More Highlights and Purchases from Cincinnati International Quilt Festival 2011

Quilt Tapestry Studio

Wendy Richardson, Artist/Owner

Wendy's booth really slowed me down.  I had not seen such interesting dyed fabrics and I wanted to see this piece below close up.  This photo does nothing for the actual piece....I promise you that.

Isn't it absolutely beautiful?  I loved studying it and was so greatful that Wendy said I could take a few photos to share with all of you....THANK YOU Wendy!!

Here is Wendy holding up my purchase.....

 

I don't have a project in mind yet but I know they were so unique that I could not pass them up....nor could I pass up the opportunity to support a fine artist.

 See the texture...you can see it but you can't really feel it....interesting ay?

Now on to the next booth that I could not resist:

Colouricious 

Jamie Malden, Owner

Check out these wood carved stamps....yes...I said they are carved into wood.  Look what she does with them....

Stamps on fabric and the funny part is that she would cover up fabrics that she thought were ugly with some paint and then stamped on them.....makes you want to save all that not so pretty fabric doesn't it?

This was the banner behind Jamie's booth.  Hmmm...wonder what country she is from....NOT! : )  Below are some other samples she was stamping during the show.  The paint dried very fast so she was able to keep stamping over the images.  I was told you can use any fabric paint (fabric ink can be turned into paint by mixing it with 100% Pure Aloe Vera)....you do need to heat set it as well.

I purchased this starter kit and two additional larger stamps (bottom left of photo).  Can you blame me?

 

I didn't get photos of the Fern Hill Booth....but here is my purchase.

I could not resist this panel from Fern Hill .  The panel is Daydreams  by Stephanie Brandenburg.  It came with all 4 flowers and I bought three coordinating pieces too.   I have not seen any fabric this bold and beautiful on this scale before...so I was very excited :)

 

 Artistic Artifacts

Judy Gula

This "oh so tempting booth" was done by Judy Gula and her friend Liz Kettle.    This is a great photo of Lois Grabowski with Liz Kettle....Liz is one of her idols. 

Liz has co-authored two books, Threads, The basics & beyond, and Fabric Embellishing, The basics & Beyond.  I have blogged about Liz before and I have told folks how talented she is and how great excellent both books are.  So you know I cracked up when I saw Lois' blog post about  Threads. She was so excited and went on and on about how good it is.  I must say I did take the pleasure of e-mailing her and saying...."I told ya so!"  I could not help it....besides...we are friends so she could take the ribbing.

 

These were my purchases from Artistic Artifacts....some Aboriginal fabric and some fun silk wisps or what ever you call them for embellishing and textile arts.  

 

I have some splanin' to do about this here little packet.  Remember when I said I'll never do another challenge again?  Well all I have to say is "Never Say Never" as long as you live....cuz I'm doing an Art Quilt Challenge sponsored by Artistic Artifacts and Moonlighting Quilts.  I told Lois if she would do it then I would do it.  We signed the little agreement and took our packets.  "What does Power Suit Mean to you?" is the theme.  

Now all of this would be managable....EXCEPT for one small detail......the next day we go back to Judy's booth and who is standing there accepting a challenge packet?  Take one guess?  It was none other than Pokey Bolton the editor of Quilting Arts Magazine (the only magazine I subscribe to...by the way).  Tell me I'm not feeling sick. I hope their are categories of the challenge....like idiot....that one would be for me :)

I really had a great time with Lois and I got the opportunity to meet so many other quilters and bloggers....more on that soon.

Smiles,

Kelly

Two Reviews & A Giveaway

Why Two Reviews?  Why......

Because I have not finished my Spring Quilt Market Reviews and then I went to Fall Quilt Market in Houston.  What can I say?  I need more time and lots more energy!! 

So without further ado....let me introduce you to Liz Kettle and Ruth Chandler.  They are two of the authors of Fabric Embellishing, The Basics and Beyond.  (Minneapolis Releases)

Liz and Ruth are great fun and I love the vest Ruth wore to Spring Quilt Market.  Check out the back of her vest below.

 

How cool is she?  Not only a great looking vest but a fun advertisement and demonstration for Image Transferring.  I chased her down the hall yelling, "Hey Fabric Embellishing Girl"....no kidding.  Clearly I have no shame.  I could not remember her name ....that happens to me all the time.

Ruth and Liz presented at School House and we had a opportunity to see many of their techniques in their samples.  They have a big sample book of their techniques and the book is very inspiring.  Below you will see a collage of some of their pages.  I didn't think the collage showed enough detail so I also included some of the individual photos below those.

Unfortunately I was not able to take their classes but Ruth and Liz were kind enough to send me home with a kit to try myself.  Kind and generous ladies for sure!!!

Fabric Embellishing, The Basics & Beyond was co-authored by Ruth Chandler, Liz Kettle, Heather Thomas and Lauren Vlcek. This book (as well as the next one) are hardcover but made with the spiral bindings inside which really makes it easy to read along while you are working.  There lots of photos that help teach the techniques that are described....which include this long list of great techniques:

• Textiva
• Cocoons & Rods
• Burning
• Paper Collage
• Weaving
• Embroidery
• Devore
• Stamping
• Angelina
• Discharge Dyeing
• Couching
• Tyvek
• Crazy Quilting
• Metal
• Image Transfer
• Beading
• Needle Felting
• Rusting
• Lutradur
• Foiling

Isn't this just an incredible list?  I'm sooooo glad they did not call me and ask for help with writing this book.....it would still be in pencil form and no where near the printers.  These girls are clear in their instructions and really share tons of information....an excellent reference book and a great gift too!!

Fast forward now to Houston and Fall Quilt Market

Guess who has a new book out...already?

Liz Kettle has co-authored another book that was presented in Houston, Threads, The Basics & Beyond.

 

Liz and Ruth holding their books :)

Debbie Bates  (no photograph) and Liz Kettle have written Threads The Basics & Beyond - The Complete Visual Guide to Thread Techniques & Creativity. 

In this photo Liz is sharing some the techniques in book Threads.  Below is a photograph of one of the projects that was shown.

Debbie and Liz cover so many ways to use thread in your creating.    I never looked at thread in so may ways before.  This book offers an in-depth coverage of  thread as paint, quilting, texture, ornament, structure and embellishment.  The photos are a great part of the book for me.  Without the excellent photos, I probably would not really have a full appreciation for all the techniques. 

If you want some in-depth information to further your creativity I highly recommend both of these books!

Would you love win a copy of  Threads  The Basics & Beyond?  Here is your chance.  Just leave a comment on this post telling me what interests you most about the book.  The winner will be announced on Wed. December 15th. 

Smiles,
Kelly

PS....I most likely will not be replying to all the comments as I have made a commitment to myself to get some sewing done too :)