Friday, April 17, 2009

Bloggers Quilt Festival

I've now entered a quilt show, this virtual one. Thank you to Amy for organizing this! Click on the button to the right and see more quilts in this virtual show.
I have two favourite quilts but I will show this one since I already showed the other one. I made this for a quilt guild challenge in April 1990.


We were given three fabrics: the tone on tone that I used for the flesh; the blue print that I used as the necklace and for some of the flowers; and another print that I cut a motif out of to use as the snake and some of the pink flowers. The fabrics had to be visible on the quilt top. We could use our own fabrics but I can't remember how many. I used black, brown, white and the blue for the water. The finished dimension had to be less than 120 inches in circumference and I do believe the comment that went with the
instructions was something to the effect of being creative. What I did was to take two tape measures and lay them out on the floor in the rough outline of what I had in mind. This was after poring over loads of quilt magazines and my Southwest Art and Art of the West magazines. I knew I wanted to do something that had a native theme. I also wanted something unique. I came up with "Mother Earth and the Great Spirit." Mother Earth's hair flows into the the eagle's wing. It was loads of fun trying to capture what I wanted. It has applique, reverse applique, embroidery and I even used white-out with its brush for the loon's necklace and spots on the back. I think I have to re-apply the necklace. The horse is looking back at its owner who has died (the shroud - up on sticks, so that animals don't get to the body.) I populated it with animals that my friends and children liked. All free-hand drawn, cut and appliqued or embroidered. It is by no means perfect but I do love it. I have recently taken it off the wall since the sun from the skylight is fading it. I didn't and still don't really work in prints. That's why I cut the prints up and used the motifs in them.
There were other quilts that were not the usual square or rectangle. Other people were just as creative with the fabrics and the instructions - one was even a 3-D mobile piece of art.
The guild challenge quilt that won was an appliqued quilt that was square. So much for creativity. Personal comments from several of the guild members later was that the judges were quite staid and old-fashioned - as were a lot of the members.

39 comments:

  1. Very interesting concept. Love how you put it all together.

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  2. I think it's quite unique that the quilt was in the shape of an eagle. I don't think I've seen that before.

    The little animals within the quilt look cute. It has a charming, whimsical feel to it.

    Thanks for sharing, Dolores!

    -Dean

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  3. Thanks for commenting on my blogsite!
    Your quilt is spectacular. How interesting that the horse is looking back for the owner that has died...Snake, Buffalo, Mother Earth's Hair...Wow!!! I do not use printed fabrics much either...I love that you cut them up to incorporate them.

    I also am amazed by your beautiful header photo taken by your daughter!!!

    I look forward to more!

    All the best,

    Camilla

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  4. oh my goodness! you definitely get the award for creativity!! so much work, such beautiful stitching! awesome quilt, fabulous art piece!! :)

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  5. This is a great quilt! I love the story behind it.

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  6. Wow!!! What a great creation Dolores!!! It is stunning! Thanks for showing us, and for the write up! Very creative! 8-)

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  7. Very creative. I am impressed. Love the shape of the quilt.

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  8. Great quilt Dolores. Very creative.

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  9. Gee, you do good work! I love the figures...

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  10. Wow, what an amazing quilt! We visited Niagara Falls in 2002 for a wedding. What a great family vacation. Your picture brought back very happy memories. Thanks for sharing your quilt story.

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  11. This is very different and beautiful.

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  12. Unique! Creative! Imaginative!
    I like the eagle.

    Maria

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  13. Hi Dolores,

    Your quilt gets my vote for your creativity and love it that it is in the shape of an eagle.
    Lovely work.

    Enjoy your weekend
    Hugs
    Carolyn

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  14. What a great imaginative piece of art. I love the whole idea behind your theme and what you did with the fabric.
    Challenges don't always have happy endings but you sure have my vote it was a great attempt!!

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  15. This quilt is so different and particular.
    I love it.
    ciao ciao

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  16. I love how you merged moter earth with the eagle... very creative. Sad that the goal was to be creative but the judging didn't reflect that...

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  17. Lovely work Dolores :) I adore your pic of Niagara Falls - it's one place I really want to visit.
    Anne xx

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  18. I personally love your creativity. I love your quilt too.

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  19. I was struck with the tonal similarities of your banner photo and the quilt. The earth just works into us if you look at natural creation long enough, doesn't it? Your critters are lovely; I think the the real guys would not be ashamed of their depiction and your playful spatial relationships held within the unique shape is artful...not to mention all the crafting you did to complete this lovely piece. Wow. Thank you for sharing it.

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  20. This is very creative I love it! I too have also had the good fortune of travelling much of our great country! Still need to make the trek to NFLD though...next on my list! Thanks for sharing your beautiful quilt :)
    Beth

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  21. Fabulous. I've never seen anything like it.

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  22. Very creative.......you certainly met the "challenge" This is a very special piece great job!

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  23. Now that is art! I can't believe your creativity and how you think "outside the box" (or should I say square?)

    The symbolism is amazing, and so is your talent. Don't let "square" people discourage you.

    Blessings,
    Melanie

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  24. How innovative! Don't let the judges hold you back -- keep moving forward! Thanks so much for your comment on my blog -- I really appreciate it!

    Diane

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  25. I loved it! I would love to know where you got the pattern, as I love applique too.
    It is so charming!
    Micki

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  26. Amazing !!!!! You are so talented Dolores, this is a real piece of art.

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  27. That is quite a creative quilt!

    Thanks for visiting my blog earlier today. To answer you question; give you an idea...the main part of the teapot motif fits in the palm of a hand. It's 3 & 3/4 inches from the top of the lid to the bottom. Ironically, I don't have a teacup to show it with...I don't really drink much tea!
    What do I do with my tatted motifs? I either use them in scrapbooking/card-making or give them to friends (one uses them on Crazy Quilt squares) or they sit in a box! LOL! Many time I make bookmarks so they are pretty and useful at the same time.

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  28. I love all the details in your quilt! It's so unique and amazing - Thank you for sharing it :)

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  29. Wow, what a great idea for a quilt, Dolores. Very well done.

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  30. There are too many things to say taht I love about this quilt in this short space. I think the irregular shape is at the top of the list. An amazing piece of work!

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  31. A very creative design! Thanks for participating in the online exhibit, it really has been amazing.

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  32. Wow, Dolores! What an absolutely stunning quilt! Thank you for sharing the story behind it, there is so much to it and the whole process is beautiful.
    Vikki :-)

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  33. Beautiful piece of art. I love it!!

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  34. Amazing quilt! Wow! I love the trees with the owl. They are so effective.

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  35. So unique and creative, what a great quilt!

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Thank you for commenting. I appreciate your thoughts.