Saturday, July 18, 2015

DOG WALKS GIRL IN GRAND RAPIDS

The quilts are gathered in Paducah.  Next stop, Grand Rapids where they will look spiffy for the judges and await their fans. More than 15,000 fans.  

Here is the scoop from the Press Release: Paducah, Kentucky, USA--  Pam Beal from Mass City, MI is a semifinalist for the 2015 AQS QuiltWeek-Grand Rapids, Michigan August 12-15, 2015 at DeVos Place Convention Center.  Pam has been chosen to display the quilt, Dog Walks Girl, along with 311 others in this AQS contest.  First, Second, and Third Place prizes in seven categories will be awarded, along with six overall awards including Best of Show. Winners will be announced at the show and posted on the AQS website, QuiltWeek.com. More than $50,000 will be granted, including $10,000 for the Best of Show and $3,500 each for Best Wall Quilt, Best Use of Color, Best Original Design, Best Hand, Best Home, and Best Longarm Quilted.  Regardless of how Dog Walks Girl places in the final judging, all semifinalists' quilts will be displayed at the show, which is expected to draw more than 15,000 people. 

AQS Founder and President Meredith Schroeder says, "Extraordinary quilts are being made by today's quilters, and the contest quilts represent an extensive variety of styles, sizes, and techniques  Each quilt in the show is an intricate, creative work of art to enjoy."

Quilts were entered in this international contest from 38 US states and 10 other countries. Come see a wide range of special exhibit quilts including: Living Colour!; SAQA Wide Horizons IV; Stitch Like an Egyptian; New Quilts from an Old Favorite: Nine Patch; Red, White, and Quilted; The WICKED-TM Cherrywood Challenge; and the AQS Authors' Exhibit.  

The American Quilter's Society hosts several shows annually, each with its own quilt contest. Besides the Grand Rapids, Michigan show, AQS hosts other prestigious shows in Paducah, Kentucky; Lancaster, Pennsylvania; Syracuse, New York; Chattanooga, Tennessee; Des Moines, Iowa and Phoenix, Arizona.

For more information, please go to www.QuiltWeek.com

DETAIL OF HAND QUILTING

I'll share a full photo of Dog Walks Girl, 49" x 54" just before the show opens.  It's fun to have a secret!  pjb


Sunday, July 5, 2015

COMFORT IN CLOTH

Today my thoughts are with people in Charleston.  

Thirteen years ago today, my family gathered in memory of my brother.  I remember people in Detroit and Dearborn offering kindness, treating me gently as I attempted to function in my state of shock.  Their compassion mattered.    

Today I join a project, a gesture of compassion extended to the people of Charleston.  The Charleston Modern Quilt Guild will make a quilt from pieces of cloth sent by people like me. The quilt is a symbol wrapping the people of Emmanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in good will.  

Symbols matter.  People matter. pjb


to participate...by August 1st, send a 3 1/2" x 6 1/2" piece of solid cloth in a solid color or a print which reads as solid---a message can be centered in the block with your name & location, but please add your name & location
   Charleston Modern Quilt Guild
   P.O. Box 723
   Sullivans Island, SC 29482