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The quilting world is filled with a variety of styles and genres much like the art world in general. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder and that is why I enjoy quilt shows where the different styles are displayed. I tend to travel between the primitive and happy quilts, lol. If it is hand work, I most likely have a project started...from Appliqué to Sashiko! ...Well, I could say A - Z...Appliqué to Zantangles! But occasionally I come across a show that stops me in my tracks and invites me into a quilting world outside my realm.

October's group Gallery Exhibit was presented by the Central Oregon Studio Art Quilt Associates. A local chapter of SAQA, an international non-profit organization which supports art quilters. This genre is amazing and I am in awe of the talent and ability of these quilters to create art pieces from their vision.

 


Enjoy the slide show and dream...

Click here to visit Anna's blog.

Click here for Anna's YouTube Channel.

Click to play this Smilebox slideshow


 

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At the Quilters Take Manhattan event this year a number of quilts from the "Playing Favorites" contest created by the Quilt Alliance were on display. Because the challenge allowed you to do whatever you wanted to do, you'll see all types of quilts encompassing every style and technique imaginable.  There are painted quilts, embroidered quilts, scrap quilts, appliqué quilts, and more.

Here is their description of the contest:

"Our 2016 contest was for all quilters—we encouraged everyone who makes quilts to enter regardless of their style (traditional, modern, art) or technique (longarm, hand quilting, appliqué, pieced…)—all are welcomed and valued! This year’s theme is “Playing Favorites” and we encouraged entrants to work deep inside their comfort zone, their happy place, and we presented our resources to give you extra inspiration.

The rules were simple: make a 16” by 16” wall quilt showcasing your very favorite pattern or technique. Whether it’s double wedding ring or hexies, crazy quilting, textile art or modern, make your quilt about whatever you love most in quilting right now. We’re interested in documenting the state of quilting in 2016—including your favorites!

The contest quilts will tour the country to various quilt shows like Original Sewing & Quilt Expo, corporate exhibition spaces like the one at Handi Quilter, Inc., and events like Quilters Take Manhattan, before being auctioned off to benefit the Quilt Alliance. An exhibition schedule will be shared here soon. All quilts will be labeled using StoryPatches, which include a QR code to link the quilt to its Quilt Index record."

This is just a small selection of the quilts that will be available for auction on the Quilt Alliance website beginning November 14, 2016.

Click here to view a gallery of all the quilts.

Click to play this Smilebox slideshow

 

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Here are some of the entries in this year's wearable art exhibit at the Pacific International Quilt Festival. The Best of Show winner is a familiar name in wearable art. Did you guess who it was?

Click here for a full list of Wearable Art Winners.

Click to play this Smilebox slideshow

 

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Name: Painted Appliqué
Designer: Ann Myhre
Show 1908: Postcards and Photorealism
Begins: October 18, 2016
Price: Free to Star Members
Description: Are you a bit apprehensive about painting on fabric? Ann Myhre has created a delightful painted appliqué tutorial for Star Members to practice the techniques used in Carol Morrissey's show.

You must be logged in as a Star member to download the patterns.  If you are not logged in, you will have to login and then return to the TQS Show Techniques page.

Star Members click here to get the pattern.

Become a Star member.

 

Ann also has an introductory video on painting with Tsukineko Inks.

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Paint is an inexpensive way to completely change the feel and look of a space. But before you run to the paint store, here are a few tips to make your work perfect from start to finish. Considered one of the least expensive of remodeling projects, painting a space can also:

  • Give a fresh and new feel to a space
  • Bring value to your home
  • Hide marks and scrapes on walls
  • Be less expensive than remodeling
  • Promote positive energy
  • Require less prep time than wallpaper

Here is an example of how paint, plus a few other changes, can transform a small space (in this case a bathroom) into a much brighter and large looking space. 


ApartmentTherapy

Selecting the color for your space depends on the mood you want to create. If you absolutely love beige, embrace it. This is YOUR space after all, and you need to be happy in that space. Colors can set a tone, so if your desire is to be in a warm and calm space, you might want to select white and neutral tones for the walls and decor. If you love the energy vibrant colors bring, by all means, add those colors to your work area. But, keep in mind that the color you see on that small paint chip will look much different on a large expanse of wall.

Before painting an entire room, try these suggestions from HomeLogic:

1. Paint squares of primed drywall with samples of the colors you’re considering, and then move them around the room during the day. Apply at least two coats.

2. Most contractors won’t hang lights before you paint, but you can get a color approximation by placing a bulb you’ll be using in a floor or desk lamp. If you’re hyper-sensitive to color or want a very specific look, ask your electrician to hang the lights, then cover them carefully during painting.

3. Turn on artificial lights even during daylight to see what your colors will look like. Remember that natural and artificial light will work together during certain times of day, especially in summer when dusk lasts a long time.

4. Paint sheen also affects color. Glossy finishes will reflect light and change the way the color looks, whereas flat finishes are less reflective and allow colors to look truer under bright light.

5. Light-colored walls can reflect the colors of bold carpets: A bright blue rug, for instance, can cast a bluish tone on a white wall.

Don't believe that the light of day and which color paint you select makes a difference? Check out the color adventure Dana went through when painting her studio/office space. Not one, but two color choices didn't work until #3 was the perfect fit.


