QuiltFest of Jacksonville 2011

These are the 2 quilts I entered in QuiltFest this year. They were both made or finished in 2009. I am in a bit of a slump this year, creatively speaking. I do go through phases, sometimes I am on fire with ideas and can't make quilts fast enough and sometimes I feel stagnant. I think this is okay, maybe even normal.

Back to these 2 quilts:

I was quite happy with the judges remarks, receiving NO "Needs Improvement" marks for the first time ever! Of course my weakest areas were 'even consistent stitches, tension, straight edges, square corners and bindings', but even those areas were satisfactory. I got excellent marks for color and design,visual impact, scale and composition, construction quality and quilting design.

They were both HELD, which means upon seeing them the first time the judge liked them enough to consider them for an award. Neither one, however, received a ribbon. More on that later.

This one is called "Precious", her story is somewhere back there in my blog if you want to read more about her:  http://cheezdoodle.blogspot.com/2009/10/current-works-in-progress.html

I painted her on plain white muslin and quilted the background, leaving the pencil marks and the paint bleed there. The pattern is from a piece of cloth from Ethiopia. When I saw this quilt hanging in the show, I was disappointed that it was so wrinkled. It had been folded into a bag for about 2 weeks. Note to self; use the wrap around a noodle system next time.

This is what the judge had to say about her:

"Yes, she is Precious", "It took an artist to portray the life in this face." and "Stood up well against stiff competition in this category."

Nice comments.

"Road 9, Crandall Pasture" I shared with you earlier in this blog, here:

http://cheezdoodle.blogspot.com/2010/02/florida-museum-of-natural-history.html
Though I didn't really share it's story, you would have to come to my trunk show, A Florida Quilt collage, to hear how special this quilt is to me. Or just ask me.

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This quilt started with a piece of hand dyed fabric I got from Diane Smith. That shade of green seems to be very difficult to achieve, because I have not seen it since. I fell in love with it on the spot! Green and yellow and ethereal looking. I knew right then what I would be making with it, it was perfect! The quilt is raw edge applique with grey, white, pale yellow and bronze tulle overlays. This is how all that sunlight and shadow looks so real. Tulle is very difficult to quilt over, so I was not surprised to get only satisfactory remarks on the quilting workmanship. Here is what the Judge said about it: "Good use of value and design to create a very effective perspective into the woods."

My reward came during the show. I rounded a corner looking for my friends and was in a little bit of a hurry when I heard, "the sunlight on the brush is magnificent! Do you see the way..."

I slowed down.

"It just glimmers in the sun, it feels so real!"

I made a u-turn and came up behind the group of 5 women standing at the end of the isle, staring intently at my quilt.

"Look at the sunlight gleaming off the palmetto, I wonder did she do that on purpose" "This is the most beautiful quilt in the show!"

My head must have swelled noticeably, one of them turned around and looked at me. "Is that your quilt?" I spoke to them briefly and left to find my friends, having received the best reward ever!

Advice from a country girl

When walking through the woods, you should carry a stump-knocker: a long branch or stick. You can use it for a walking stick, this lets all the critters know that you're coming their way. Most people are deathly afraid of snakes, but are unaware that snakes are deathly afraid of people.

Just knock around some with your stick, especially around the stumps, and they'll stay away from you.

 But if you want to see more wildlife, try to tread lightly and don't knock any stumps. Just watch and listen more carefully so you don't walk up on something. The trick is to see them before they see you. Then you might get a few seconds to take a picture or just stare in wonder.

Some animals get accustomed to people and are curious. Mostly curious if you are carrying food or not. Don't forget to look up. All that time you're looking for snakes on the ground and freaking out about big cats or gators, you could be missing the show up in the trees.

Lastly, the best advice I have for walking in the woods, is to go with a human friend. You can hold hands and share secrets that no one will ever tell, and share in the wonders around you.

White tail deer

I don't think there is any animal quite as shy and skittish as the white tail deer. Their very name suggests that the only thing you see is the white tail as it runs away, if you see one at all. They are abundant in Crandall Pasture, and if you walk quietly down Road 9, just before full darkness falls (what we call 'Dark:30'), you are likely to see more than one ambling along in the distance.

My brother and his family live at the very edge of the wood, in a rambling woodframe house with a huge porch. They have lots of company, and my Sister-in-Law captures it all with her camera. Here are some of her delightful photos, some of which I use to make my quilts. All of the following photos are courtesy of Michele Parker.  

A doe and 2 yearlings.

2 bucks and a racoon.

A family of hungry racoons.

A curious racoon.

Hawk.

Egret.

Owl.

  

Turkeys.

A family of hogs.

Not to mention some gorgeous sunsets.

 

Stay Focused

I like the feel of the paint sinking into the fabric. I water the paint down with my brush until I get just the right consistency; not so wet that it 'runs' but wet enough to become part of the fabric rather than sitting on top of it. The paint is just the first layer, the details are added with needle and thread, and my sewing machine. I always begin my quilts aiming for realism and end up with a slightly whimsical look instead. On this quilt, though, I am able to "Stay Focused".

Horse Creek Festival

I am making plans to go down to Davenport, Florida, show some quilts and set and talk awhile on the front porch. The first ever Horse Creek Festival will be November 11 and 12, 2011. I am so excited to go and be a part of their Florida Heritage celebration!

I'll be presenting my trunk show, A Florida Quilt Collage, several times throughout the Festival. I'll also have an exhibit space hopefully full of quilts!

Visit www.horsecreekfestival.org for more information. Looks like we are gonna have one fine time!

Happy Birthday!

I recently celebrated a birthday of a significant number. If I am lucky, it will be my halfway mark. I am hopeful.
I got 2 birthday gifts, both of which are perfect!
A good friend gave me a Keurig one cup coffee maker. I drink one cup in the morning and one cup in the afternoon. Up until receiving this gift, Gerald didn't especially like seeing the coffeemaker sitting there with one cup of coffee all day, waiting for me to microwave it and drink it in the afternoon. It kind of grossed him out. I don't mind drinking warmed over coffee, as long as it hasn't been scorched. Well, now I get to brew a fresh cup in the morning and another in the afternoon. smile. THANK YOU TAMI!!!!
My second gift came as a complete surprise! Out of nowhere, okay out of the mailbox came a package from my friends Rich and Beverly Hilton. It was a Big Sister! No....not a human big sister, silly! A bigger (and better) fussy cut ruler. Go check out their website! http://www.craftybev.com/ Now I can fussy cut even bigger blocks, and center them with my Big Sister, and do all kinds of wonderful things!!!!
THANK YOU BEVERLY!!!!
I am so glad that I have friends that know me so well! Over the past week I have been inundated with well wishes and wonderful lunch dates and lovely little goodies from all my friends. Life is good.