Local Quilt Show Faves!

Last time I showed off some ribbons I won from a local quilt show—the Bayberry Quilters of Cape Cod put on this show earlier this month with the theme “Cabins on the Beach.” Now I have attended many, many national shows, and while beautiful, they can get a bit repetitive with the same winners all the time. But let me tell you the talent just on Cape Cod is amazing—you may have noticed, artists always pick nice places to congregate, and Cape Cod is full of artists! Judging by the show, quilting is alive and well in this corner of Massachusetts. Here is just a handful of my favorite pieces this year.

Let’s start with critters, because in this part of the country, you will find plenty of them!

This was one my absolute favorites… an original piece by Cathy Papazian entitled “Salt Marsh Shorebirds.” The birds have wonderful bead eyes and the fabrics are just perfect.

This is one of those animal quilts designed by Elizabeth Hartman—you’ve probably seen the foxes, the bears, bunnies, porcupines—sometimes one has glasses on—this is the first time I’ve seen whales, but I never get tired of them. Her Aviatrix pattern is on my bucket list. This one is stitched by Rada Elegant and called “A Whale of a Good Time” which I am sure is describing the fun she had making it! I looked for a whale with glasses, but didn’t see one. I guess whales aren't as nearsighted as some other creatures seem to be.

Lots of critters in this one! This is “Beach Walk” by my friend Tere D’Amato. Lately she’s been winning prize money with original work in AQS shows, but in her “formative” years she made this amazing kit! I was the one who encouraged her to enter it—she felt because it wasn’t original, it wasn’t up to snuff. She took a second place—wasn’t I right, AS USUAL.

For my last critter quilt fave, I just loved this because after “Easter Sunrise,” it was nice to see someone else had bunnies on the brain! And it was hung right next to mine-- so cute together! It is “The Carrot Farmer” by Jean Howes. Jean—I believe we are soul mates!

Next up is favorite pieced quilts—I love piecing and I really admire it done well.

This is one of the most complicated and beautiful log cabins I’ve ever seen—plus it was huge! This is Carol Salerno’s “Chocolate is Sweet But my Honey is Sweeter.” But I'll be that blue ribbon was pretty sweet, too!

A beautiful, modern quilt: Laurie LaConte, “Color Cubes.” Beautiful colors and the quilting was just simple and sensational. I love the transparency and it reminds me of a clear plastic construction toy we had years ago in my family "Play Plax..." Does anyone else remember it? Happy memories.

An on to embroidery… I am always lecturing to this group about machine embroidery, and I guess I will have to keep on, because so far there's not a lot out there! Gorgeous hand applique is where it's at for this group and who can blame them.

A Sue Spargo block of the month, “Creem Treat” by Gloria Farmer. Gorgeous, gorgeous work—it did not get a ribbon, so that tells you something about the level of competition at this show because it was a wonderful piece! One of my personal favorites.

A blue ribbon for handwork! I think that this is an original piece—it is by Audrey Germer entitled “Many Happy Hours.” I think that pretty much describes how we feel when making these things. And this one was many, many, many, many hours, I am sure! Audrey won a blue ribbon in another category for handwork as well—obviously a very talented, not to mention patient, person.

Finally, this was the Best in Show— Anne Messier won for “Folk Art Baskets.” Every year, some amazing hand appliqued quilt wins the day—some year will it be a gorgeous machine embroidered piece? I certainly hope so!