Arizona Quilters Guild Show 2011, part 5 (of 5 !)

It's the grand finale, and we have five more beauties to show you.  We hope you've enjoyed the show (and let us know your favorites !)

Log Cabin Cubicles, 21 x 18, by Margit Kagerer

Margit Kagerer says she loves the log cabin block and all its variations, and we love everything about this piece, which won 2nd place in Miniature Quilts.  The entire quilt is only 18 inches across, and the log cabin strips were less than 1/2" wide! Margit chose the perfect light-medium-dark value fabrics to give a strong 3-D effect.  Little red centers and diamonds enliven the quilt.  You can see more of Margit's beautiful work at the Arizona Quilters Hall of Fame Gallery, and at her website:  Artrageous Fibers.

Unleashed, 36 x 36, by Rita Blocksom (quilted by Sharon Brooks)

"Unleashed" is a lively fabric collage that includes a masked lady (celebrating Mardi Gras), musical notes, the Blues, and the word "French".   What we like about this quilt is the spontaneous, free-form design which fits the festive theme.  Rita Blocksom says:  "The quilt represents all of the things we enjoy in New Orleans, that have been changed as a result of Hurricane Katrina".  The piece won 2nd place for applique (professional-small quilt).  You can see more of Rita's work at her website; and you can see her other award-winning Arizona Show quilt, called "Moab", at Rita's blog.

Owlish Insomnia, 50 x 50, by Carol Carpenter (entered in the Theme category - Along the Desert Highway)

In "Owlish Insomnia", Carol Carpenter used broderie perse and trapunto to depict owls in various states of sleep.  The fanciful owls appeared to be cut from a single fabric motif that looked vaguely familiar.... and we finally were able to place it:  the 2009 full moon forest collection by Tula Pink.  The owls were embellished with beadwork (below; click to see the detail).

This is a really simple but creative use of broderie perse.... the technique has unlimited potential!

Flying Flower, 46 x 37, by Nancy Swanson

Nancy Swanson's own photo from a butterfly house inspired this original design. The butterfly was more than  12" wide, allowing for the detailed treatment of the wings with raw-edged applique and thread painting.  The subtly textured background seems just right; it provides the textures of bark and leaves without detracting from the butterfly. 

Mexican Star, 40 x 40, by Toni Quintana

Toni Quintana's orchid-and-violet quilt really sparkles, and we loved her clever use of gold lamé for the centers of the 9-patch squares. What is interesting about this quilt is the way in which the star points are slightly curved. This is a dimensional piecing technique, designed by Annette Ornelas, which consists of layering and inserting folded fabric pieces into the seam line of a pieced unit or block. The technique is described in Peeled Back Patchwork: Curves without Piecing, and the Mexican Star pattern can be purchased at Southwind Designs.