Celebrate Life!

This quilt makes us smile! Artist Mel Dugosh captured the joy of her first snorkeling excursion with this original art quilt. We love Mel's colorful outfit, the appliqued bubbles, and the curious fish inspecting her painted fingernails!  

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Who Does Your Stripes? made and quilted by Mel Dugosh (Texas) @quiltanddagger

This original design was created with hand applique, embellishment, embroidery, and piecing; and machine piecing and quilting.  Mel Dugosh says, "During my first snorkeling excursion in the Gulf of Mexico, many colorful fish surrounded my hands, staring in awe and amazement at my intricately painted fingernails. they appeared to ask, "Who does your stripes?"  

This quilt perfectly reflects the theme of this exhibit, "Celebrate Life."  Mel says, "The deeper question for me has been understanding the wonders of intimate, unspoken relationships between humans and all creatures celebrating life."  

 Image credits: Photos were taken by Quilt Inspiration at the 2025 Houston International Quilt Festival.

Life isn't perfect, but your outfit can be!

Humor makes the world go 'round! This original quilt reminds us to smile... and to have fun with our outfits. The quilt was made with hand applique and embellishment; machine piecing and quilting; and fusing. Each figure has a unique hairstyle and outfit, including a purse, beaded necklace, and earrings!

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Life Isn't Perfect, but Your Outfit Can Be, by Margie Bendure (Texas, USA) 

Margie Bendure says she bought the fabric for the faces years ago at the Houston International Quilt Festival and was waiting for an idea to hit. She was inspired by seeing her nieces lined up for photos at her nephew's wedding... so tall, stylish, and fun-loving.  Check out the cute pet on a long leash, shown below:

Miniature purses add so much style to the outfits, shown below.  (Note: You can see more of Margie's wonderful quilts on Instagram @margiebendure!)

 Image credits: Photos were taken by Quilt Inspiration at the 2025 Houston International Quilt Festival.