Michele Bilyeu Creates With Heart and Hands

Aug 31, 2012

So Many Quilts to Want to Make!

Here are some gorgeous quilts photos that I did not want to forget to share! These were all in the Sisters Quilt Show and somehow I didn't get them into the various categories, and almost forgot to showcase them.

Log cabins and medallions from Gwen Marston in the Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show: Teacher's Tent

Or this beauty from the talented Rosalie Dace:

Quilts that were liberated and modern use color so simply, yet beautifully like those of
Jean Wells and others:

Even the simplest from this one, below by one of the quilt show teachers:

Or these from the abstract and modern groups which share quilting's rich diversity:

Inspire me from line, to individualistic pattern, to the incredible use of color......

Even the old fashioned string quilts are so amazing now! From the early days of our grandmother's, to the 90's quilts of Gwen's Liberated Strings to the gorgeous ones so many of us are loving, today. Just look at this one!

And if that doesn't make you want to try a string quilt, how about some gorgeousapplique or piecing? From this amazing landscape quilt....

...to a modern and diverse I've not yet seen quite like....

...to the always fabulous birdhouses of several of the teachers quilts:

...to some intricate and fabulous applique'...and the one below is from a gal near me in Oregon.....

And then there was this one! Oh, my...I could hardly breathe at the creativity !

And if you missed my BIG posts on the show, here are all those links. Take a deep breath and prepare yourselves if you haven't seen them yet ;)

In reverse order from my posting...last shown to first:

Michele Bilyeu blogs With Heart and Hands as she shares a quilting journey through her life in Salem, Oregon and Douglas, Alaska and all of her AAQI Quilting. Sharing thousands of links to Free Quilt and Quilt Block Patterns and encouraging others to join in the Liberated Quilting Challenge and make or donate small art quilts to the Alzheimer's Art Quilt Initiative (AAQI) Help us change the world, one little quilt at a time!

Aug 25, 2012

Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show: Two Rivers

Two Rivers Three Sisters is an amazing 40' quilt installation that has been called "A Masterpiece of Contemporary American Fiber Art."

Originally called the "Quilt for Two Rivers" after the National Forest Foundation’s Tale of Two Rivers conservation campaign.

The Two Rivers Three Sisters Quilt is a unique collaboration between the Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show, the National True to its art form, the quilt tells a story. And each of its parts contributes to the whole as 19 artists share the love of two rivers... Whychus Creek and the magical Metolius River of Central Oregon in the Three Sisters wilderness area which surrounds the town of Sisters.

Combining the many waterways, whether creek, river, or flowing waterfalls and the lush and ever changing scenery of different seasons along with the changing weather and varying elevations.

Each of the individual quilts blend into 17 panels showcased during the Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show by the 19 quilters and these create blend a unified piece that can only be described as rich, diverse, and both individually and combined magnificence.

And what’s truly magical about the 40-foot quilt is the way it is going to live on. It began as individual quilts that became a traveling exhibit, showcased all over the Pacific Northwest and beyond, following its display during the month of July at the 2012 Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show where it was available, in its entirety for viewing in the lobby of the Black Butte Ranch Lodge.

Two Rivers Three Sisters was the product of a unique collaboration between the Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show, the National Forest Foundation and the U.S. Forest Service as well as the support of its Presenting Sponsor, the US Bank Funders:National Forest Foundation, the U.S. Forest Service, the Deschutes County Cultural Coalition, the Deschutes County Economic Development Fund and with a Discretionary Grant from the Oregon Arts Commission, with support from the National Endowment for the Arts, the Roundhouse Foundation, the Deschutes Land Trust, and the Deschutes River Conservancy.

Now, imagine it in real life and 40' long! What a wonderful collaboration between so many quilters, and so many wonderful funding and support partners! The support and funding, alone is amazing...gives a lot of food for thought of how to accomplish art and have it both created and funded!

Michele Bilyeu blogs With Heart and Hands as she shares a quilting journey through her life in Salem, Oregon and Douglas, Alaska and all of her AAQI Quilting. Sharing thousands of links to Free Quilt and Quilt Block Patterns and encouraging others to join in the Liberated Quilting Challenge and make or donate small art quilts to the Alzheimer's Art Quilt Initiative (AAQI)
Help us change the world, one little quilt at a time!

Aug 20, 2012

Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show: Small Wonders Abound

From the unbelievable wonders of the small art quilts from the classes of Gwen Marston, shown above ...

BEST USE OF COLOR: "Tango Gardening" 2012, by Jean Wells Keenan

Best Interpretation of Show Theme:
"Little Village" 2012 by Bev King

Best Interpretation of Show Theme:
"Little Village" 2012 by Bev King

Best Use of Michael Miller Challenge Fabric:
Quilt on the left: "The Red Door" 2012 by Kristin Shields

Best Contemporary/Art Quilt & Judges Choice
"Moonlit Trees" 2012, by Betty Gientke

Viewer's Choice: "House of Wonky" Bill Volenking

....to the actual 'Small Wonders' quilt competition of the Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show,
small quilts often 'stole the show'!

And how they not? They are so much fun, and so creative and well...just look at some of them!

So many different styles, colors, techniques....

And because it's an OUTDOOR quilt show...lots and lots of natural elements! And yes, the sunshine and the shadows do challenge photo taking opportunities.....