Victorian Quilters Showcase 2024

 The Vic Quilters Showcase was on at the end of July and although last year was supposed to be my final year as Convenor, the person who was taking over got sick and I had to do it again. 

There is a lot of work in the lead up to the quilt show but the actual show is the fun part, where the prizes are awarded and you get to catch up with friends and do some shopping.

Here we are getting ready for the awards.

Best of Show went to my friend Linda Crouch for her quilt, A Magical Winter Garden.

A Magical Winter Garden by Linda Crouch

Here is a detail photo of the quilt.

Runner Up to Best of Show was won by another friend, Sue de Vanny for Sound of Silence.

Sound of Silence by Sue de Vanny

There is a bright spotlight on both of their quilts which really doesn't do them justice in the photos.

I won the Runner Up prize in Innovative/Contemporary quilts for Ocean Dance 2.

Ocean Dance 2 by Linda Steele

I loved the embroidery on Australian Bush Antics by Catherine Howell.

Australian Bush Antics by Catherine Howell

Here is a detail photo.

Australian Bush Antics detail

One of our member groups AQA, had a display of their red and white quilts to celebrate their 40th Birthday. Red and white quilts make such a great display.

North, South East and West, There is no Place Like Home by Jan Baker

Tree of Life by Shirley Lodington

I had to take a photo of this gorgeous miniature that won First Prize.

Blooming Lollipops by Yumi McKey

I urged someone from our Art Quilter group to enter her quilt and she was absolutely blown away to win First prize. She's a new quilter who has never entered anything before. It was such a thrill.

Ocean Walks by Connie Russo.

Our profile a Quilters this year was the multi award winner Eileen Campbell. Her display was jaw dropping.

Eileen Campbell in front of her quilts.

Every quilt she makes is a masterpiece.

The Unicorn's Garden by Eileen Campbell

I can relax now that the show is over and although I have lots of people who have offered their help nobody will take over the running of the show!!

Bye for now,

Linda

Waverley Art Quilters

 Last week, the Waverley Art Quilters had their final meeting for the year. We showed each other our latest challenge and everyone brought a plate to share. 

One of the artists we studied this year was American Collage artist Rex Ray. He's always been a favourite of mine and I've had his book for many years.

Rex Ray Book

I was trying to do my Rex Ray inspired piece quickly before I went away to Europe. I decided to use spot fabric to sort of cheat a little and make it a quick little quilt. The photo of it is below.

 I was so disappointed, I didn't like it at all. I realised that the spot fabric was too even and perfect. There was no getting around it, I had to cut the work myself and sew around the shapes.

Here is my finished Rex Ray piece, I actually really like it. It is so different to my usual work and I love the colours.

Stepping Stones

Our final challenge for the year was Desert-scape.

I had some hand dyed fabrics left over from the class with Gloria Loughman, so I used them. 

Uluru by Linda Steele

Last week, I was guest speaker at Mornington Peninsula Patchworkers. A lady named Anne came up to me afterwards and said that she loved one of my little A3 Art Quilter quilts. It was the one from earlier this year, inspired by printmaker, Angie Lewin.

She asked if it was for sale? I was so shocked that she bought it that I asked if I could have a photo of her with the quilt.

Anne with my quilt.

Now I have had two sales in two weeks. Maybe, I'll start to mention that I sell my quilts when I do guest speaker talks.

Speaking of talks, I am the guest speaker on Saturday for the Victorian Quilters Gathering. I'd love to meet you there, if you can manage to come. Of course, it is in Victoria Australia!

I'll have to remember to wear my pearls!

Bye for now,

Linda

One Step Further Opening

 We had the official opening for One Step Further last Wednesday. One Step Further is an Art Quilt exhibition run by Victorian Quilters, it's run every two years. I left early for the long drive, it usually takes 2 and a half hours to get there but I always stop off for a coffee at a lovely bakery in Murchison on the way, so it takes 3 hours.

We had about 25 people attend, numbers are still down compared to the pre-Covid numbers. A local lady provided a lovely lunch of sandwiches, sausage rolls and cakes. There was a lot of food and it was absolutely delicious.

