houston Quilt Market

In Bloom was created by Teresa Shippy, Santa Ana, California, based on the Cherry Blossom Festival of her dreams. Techniques used were hand-painting, stitching and painting. Sweet dreams!

 

Big Bang Theory Quilt at Houston Quilt Market

Big Bang(s) Theory was created by Teresa Sherling, Denton, Texas and is a tribute to the bliss women feel on a good hair day. The techniques include turned-edge and raw-edge applique, hand painted and thread-painted faces, hand-crocheted human hair and free-motion machine quilting. Ah, I love those good-hair days!  Too bad they are matched by bad-hair days.

 

Sea Witch quilt at Houston Quilt Market

Sea Witch was created by Christine Alexiou, Unionville, Ontario, Canada. Techniques include fabric painting, applique, hand sewing, thread painting and beading and uses cotton, silk, organza, cheese cloth, glass beads, shell beads and fabric paint. Christine was inspired by The Little Mermaid to portray a physical beauty while hinting at her deranged creepiness.

 

Really "Wild" Flowers Second Season quilt at Houston Quilt Market

Really “Wild” Flowers! Second Season was created by Sharon L. Schlotzhauer, Colorado Springs, Colorado. The techniques include machine piecing, paper piecing, hand applique, machine applique and machine quilting. This whimsical quilt features 7 colorful, dimensional “wild” flowers with Swarovski crystals in the centers.

 

Capital Hardware Quilt by Frances Holliday Alford at Houston Quilt Market

Capital Hardware, by Frances Holliday Alford, Grafton, Vermont, is based on the beautiful Art Nouveau hinges and hardware of the Texas State Capital. She used the hardware details to print on Spoonflower fabrics for the blocks. Techniques include patching, free-motion quilting and decorative stitches.

 

Vortex in Variation quilt at Houston Quilt Market

Vortex in Variation was created by Nora Ronningen, La Harbra, California. Nora was inspired by the Vortex Quilt exhibited in the American Folk Art Museum. She used Art Nouveau designs to draft her own applique pattern. Techniques include paper piecing, hand applique and hand quilting.

I’m about half way through my pictures and  have some work to finish so I will post the remaining photos shortly. Please check back as they are just as spectacular as the quilts posted here.

Phyllis

International Quilt Market, More Products and Beautiful Colors (Part 2)

I’m still in awe of all that I saw at the International Quilt Market in Houston and want to share more of the photos I took of products and colors from Market in a continuation from Part 1 of my prior post on Quilt Market.

This gorgeous dress in the Pfaff booth stopped me in my walks. This fuchsia dress has beautiful machine embroidery embellishment by Pfaff sewing machines. It was simply stunning and fit for Cinderella to wear to the ball! And look at the embroidery on the black coat next to the dress.

Dress embroidered by Pfaff sewing machine at Houston Quilt Market

 

Not all products at Quilt Market are sewing and quilt related. Karyn Kozak exhibits with her beautiful FIMO polymer clay products.  Created with different colored pieces of clay in the millefiori technique, Karyn created the beautiful vases and leaves below as well as jewelry, barrettes, and other items. Visit her website to see the ladybug pins and jewelry she created.

Fimo Polymer Clay vases at Quilt Market

and these fabulous teapots…

Fimo Polymer clay teapots at Quilt Market in Houston

 

I showed you some of the new fabric collections by Quilting Treasures in my prior post. Below are more of their fabrics that debuted at market. Simon-Kabuki has a new line out, In the Meadow, in these great, warm colors. I also love the design and applique flowers in this quilt using their fabrics.

Simon Kabuki fabric line In the Meadow at Quilt Market

 

And I also loved this new collection by Studio 8, Fantasia (click to see the individual fabrics) and especially love the color combination of black and white with a lime green.  (See my prior post for free quilt and apron patterns I designed for Quilting Treasures with Studio 8’s Monaco fabric collection).

Studio 8 fabric by Quilting Treasures at Quilt Market

 

I love the play The Phantom of the Opera and this new fabric collection is wonderful. Can’t you hear the music?

Phantom fabric by Quilting Treasures based on Phantom of the Opera

 

Angela Anderson’s Give Thanks, can be used to create a beautiful quilt or kitchen accessories such as a table runner or place mats next fall.

Give thanks fabric by Angela Anderson for Quilting Treasures

 

With quilting and sewing, you need trim. Expo International has all kinds of trim for your every need including home decor. I love the colorful displays of these trims and cords. The center row is button trims, which is fabulous since we all love buttons! I look at this and remember several years ago when I shopped trim, all I could find was dull colors. Its so much more fun sewing with these colors!

