Tuesday, July 25, 2017

Ashe County Quilt Show, Part 2




Here are more quilts from Barn Quilts and Beyond-the Ashe County Quilt Fair, 2017, held last weekend in West Jefferson,NC.

The first three pictured are the viewers' choice winners, in no particular order.

This quilt by Josephine Segal is titled Jacobean, and the design is from Pat Campbell's book Romantica.




I was very intrigued by this collaged quilt with lots of text, birds, and interesting fabrics. It is titled The Dress, by Bobbi Garden, from a pattern by Laura Heine.  It reflects the scripture in Matthew 6:26.


This is a detail of The Dress quilt.



The third Viewer's choice was a seasonal floral appliqué by Claudette Jacobs called Seasonal Silhouettes.



Here is a detail of one of the blocks.


Here are some more quilts that caught my eye.  I liked this bright star medallion quilt, which was pieced by Carl Stevens and quilted by Helga Ricci.  The pattern is by Judy Niemeyer.

Summer Solstice, Carl Stevens

I like bright quilts, especially for children, and have several WIP's using the "crumb quilt" technique.

Crumb Quilt, by Susan Bradshaw, quilted by Laurel Springs Quilting

 This is a very nicely done Double Wedding Ring quilt by Claudette Jacobs, quilted by Laurel Springs Quilting.
Friendship, by Claudette Jacobs

Here is a detail of the quilting.  Love the feathers!



The next quilt would look great in my log cabin!  I could not read the title on my photo of the label, but it is by Tammy Hutchinson.


I very much liked this floral appliqué called Flower Box Medley by Janet Ward.  The flowers look lovely against the soft blue background.

Flower Box Medley, by Janet Ward

And here is one more, which I selected because of the skillful feather quilting in the golden border.  Unfortunately, I can not find a photo of the label to identify the maker/quilter.



                                     

It was a very nice quilt show, although for a summer show an air-conditioned venue would have been preferable!  It was in the gym of an elementary school.  I believe the previous shows by this guild have been in September.  I think that finding a place to stage the show presented some problems this year, and the school was only available in the summer.  I brought home an application to become a member of this guild.  I need some friends up here in my new mountain home...and quilters are the nicest people!

Monday, July 24, 2017

Ashe County Quilt Show

Surprise!  Here is something "quilty" on my blog!  We are back at home in the North Carolina mountains, and there just happened to be a quilt show in town!  This one was
  Barn Quilts and Beyond, which took place July 21st and 22nd at Westwood Elementary School in West Jefferson.  


There were cheerful quilts hanging on a clothesline in front of the entrance to the school.

                            

There was an inviting vendor's mall, but I mostly skipped over it because I have an entire studio to unpack after our recent move from Raleigh to the mountain cabin.  Today I will share some of the art quilts and art dolls from the "quilt fair," as they termed it.

I tried to identify each of the quilts and their makers from their labels, but as there was no program guide, it was more difficult.   Please let me know if I have misidentified anyone's quilt!

This one is made of batiks using a pattern purchased in Hawaii.  Look for the gecko!
Home in the Aloha, by Barbara Barkley


 Another bright botanical reminded me at once of our stay in Sarasota, with the colorful croton plants in every yard.

Grandmother's Croton, by Jennifer Ley

 Another large single flower was this piece resulting from a retreat with Susan Brubaker Knapp.  I particularly liked the stitching forming the stamens within the flower.

My Passion Flower, by Rheta Kirk


A very nice mountain scene with a swan and gorgeous flowers was one of my favorites.
                                
Swan and Nessie, by Barbara Barkley


A nice homage to the Ashe County rural setting is this nicely done barn, rooster, and sunflower  quilt.
                                      

Welcome to the Day!, by Lynda Harris

There was a lovely collection of art dolls on display.  I do not have information about the names or makers of most of them.  Some were quilt show entries and some part of a doll display.  
Woodland Butterfly Guardian, by Irene Bebber.  made using a Patti Medaris Culea fabric doll pattern.
Queen of Anne's Lace, by Irene Bebber, again using a Patti Medaris Culea doll pattern.


 






Thursday, July 6, 2017

Marc Chagall Exhibition in the Botanical Gardens

We had a great pre-Fourth of July weekend at with my brother's family in Ft. Myers, including dinner on the water at Dixie Fish Camp and a pontoon boat fishing trip up the Caloosahatchee River to Sword Point.  We had to come back to Sarasota Monday morning for Charlie's afternoon radiation treatment, but had the day off on Tuesday for the holiday.  We decided to check out the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, only about a mile from where we are staying.  They are having a Marc Chagall exhibition through July 31 called Flowers, and the French Riviera:  The Color of Dreams.



 

Three of Chagall's floral oil paintings are on display in the museum, featuring the masterwork painting The Lovers.  There are also ceramic vases owned by Chagall and featured in his art, archival photos, and outdoor garden scenes reminiscent of the French Riviera where Chagall spent the later part of his life.  Several large digital reproductions of his cathedral window are resplendent in the conservatory.





The gardens extend right up to the edge of Sarasota Bay, offering great views of the Sarasota skyline.  Throughout the garden walks are signs with Chagall quotes regarding art and flowers.


The regular signage at the gardens all have lovely watercolor illustrations.




I took over one hundred photos in this beautiful setting.  Inspiration for my own art?



This one of the koi pond in the Conservatory almost looks like an abstract painting.





 It was a nice way to spend time on our nation's birthday.