I managed to take some photos of people that were there in front of their quilts.

Here is the current President of Victorian Quilters, Marie Lee (on the right) with Leslie Edwards, who coordinated One Step Further this year. I took their photo in front of Judy Hooworth's quilt, Mangroves- Low Tide at Lake Eraring, which won first prize.

Leslie Edwards and Marie Lee

Leslie also had a quilt in the show, Leslie loves doing lots of surface design.

Leslie Edwards with her quilt, Silkience

Beth and Trevor Reid came all the way from Canberra to be there. It was good to see them again. They had two quilts in the show. This quilt was called The Eyes Have it.

Beth and Trevor Reid with The Eyes Have it.

Some one took a photo of me with my quilt, Time Flies. I cannot believe how tired I look, I am so busy all the time, I really must slow down.

Me with my Quilt Time Flies

I met Christine Beardsley from South Australia for the first time and we had a good chat.

Christine Beardsley with her quilt, Winter Playtime.

Linden Lancaster won the runner up prize and she was at the opening too. I loved her quilt, she was also excited because she's just heard that she got into Quilt National this year.

Linden Lancaster with Bottlewashers no. 1

It was a lovely afternoon catching up with friends that we haven't seen for a couple of years or more.

I almost forgot, Lyn Weeks also came and I took a photo of her too.

Lyn Weeks with One Green Thread

There was a very diverse range of quilts, so many different techniques. I hope people manage to see the exhibition.

It's on at the Kyabram Town Hall Gallery. Allan Street, Kyabram, Victoria. 

10-4 everyday except Sundays. The exhibition is open until the 26th November.

Bye for now,

Linda

One Step Further 2022

 I was at the opening for One Step Further today, it's the Art Quilt Competition run by Victorian Quilters and I was absolutely thrilled to win a Highly Commended prize for my quilt Time Flies. Actually, I was gob smacked, because I thought my quilt wouldn't be arty enough to win a prize.

Time Flies by Linda Steele

However, I am not complaining.

Jan Preston won the other Highly Commended prize for Shadowed Leaves.

Shadowed leaves by Jan Preston

I don't know how she got such strong colour with her eco printing.

The Runner Up or 2nd prize went to Linden Lancaster for her quilt Bottlewashers 1. I really love Linden's work.

Bottlewashers 1 by Linden Lancaster

Drumroll for the first prize!!

First Prize went to Judy Hooworth for her gorgeous quilt, Mangroves- Low Tide at Lake Eraring.

Mangroves- Low Tide at lake Eraring by Judy Hooworth

The exhibition is help at the Kyabram Town Hall Gallery, Victoria and it will be open everyday except Sundays until the 26th November.

It was a long 3 hour drive there and another 3 hours back, so that was a lot of driving in the rain today. It was a wonderful opening and great to catch up with friends. I'll put more photos up in another post but after all that driving, I am pretty exhausted.

Bye for now,

Linda

Magazine Articles

 I've written a couple of articles for magazines lately and they were both published this month.

I wrote an article about the Waverley Art Quilter group that I run for the Victorian Quilter Magazine.

I wrote about the history of our group and how we began in 2007, mentioned some of the artists that we have studied and also talked about how we have been working in a series this year. I was thrilled when they published a 3-page article.

I also wrote an article for the New South Wales Quilting Guild. This time I wrote about how I have worked in a series this year. It was all about the Circle series that I have done, those that have read my blog will know all about it.

The glossy paper is hard to photograph well unfortunately. 

I am not in the habit of randomly writing articles for magazines, but with a shortage of articles due to the Covid 19 lockdowns, they were desperate for content. Luckily, I am used to writing for this blog so they didn't take long to write.

I have actually been asked to write another article for a different magazine and that is due next month. That is a magazine that people pay for and so I had better get on with writing it. Once I'm in the right frame of mind it doesn't take long but this one has to be longer than the previous two articles.

I posted off my Crazy quilted Christmas ornaments today, the group is thinking of having a Zoom meeting where we all open our presents!

Bye for now,

Linda

One Step Further 2019

One Step Further is the art quilt exhibition and competition run by Victorian Quilters Inc. every two years.
This year it has been organised by Sue de Vanny and myself on behalf  of Victorian Quilters.

