Portland Public Library Exhibit

Postcards from Away at
Portland Public Library

Art Quilts Maine's traveling exhibit, "Postcards from Away" is on view at the Portland Public Library's childrens' area, and will be on display until the end of September. The exhibit is composed of 17 small art quilts, each depicting a place the artist has visited or would like to visit, real or imaginary. The exhibit will tour Maine until June 2013, with stops in Skowhegan, Saco, Waterville and Rockland. Keep an eye out for an opportunity to see this exhibit, which features techniques ranging from thread paint to printed and embellished photos. Art Quilts Maine meets every other month in Augusta to support members in their exploration of contemporary quilt art, and includes quilters from all corners of the state. Which one is mine? The Venetian mask in the corner, below. I was interviewed for CTN5 about this exhibit. Here's the link.



Postcards from Away 2012-2013

Quilt gallery and quilts for sale at: http://community.webshots.com/user/roconnorquilts

Onward to Iowa

Mom and Auntie Jean Play Gin
in process Rana O'Connor 2010

Mom and Auntie Jean sure know how to get around! The quilt is currently in Grand Rapids, Michigan where it will be on display August 22 - 25. Shortly after sending the quilt off, I received notification that it was also accepted at the American Quilters's Society Show October 3-6 in Des Moines, Iowa! Back to back shows. Luckily they are both under the auspices of AQS so I was able to arrange for the quilt to travel from one show to the other without coming back to Maine in between. The quilt hangs on Mom's wall in between shows--I should bring something else to fill the space since Mom won't get it back until mid-October. Very happy to have the quilt out in the world, and at two national shows, no less.

Mom and Auntie Jean Play Gin
in process Rana O'Connor 2010

On a personal note, the agency where I have worked for over 20 years is closing at the end of the year. It's been so long since I have given any thought to job hunting or another line of work, I feel quite at sea about it. Of course friends say, "turn your quilting into a job!" but I have many reservations about whether it would be the right move for me. Those of you that have made the leap from hobbyist to professional--any thoughts, ideas, words of wisdom?

Quilt gallery and quilts for sale at: http://community.webshots.com/user/roconnorquilts

Mom and Auntie Jean go to Michigan

I've been out of town, on vacation in Hawaii. I know, pretty amazing! Tons of pictures--hopefully a quilt or two in there. Arrived home to one very good bit of mail--Mom and Auntie Jean has been accepted by the American Quilter's Society for exhibit in the Gran Rapids, Michigan show and contest! The Press Release they included reads in part, "Quilts were entered in this international contest from 40 US states and 6 other countries." 357 quilts were selected, so this is pretty terrific. The show runs August 22 through 25. Can't wait to share the good news with Mom!

Quilt gallery and quilts for sale at: http://community.webshots.com/user/roconnorquilts

Not Til Friday!

I jumped the gun on the voting for applique quilts. Quilting Gallery posts photos for the week's contest every FRIDAY. Voting is open until midnight on Sunday. So give it a few days and check back. If you followed the link early, I hope you took the time to vote for your 6 favorites in the wall hanging contest. Kick off the weekend with a little quilt browsing and enjoy the show!
Quilt gallery and quilts for sale at: http://community.webshots.com/user/roconnorquilts

Contest at Quilt Gallery

Just submitted a quilt to the Weekly Theme Contest at Quilting Gallery. It's a super fun way to post quilt photos, as long as you have something that fits the week's theme! Last time I entered I won two patterns from an English quilt store. How about that! So head on over and VOTE for your favorite quilt. Mine is Scarlet Macao, Ara Macao.

Scarlet Macaw, Ara Macao Rana O'Connor 2012

Quilt gallery and quilts for sale at: http://community.webshots.com/user/roconnorquilts

Prizes Prizes Everywhere

I had quite a day at the Calico Quilter's Quilt Show on Saturday! I volunteered from 10:00 to 2:00 and had fun selling raffle tickets and at the admissions table. The spacious entry hall at Rowe School is beautifully designed. The show, hung in the gymnasium, was a great success. Over 100 quilts on display, from precise miniatures to breathtaking antiques. We had a raffle alley, where you could take a chance on a variety of bags and pillows, and a viewer's choice ballot, pick your favorite three quilts. I treated myself to a tool for setting crystals on fabric from one of the vendors--no more tweezers and glue for me! Later that evening my phone rang--my quilt, "Mom and Aunti Jean Play Gin" won viewer's choice! That was exciting, especially as Mom was sitting right there to hear the news with me--she jumped up out of her chair and if you knew Mom, you'd know that's something! To top it off, my phone rang again a bit later--I had won both a bag and a pillow at the raffle alley. Prizes everywhere! Really inspired me to take that next step on my art quilt challenge, "Postcards from Away." Wonder if I'll find room for some crystals on it? Here's Mom and Aunti Jean, again. They sure are having fun touring the quilt world.

Quilt gallery and quilts for sale at: http://community.webshots.com/user/roconnorquilts

In Living Color

I made two Color Poem quited wallhangings, now it's your turn! Linda and I will be teaching a class on using a favorite object or photograph to select the colors for a wallhanging. You will learn about color and value, and create an original work of art. Classes are at Sew Portland: Thursday evening April 26, Saturday April 28 and wrapping up Tuesday evening May 8. Contact the store at 797-6700  for details and to sign up!
Quilt gallery and quilts for sale at: http://community.webshots.com/user/roconnorquilts