Hoffman International Challenge Quilts
2006 Garden Beauty 31 x 34 -
Private Collection
This was my first entry in the Hoffman Challenge. I designed this piece with my standard 'M.O.' - using dimension on my quilt.
The right side of the large leaf in the foreground is completely dimensional and can be moved with just a touch. The left butterfly wing is also a separate piece in itself which rests on the top of the quilt. Sparkling Swarovski crystals are found in the background.
This first Hoffman Challenge attempt was awarded Best Machine Workmanship in the Mixed Technique category and that encouraged me to continue in the annual challenge.
2007 Jewels of the Garden 31.5 x 35.5 -
Private Collection
Jewels of the Garden was a very challenging quilt to make. There are some things I would have reworked and done differently but I ran into the entry deadline and finished it as it is.
The Monarch is dimensional, with the left
wing being 2-sided and only partially attached in strategic places so that it remains dimensional.
2008 Fan-ciful
29.5 x 37 -
Private Collection
"Fanciful" was another challenging piece
to design and construct but I was pleased with the results.
The fan was created as a separate element with pleats, and fabric 'ribs.' A gold tassel completes it. Two additional
white tassels hang from the bottom sides.
There is beautiful dimension in this quilt.
2009 He Leads Me By Still Waters 36.5 x 42 Private Collection
"He Leads Me By Still Waters" was inspired by the 23rd Psalm.
My beautiful daughter graciously posed for photos for me to use as a guide. Her face and skin were made with Tsukineko pens, inks, and colored pencils.
She holds a book of Psalms in her lap.
Many of the paisley leaves are double-sided and lightly stitched down to create dimension. They're made from the challenge fabric.
2010 Little 'Wild' Flowers! 28 x 36 - Private Collection
The third in my 'Wild' Flowers! series. I wanted to explore different shapes of
the dimensional ‘wild’ flowers and designed these three.
The leaves are reverse applique with satin stitch finished edges. I added pieced
prairie points within the inner border of
the quilt - uncommon to where I had always seen them placed which is around the outer borders.
201 1 Orchids 27.5 x 37 - Private Collection
Inspired by a personal photo of my lovely orchid plant. The flowers appear to
come out of the quilt creating a
focal point. Leaves and flowers are hand-painted with Tsukineko inks, and hand-appliqued.
I micro-stippled specific parts of the colorful pot to create dimension.
 2012 Spilling Over 28 x 36
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"Spilling Over" was made as a 'therapy' quilt. The design grew out of the hurt, and loss of my "Really 'Wild' Flowers! Second Season" quilt (seen on my Home page). The cup represents my heart. The various quilt blocks flowing out of it symbolize the love, prayers, and uplifting thoughts of all those who reached out to me. The support from the quilting community, my family, and friends was amazing. My heart overflowed with the huge response. Thus, "Spilling Over" is a very sentimental piece which began with my thoughts and emotions followed by a sketch on paper. |
2013 Rose in Wonderland 28 x 36 -
Private Collection
A fanciful flower that might be found in
a fantasy land, inspired by one of my sketches.
Three shimmering butterflies are found fluttering around the flower which is framed by a border of pieced prairie points.
2014 'Wild' Flower Fiesta! 28 x 43 - Private Collection
Designed to be cheerful and festive, it
made me think, 'party'!
The flowers, stems, and leaves were made and appliqued in such a way as to be very dimensional. I hand stitched the rim of the pitcher and ‘quilted’ the rim with long-stitches.
Strung beading runs along the left side and along the bottom and was then securely attached to withstand the traveling of the Hoffman trunk exhibits.
2015 Jars of Clay 44 x 31 -
Private Collection
The inspiration for this
piece came from scripture; Isaiah 64:8. We are the
work of the Master Potter.
I used machine, hand, and fused applique; beadwork, cording, tassels, and Tsukineko inks to enhance jars and add shading. The
use of background “tiles” was inspired by Gloria Loughman’s tile technique.
2016 Coloring Book Therapy Quilter's Style 44 x 31 -
Private Collection
I integrated my love of drawing, 'doodling,' painting,
and quilting in this whimsical piece. Inspiration came out
of some difficult times and it was good personal therapy while designing and creating it.
Symbolic ‘splashes’ from the paint 'pots' represent
brushing colors onto the
pages. The popular 'thera-peutic' coloring books found
in stores everywhere inspired the concept.
2017 Reveal the Beauty Within 20 x 40 -
Private Collection
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Detail image of Reveal the Beauty Within
Most of us are aware of our personal imperfections in their various forms. Our tendency may be to try and hide our flaws; building emotional layers of protection against anything or anyone that might bring us pain. What matters is the beauty on the inside – in our hearts. When we remove all the layers, that beauty outshines what is visibly seen. |
2018 Crystals and Gems 26 x 40.5 -
Private Collection
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I enjoyed designing and constructing this modern, simplistic quilt from a graph-paper drawing. I like the play between the pastels and saturated colors within the white background. Swarovski crystals used, and the diamond and gem fabric dictated the title. |
2020 Moving In Different Circles 23.5 x 34
Private Collection
The inspiration behind this quilt was thinking about how many of us tend to only socialize with folks who are, for the most part, similar to ourselves. Those with the same likes, the same hobbies, activities, the same age group, and so on. It could be a positive adventure to step out and meet folks who don’t exactly fit into our personal ‘circles!’
I free motion quilted circles and bubbles around the borders to enhance the theme of this piece.
2021 And the River Flows 36 x 25 - Private Collection
This quilt is a depiction of the idea that even in the midst of terrible loss and difficulty, the ‘flow’ of life must, and does, continue on. My heart and prayers have gone out to the millions of people around the world that have been affected in one way or another by the covid-19 pandemic.
The three required Hoffman fabrics are found in the squares along the top and bottom of the piece, and in two subtle fabric inserts in the flowing river.
2021 A Quiet Moment 31 x 39 - Private Collection
I designed this quilt to be on the 'gentle' or 'quiet' side by choosing a simple theme of flowers in a pitcher and using more muted colors.
During this past year of Covid-19 - a time of uncertainty and tragedy around the world - I found myself doing more reflective thinking, praying, and searching for something positive in all of it. Those times were crucial for me. This piece symbolizes one of those quiet moments.
The three required Hoffman fabrics are found in the pieced, 3/4", on-point square strips, and in the fussy-cut flower centers.
2022 Streamers and Confetti 25 x 40.5
This modern abstract simply represents the happiness and relief of the official end of the
worldwide Covid-19 pandemic with no second meaning. Lockdowns and masks are over-with and we can begin getting back to the normalcy of life in a celebratory way.
Confetti is represented by various sizes of dimensional prairie points and by the quilted loops – some of which are subtly tinted with pigment inks.
A number of Swarovski crystals (representing more confetti) adorn the back of the quilt.
The three required challenge fabrics are found in the prairie points.
2023 Surf's Up! 23 x 33
An impressionistic interpretation of a large ocean wave - a surfer's delight. Cowabunga!
I love the ocean. My life in California had included many visits to the CA coastline and beaches every year. Watching the surfers and boogie boarders was always exhilarating and mesmerizing.
I no longer live by the ocean but enjoy visiting the beautiful sandy beaches when taking trips out west.