Ribbon Winners...

Okay it's time to see more quilts from Maine Quilts 2010. These are all winners from the "large bed quilt" category. I loved them all... They are in no particular order...

First is a very traditional design, Double Wedding Ring, hand pieced and hand quilted by Eleanor D. Brown of Cape Elizabeth Maine. It is for her granddaughter and took 28 months to complete. As I was taking this photo a darling little girl of about 6 was also taking a photo with her small disposable camera. I encountered her quite often while going up and down the aisles. I think her Mommy probably had a quilt or two in the show, and I guessed that she was taking pictures of her favorites; I noticed that each one had purple as a prominent color.

Next is When Pigs Fly by Ruth Alexander of Freeport ME. What looks like fuschia pink here was actually a gorgeous red-violet. The colors were striking and the backing was equally interesting- it was also pieced and featured flying pigs. Although I have never met Ruth "in person" I feel I know her from many dealings by mail- raffle tickets and class registrations... I was so happy to see her win a ribbon. Look at the movement in her quilt... Wow!




Coming Together by Diane Colucci of Rahway NJ is a traditional quilt with a twist, a combination of Asian fabrics with heirloom quilting. As she was making the quilt her husband commented "It's coming together"... hence the name. Rather than getting the entire quilt in the frame, I wanted to get in closer so you could appreciate the beautiful quilting (professionally long arm quilted by Linda Thiefoldt) . Click on the photo for a closer look...


Next is a split nine patch titled A Fabric Gift from Judy. This lovely scrap quilt was made by Sabra G. Andersen of Belfast ME. I thought she did an excellent job with the value placement in her blocks, giving a secondary design, and I also liked the border.






Daydream was one of my favorite scrap quilts. Made by Marla Baker of Portland, it used many fabrics from her scrap bin, giving her the chance to daydream about past projects. Marla knows that the success of a scrap quilt depends on the use of a wide range of fabrics: both small and larger prints, tone on tones, florals, geometrics, stripes and plaids, polka dots, and even novelty fabrics.



The Grapes of Bath, a first place winner by Wendy Caton Reed of Bath ME has over 1000 grapes and over 1000 yards of thread. An original design, inspired by hundreds of nineteenth century quilts, this piece was beautifully hand appliqued, hand embroidered and hand quilted. The cheddar colored background was very different and very effective in showing off the echo quilting.




Sara's Tulips won a Judge's Choice ribbon. I thought the machine quilting on it was exquisite. Made by Maureen Blanchard of Townsend MA for her daughter Sara. Lucky girl!! This was such a soft feminine quilt....



I Can Do Anything was also a Judge's Choice winner. Diana Jacobs of Medway ME used a Jinny Beyer pattern and JB fabric for this beauty. It was beautifully machine quilted by her sister. I LOVE Jinny Beyer's border prints - I wish she would design and produce more of them... Click on this photo to see the exquisite quilting....






Peace Quilt, Legend of the Crane by Pam Post of Hobe Sound FL was the third Judge's Choice- another excellent choice. The crane has become a symbol for peace. The cranes are all made from blue batiks purchased in the Merchant Mall at Maine Quilts several years ago.

Each year, Maine Quilts has a theme- this year it was "Blueberry Fields Forever". In my next post I will show you some of the Challenge pieces. Stay tuned!

Piece,
Linda

A quilt on the bed is worth two in the head.