Festival of Quilts round-up

After a visual feast last week at the NEC, here is a round up of my favourite works

This is my favourite of the whole show and something that I would like to aspire to soon.

A Year in Flowers, Edna Marie Nylen, Norway. Hexagon paper pieces sewn & quilted by hand

This is the back and the labels

LEFT: Changing Seasons, Judith Day, Australia. Hand appliqued and quilted

RIGHT: Audaciously Embedded (In spite of my better judgement), Alison Davies, Nottingham. Machine pieced, hand quilted, recycled fabrics, including boxer shorts!

 

LEFT: Blue Mood, Patricia Boult, Filongley. Hand pieced over papers, hand quilted

RIGHT: Chris & Genna's Wedding Quilt, Pam Stanier, Malvern Wells. Machine pieced and lightly quilted

LEFT: Just William, Teresa Hills, Bexhill on Sea. English paper pieced, hand pieced and tied, William Morris fabrics

RIGHT: Grandmother's Flower Garden, Mary Reader, Wisbech. Handmade

 

Prancing Horse, Dilys Fronks, Mold. Bonded fabrics

Front & Back

 

TOP: Untitled, John Marcham, Reading. Log cabin sampler, machine pieced & quilted

BOTTOM: close up of Postage Stamp Quilt, Janice Monteith & Karen Florey. Hand cut & pieced, long arm quilted

 

TOP: Blackberry Jam, Jelly &Juice, Sheena Hughes, Bicester. 2nd place Art Quilt

BOTTOM: Portholes, Lucie Summers & Jenny Spencer. Group Quilt Winner

 

Labelled for Life, Jackie Smith, Hertford. Clothing & textile labels pieced, inserted & appliqued

 

LEFT: Costa Rican Carnival, Emese Hall, Exeter

RIGHT: Day after Day, Irene Sharman, Hebden Bridge. Journal templates

 

LEFT: As Time and Fashion Go By, Denise Feireisen-Schmit, Luxembourg. Clothing labels

RIGHT: Happy Anniversary, Marc Whitehead, Southampton. Patchwork hand pieced

 

Stacked, Arnout Cosman, Netherlands. Templates created using software

Painted Lady, Eileen Postlethwaite, Kirkby in Furness. Minature Quilt: Hand printed blocks, machine pieced, hand quilted

 

The quality of the ideas and techniques are truly remarkable and are only really visible when viewed up close, I would definitely recommend this show, even if you're not sure you're 'into quilting', if you like textiles or colour you will find it really interesting and a good day out.

Art in Action 2009

Had my first visit (finally) to Art in Action at Waterperry House on Saturday and really enjoyed seeing so much creativity. Lot's of different mediums/disciplines, all very talented people, I enjoyed seeing the wide variety on display. We were lucky with the weather, but glad I'd worn wellies! Will be making a mental note that mud, straw and buggy wheels do not go together though, unless you have an expensive off-road version!

Took lots of photos, ignored the 'please do not take photos' signs as I thought that was a little unfair, I've posted them onto Flickr for perusing, you should be able to click on the above image to see...

My favourite stand of the day was in the market section from Louise Gardiner who does embroidery/illustration, I was blown away haven't seen her work before and it resonated with them completely, would love to be able to do stuff like that, sadly all I could afford was a badge but never mind!!

Had lovely gardens too which were perfect for the kids to run around in and for picnicking - had some v. fab chocolate pancakes!!

I found the textiles tent a bit sparse, bit too arty - definite definition between textiles craft and textiles art me thinks! - lots of batik and not much going on unlike the others which was a bit disappointing. I think I like the market place and the 'Best of the Best' tent the most.

So, recommended, hope to go next year and would like to sign up to some classes next time!