About a week or so ago, Margy from the JaM Patch called me. She let me know that the store just received brochures for Mancuso's 2011 World Quilt Show in West Palm Beach. She was excited to tell me that Oliver was on the brochures and that I was once again famous... I listened to this message laughing because I don't feel famous, but in truth, in my little world this is BIG!

Anyway, I thought I would share the brochure with all of you -- if you are in the area definitely stop at the show, it is an awesome one! And hopefully, I'll have another winner hanging! A girl can always hope, can't she?

Thanksgiving Wind-down

Today is a wind-down day as tomorrow is Thanksgiving. I must say, I have so very much to be thankful for -- first off - my life, along with my family and friends, and all that they contribute to making my life what it is! In addition to that these past few weeks have been wonderful in the quilting part of my life! Oliver took Third Place, he was accepted into the 2011 Road to California show, AQS choose my blog as winner of their Blog of the Week! It has definitely been a wonderful few weeks and I must agree with my friend Kathy when she said, "I hope the ball keeps rolling"!

This past week I worked on Betty's "Latte" Quilt (pattern by Kerrie Hay). I had a lot of fun as it was all heirloom work -- here's the before and after photos:

And here are some detail photos:

I hope everyone has a wonderful and completely restful Thanksgiving. Enjoy doing what makes you happiest with the people you love the most!

Mancuso's World Quilt Show - FLORIDA Competition

Wow, what an exciting and event-filled weekend... I can finally stop and breathe.

This past weekend was the Florida Competition of the World Quilt Show by Mancuso Show Management. I must say, Florida certainly has many talented quilters! On my facebook page I have an album of many of the quilts from the show, including several exhibits, and also quilts from the World Quilt Show. If you already use facebook, you can view the album here, otherwise, you'll need to sign up for facebook.

I am thrilled to announce that Oliver took Third Place in this show... woohoo or hoot-hoot!! Wow, I am super proud of myself! Yes, I am tooting my own horn (finally)!! Here he is in all his glory - I waited until he was home for the winner photo -- much better lighting than in the Convention Center.

I had the honor of meeting Mark Sherman, who took Best of Show with his amazing quilt "Tree of Life" - such workmanship and detail, it is beautiful in pictures but awesome in person.

Second Place was "Phantom Phoenix" by Sylvia S. Clary, another amazing quilt. Here's a picture...

What a fantastic show and congratulations to all who entered! See you all again next year!

Oliver is done!

Wow, this moment has been a long time coming. I have finally finished my owl project from the week long Design and Construction Retreat I participated in last September taught by Sharon Schamber. I beat my deadline by just a few days! And I must admit, I'm not completely done. I still have to square it, block it, and then bind it! But I am close enough to say woohoo it is done!

I would have already started blocking it but, I want to take it to guild tomorrow night for show and tell! I hardly ever have show and tell -- perhaps because it takes me forever to finish things! But I must share Oliver -- I think he turned out awesome!

The last post about Oliver was back in April, you can find it here. Once you're at that post you can also view 9 other posts if you want to follow Oliver's history.

Oh, I almost forgot... for those that follow on Facebook you have already seen oodles and oodles of in process photos. But for those that only follow here if you want to see more of the in process photos, you can click on the Creative Longarm Quilting Facebook fan page logo to the right and that will take you there. Then under Photos, click on Owl Project (aka Oliver) and you will see all of the photos.

Either way -- thanks for following along and watching Oliver's growth from just a photo to a beautiful art quilt. Here is the original photo next to the finished quilt...

Again, thanks for following along!

Oliver....

Wow! I am finally getting closer to finishing Oliver! This was my project from the week-long Art Quilt Design & Construction retreat with Sharon Schamber. Okay it was back in September of 2009 and I worked on it periodically from then thru December. But I recently picked it back up determined to get it done!

I spent the other day shading the remainder of the background and tacking down all the pieces. Then I began the invisible applique around all those pieces. It's really getting exciting now. I'm almost done with the "construction" part. Now I can sit down with some micron pens for the fine-tiny details of the feathers. That is so my cup of tea... quiet time for detail doodling puts me into the zone! THEN... the quilting... my other favorite cup of tea - LOL! I CAN'T WAIT!!! I'm already thinking about what background fills I'm going to use and then the birch bark.. utoh, here comes the drool (and that's only thinking about it). Then the feathers, creating the depth and dimension of each feather... again, I can't wait! I am so very excited to be coming to the end of the construction part of this project. The quilting part is going to be another amazing time and I truly can't wait -- I know, I have said this numerous times already -- but Oliver will truly come to life once I start quilting him! Until then, you can check out these older posts which led to the point we are now -- Oliver has been a long time in the making!

