Miscellaneous Challenges
Piecing Partners Quilt Guild
Picture2005 Rocky Mountain Winter 28 x 31 - Private Collection

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​Piecing Partners Quilt Guild


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There were three challenge fabrics required to be used in this piece.  The dark blue found in the left border, the red used in the inner two borders and for the cardinal, and the sand-colored fabric used in the top and right outer borders. I chose a winter theme just for fun. 
Picture2006 Color In Motion 34.5 x 42.5 - Private Collection




​The theme of this challenge was "motion."  The pinwheels represent the color wheel.  The largest splashes of color spin out of the primary color pinwheels. 

Secondary and tertiary colors are represented by smaller splashes in the appropriate areas between the pinwheels.  I used metallic thread in the bobbin to make the quilting on the back beautifully mirror the quilting on the front.

​Piecing Partners Quilt Guild
Picture2007 Beautiful Beulah 41.5 x 34 - Private Collection


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​Commercial fabrics were over-inked to create all the elements seen. 

A small number of leaves were made with a double-sided fused method then minimally machine appliqued to create dimension.

Predominantly fused applique with machine-finished edges and free-motion quilted on my domestic machine.






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​Piecing Partners Quilt Guild
Picture2008 Squared Away 21 x 42.25 Private Collection


​Piecing Partners Quilt Guild
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​One requirement for this challenge quilt was to use at least two traditional blocks in the body of the quilt. I designed this piece with 5 square-in-a-square blocks in different sizes. 

​There are folded fabric elements, beadwork, and bobbin work to fulfill additional requirements of dimension and embellishing.
Picture2011 Mama Mourning Dove 24 x 18 - Private Collection
 


​This lovely Mourning Dove built a nest on one of the eave ledges on my home.  She came and went many, many times during this process.  Eventually she stayed and laid two eggs which finally hatched with two little baby doves!

I took many photos of her during this entire process, and I was thrilled to see her return the next year.

​Piecing Partners Quilt Guild
Picture2014 A Guy With Attitude: Oh NO I Did-in't! 17 x 13 Private Collection

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​This piece is based on a photograph taken by John Gussenhoven – used by permission.  He captured an image of this robin sitting on his backyard fence copping an attitude.  I’ve never seen a bird cock his head like that before.  I thought it would be a fun quilt to make.  It is a whole-cloth piece, hand painted, and machine quilted.
Piecing Partners Quilt Guild
Picture2016 Colorado Balloon Classic II - 17.5 x 19.5 - Private Collection

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My family and I love the annual Balloon Classic held at Memorial Park in Colorado Springs, CO  I’ve taken hundreds of photos over the years and it was a joy to look through them and pull out a couple to create this quilt.  Techniques include, fabric painting with Tsukineko inks, fused applique with machine finished edges, dimensional work, and some thread painting.

​​Piecing Partners Quilt Guild
Picture2017 Licorice Ribbons - 14 x 28.5


 

​  The first of three similar, predominantly
  black and white quilts with just a touch of
  color. In a modern abstract style, the
​  simple black and white ribbons represent
  licorice. 

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​Piecing Partners Quilt Guild
Picture2019 Musical Ode to Austen - 21.5 x 20 - Private Collection



My favorite movie is probably the 5 1/2 hour version of Jane Austen's book "Pride and Prejudice."  I've watched it at least a dozen times - mostly while working in my quilt studio.
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I love the interesting nuances of the story, the characters, and the entire musical score.  I particularly enjoy the music played on the piano forte.