Last Saturday we had the opening at the wonderful Bundoora Homestead to a very large crowd of people.

Here is a photo of Sue and myself with the 2 judges a couple of days before the opening. The judges this year were award winning art quilter Jan Frazer and Art teacher Edwina Cherry.

Me, Jan Frazer, Edwina Cherry and Sue de Vanny at Judging

The two judges worked really well together, I didn't envy their job because there are so many wonderful pieces in the show.

Here I am at the opening announcing the winner with Sue de Vanny and major sponsor from Brother Australia, John Timmins.

Me announcing the Winner with Sue de Vanny and John Timmins from Brother Australia

The winner of One Step Further 2019 was Sandra Champion with her quilt Sea Wall no.6

Sea Wall no.6 by Sandra Champion

The Runner Up Award went to Sue Reid for her work And the Wheels go Round no.4. Here is Sue in front of her quilt with Fibre Arts sponsors, Glenys Mann and Noni

Sue Reid with Fibre Arts Sponsors Glenys Mann and Noni

Rebecca Wolske received an Honorable Mention for her innovative quilt, Leaves Falling-Autumn Calling.

Rebecca Wolske with Leaves Falling-Autumn Calling

Another Honorable Mention went to Lynette Weeks for her quilt Waiting for the Billy to Boil. Unfortunately Lynette couldn't be at the opening this year.

Waiting for the Billy to Boil by Lynette Weeks.

Here are some photos of the winners without people in front of them.

Winner 2019- Sea Wall no.6 by Sandra Champion

Runner Up 2019- And the Wheels go Round No.4 by Sue Reid

Highly Commended- Leaves Falling-Autumn Calling by Rebecca Wolske

As I said there were so many other wonderful textile works on display, I was so glad that I didn't have to pick the winners.

If I get a chance I'll post some of the other work later in the week.

The exhibition is on until the 1st September at the historic Bundoora Homestead. 7 Prospect Hill Drive, Bundoora

Bundoora Homestead is open Thursday to Sunday 10am to 5pm

There is also a lovely cafe on site.

I will be there again in a couple of weeks.
On Saturday 3rd August at 2pm because there are going to be floor talks with 4 of the artists.

Be for now,
Linda

Victorian Quilters Gathering at Deniliquin

Last weekend I drove up to Deniliquin in NSW for the Victorian Quilters Spring Gathering.

Me with my quilt Naturally Crazy

I was asked to be the guest speaker and so my car was packed with 3 suitcases of quilts.

The tiny suitcase on the left was my clothes, the big ones held the quilts.

The meeting was held in a beautiful old church.

The Church hall

Behind the hall was a picturesque lake.

The room was packed as quilters came from lots of nearby country towns; it was a very friendly meeting.

The committee and members of the Deniliquin quilters had gone to so much trouble to make it a fun day with door prizes and raffle prizes and the most delicious morning and afternoon tea.

There were two large tables of scones for morning tea and two large tables of mixed cakes for afternoon tea. Those ladies certainly know how to cook!

After lunch it was my time to be guest speaker, the ladies were very kind and many told me that they enjoyed hearing my quilting story.

Me as guest speaker

I was lucky enough to have dinner one night with local couple Audrey and John. John cooked up a delicious dinner and dessert for me and the Vic Quilters President, Marie. I had to get a photo taken with Audrey and Marie. Audrey is in the middle and she's looking very serious in the photo but she was a kind and gracious host.

Audrey, Marie and I

 As well as guest speaker I was also there as Vice President of Victorian Quilters. We got a photo with the Vic Quilters committee members who made the trip up there with the Deniliquin committee members.

Committee members

I am so glad that we took the time for the photos because so often we forget these things.

It was a wonderful weekend and the weather was perfect. Thank you to the Deniliquin Quilters for a wonderful day and great memories.

I didn't have a couple of quilts with me because they were in America but one came back when I got back home. In the box was a lovely ribbon for winning 3rd prize in the Paducah Fall Show.

The Bleaching with its ribbon

Bye for now,
Linda