Friday, September 23, 2016

Galaxy of Stars Quilt Show in Roswell, NM: My Entries

Previously, I showed you some of my favorite entries in the Galaxy of Stars Quilt Show hosted by the Pecos Valley Quilters in Roswell, New Mexico. Today, I'm going share my entries and how they fared in the competition.
You may notice I have quite a few. I hadn't found a specified number of quilts that you were permitted to enter in the rules, so I entered 7 quilts in hopes of having something admitted. I was caught by surprise when I received an e-mail stated which categories all of my quilts would be in. Then, I began to have misgivings about shipping costs and the fact that six of my quilts didn't have sleeves or labels. I used Libby Lehman's sleeve instructions, and got to work, vowing to change my sleeve-neglecting ways in the future. Fortunately, shipping only cost about $15, and all the quilts made it to Roswell intact. For those of you who ship quilts, do you insure them? I figure, without an appraisal, even if my quilts were lost in transit, I'd only be reimbursed for fabric costs in the unlikely event that I could locate corresponding receipts.
Visions of Acoma was my best performer, earning first place in the Individual Wallhanging category sponsored by Classics Frozen Custard. NQA Certified Judge Valerie Boman commented, "Bold graphic design is very effective. Fabrics are perfect. Quilting designs well-chosen and nicely executed. Some slight shadow-through noted. Corners should be square and crisp."
I enjoy eavesdropping on others as they view my quilt. The ladies peering on said, "Wow! Afton, huh?" Sounds like a man." Um...nope! He he.
Palisades, which was quilted by Tisha Cavanaugh of Quilt Icing, took second in the Pieced/Machine Quilted Twin category sponsored by Farm Bureau Financial Services. Valerie stated, "What fun fabrics! Very nice machine quilting (quality and choices). Your quilter did an excellent job!"
Fractal was the recipient of an Honorable Mention for the Machine Quilted Throw category. It was also quilted by Tisha. "Soft, eye-pleasing color palette," mentioned Valerie on the evaluation form.
Starburst did not earn an award, but it needn't feel bad, because I love it anyway! Judge's comments included, "Quilting designs were well-chosen. Fabrics bold and fun! Binding could be more secure. Outside edges should  be straight. Quilt is not square."
Solar Runner earned Honorable Mention in the Individual Wallhanging category. "Fabrics work so well together. Value placement is perfect. Excellent quilting choices. Strive for more even stitch length. Binding should be more secure," noted Valerie.
In my six-year-old son's opinion, Abecedary earned the highest honor, as it was included on the scavenger hunt for kids. It also brought in an Honorable Mention for Pieced/Machine Quilted Group Throw, except I was the only one who worked on this quilt, so I'm a little confused. "Each letter's fabric is perfection! Echo quilting was the perfect choice for this quilt. Great binding fabric. Some quilting (possibly small meandering) would reduce puffins in letters," commented Valerie. It was really fun listening to the crowd try to figure out what each fabric represented. J is for Jupiter is probably the trickiest. This will be available as a pattern soon. I am very grateful to Tiffany at Always Sewin' Somethin! for testing the pattern and offering very useful input.
Economy Plus was awarded an Honorable Mention in the Miniature category. Valerie noted that the quilt's best features were, "contrast, fabrics, quilting decisions." She also mentioned, "Outside edges should be straight and corners square."
In the future, I should sew sleeves on right when I finish quilting. It would also benefit me to block my quilts and stabilize the outer edges with twill tape. Maybe I just want an excuse to buy a 90 degree laser level. If I put it on my Amazon wish list, my husband might even be surprised when he receives it as a Christmas gift from his parents. Ha ha, that's what they get for making assumptions based on gender stereotypes! My husband won't mind; it'll save him buying me one.
What will you be putting on your husband's wish list? Just kidding. Do you have any go-to squaring up tutorials, as my asymmetrical finishing techniques are undervalued?
Follow on Bloglovin
Instagram

Thursday, September 22, 2016

Blogger's Quilt Festival: Fractal

If you are visiting from the Blogger's Quilt Festival at Amy's Creative Side, I'm so glad you came. If not, be sure to check out the yearly online show. Fractal is my entry in the small quilt category, and I'd be honored if you'd like to vote for me when the contest officially starts.
If you're unfamiliar with Quilting Mod, you may be interested in my tutorialslinky party listing, and quilt-along directory. I'd be ever so grateful if you'd follow me on Bloglovin'FacebookInstagram, or any of the righthand sidebar options.
Fractal is the end-result of the AGF Stitched with Kimberly event for Imprint by Katarina Roccella, a collaborative effort between Art Gallery Fabrics and Fat Quarter Shop.
I adore how Tisha Cavanaugh of Quilt Icing's long-arm work impacted this quilt.
I used prints from assorted Art Gallery Fabrics collections including Hello Bear Nectar WildwoodWinged Aves Chatter Shine,  Urban Mod Pointelle CelesteUrban Mod Triangularity TopazGramercy Commute in TaxiEtno Pearl and Gold Metallic and Recollection Cuneiform Script. For further details on my Fractal quilt, check out my original post.
If you'd like to make your own Fractal quilt, snatch up the free pattern or check out Fat Quarter Shop's YouTube video.



