Another Great Year

We had our annual holiday gathering at Marilyn's house.  She goes all out decorating for Christmas, so the atmosphere is always festive.  In lieu of a gift exchange, we each chose to donate money to an organization with textile related projects or loans.  We all agreed that each of had indeed enough fabric, paint, thread, beads, etc. etc. but there are many women not as fortunate as us who could use that $25 we had spent on each other in the past.  So a new tradition is born.

And a new look at our smiling and festive faces, with special thanks to Marilyn's daughter Adrienne for being our photographer.

Pacific International Quilt Festival

PIQF is the one big international quilt show in the bay area.  It's held every year at the Santa Clara Convention Center near the middle of October.  Often our whole group goes, but this year because many of us are going to Houston, there were fewer.  But there were plenty of winners in the group.  And everyone who went to the show enjoyed it, were inspired and some managed to come home with fabric as well.

Joyce Paterson got an Honorable Mention in the category Wall Quilts for her quilt "The Songbirds Garden Duet", below.

Ann Horton was awarded a blue ribbon for Best Sewing Machine Workmanship in the category Mid Century Modern for her quilt "Shelter", below.

Laura Fogg had three quilts in the show.  Below is "American as..."

 

  This is Laura's "Fig Feast"

 

And her "Impressions of  Patzcuaro"

Grace Hudson Museum Show

Due to the efforts of Holly Brackmann, the Mendocino Quilt Artists have been given the opportunity to show our quilts during National Craft month. They will be up until the beginning of November.  I hope many people will get to the show - it's a good one.

Here are some photos of part of the show and opening, thanks to Renee Gannon.  Please note that there are many more quilts not visible in the photos.

Winners at AQS Lancaster

Our group is always so proud when members win a ribbon at a show they have entered.  This year Ann Horton and Joyce Paterson entered quilts and both won ribbons.  Congratulations to both of them and what an inspiration for all of us to continue to enter quilts.  Sometimes quilts don't win at one show but will at another, so don't give up!

Ann Horton's Poco Loco won at Lancaster a 2nd place in the Crazy Quilts.  But this quilt has also won 2nd at Road to California and Best Embellishents at PIQF.

Joyce Paterson's Confetti won a 1st place ribbon in the Wall Quilt category.

MQA Holiday Party

Every year we gather at Marilyn Simpson's beautifully decorated home for our annual holiday party and gift exchange.  Actually the food is as important as the gifts, and this year didn't disappoint.  Adrienne Simpson skillfully photographed and photoshopped our group, looking splendid, I think.  It's become an annual tradition.  One of these years, I'll try and post as many of these as I have - the age progression might be too daunting though.  Never mind.  Another time.  But here we are in all our glory.

From left front: Joyce Paterson, Vicky Groom, Laura Fogg, Leila Kazimi, Dede Ledford, Deanna Apfel.  Back row from left: Holly Brackmann, Renee Gannon, Mary Ann Michelsen, Betty Lacy, Ann Horton, Marilyn Simpson.

Mendocino Art Center Show Opening

Our group was asked to put together a show for the Mendocino Art Center.  It's always nice to see your work in a gallery setting, in a beautiful place on the Mendocino coast.  These photos were from the opening December 13, 2014.

Dede and Holly in front of quilts by Ann Horton, Joyce Paterson and Marilyn Simpson

Betty Lacy's buddhas

Betty Lacy's

Vicky Groom's

Quilts by Deanna Apfel, Dede Lefford (in front) and two by Laura Fogg

Quilts by Deanna Apfel, Renee Gannon and Holly Brackmann

Quilts by Dede Ledford and Leila Kazimi

Zucchini Glut by Laura Fogg

Laura's Beets

Leila Kazimi

Marilyn Simpson and Leila Kazimi

Holly Brackmann and Renee Gannon

Vicky Groom

Voices in Cloth at Cranway Pavilion

I received some more photos from the show.  These are sort of birds-eye views of the show and it gives you some idea of the fabulous space of the Craneway Pavilion and of the large number of quilts displayed.  Kudos to the East Bay Heritage Quilters for putting this show on every two years and continuing to grow it and increase its success and attendance.  And a very big thanks for giving us a special exhibit.  It's nice to get those quilts back out into the world.

These photos were taken by Obie Gilkerson.