We're all better artists for----

 

Pam at Houston with Leaves of Costa Rica

"We're all better artists for having come to Houston".  This was said by a fellow visitor to the Houston Quilt Festival during one of those wonderful instant friendships that spring up on the the gallery floor.  How true!  Every piece, both traditional and contemporary were inspirations.  The subject matter was often thought provoking and the techniques were amazing.  The skill all the artists displayed was something to aspire to.  Guess by now you know how I felt about the show, but that was not the only thing that was note worthy.  The people I met, the tours that SAQA  provided, the enthusiasm and excitement was overwhelming.  I was fortunate enough to have a piece in the show and so I wore a ribbon declaring me a "Finalist".  What fun and how humbling.  Have you ever felt that maybe they had left the back door open and you just got in?  Well that is how I started out, but with all the kind and excited people coming up and congratulating me... I soon just relaxed and really enjoyed myself.  Self doubt is always there.

Speaking of self doubt... I hope all of you that have considered entering a show, will do so in the next year.  Entering is sometimes confusing but manageable.  There are friends that will help with the photography and computer work.  Please consider trying because it is not just you that will miss out, but the others who would be inspired by your work.  Don't let self doubt hold you back.

A Winner!

Norwegian Coat

Third Place Winner

PIQF 2010

Along with two friends - Vicky and Sue, I was a winner at PIQF 2010!  I can't believe I won for a coat that I sewed and I'm sure my Mom would be so surprised.  The coat above which started as a Rachel Clark challenge, won Third Prize for the Coat & Jacket competition.  You can imagine how excited I got when I walked up to the display?  I checked to see if maybe the ribbon had blown over from another coat, but no it was mine.  Life is good.  The bus ride home was really great because there were five of us that had been juried into the show and then there were three of us with ribbons.  Friends shared in the excitement and made the whole thing just that much better.  Again I have to thank my friends for all their support and I think of you often.
There was more good news from SAQA because they sold my donation (12 x 12" square) in the Annual Benefit Auction.  Thanks to the good friend Betty who purchased it.  She saved me from having it mailed back.  Betty was the friend that first brought me into SAQA and I thank her for all the wonderful things that have come from that kindness.

I'm Back from Tile Heaven

Hi Everyone,  I have just returned from Spain and Portugal and what a feast for the eyes.  After a 1000 pictures I am showing you just two.  In the last city I visited - Porto Portugal - all the walls were covered with beautiful tiles.  Every little building had something different in both color and design.  I would love to spend days just taking pictures.  Too bad I don't do detailed applique because I would never lack for inspiration.

Now I have to get back to work/fun and finish up the different challenges that are due.  The one for MAQ - Everything but cotton, is still wandering around in my brain; Jan's challenge to create a piece from a cup design is almost done so you should see that soon; and the SAQA challenge is waiting for loads of embellishments.  While it seems like lots of work it is really lots of fun with just a ting of stress!

Hope you will forgive the lack of updates but the wanderlust of travel calls.  More later.