The show was awesome as always. Even though I taught Monday through Saturday I did find some time to look at the quilts in the show and to make it through the aisles and aisles of vendors. You can find out more about the International Quilt Association by going to www.quilts.org
The Handi Quilter Best of Show award went to “Harmony Within” made by Sue McCarty of Roy, Utah. Sue is not new to a Best of Show award. She won in Paduach just a couple of years ago. Her work is fabulous.
Here is a close-up shot of the incredible machine quilting.
I apologize for this bad photo but I wanted you to see all of the gold thread on the solid black fabric. Stunning, even if the photo is blurry.
The Founders Award went to “Flourish on the Vine”. It was made by Kathy Wylie from Whitby, ONT, Canada. I was lucky enough to walk by the quilt while Kathy was standing beside it. And the best comment I heard while walking the show floor was from Kathy. She thanked me for helping her with her inner points as part of a workshop she took from me. Now, that made me feel good.
Kathy said she hand stitched all those little scallops along the outer edge. Fantastic job.
The Robert S. Cohen Master Award for Traditional Artistry went to “Bouquet” by Keiko Morihiro from Japan.
This quilt was exquisite. Here is a close-up shot. The attention to detail was phenomenal.
The Maywood Studio Master Award for Innovative Artistry went to “Crimson Promises”. It was made by Sharon Schamber from Arizona. You can find more about Sharon at www.sharonschamber.com
As always, Sharon’s work is outstanding.
I think the black outline around the applique is something new for Sharon. I don’t remember seeing it on any of her previous quilts.
The Fairfield Master Award for Contemporary Artistry went to “Windblown”. It was made by Marie Elkins from Ohio. Great fabric choices for the hair and the quilting was fabulous.
The Superior Threads Master Award for Thread Artistry went to “Great Blue Herons”. It was made by Joanne Baeth from Oregon. And the thread work on this quilt made it very deserving of this award.
The Pfaff Master Award for Machine Artistry went to “Radiance” by Susan Stewart from Kansas. You can find out more about Susan at www.susanstewartdesigns.com
Here is a close-up shot of her amazing machine embroidery skills.
And here is another close-up.
These are most of the top prize winners. I’ll have a lot more quilts to share in the coming weeks.
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I just finished listening to the new Nicholas Sparks book “The Best of Me”. If you read my blogs you know I am a Nicholas Sparks fan. I have to say the story line for this book was predictable but that does not mean I did not enjoy listening too this book. Amanda and Dawson were high school sweet hearts but things took a turn and the two go in different directions in their lives. Dawson never married but Amanda did. When Amanda and Dawson reunite in their home town to bury an old friend the friend made sure they spent time together. I won’t tell you a lot more because I think you would enjoy reading this book and finding out the ending for yourself.
I’m reading another good book right now and cannot wait to blog about it when I finish reading the book. I should finish it in the next day or two.
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Thanks so much to all of you who wrote and sent your prayers and hugs after reading my last blog on the passing of my father. It meant a lot to me that so many of you took the time to send words of comfort.
Today my sister, dad’s wife Linda and I spread some of dad’s ashes at meaningful places to him. Linda gave my sister and I some things of our dads and we had a good day remembering my dad.