Bird of Prey

Finally, I can now show the quilt I was working on for the last couple months. I like to keep it secret till after the MQS quilt show.  It was fun to work on, tried some new techniques, and, even though it didn't win anything, I still love how it turned out. (it was held for consideration for it's category and Judges Choice).

Last summer, while camping, I played with painting fabric.  I placed a bunch of rocks and logs on the picnic table to create hills and valleys. I then draped the Kona  PFD fabric over my piles and painted away at random.

Next, I created my Eagle Applique.  I've been working on this pattern for a couple years. I started with a photo I took years ago when Hubby and I were on vacation in Minnesota. Each time I've used my pattern, I've increased the number of pieces.  Now I'm up to over 70. There is no sewing on this piece until I get it on BeBe, my longarm.  All edges are turned under and machine appliqued on BeBe. My Eagle is made using only Stonehenge fabric.

I completely stabilized the background, placed the Eagle, and started having fun!  My Eagle is thread painted using only Fantastico, Lava and Rainbows threads from Superior Threads.  I then outlined the Eagle parts with King Tut, also by Superior.

Here is the background started. I used the paint color to dictate which color thread for the quilting, blending the colors as I quilted.

Binding is such exhausting work!

Finished!  I'm very happy with how it turned out. First quilt I painted fabric for, first thread painted quilt entered in a show! A little photo shop never hurt anyone!

I hope you all enjoyed seeing how I created My Eagle, Bird of Prey. 

Happy Quilting,

Ann

Radar Update

I have been chastised by my Blogging Friends. I was shocked to see that the last post was in February!  My New Year's resolution to post more often apparently just fell to pieces! I have promised them I would try very hard to keep up with posting.  That being said, what's happening?
A lot!

Radar (pieced by my cohort Kevin, the Quilter and quilted by yours truely) has been a very busy boy. He was featured in On Track magazine. On Track is published by IMQA (International Machine Quilters Association).  We had a four page spread! Because Radar was in the magazine, I was also invited to place an ad!

Next, Radar paid a visit to AQS Paducah! Although we didn't win anything, we had a lot of fun.  This was the first time I was able to go to the awards ceremony. The cheers and squeals of the winning quilters filled the auditorium, especially a Girl Scout troop that won a ribbon.

The next day, Kevin and I found out that not only was Radar picked to be pictured in the Show Book, he also made the cover of the Catalogue of Show Quilts!

Next week is MQS in Cedar Rapids.  I will be there all week as  Dusty Farrell's (Country Stitchin') Teacher Angel.  Drop in and say hello if you're at the show!  I have 3 quilts there this year, another nail biter. It's always a great show with lots of amazing quilts. 

Happy Quilting!

Ann