Expo Internation colorful trims at Quilt Market

And, there’s these fun feather trims…..

Feather trim by Expo International at Quilt Market

Quilt Market occurred over Halloween so I thought I would also show you Expo’s cute sequin appliques for Halloween.

Halloween applique trim by Expo International at Quilt Market

And the Expo International folks dressed up for Halloween. Debi Schmitz dressed as a witch, but I have to tell you that she’s a sweet  and lovely witch, not at all wicked! I need to find where she got the silver hair.

Debi Schmitz at Quilt Market

 

Walking by Michael Miller Fabric’s booth created a “wow” moment when I spotted this 1950 red MG convertible used in their vintage picnic display. I also like the turquoise cooler. I’ve always thought MG’s were the coolest cars. By the way, this MG was local from Houston and is for sale. It doesn’t run though, but it has a great body and I would just love to have it to look at and sit in (and watch Audrey Hepburn in Two for the Road although her MG was green). Pretend driving would be ok as I would not want to risk getting any kind of ding in it.

Red MG car in Michael Miller Booth at Quilt Market

I thought the Sandi Henderson booth (Michael Miller Fabrics) was beautiful and great merchandizing.

Michael Miller Sandi Henderson booth at Quilt Market

 

The Kaleidoscope Kreator Software booth was beautiful and dramatic with kaldeiscope designs. This software lets you use your own photos and artwork to create kaleidoscope images for quilting, scrapbooking, card making and more. I’ve been eyeing this software and plan to purchase it. Actually, I don’t know why I haven’t already done so, except that when I get home, I get caught up with ongoing work. The software looks easy to use from their booth demo (and the price is great). If you go to their website, check out the paper crafting projects. The quilts are beautiful of course, but the paper stars would be really fun to make.

 

Kaleidoscope Kreator Software at Quilt Market

 

I stopped in Clothworks booth to see my friend Sue Zipkins new fabric collection, Suzette. I love the soft colors of the fabrics.

Sue Zipkin new fabric at Quilt Market

 

 

June Tailor, Inc always has a pretty booth. They have great quilting tools (I use them regularly)!  They have a new program for fleece, Fleece with Flair. The program includes tools for working with fleece, including fringe cutters and various rulers as well as fleece precut flowers. The right half of the booth below shows the new tools and samples made using the tools.

 

June Tailor quilting tools booth at Quilt Market

A closeup of the fleece  flowers….

June Tailor fleece flowers at Quilt Market

 

Tina Givens (Free Spirit Fabrics) won the booth award for best Merchandising.  As you can see from the photos below, it was a beautiful booth in oranges, tans and browns.

 

Tina Givens booth at Quilt Market

Tina Givens booth at Houston Quilt Market

 

I love felt and stopped by Kunin Group’s booth. They have felt in patterns now which makes a wonderful addition to all the solid colors. The patterns below were gorgeous. Kunin’s felt is made from eco-fil which is created with platic water bottles. The felt is so soft, its hard to imagine that it started life as a water bottle.

Kunin Felt new patterns at Quilt Market

You can create such cute critters with felt.

Kunin Felt display at Quilt Market

 

Prym has a new line of sewing products for baby along with a book of patterns for making baby clothing and cloth diapers. In addition, as you can see on the wall to the right below, they have a full line of accessory products and trims, buttons and applique to use with sewing for baby. Really, really cute!!

Prym Dritz booth at Quilt Market

 

 

La Todera had a pretty and colorful booth to showcase their sewing and soft craft patterns. The buttons and flowers below are just a few of their patterns. And the buttons can be customized with your own saying or art.

La Todera sewing patterns at Quilt Market

and aren’t these trees adorable for sewing!

LaTodera sewing and craft patterns at Houston Quilt Market

 

Downtown Houston has changed over the years since I first started attending Quilt Market. Below is a view from my hotel (Hilton) showing the George Brown convention center on the right (designed to resemble a ship) and the Minute Maid Park (aqua building) in the distance, home of the Astros. Discovery Green Park is just a few years old and is a great improvement on the parking lots that were there previously. Its nice to walk through the park for a few outside minutes during the show.

View of downtown Houston from the Hilton

 

I hope you enjoyed my take on Quilt Market. But there’s more to come – pictures of beautiful, unbelievable quilts from the quilt exhibits. The quilts are works of art!  So please check back!

