Karen Kay Buckley

I think this is the last of the Japanese quilts I photographed.  This one is called “Bless My Sweet Home” and was made by Tomoko Endo.  This quilt won first place in the “Handmade” category.

The attention to detail on the Japanese quilts is always impressive.  Look at all the hand embroidery along the edges of the scallops.

Lisa Calle from Pottstown, Pennsylvania made “Swan’s Song”.  Lisa won first place in the “Merit Quilting, Machine” category.  You can find out more about Lisa at http://lisacalle.wordpress.com

Lisa’s quilting is impressive.  It is no wonder she won first place.

“Escape” was made by Betty Hahn from Sun City, Arizona.  Betty won a Judge’s Choice ribbon.  To find out more about Betty visit http://bettyhahnfiberart.blogspot.com

“Chip on and Old Log” was made by Barbara McKie from Connecticut.  I am a big fan of Barbara’s quilts.  They always make me smile.  To find out more about Barbara visit her site at http://mckieart.com

“Sunlight in the Forest” was made by Pat Durbin from California.  Pat won second place in the “Art-Naturescapes” category.  Visit Pat’s website to find out more about her quilts http://www.patdurbin.com

Terri Stegmiller made “A Bright Sun-Shiny Day”.  Terri is from North Dakota and she won an honorable mention in the “Art-Painted Surface” category.

And the final quilt for this blog was made by Helen Godden from Australia.  The name of her quilt is “Mark’s Magnificent Marlin, Murphy”.  For more information on Helen visit her site http://www.helengodden.com

____________________________________________________________________________________

BOOK REVIEW

I have enjoyed watching the TV show Castle for the past several years.  Sometimes the difference between a movie/TV show and book are big.  But, this book followed the idea of the TV show and I liked it.  I believe this is the 4th in the series with the characters Nikki Heat and Jameson Rook.  The book starts with Nikki finding a dead body stuffed inside a suitcase in Manhattan.  Nikki finds something on the body that connects to her mothers murder which occurred ten years before.  During the investigation Nikki and Rook find out a lot about Nikki’s mother and her murder.  As with the TV show, Castle/Rook has some good one-liners that will make you smile.

Have a very Happy New Year!

The first three quilts were part of a special exhibit. Unfortunately I did not remember to take a photo of the sign that listed the name of the exhibits.  Sorry.

This first one was made by Melinda Bula from California.  I just love Melinda’s quilts and this is no exception.  The name of the quilt is “Camellia”.  You can find out more about Melinda at http://www.melindabula.com

“Visit to a Coneflower” was made by Susan Jackan from Wisconsin.

“Tiger” was made by Jeannie Moore from California.  You can find out more about Jeannie at http://jeanniemooresblog.blogspot.com

It looks like Jeannie has a DVD on her techniques!  Check it out on her website.

This next quilt was made by one of my student’s, Lisa Patterson. This is from my Fiesta Mexico class and pattern.  It is block three with a souped-up border design.  Looks fabulous.

“Forever In My Heart” was made by Lahala Phelps from Washington.  I read a little about this quilt and I understand she made it in memory of her mother who passed away from heart disease.  Lahala won one of the top prizes….Master Award for Traditional Artistry.

“A Place to Long For” was made by Aiko Yokoyama from Japan.  She won second place in the “Handmade” category.

Ayako Kawakami from Japan made “Four Seasons for Kirara”.  She won third place in the “Handmade” category.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

I got this great email from Joan Dupuis-Neal.  She took some classes from me when I taught in Canada.  She finished the project from the “Around the Garden” pattern.  I LOVE IT.  Great color choices and the workmanship looks amazing.  Thanks so much for allowing me to share your photos Joan.  You should be very pleased with your results.

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL AND TO ALL A GOOD NIGHT………

As I mentioned in the previous blog I really liked the exhibit of Japanese quilts at the International Quilt Association Show in Houston.  Here are some more of my favorites.  I am always intrigued with their fabric choices…quiet but good contrast. Love the use of the plaids and I really like the open designs.  Just a reminder….the black area is the curtain hanging behind the quilts.

This quilt was made by Kazuko Nakasha.  The quilt is called “Walking Road”.

The next two quilts were made by Reiki Kato.  The name of this quilt is “En”.

This quilt is called “Hand In Hand”.

“Flower Basket” was made by Yashiko Sekine.

“Angella” was made by Tashiko Matsuo.

_______________________________________________________________________________

Two of my best quilting buddies are holding a retreat in Michigan.  My friends, Sue Nickels and Pat Holly (sister’s, for those of you who don’t know them), are holding their first ever retreat in Elk Rapids Michigan.  It is called “Come Quilt With Me”.  The theme this year is “Quilting the Quilt”.  For more information go to Sue’s website www.Sue-Nickels.com 

Sue and Pat together and individually have won many of the most prestigious quilting awards: including Best of Show at the AQS Show in Paducah.  They are best known for their phenomenal machine quilting and exquisite machine applique.  I know you would enjoy their retreat and I base this on their personalities, their teaching ability and on my first hand knowledge.

Check it out.

________________________________________________________________________________

BOOK REVIEW

On my recent flight back from Chicago I finished reading “The Husband’s Secret” by Liane Moriarty.

This book definitely kept my interest.   I really did not know where it was going but the author tied everything together in the end.  It follows the lives of a couple of families.  The book is based in Australia.  Cecelia is in the attic trying to find something in some old paperwork and finds a envelope from her husband.  On the outside of the envelope there is a note that it should not be opened until her husband’s death.  Cecelia’s husband travels a lot with his job.  While he is out of town on a business trip Cecelia talks to him on the phone and tells him she has found the letter, making light of it. Her husband asks her to please not read the letter.  It was written a long time ago.  She told him she left it where it was but actually she had it in the study.  She abides by his wishes of not opening the letter until he returns home.  She hears her husband late at night rummaging in the attic for the letter.  She decides to read it while he is in the attic.  Oh, how your live can change in a matter of minutes.

If you’ve been reading the blog you know I’ve been sharing quilts from the International Quilt Festival held in Houston in November.  There were so many quilts that it is impossible to show all of them to you…..but, I’m going to keep sharing until I run out of photos!!!

I have several photographs from a special exhibit of Japanese made quilts.  It was another incredible exhibit.  Here are some of my favorites.

“Blue Tone” was made by Aki Sakai from Tokyo, Japan.  The black area that you see on the quilt is just the black curtain showing through the openings in the quilt.  Very cool.

The next three photos are close-ups from the same quilt.

“Irish Crochet Lace” was made by Chieko Shiraishi.

Checkout this close-up shot.  The attention to detail on all of the Japanese quilts was very impressive.

“Flower Basket” was made by Reiko Kato.

And the last quilt for this blog is ‘Sunbonnet Sue” made by Masae Hara.

I think I might have a couple more quilts from this exhibit to share with you in the next blog.  See you next week…..