Mark the dates:  October 1, 2, & 3.

For more information, click here:  Quilt Fest 2010

Rose of Sharon

Repeating Blocks, appliqué floral design, with an appliqué border. Blocks measure 22.5″ square and are set without sashing. Block motif includes a two-toned central blossom (8″) surrounded by green leaves, stems, buds, and multi-pieced rose blossoms on a white ground.

An  appliquéd border (14″) is joined to three sides, while a plain border (10″) is on the top edge. Border appliqués include cut-vein princess feathers, green vines, leaves, buds, and two-toned roses and trumpet blossoms one white ground.

Hand appliquéd, machine pieced setting, hand quilted. Quilting in 1/2″ overall grid across white ground with outline quilting around elements.

Part of our permanent collection ~ The Susan Hyde Collection.

Photos by Mariana Foliart.

Improved Nine-Patch

Part of our permanent collection ~ The Jane Jackson Collection.

Photo by Mariana Foliart.

Coxcomb

Part of our permanent collection ~ The Susan Hyde Collection.

Photo by Mariana Foliart.

Circle Star

Part of our permanent collection ~ The Schlotterback Collection.

Photo by Mariana Foliart.

Harriet Powers Bible Quilt (Reproduction)

The original Bible Quilt was made in 1895-96 by Harriet Powers and is now part of the Smithsonian Institute. Our copy is one licensed by the Smithsonian in the 1990’s to be made overseas. Currently on display in our resource room along with magazine and a book about Harriet Powers. Come read more about this quilt, which will be on display through  the end of March.

Part of our permanent collection ~ The Susan Hyde Collection.

Photo by Mariana Foliart.

February 2010

January 2010

December 2009

November 2009

October 2009

Hardware is a flexible, collaborative project by thirteen artists. The participating artists have worked independently with the goal of creating a piece that makes for a cohesive whole, while at the same time still allowing for individual flexibility. The subject matter, “hardware,” was loosely defined and up to the artist’s own interpretation – some took it quite literally, and other made a more individual connection. The materials used were left up to the imagination of the individual artist. Sandra Woock’s piece, Nails: Patina, at left, has the added elements of real nails.

The finished Hardware pieces include work from all artists who have chosen to participate. The goal of this process is a “lively cohesiveness” in the group work, which “gives a glimpse into the creative process of the artist who plans a project, and forces new ways of thinking for those who follow the plan.” Each artist’s piece is 15 inches high, at least 24 inches wide, and has vertical straight line on the far left and far right sides; however, each artist could make as many pieces as she chose and have non-vertical lines on any of the other edges within their own pieces.

The finished pieces can be arranged in many different ways to fit the display. Individual pieces may be sold and edited out or new pieces added in, and as there is no limit to the total width or amount of pieces that can be done by an artist, the possibilities are almost endless. As a result, Hardware evolves over time and will look different each time it is exhibited.

New Image Artists include:  BJ Adams, Mary Beth Bellah, Jeanne Benson, Sara Brown, Ardyth Davis, Candice Edgerley, Amanda Ford, Lesly-Claire Greenberg. Catherine Kleeman, Dominie Nash, Sue Pierce, Ginny Smith, Michele Vernon, Sandra Woock.

 Our journey began with a commitment to walk the nature trails that surround Boise, Idaho. We challenged each other to create quilt art using a depicted chosen theme. We were going to write in our journals and create a small square weekly/monthly for a year. Soon after this commitment, a roadblock instantly stopped all progress and enthusiasm. Commitment, challenge, and theme, boxed in the original creative power we were trying to set free. After weeks of frustration and failure, but good exercise walking the nature trails, we abandoned the initial concept.

We realize that our friendship and polar opposite personalities have created the real collaboration. We are Yin and Yang. Now our weekly walks are used to express our own creative vision to expand each other’s vision. We make many trips together with our journals now, not to limit, but to brainstorm, and mind map our visions with each other, always pushing the limit. Like Alice seeing into the looking glass, through each other’s eyes we can see the center we have been searching.

Our success has created an appreciation of the other’s opposite nature. Elaine: yin, controlled, plodding, the realist. Sharon: yang, flighty, erratic, the dreamer. Our work itself shows our progress. Sharon’s body of work, “Personal Shelter,” depicts how her work captures her flighty nature. Her work explores the kimono form; see Matisse Dissected, above left. Elaine’s body of work, “Unleashed,” depicts how she is allowing her earthy nature to reach for the sky. Her work encompasses the art quilt; incorporating fabrics, as well as wire mesh, metal shim, beads, and other ephemera into her work; see Slippa Quilt, above right.