Phyllis

More from the International Quilt Market and fabulous quilts

I was so overwhelmed with all I saw at Quilt Market.  I’m still sifting through all my notes. If you missed my first post about Quilt Market, please check it out for some fabulous quilts and booths.

I loved this booth, Fiber Art Furniture.  It was fun with some pretty whimsy furniture as you can see below. The chairs were especially appropriate as it was Halloween. Check out their website for more fun furniture. I guarantee it will make you smile.

Fiber Arts Furniture ChairFiber Art Furniture Chair

There were several book signings.  My talented friend Pearl Krush of Pearl Louise Designs was signing her book Quilting at the Village published by All American Crafts. Pearl, who designs fabrics and patterns, also has a fabulous Quilt shop, Thimble Cottage Quilt Village in Rapid City, SD. The book also tells a lot about her shop and I can’t wait to visit it some day.

Pearl Krush

I was walking by Amy Butler‘s booth as they announced the best booth awards.  Here is a picture of Amy in her booth just after she won first prize.  I love the greens and turquoises of her booth.

Amy Butler's booth

The Leilani Arts‘ booth was a visual treat with a beautiful display of all the silk yarns spilling from baskets. They were so lucious!

Baskets of silk yarn And here are more fabulous quilts from the exhibits.  I wish I could have seen all of the quilts exhibited there but there were just so many and I ran out of time.  The quilts looked like art and they were – quilted art.

Facade by Melissa Sobotka of Richardson, TX

Facade Quilt

Lunacy of a Starry Night by Annette Hendricks of Grayslake, IL

Lunacy on a Starry Night Quilt

Lava by Lta Ziv of  Pardes Hana, Israel

Lava Quilt

Tidepool Treasure by Betsy Abbott of Andover, MA

Tidepool Treasure Quilt

Forest Walk by Pat Durbin of Eureka, CA

Forest Walk Quilt

I hope you enjoyed seeing some of Quilt Market. I’m already looking forward to Spring Market.

Phyllis

Quilt Market – full of spectacular colors, quilts and more

I just returned from the International Quilt Market in Houston and am so excited about all I saw. There was so much to see and I want to share some of my favorite things as well as some of the fabulous quilts on display.

Friday night before Market began, I went to the Fabric 2.0 Meet and Great event, which was packed with people networking and just plain ol’ having a great time.  To my surprise, my name was called for the first door prize (so I now I have to stop saying I never win anything)!

Door prize - ribbons from JCaroline CreativeI won a half gallon jar of beautiful woven ribbons from JCaroline Creative and a book from Stash Books.  I am thrilled with my prize and can’t wait to use the ribbons. Thanks Caroline!!

The next morning I took a fun class on surface design using Amazing Angelina, paint sticks and foils from Embellishment Village. I made this leaf design using the Amazing Angelina and a rubber stamp. I look forward to using all of these techniques from class for new projects.

Design made with Amazing Angeling fibers.

One of the booths that captivated me was Woolylady. I have always loved hooking rugs and love the designs and wool that was in their booth as well as their colors.

Woolylady booth at the International Quilt Market

Another booth that I just adored was Handbehg Felts with so many wonderful felted items.  The colors made the booth pop and I loved the decorated dress form centerpiece made with packaging.  The skirt was made with bags of felt balls and the tubes from paper towels.  My picture doesn’t do it justice.

Handbehg felts

Handbehg Felt booth

There were several book signings with so many new books out.  I was delighted to see Kathy Davis who was signing her book Scatterjoy in the Free Spirit Fabric booth. Her new fabric line is behind us and is really gorgeous.

Kathy Davis booksigning

And here are some of the fabulous quilts from the quilt exhibits – all works of art.

Caddy and Cakes Quilt by Janet Fogg of Lake Oswego, OR.

Caddy and Cakes quilt

Circle of Life: Hibiscus Christmas by Heidi Lund of Bremerton, WA

Circle of Life: Hibiscus Christmas

Crocus by Maggie Weiss of Evanston, IL

Crocus Quilt

I love this one because I have a black cat – Look Out for Scout by Penny Sander of Arlington, MA

Black Cat Quilt

Spring is Just Around the Corner by Saradean Hallman of West Columbia, SC.

Spring is Just Around the Corner Quilt

I hope you enjoyed seeing some of my pictures.  I will post more tomorrow for Part 2 with more booths and quilts. So please check back!

Phyllis