To get in on the fun of the Blogger's Quilt Festival, head on over to Amy's place in the blogosphere. If you'd like to nominate me for Viewer's Choice or vote for Fractal, I certainly won't discourage you.


Thanks for joining me at Quilting Mod. I hope you'll visit again soon.
Follow on Bloglovin
Instagram

Blogger's Quilt Festival: Palisades

Blogger's Quilt Festival is an annual online quilt show and linky party hosted at Amy's Creative Side. It's a feast of inspiration! With the multitude of sponsors and prizes up for grabs, you might want to enter a quilt of your own. Palisades is my entry for the Large Quilt category.
Art Gallery Fabrics Stitched with Kimberly: Palisades Quilt Quilted by Tisha Cavanaugh: http://quilticing.com Blog Post: http://quiltingmod.blogspot.com/2016/07/agf-stitched-with-kimberly-palisades.html Free Pattern: http://www.fatquartershop.com/media/wysiwyg/pdf/Palisades-Pattern.pdf Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KqUPHzS56J8
If you are visiting for the first time, welcome! Here's a sampling of projects found here at Quilting Mod. Other blog highlights include my tutorials, linky party listing, and quilt-along directory. I'd love if you'd follow me on Bloglovin', Facebook, Instagram, or any of the other great options in the righthand sidebar.
As for Palisades, it was created for the Palisades Quilt Blog Hop, part of the Art Gallery Fabrics Stitched with Kimberly series. All the free patterns and video tutorials for this incredible series can be found on Fat Quarter Shop's YouTube channel.
Art Gallery Fabrics Stitched with Kimberly: Palisades Quilt Quilted by Tisha Cavanaugh: http://quilticing.com Blog Post: http://quiltingmod.blogspot.com/2016/07/agf-stitched-with-kimberly-palisades.html Free Pattern: http://www.fatquartershop.com/media/wysiwyg/pdf/Palisades-Pattern.pdf Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KqUPHzS56J8
I chose Dana Willard's Boardwalk Delight collection for my version of the quilt.
Art Gallery Fabrics Stitched with Kimberly: Palisades Quilt Quilted by Tisha Cavanaugh: http://quilticing.com Blog Post: http://quiltingmod.blogspot.com/2016/07/agf-stitched-with-kimberly-palisades.html Free Pattern: http://www.fatquartershop.com/media/wysiwyg/pdf/Palisades-Pattern.pdf Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KqUPHzS56J8
Tisha Cavanaugh of Quilt Icing did the long-arm quilting for me, and I recommend her without hesitation if you are looking to send any tops out.
Art Gallery Fabrics Stitched with Kimberly: Palisades Quilt Quilted by Tisha Cavanaugh: http://quilticing.com Blog Post: http://quiltingmod.blogspot.com/2016/07/agf-stitched-with-kimberly-palisades.html Free Pattern: http://www.fatquartershop.com/media/wysiwyg/pdf/Palisades-Pattern.pdf Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KqUPHzS56J8
If you want to make your own Palisades quilt, download the FREE pattern and check out the video tutorial
For the full scoop, check out my original post
Art Gallery Fabrics Stitched with Kimberly: Palisades Quilt Quilted by Tisha Cavanaugh: http://quilticing.com Blog Post: http://quiltingmod.blogspot.com/2016/07/agf-stitched-with-kimberly-palisades.html Free Pattern: http://www.fatquartershop.com/media/wysiwyg/pdf/Palisades-Pattern.pdf Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KqUPHzS56J8
To get in on the fun of the Blogger's Quilt Festival, or nominate me for Viewer's Choice (wishfully thinking), head on over to Amy's place in the blogosphere.
Follow on Bloglovin
Instagram

