Everyone's "Houston" is different: if you look around on Facebook or the blogs and see the quilts that people are posting, it is obvious that we each see such different things!
I'm just going to post pictures...I'm a little overwhelmed, still, to do anything else!
This is a detail from A Pocket Full of Paisleys, by Lorilynn King. It was in the Embellished Quilts category and my favorite of the bunch.
Here is a look at the whole quilt.
And here is the embellished quilt that won the category.
This stretched my notions of what embellishment is, for sure.
This quilt was masterfully conceived and executed.
This was my other favorite in the Embellished category, Redwork Babies by Nancy Hovis and Jackie Herbert. Just exceptional work!
The Second Place winner in the Mixed Techniques category is by Masa Yamagimoto. It is called "Pray for the Land of Green".
She stood serenely smiling at us all; she did not know English, nor need it! Her presence was very graceful and look at her quilt!
She folded it back so we could see the intricate lattice work border, and also the hand quilting.
The commitment to detail and perfection is mind blowing.
Down to the subtle gold embroidery... I found this to be quiltmaking at the very highest level. I respectfully gave her a small bow when I left, and her bow to me...well, it was so gorgeous, sweet, and dignified. It made a deep impression on me.
Another Japanese artist made this quilt, called "Wind". Masanobu Miyama's piece is about 18" X 20", I would say.
The Texans, by Patricia Styring, was a very popular quilt. The way it conveys its narrative is superb, I think.
Here is a detail. What a light touch she has!
I am finding myself drawn to more traditional patterns and quiltmaking techniques these days. "Recycled Ties: No Necks Needed" by Virginia Anderson just delighted me.
Here's a detail. So yummy. And what perfect control she had of that wiggly silk!
Another traditional quilt that I loved was actually a one patch, so simple but so effective.
(Part of) Indigo Trips Around the World by Anabeth Dolins.
And not all the quilts I saw and loved were in the exhibit. There was also an amazing one in Julie Silber's booth,
The Quilt Complex.
There's Julie on the right, utterly delighted by this unusual quilt.
So there you have it, my eccentric selections, winnowed from hundreds!
If you love quilts, if you can, go to the big Festival in Houston at least once....
