Inspirational Sunday (6) - via Road to California 2015

Today, and probably next Sunday, I thought I would share a few of the quilts from the Art Pictoral category at Road to California.  I think you will agree they are stunning.

First up is the winner of the category, a quilt called "Beneath My Wing" by David M. Taylor of Steamboat Springs, CO.

David says, "From the moment I saw Inge's stark, dramatic photo of a mother swan protecting her cygnet beneath her wing, I knew I had to recreate the moment with Applique and quilting, and lots of "white" fabrics."

The details on the feathers are just amazing!


Second place went to this lovely quilt, called "The Landing" by Joanne Baeth of Bonanza, OR.

She says, "The challenge was to create Canadian geese in different positions of flight as they came in for a landing.  Over 1500 pieces were cut out, shaded, fused, and stitched-one feather at a time."

I think she did a marvelous job of capturing the geese in flight, even down to the awkward way they stick out their feet to slow themselves down.


Third place went to this stunning quilt, called "Fancy Shawl Dancer" by Linda C. Anderson of La Mesa, CA

She says, "Having seen local Indians dance with this eye-stopping dress and mesmerizing movement reflecting a butterfly, I knew I had to capture that feeling and motion.  The dark sky makes me think of dream catchers in the southwest, as well as starry, starry night by Van Gogh.  I used 100% cotton and hand painted all the fabric used.  I machine stitched the raw edged applique."

Here is a close up.

I do like those circular motifs in the background, and I think she did an excellent job on the shadow (silly, I know).

Next week, I will share a few quilts that will make you do a double-take wondering if they are actually photographs!


Thanks for reading today,



Jen

Saved from the Mini Quilt Black Market - a finish Friday

Is there a Mini Quilt Black Market?  I've come to the conclusion that there MUST be.

When I first started doing swaps through the interwebs, I heard about people who flaked and disappointed partners who didn't receive anything in exchange for the hard work they put into their item.  Now, I must tell you that I am not normally even close to an optomist, but I truly felt that these indiscretions where the result of something tragic happening in life of the offender.  I certainly think occasionally that is the case, but sadly, and more frequently, it is the result of people who just don't care.

I've read enough post by people who really rant about this subject, but I don't want to go there today.  I just want to report that is mini.........

Spring Fling mini using Butterfly paper piecing pattern by Tartan Kiwi

the one I made for my partner in the Spring Fling swap has been

SAVED!!!! 

FROM THE MINI QUILT BLACK MARKET

My partner didn't even bother keeping her Instagram account open long enough to make it to the first check in, and our swap leader stepped up!  After several attempts to contact the offender, I've been reassigned a new partner.

This isn't the first time that this type of intervention has happened.  Swap leaders are more aware of offenders than ever before.  Not that long ago, the only recourse was to have an angel step in and make a quilt for those who didn't receive a swap item.  Now there is a network of swap leaders that communicate with each other, and even a BLACKLIST!  Plus, with more requirements for mid-swap check-ins, and mandatory progress pictures, it is harder to be an offender and get away with it.  During the Rainbow Mini Swap that just finished, several participants were told to hold onto their minis until their partners showed some kind of proof that they made something.  I really appreciate these new safeguards.  It is not that the loss of a mini that I pour my heart and soul into, is that big of a deal.  It is more that I know that the loss will be felt more by whoever the offender's partner is, and that makes me sad.

If you have never participated in a swap online and are now swearing it off, please don't!  That "optimist" in me truly believes that things are going in the right direction.  All the check-ins and progress pics are not tedious, they are fun.  And while being told to hold onto my mini did remind me of the potential for things to go wrong, of the hundreds of people who participated in this swap, only a handful have been questioned as "offenders".

I am happy to be working on a new mini for my new partner.  She deserves something made especially for her.  I can't wait to share it.  It is definitely a little different from things I've made in the past!

Thanks for reading today,


Jen




Linking up with:

Huts on the Beach - Building Blocks Tuesday

Last week, I made these tiny 4 inch houses for the Teeny Tiny Block Swap.  They kind of remind me of huts on the beach.

Please make sure you stop back on Friday.  I have a pretty mini to share with you, and a bit of useful information too!


What blocks have you working on this week?  I would love to see.  Link up your fabulous blocks.  You put a lot of hard work into them - show them off!  This free linky will stay open until the first Monday of next month, but I will repost it every Tuesday until a new month starts.

Rules:

1) Please link up only to the page in your blog showing your wonderful blocks, not just the blog homepage.  Flickr pictures are also OK.
2) Make sure to put your blog name as the description so people know where they are going or the name of your block!
3) Please grab my button and post it in your blog post or sidebar.
4) Visit other linky participants!

Thanks for reading,

Jen

An InLinkz Link-up