art and soul: Butler Quilt Explosion

Starting today at 10 A.M. is the Butler Quilt Explosion! This year's theme, "A Journey Back in Time".

First of all, it was a day for a drive. The trees are just beginning to turn, and will probably peak by next weekend. But who knows what the weather will be like next weekend, right? Last weekend I camped in the Laurel Highlands, and we got rained out. Today was picture perfect. 73 degrees, not a cloud in the sky. Aside from the fact that one of the street Google tried to send me down was one way in the wrong direction, it was very easy to find (and apparently, the police officers were turning a blind eye to the parking meters in that section of town)

So I got parked, and first thing there is the requisite basket of scraps, fill a ziplock (and seal it) for $.50. For $.50? oh, yes, please and thank you. So here is the addition to the stash - some nice reds, a mishmash of batiks, oh, happy day.

Moogie thinks, of course, that they are all for her.
Silly kitty.

There is also the raffle table, with baskets and a quilt. I have not heard anything as of publication... but the show goes for 2 more days, so there's still hope, right?

And then, to get to the quilts, you had to pass by the concessions. I will not regale you with tales of tasty pyrohi and apple dumpling. But it was fresh, homemade and TASTY.

Entre vous!

First up, on the left, was the display of Hoffman challenge entries. I, being biased and the only person in my party, took pictures of my favorites - and this goes for the pictures of the rest of the show, too.

Hoffman Challenge 2011 Fabric H8709 Moss Gold #98G

Clockwise from top left
Asian Garden, 35"x40", Marcia Brown, Prineville, OR
Who Hoo's There? 27"x38", Vinda Robinson, Colorado Springs, CO
Ovals, Circles and Squares, Oh, My! 37"x37", Diane Whittier, Shawnee, KS
Weeping Cherry, 24"x33", Chris Davis, Antioch, TN

As aforementioned, these were my four favorites. Now to the rest of the show, and I will attempt to give proper credit where due. Remember, these are my personal favorites.

Peppermint Patty, 88"x99"
S. M., Pittsburgh, PA
Quilted by R. M.
Honorable mention

"I'm a beginner quilter and came across this pattern and instantly knew I wanted to make it. I had my eye on bubblegum pink and chocolate fabrics and decided to challenge myself with the pattern ("Peppermint Patty" in American Patchwork and Quilting, 8/2008) Choosing all of the scrappy pinks and browns was fun; with the corners of the quilt my favorite parts. This was my third quilt. I designed the back unsil log cabins out of leftover fabrics"

Sunflower Illusions, 80"x91"
J.K., Zelienople, PA
Quilted by M.T.
Third place, best use of color
Machine pieced, Long arm quilted

It's a Judy Niemeyer design. Paper-pieced with "piping hot binding" by Susan Cleveland. Most fabrics are batiks.

My View, 88"x88"

T.M., Irwin, PA

Quilted by self

Third place, Novelty

"I started this quilt for my mother because it was her favorite pattern. When she died I put it away for about 5 years. This past January, I took it out and finished it."

Together Forever, 96"x116"L.S., North Lima, OHQuilted by self

Original design
"This wedding quilt was inspired by the couple, who are very supportive of each other and yet true individuals. The yin and yang was a perfect symbol. The blue/green background reflected the universe."

Sarah's Kaleidascope, 92"x92"
S.D., Butler, PA
Quilted by J.M.
Machine pieced, Long arm quilted

Inspired by a quilt shown in a Fons and Porter Love of Quilting magazine.

Florida Curves, 108"x104"
L.S., North Lima Ohio
Quilted by self
Pieced by machine, long arm quilted.

"I began this quilt in Florida while visiting with my newest grandchild. My husband and I went to 6 different quilt shops gathering fabricsI had wanted to do a stack-and-whack with curves because this was the Tri-County Quilter's Guild challenge for 2011. I made my own pattern with freezer paper. I got directions from a friend on how to re-stack. To add interest, I reversed one half of the stacks."

Big Fish, 21"x18"
B.R., Lower Burrell, PA
Quilted by self
Appique

"I bought the pattern at a quilt show while in Naples, Fla. I had fun embellishing it with netting and stones."

E. Pluribus Unum, 48"x48"

L.A., Mars, PA

Quilted by self, hand quilted

First place, Best Hand Quilting

"This Quilt was inspired by one half of our nation's Great Seal. I drafted it from the version which appears on the back of our one dollar bills."

detail with seed bead embellishment

Well, no one is perfect, and I goofed on this one. So enthralled was I at the ensy-weeeeensy ickle pieces that I forgot to take a picture of the description beside it. This may yet be in my possession, as I saved the brochure provided by the guild.

Uluru / Ayers Rock, Australia, 25"x18"
L.S., North Lima,OH

Quilted by self
Third place
Original Design
"This quilt is based on a photo take while on vacation in 2010. It was created to comply with a warm color scheme challenge for the United Quilt Guild in Salem, OH"

Pittsburgh
N.R., Pittsburgh, PA
Quilted by N.R., C.A., A.D., P.G.
Original Design

"A snapshot of Pittsburgh was cut up into 4 slices and four people each got a slice to use for inspiration. The four quilts were then sewn together."

Sunflower, 26"x31"
D.C., Slippery Rock, PA
Quilted by A.G.
Applique

"It's a Phil Beaver pattern and fabric. Using fusible web and pattern for applique technique to achieve desired coloration in petals and leaves."

Anita's Jacket
G.K., Sewickley, PA

Quilted by self
First place
Novelty

Lucky Me, 56"x"70
J.B., Eon Valley, PA
Quilted by J.R.
Machine pieced, long arm quilted

This quilt grew from the extra blocks from my granddaughter, A----'s quilt. It's Terry Atkinson's "Lucky Stars" pattern. I love using batiks and I'm lucky to have this quilt for me."

Dear Margaret, 50"x77"
M.C., Pittsburgh, PA
Quilted by self
Hand quilted
Second place, best theme quilt

"Blocks made in a class by Terry Benzo at Quilters Corners. I named it Dear Margaret since I pieced all of those itty bitty pieces, not Jane."

[Jane, for those of you who don't know, is in reference to an actual woman named Jane who's quilt, after which this is modeled, was showcased in a book for quilters. Quilts in this style are typically referred to as Dear Jane for that reason.]

Hunting in Blue, 52"x67"
G.K., Sewickley, PA
Quilted by self
Pieced by machine, long arm quilted.

"I tried to use as many blues and creams from my batik stash as I could find."

Magic Carpet, 55"x55"
B.H., Freeport, PA
Quilted by self
First place
Pieced by machine
Domestic machine quilted

"A fat quarter collection and a selection of batiks came together with a paper pieced pattern to make this multi-colored hanging that looks like a carpet"

Wizard of OZ, 50"x62"
E.E., Murrysville, PA
Quilted by S.W.
Original design

"OZ is a favorite of a niece. I will present it to her... some day."

Mariposa Beauty, 36"x51"
B.H., Freeport, PA
Quilted by self
Pieced by machine
Domestic machine quilted

"A variation of New York Beauty blocks done with a Lonni Rossi group of fabrics from her Mariposa collection."