Color 1-Celery green                                                                      Color 2-Yellow


Color 3- White with gray stripes. MadeEveryDay

Are paneled walls keeping you from enjoying your space? Check out what a difference a splash of white Sherwin Williams ProClassic paint can make. In this case, an off-campus college house shared by three young women is completely transformed. Learn more about the process of painting paneling here.  


Honeycombhome


Go for calm with Behr's "Gentle Rain" gray walls. ScrambledEggs


Here's another creative solution for a boring white/gray office/sewing space. TheHappyChateau


Duron's Sugar Cookie took a boy's bedroom from drab to fab new quilt studio. BetweenNapsOnThePorch


How about yellow and white gingham walls? SewWeQuilt


Or are you a seafoam kinda gal? ALittleSweetness


Green is sometimes not the best color if your room is on the north side of the house. After a room move, Melly painted her space white to have the light in studio bounce. MellySews


Love the color pumpkin? It might vibrate too much for an entire room that is only 10' x 10'.


A move upstairs into a family room, and different selection from the vegetable family, became a sanctuary for this crafter. InfarrantlyCreative


Instead of an entire room, paint just one wall red for a big vibrant punch. ASortOfFairyTale


Need some color in your life?  How about fuchsia? Pinterest

Click here for more organization blogs.

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RARE Science works directly with patient families and foundations to find more immediate therapeutic solutions for children with rare diseases. 

This year RARE Science is partnering with TQS (and a number of other great organizations) to bring you... the FIRST Ever Celebrity RARE Bear Auction!  This is your opportunity to own a signed bear made by the quilt world's most talented artists while helping a great cause.

Meet "Artsy" by Melody Crust

Artsy is definitely not shy when it comes to entering a room. She is bright, bold and loves wearing all of her pink bling. When it comes to embellishment, Artsy’s motto, ‘More is More,’ is worn with absolute confidence and pride. Richly encrusted with hand-embroidery, hand-beading, ruched ribbons, dyed to match vintage crochet medallions, buttons, sequins, and so much more, she is truly a sight to behold. This divinely encrusted girl will definitely make a statement in your home.

Star Members can watch Melody in Show 1706: Textural Backgrounds, Appliqué on Silk & Straight-Line Quilting.

 

 

 

 

 

Click here for links to see more Celebrity RARE Bears.

Melody Crust, a popular quilting instructor, brings her natural teaching ability and contagious enthusiasm to quilters from coast to coast. An award winning quilter and nationally celebrated fabric artist, her work has been featured in dozens of books and magazines. In addition to her busy teaching schedule, Melody is in constant demand as a curator and judge for national and regional quilt exhibitions. She has authored Stitching Through the Layers: The Art & Elegance of Straight Line Stitching, Eye Candy Quilts: Super-fast fun with beads, baubles, buttons and more, Quilt Toppings: Fun and Fancy Embellishment Techniques and A Fine Line: Techniques and Inspirations for Creating the Quilting Design. See samples of Melody’s work, check out her workshops, order autographed copies of her books or contact her directly at www.melodycrust.com.

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RARE Science works directly with patient families and foundations to find more immediate therapeutic solutions for children with rare diseases. This year RARE Science is partnering with TQS (and a number of other great organizations) to bring you... the FIRST Ever Celebrity RARE Bear Auction! This is your opportunity to own a signed bear made by the quilt world's most talented artists while helping a great cause.

 

The results of Round 1 are in and the winners are:

3rd place - "Wooly Bear" by Allie Aller

 2nd place - "Gertie the Green Bear" by Sue Nickels

1st place - "Yosemite Bear" by Nancy Brown

Congratulations ladies, Round 2 will be coming shortly.

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Voting for Round 1 is now closed.

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We just received a note from Dale and Cathy at The City Quilter:
 
After almost 20 years and more than 20,000 students passing through our classrooms, we’re sad to announce that The City Quilter is CLOSING our physical store BY THE END OF OCTOBER.
 
We have enjoyed getting to know many wonderful people and have had an exhilarating time building up our business from scratch. But Dale and I feel it is time for a change. Our focus will be selling our exclusive New York fabric on-line, and, indeed, we intend to expand our offerings. Our original prints will be available via cityquilter.com; send your email address for updates (info@cityquilter.com)
 
A huge thank-you to all our loyal customers and friends who have supported our presence in Chelsea at The City Quilter for the last 20 years. 
 
Please be encouraged to visit the shop one last time to take advantage of great sales pricing.  Fabrics—with the exception of our own, original prints—are offered at 25% off and are also available via our online store.  Please be sure to take a look.

Thank you all very much.
 

The City Quilter and ArtQuilt Gallery NYC were featured in "New York Originals" a while back, take a moment to learn their story. We will miss them.

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Want to know how to miter a corner? Barbara Black walks you through the process step by step. And yes, they will come out as perfect as in this picture.

Want to know more about Barbara, a retired Alabama accountant and former Marine? Her quilt, "Red and White - By the Numbers," was selected as the commemorative quilt for Ruby Jubilee, the 40th celebration of the International Quilt Festival. Click here to learn more.

 

 

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These little Sugar Skull Mug Rugs, by Erika Mulvenna at WeAllSew, are the perfect project to help practice your free-motion quilting skills. Perfect lines are not required! Make a set to celebrate Halloween, Dia de los Muertos, or any day you are feeling a little spooky.