Dallas Quilt Celebration 2015 - Christmas and Tennis Balls

Here are two more of our favorite quilts from the Dallas Quilt Celebration.  I particularly loved Mardy Cronister's rendition of "Audubon Christmas" by Kathy McNeil, quilted by Richard Larson.

Audubon Christmas, by Mardy Cronister of Fairview, TX

Ms. Cronister's Audobon Christmas took second place in the "Open - Seniors" division.  The quilt is breath-taking!

Audubon Christmas, by Mardy Cronister of Fairview, TX

I would say she completely achieved her stated goal of having very lifelike birds.  The red cardinals are wonderful.

Audubon Christmas, by Mardy Cronister of Fairview, TX

I cannot remember ever seeing better birds.  Just look at this charming family of quail!

Audubon Christmas, by Mardy Cronister of Fairview, TX

Mr. Larson's quilting really enhances the quilt, and gives the scene a sense of depth.

Audubon Christmas, by Mardy Cronister of Fairview, TX

Larry loves owls.  I had plenty of pictures to choose from of them.  These owls look very curious and wise.

Audubon Christmas, by Mardy Cronister of Fairview, TX

My Grandmother would have adored this quilt.  A lifetime native of northern Wisconsin, Grandma loved seeing the cardinals in winter.  Often they were the only color in the whole landscape.

Audubon Christmas, by Mardy Cronister of Fairview, TX

The links above will take you to Kathy McNeil's website, to the specific panels displayed.  The entire quilt pattern is available for purchase, with panels sold individually, in case the entire quilt is too much to imagine doing.  And congratulations again to Ms. Cronister for winning a ribbon with her delightful interpretation of this quilt. 

And here is the quilt that won over One Cake, Two Cake, Red Cake, Blue Cake.  It is called "Obsession" by Tonya Littmann of Denton, Texas.

Obsession, by Tonya Littmann of Denton, TX

As much as I love "One Cake, Two Cake", I have to admit this is a wonderfully inventive interpretation of the theme, "Funny Quilts".  Hasn't every pet owner captured this picture?  They will not sit still and have their picture taken, they have to come see what you are doing!  

Rusty apparently REALLY likes his tennis balls!  "Throw it again, Mom; throw it again!"  The border of tiny tennis balls really put this quilt over the top in my opinion.  Where do you even find miniature tennis balls.

Obsession, by Tonya Littmann of Denton, TX

Ms. Littmann did her own quilting, and she definitely gets extra credit in my book for all these tiny pebbles.

Obsession, by Tonya Littmann of Denton, TX

I do not think anyone will be stealing Ms. Littmann's creative design (if that would even be possible); however, I would not be surprised if many people grabbed their cameras and made similar photos/quilts of their own pets' obsessions.  Congratulations Ms. Littmann on your well-deserved blue ribbon.