Monday, February 27, 2012

"Home is Where the Quilt Is"...

Every year I am most happy to support the annual quilt contest and fundraiser held by the Alliance for American Quilts.  I am not eligible to win, being a board member--and the prizes are really great--but I love the design challenge and to join my fellow quilters in this effort.

This year's theme is "Home is Where the Quilt Is", and the quilt must be shaped like a simple house, in the set dimensions of 15" X 19 1/2".

Did I love making my quilt!  It was inspired by this part of the view out my sewing room window.

Especially that little barn.....

I did have to simplify everything of course...
Here are a few more details...

This tatting was given to me by Marie, who was in my last post. I just brushed it with some Tsukineko ink to turn it into the sun.

I can't leave out three dimensional flowers, can I?

It's been too long since I've played in the flowers!  Spring must be coming to the Washougal River Valley....

I have been collecting vintage quilt blocks for a long time and felt that they would help with the theme of this quilt.  I pieced those white and green flying geese using vintage fabrics oh...about...20 years ago!

The contest quilts will be displayed all over the country this summer, and then auctioned off on EBay in the fall, as in years past.  The income is critical for the Alliance for American Quilts which as a non-profit accomplishes so much on a very lean budget.  I hope you will make an entry too; find the information here.

There is a HandiQuilter out there for the winner, as well as many other prizes.  But most of all, you will be supporting a great cause and participating in a wonderful challenge, keeping our quilting tradition fresh and new!  The deadline is June 1, 2012, so you still have lots of time....

13 comments :

Amy Milne said...

Thanks, Allie! Can't wait to see this beauty in person.

Unknown said...

I really love this one. The shape, the colors, the grouping of the 3-d flowers. It will be a bright spot in the AAQI exhibit.

Vicki W said...

It's spectacular!

Sandra said...

Absolutely fabulous. Your scene is so lovely and the vintage and antique blocks are icing on the cake.

Kay said...

It's lovely! I thought this was a hard theme, but you've nailed it.

Sandies' Patch said...

I can see you enjoyed making this gorgeous quilt, it shines through your work.
I really like the flower garde, such variety!

Have a great week,

Sandie xx

Conni said...

What a charming little quilt! I love it!

Anonymous said...

I love your quilt Allie and the fact that you use sane quilt blocks in your quilts you have inspired me to make one also.

Susan Elliott said...

I really love what you've included in your home...the antique quilt squares, the 3-d flowers, the SUN! The green hills and the barn..The barn is a new part of the story for me so I'd love to hear more.

One year I hope to have the time to make a quilt for this exhibit. Maybe there's still a chance...just maybe...

Barbara C said...

What a sweet piece, I love the vintage elements, and the house shaped, of course.

Rebecca Grace said...

Your embroidered and embellished flowers are so exquisite! Have you done a post on your process? I can't tell for sure from looking at the pictures whether you're doing machine embroidery, hand embroidery, or a combination of the two, but your workmanship is absolutely amazing.

Elizabeth said...

Allie!! I adore this sweet little piece!! You do play in the flowers so beautifully!! my baby Daffies are blooming Hurray!!!

Joan said...

I have to tell you that even though I entered a quilt in the "Home is Where the Quilt is" contest too, I voted for yours. You did fabulous work, and I just love it. Hope you win!