International Quilt Festival 2010

The International Quilt Festival in Houston was as spectacular as ever! Darling daughter and I took in the glorious color, impeccable workmanship and exciting innovations introduced at this year's Market and Festival. Kaffe Fassett's magnificent fabrics are always a highlight. Here, in a booth by Material Girls were some finished quilts, along with his fabrics, patterns
(with Liza Prior Lucy!) and kits.


We picked up this one for my mom, who didn't make it to Festival with us this year. It is featured in Quilt Sampler as a Top 10



Pro Dye and Chemical: great resource for fabric dyes, inks, and how-to books!

Nifty Thrifty had a terrific booth with distinctive, colorful collections of fabulous vintage finds!

Great colored wool felt from Ewe-nique creations!




The shopping here is the best in the biz!

Ahh, now for a few quilts! Unfortunately, many exhibits and breathtaking quilts were off-limits for photography but we walked and admired, in awe, hoping to remember those amazing works of art. Though we appreciated and photographed many award winners, we tended to spend much of our time in the art quilt areas. This gorgeous flower was named
"Peacockiness" by Marilyn H. Wall, quilted by Diana Pickens.

This beauty was entitled "April Showers Bring May Flowers" by Therese Kirchner. It was part of the "Celebrate Spring 2010" exhibit.

I loved this piece: "Angling" by Inge Mardal and Steen Hougs of Chantilly, France

DD and I both loved the saturated color of this Native American themed:
"Moonlit Mirage" by Denise Havlan

"Tortilla Soup"
by Kim Klocke was whimsical and very textural with beading, couching and applique.

DD liked this one..
"Wild Stripes" by Melanie Marr

Founder's Award $7500 Winner: "Mary Simon Rediscovered" by Nancy Kerns

We LOVED "Hanging By a Thread"
by Nadine Sanders and the Hanging By a Thread Quilt Group of Chehalis, WA

"Caddy and the Cakes" by Janet Fogg was deliciously detailed!

"Innocence" by Hollis Chatelaine
This spectacular quilt was the winner of the People's Choice Award.

Festival..Inspirational!
sewing IS art!
-EE

Garden Deva, The Pearl & Leon Russell Road

This past week was the 11th Annual Garden Deva Open Studio Party!

Beautiful Elaine Sutton jewelry from Taos, NM. Elaine has been beading since she was 12!

Colorful hand-painted scarves from Terri Higgs

Amazing artwork from Cynthia Brown (paintings)

Plus awesome pottery from Joe Staskal (whose incredible giant multi-hued sun-yellow bowl sold before I could grab it!!). Vicki Deane from New Mexico, brought her gorgeous botanical gold and silver jewelry. Maggie Connolly and Heidi Big-Knife had terrific new jewelry items: including recycled pieces and hand cast work. I had my fiber art and pillows-of course!!



The party took place inside and out, in the historic Pearl District of Tulsa, where Artist and Metal-Sculptor Extraordinaire Lisa Regan's Garden Deva Studio is well established. Behind the outdoor stage/lawn is the (also) historic Church Studio where Tulsa icon Leon Russell and many of his famous musician friends brought the Tulsa Sound to life! On the evening of the Deva show, the street dedication took place: naming this section of 3rd street:
"Leon Russell Road".

Several musicians and Leon's daughter were on hand for the fireworks and celebration.

Early morning street shot with Church Studio in background

Nothing like art, music, history and a community to bring a Native Son, a neighborhood, and a Friend of the City together!

Thank You Leon!!
Thank You Lisa!!
-EE

Flaming Festival

Aimee' H's "Sisters' Birthday Tea in Paris"

Along with the cool, crisp air of Autumn, this week brought back-to-back art shows beginning with the Kappa Alpha Theta "Flaming Festival" at Oklahoma City Golf and Country Club.

B.C. Clark Jewelers

"My Granny's Treasures" by Bonnie Waters Schwarz and Marge Waters


some ilovefiberart pillows at Flaming Festival



LOVE when someone finds their match in a pillow!!

Balls, Roses, Cupcakes

The Thetas do a fantastic job of preparing for the upcoming holiday season with spectacular tabletop displays to inspire and motivate for creative entertaining!


Included in this years themes were "Sisters' Birthday Tea in Paris", vintage collections, elegant traditional arrangements, whimsical and colorful tables, candy and confection theme decor and many others.



The Thetas are known for their hospitality and the hard working event chairs and committee did not disappoint: taking care of every tiny detail to make the afternoon luncheon perfect! White House Executive Chef Walter Scheib (1995-2005) was the special guest with stories and lively antidotes of his years in the famous kitchen. He was available for signings of his new book entitled "White House Chef: Eleven Years, Two Presidents, One Kitchen".

All in all, a terrific success and a delightful show!

Happy Entertaining!
-EE