Small Projects

 

While I have not embarked on a new project this year, I have completed a few small items. As a member of two guild chapters. I signed up for this year's challenge in both chapters. While one challenge is completed (I can show you in April,) the other is yet to be begun. Meanwhile, we took a class on fabric twiddling a la Jennie Rayment in Art Quilts Maine, and I turned my results into a pillow to donate for sale at the Calico Quilter's show. I've also just about finished Macaw, begun for a class sample.  

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

CTN 5!

The Art Quilts Maine Guild traveling exhibit, "Storybook Quilts" is on display at the Portland Public Library until February 24. Recently I was interviewed about the quilts by Community Television Network. You can view the short piece at this link: CTN5. Mine is the first interview, so it's just a few minutes in. From Portland the quilts will travel to Rockland and Skowhegan, so you may have other opportunities to view them, but if you have the chance, the Library's children's section is a wonderful venue.

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

New Class

 Linda and I are working on a new class series! It's called 'Picture This!', using applique to transform photos and images into fabric art. So much fun to see your photograph come to life in fabric! I started working on the sample this weekend--tracing the image, getting it enlarged, creating a pattern, then fusing fabrics to create the various elements. Tomorrow I hope to work on the background, then thread paint, layer, and quilt. Six sessions, which will hopefully allow time to complete the pieces, or at least get very very close! Here is my original photo, taken at the Animal Kingdom, and the two parrots, ready for a background.

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

Portland Public Library

'Inspiration-Transformation', the collection of quilts created by members of Art Quilts Maine in response to 2011's challenge, are on display at Portland Public Library, in the children's area, through the end of February. The challenge, taken up by 15 guild members, was to create a quilt inspired by your favorite children's book. Books selected ranged from Miss Rumphius to Go Dog Go. While some artists chose the same book as their favorite, the resulting quilts could not be more different. The renovated Library is wonderful, and the children's section lends itself beautifully to art, with wall space above the book shelves and plenty of  natural light. If you are in Portland, you must really try to stop in!

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

Photo from the Show

File Under Fiber's blog post from Nov. 6 includes a photo of Mom and Auntie Jean play Gin at the Nashua, NH show, A Quilter's Gathering. The quilt took second in the category, "Reflection of Theme." What theme? Sisterhood Swirls. I was talking to Mom yesterday and she said she and Jean had played the same game since way back when our families used to vacation together at the Caspian. Although she said is wasn't really Gin Rummy, they called it Crazy Rummy. Go figure. Got some great comments from the judges as well. "Fascinating to explore this beautiful piece: and "So much attention to detail is appreciated" were two comments that made me happy. Hope to hang this one back up in Mom's apartment before long.  

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

News from New Hampshire!

A friend just called to say that her sister went to The Quilter's Gathering show in New Hampshire this weekend and 'Mom and Aunti Jean play Gin' had a ribbon attached! Very awesome. She says I won "Best interpretation of the theme" which was Sisterhood Swirls. Can't wait to get the 'official' notification. I had two quilts in the show, this one and 'Bali Bloom', the big pink flower with beading. You can see it in the slideshow on my sidebar. Made my week!
Quilt gallery and quilts for sale at: http://community.webshots.com/user/roconnorquilts

It's Official!

 On a lark I suggested to a friend that we offer to teach a class this fall. Well, a conversation or two later, and here we are! The blurb below is from the Sew Portland site, where we will be teaching. Wow!

Not Your Grandmother's Sampler Quilt! ( 6 to 8:30 )

Beginners will learn to select fabrics, piece a variety of blocks, and assemble a quilt with Rana O'Connor and Linda Morrisette in this 6 session class. Class begins Tuesday October 11 at 6 to 8:30 and continues through November. $60 plus materials; no book or pattern purchase required. More than a beginner? You can benefit from Rana and Linda's expertise and "outside the box" approach.
Event Location: Portand


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