http://creativelongarmquilting.blogspot.com/2009/10/oliver-has-wings.html

http://creativelongarmquilting.blogspot.com/2009/10/updates-latte-and-owl.html

http://creativelongarmquilting.blogspot.com/2009/09/sharon-schamber-retreat-day-5.html

http://creativelongarmquilting.blogspot.com/2009/09/sharon-schamber-retreat-day-4.html

http://creativelongarmquilting.blogspot.com/2009/09/sharon-schamber-retreat-day-3.html

http://creativelongarmquilting.blogspot.com/2009/09/sharon-schamber-retreat-day-2.html

http://creativelongarmquilting.blogspot.com/2009/09/sharon-schamber-retreat-day-1.html

http://creativelongarmquilting.blogspot.com/2009/09/if-i-wasnt-weird-enough-already.html

http://creativelongarmquilting.blogspot.com/2009/09/on-monday-i-begin-my-week-long-design.html

Oliver has wings...

and they've been a long time coming. My oh my have I been busy! I spent most of last night and all of today working for myself. It is such a wonderful place to be -- one that I don't visit often enough!

So here he is... he still needs some shading here and there and the bottom of the background needs to be finished; but, for the most part he is just about finished. That is the painting part is just about finished... now on to the invisible applique, and then on to the thread play, and then the quilting...

Soon... soon... if I say it enough maybe it'll be soon!

Updates... Latte and Owl

Here's the update on Mary Lou's Latte Quilt...

I didn't get as much accomplished today as I had wanted to... there just aren't enough hours in the day. But, as today was the last daily visit to the vet for post-op care, I'm sure tomorrow will be much more productive. A girl can always hope can't she!

Between last night and tonight I've been a bit productive on the owl project! Here's the latest picture -- it seems I only have a few more pieces and then some final background shading and then Oliver will be ready for quilting.... again, a girl can always hope...

Sharon Schamber Retreat Day 4

Wow! My owl (Oliver) is coming to life right before my eyes (and his too)!


This class is just amazing! Remember to check out Silver Rain Management (http://silverrainmgt.com) for pictures of everyone's work or to set up your own retreat, and also Sharon's websites also www.sharonschamber.com and http://sharonshambernetwork.com for amazing everything!

Sharon Schamber Retreat Day 3

I know its Thursday, but last night it was too late for me to post pics, so here they are:

Sharon Schamber Retreat Day 1

Whew! What a day, my head is still spinning! Its a good spin though... not a lot of words tonight, I'm really tired, but here's a few pics:

If I wasn't weird enough already...

I have bonded with my owl! I have been staring at my owl picture almost non-stop since opting to use it for the retreat. Well, not non-stop, but I keep looking at it, and going out of my way to look at it. So this morning I decided to do some googling and look up the symbolic meaning of owls. Throughout various cultures the symbolism of owls mainly deals with: intelligence, brilliance, perspective, intuition, quick-wit, independence, wisdom, protection, mystery, power, and perception. Boy did I hit the nail on the head with that one!

So, I started thinking back and seeing how long I've had this "bond" with owls. Okay, ready... my first recollection of an owl was fifth grade when I made a macrame owl for my art class (knowing my Mom, she probably still has it in the attic or a closet somewhere). I've always liked owls, but never really felt this strongly about them. What I'm starting to think is that I didn't chose my photo, it chose me! I know, weird... get used to it, I'm like that all the time!

On Monday I begin my week-long Design and Construction Retreat with Sharon Schamber. Wow, I'm finally getting excited (again). I was super excited at first, and then daily life snuck-up on me... I had to prepare for the week, I needed a picture to work from, supplies, work space, etc. So the hubby helped me with all the running around and pulled together all the stuff I was going to need, along with Sharon-specific pressing stations. And I had to continue working on everyone else's beautiful quilts. So during all this running about I started losing my excitement. This morning we took all the items over to Amy's and set-up. So now I actually feel a bit of relief; the preparation part is over and now the creative juices are beginning to flow again!

I chose this photo of an owl in a winter scene. The owl is beautiful yes, but part of me misses snow and winter, and the changing of seasons, which is why I'm stuck on this photo. Originally I had wanted to work from a photo of a fawn with snow on it's face, but I was continually drawn back to this owl... it also helps that both the family and Sharon like it too!

Hopefully my creative genius will show its beautiful face on Monday and this owl will slowly come to life. Keep checking back for posts, I'll keep you in on everything I'm doing!