Wednesday, September 21, 2016

Galaxy of Stars Quilt Show in Roswell, NM

This past weekend I attended the biannual Galaxy of Stars Quilt Show hosted by the Pecos Valley Quilters in Roswell, New Mexico. I thought you might enjoy seeing some of my favorites.
Let's start off with the designated best of the best, Best of Show. The ultimate winner was Michelle Watts Pueblo Rhapsody, a wholecloth tattooed with Shiva Paintstiks and micro-quilted intricately by Jackie Brown.
Pueblo Rhapsody by Michelle Watts, Quilted by Jackie Brown
Another star of the show wasn't technically in the show, but one couldn't help but notice the guild's opportunity quilt to support the Good Samaritan and Loves & Fishes of Roswell. It was designed by J. Michelle Watts and quilted by Joy McCulloch.
Pecos Valley Quilters Raffle Quilt for Charity
The back is a second quilt in its own right. The sleeve is even pieced to not disrupt the pattern. Talk about attention to detail! Unfortunately, none of my tickets ended up being the winning one, but money donated to food pantries isn't going to evoke any feelings of buyer's remorse.
Back Side of Pecos Valley Quilters Charity Raffle Quilt
Nor is my purchase of Farm Girl Vintage. After all, isn't Merri Rhodes' version adorable? The judge thought so and awarded it second place in the Pieced/Machine Quilted Throw category.
My Challenge by Merri Rhodes, Quilted by T. Charles White
Vicki Conley's Grand Prismatic Spring was a wonder to behold. It also caused me to add another item to my bucket list. Congrats on first place in the Art Quilt category, Vicki!
Grand Prismatic Spring by Vicki Conley
There's something so captivating about pointy points and trails of flying geese. Running in Circles by Donice Hays and quilted by Joy McCulloch was awarded first in the Group Wallhanging category.
Running in Circles by Donice Hays, Quilted by Joy McCulloch
Double Wedding Ring by Nancy Richburg
Quilted by Joy McCulloch

Joy also quilted Suz Flynt's Cattails in the Meadow exquisitely. I'd love to know how she managed those banana-like designs in the background.
Cattails in the Meadow by Suz Flynt
Quilted by Joy McCulloch

It was Nancy Richburg's Double Wedding Ring, which Joy also quilted, that earned top honors for Machine Quilting, likely wooing the judge with perfect miniature circles. Nancy and Joy also brought home first place for Pieced/Machine Quilted Group Queen/King with this traditional piece.
Double Wedding Ring by Nancy Richburg
Quilted by Joy McCulloch

I enjoyed Jamie Boling's Playing the Blues quilt. What a fun design for a music enthusiast!
Playing the Blues by Jamie Boling, Quilted by R. Charles White
Some quilts just make a person smile. It's hard not to be comical when you dress up donkeys in skirts. Kathy Hendricks should be smiling, as Donkey Divis' earned Judge's Choice and second in the Individual Wallhanging category.
Donkey Divis' by Kathy Hendricks
Speaking of funky animals, Alexis Swoboda's Geraldine is quite the gorgeous long-necked critter. Pam Holland offers this beauty as a class.
Geraldine by Alexis Swoboda

It's great to see quilts I've admired online brought to life. Radio City Music Hall by Marsha Allen, a product of Christa's Paper-Pieced Quilt Along, is one such example.

Radio City Music Hall by Marsha Allen

Night Flowers 2 by Carol Meyer, second place in Hand Appliqué, is a beautifully executed example of William Morris-inspired and appliqué. The pattern for this piece was written by Michele Hill.
Night Flowers 2 by Carol Meyer
Carol Meyer is no stranger to detail and ambitious projects. My Pi, second place in Hand Piecing, certainly exemplifies this.
My Pi by Carol Meyer
I assure you, these hexagons were crazy tiny!
My Pi by Carol Meyer
Millie by Brenda Britt captured high contrast and scrappiness very successfully in her third place Pieced/Machine Quilted Throw.
Millie by Brenda Britt, Quilted by R. Charles White
Oversized-blocks-turned-quilt are such a clever idea. The Largest Paper Star by Katie Gwartney Roehik was a a pleasing combination of primary colors, great modern prints, and minimalistic design.
The Largest Paper Star by Katie Gwartney Roehik
The Winter Quilters of Sierra County entered their raffle quilt, Mexican Star Dance,  in the show and were awarded Honorable Mention in the Pieced/Machine Quilted Group Queen/King category. Their Gathering of Quilts show will be February 24-25.
Mexican Star Dance
Winter Quilters of Sierra County Raffle Quilt
Viewer's Choice and second in the Pieced/Machine Quilted Group Queen/King went to Martha J. Brown for Gems in the Desert. She began with a Michele Watts pattern, and build her own medallion design in a subdued color scheme. The quilting by Richard Larson was a show-stopper.
Gems in the Desert by Martha J. Brown
Quilted by Richard Larson
Richard Larson also quilted Michelle Watts' weaving-inspired Burntwater, recipient of the third place award for Pieced/Machine Quilted Group Queen/King.
Burntwater by J. Michelle Watts
Quilted by Richard Larson
It features a great variety of motifs.
Burntwater by J. Michelle Watts
Quilted by Richard Larson

Thanks for doing me today. I'll be back with my entries and how they fared in the competition.
Follow on Bloglovin
Instagram