The Painter

We hope that 2021 is treating you well so far. This portrait quilt by Lenore Crawford inspires us to dream about going to a real (not virtual) quilt show again, in person, in the near future.  We wish you good health and happy quilting..

p.s. Check out our eBay shop for great bargains on books, magazines, and collectible items. For free quilt inspiration, please visit us on Twitter.

The Painter by Lenore Crawford

This stunning art quilt was inspired by a photo Lenore Crawford took of working artists in Paris. The colors and detail she achieved transports the viewer right into the scene.  Lenore used her raw edge fusing technique to create the piece, along with a little fabric paint to add fine detail and shading.  The row of paintings were depicted with fabric.

Lenore Crawford lives in Midland, Michigan, and The Painter was featured in the Midland Daily News last year. You can see more of Lenore Crawford's work, plus wonderful creative quilt patterns at her site on Etsy.

Image credits:  Photos were taken by Quilt Inspiration at the 2020 Road to California show.  The green and white ribbon shown on the quilt signifies an Honorable Mention award.

Charming Canines

We hope the new year is treating you well so far. This charming canine portrait quilt, seen at last year's Road to California show, inspires us to dream about going to a real (not virtual) quilt show again, in person, in the near future.  We wish you good health and happy quilting for the year ahead.

p.s. Check out our eBay shop for great bargains on books, magazines, and collectible items. For free quilt inspiration, please visit us on Twitter.

Viking Barkley by Angela Pachal

Angela Pachal says, "The inspiration was our dog Barkley, and the pattern was made from an original photo.  He was born on Halloween and every year he was dressed in a costume.  This [quilt] was a true labor of love for our beloved mini schnauzer."  

We were impressed by the incredible detail Angela achieved with her choice of fabrics and design, along with her quilting designs which followed the lines of the dog's fur.  This quilt is a wonderful tribute to her sweet-looking dog.  You can see more of Angela Pachal's creations on Instagram.

Image credits: Photos were taken by Quilt Inspiration at the 2020 Road to California quilt show in Ontario, California.

Kaleidoscope Quilt

Welcome to 2021. This kaleidoscope quilt inspires us to dream about going to a real (not virtual) quilt show again, in person, in the near future.  We wish you good health and happy quilting for the year ahead.

p.s. Check out our eBay shop for great bargains on books, magazines, and collectible items. For free quilt inspiration, please visit us on Twitter.

Kaleidoscope Quilt, 54x 70, by Gail L. Weiss, Oregon. Quilted by Nancy Stovall

Gail explains, "This quilt was made from 3,113 pieces using 5 different shapes. Cut and stitch lines were screen printed onto the back of 21 different Kona Solid fabrics, and a running stitch was used to sew them together. "  We enjoyed viewing Gail's lovely quilt because it projects a lighted glow that seems to originate behind the fabric, much like holding a kaleidoscope up to a sunny window.

Gail adds, "It took 10 months to sew the top together, then it was given to my co-collaborator, Nancy Stovall, who did an amazing job with her hand-guided quilting. It added to the top, without detracting from the design."  Gail's work is a fabulous example of the English paper piecing method of assembling patchwork. Her juxtaposition of light and dark values, along with the intermingling of warm and cool hues results in a luminous and sparkling work, to which the name "kaleidoscope" very aptly applies. 

If you would like to sew this spectacular quilt on your own, then you're in luck !  Gail has this pattern available for purchase as a PDF download on her website,  GailLizette.com. At the bottom of the book listing, there's also a link to Gail's very helpful  tutorial on English paper piecing. 

Image Credit:  Photos were taken by by Quilt Inspiration at the January 2020 Road to California Quilt Show,  Ontario, California.

Dream Big

Welcome to 2021! This "Dream Big"  quilt inspires us to dream about going to a real (not virtual) quilt show again, in person, in the near future.  We wish you good health and happy quilting for the year ahead.

p.s. Check out our eBay shop for great bargains on books, magazines, and collectible items. For free quilt inspiration, please visit us on Twitter.

Dream Big flower panel in gray, quilted by Jillane Ocano

Jillane Ocano's quilting skills are showcased on this fabric panel, which gave her the chance to try different free motion quilting designs for a wall hanging for her office.  The Dream Big fabric print, designed by Jeanie Sumrall-Ajero was produced in numerous colors by Hoffman California Fabrics,.  Jillane says that she was new to FMQ and she tried out some new feather designs, and worked on pebbling.  The quilting was completed on a 16" Babylock machine.  The results are outstanding (see detail below)!

 

Image credits:  Photos were taken by Quilt Inspiration at the 2020 Quilt Arizona show.

Happy New Year 2021

Welcome 2021 ! We wish all of you the very best of health, happiness, peace, and prosperity in the New Year. May you truly be gifted with the blessings of abundance.

24 Abundance Quilts by Therese May, California

Therese made 24 of these sparkling 12 inch square mini-quilts to display at the 2019 show of the Santa Clara Valley Quilt Association. She explains that each one has "an inspiring message, all embellished with buttons, beads, paint, and polymer clay meant to all hang on one big wall for this show." 

Each of the quilt borders is lavishly decorated with different colors and different items. This one features tiny shells, interspersed among colorful orange yo-yo's with green button centers. At the top you can see the intriguing image of a duck's head (which appears to be a green-winged teal).  Light blue buttons are set around the inner border, so the complementary shades of blue and orange provide a great contrast. 

This quilt above features green satin yo-yo's and matching green buttons encircling a center which we imagine to be the stars of a winter night's sky. We liked the square beads of the inner border, which provided geometric interest and contrast with the round embellishments of the outer border.

And here is the collection of Therese's quilts on display, all designed and quilted by her.  This profound visual impact of her work comprises a strikingly attractive image. The uplifting thoughts shown above seem to us to be an example of a positive mind-set which encompasses the hopes and dreams of beginning again. Happy New Year to everyone !

Image credits:  Photos were taken by Quilt Inspiration at the 2019 Santa Clara Valley Quilt Show in Santa Clara, California.