Dallas Quilt Celebration 2015 - Cakes and Christmas

Here is both Larry's and my favorite quilt of the entire show: "One Cake, Two Cake, Red Cake, Blue Cake" with its maker, Linda Neal of McKinney, Texas, quilted by Jackie Brown.  Ms. Neal took a pattern by Nancy Hieronymus Barrett called "Let Them Eat Cake" and made it her own.  It is spectacular!

One Cake, Two Cake, Red Cake, Blue Cake, by Linda Neal of McKinney, T 

It took second place in the "Show Chair Theme: Funny Quilts".  I am still waiting to find out if it won the Viewer's Choice Award because it was obviously a VERY popular entry.

One Cake, Two Cake, Red Cake, Blue Cake, by Linda Neal of McKinney, TX

Ms. Neal used Sharon Schamber's wicked cool "loop binding" technique to finish the quilt.  She said she went to California a few years ago to take the class from Ms. Schamber.  It is not a simple process, apparently it has eighty steps!  It was the perfect binding for this quilt.

One Cake, Two Cake, Red Cake, Blue Cake, by Linda Neal of McKinney, TX

The quilting done by Ms. Brown on this quilt is out of this world!  She repeated many of the appliqued motifs in the quilting, always beautifully placed and perfectly executed.  The negative space on this quilt is almost as mesmerizing as the positive . 

One Cake, Two Cake, Red Cake, Blue Cake, by Linda Neal of McKinney, TX

I believe the team of Neal and Brown have worked together before, because Ms. Neal stated that she did not give Ms. Brown any specific instructions beyond, "Here it is, do what you want to with it."  Now that is trust.

One Cake, Two Cake, Red Cake, Blue Cake, by Linda Neal of McKinney, TX

The level of detail and enthusiasm and love that went into this quilt really brings it to a championship level in this blogger's opinion.  Both Larry and I were really really impressed.  I asked Ms. Neal if she planned to send this quilt to Houston, and she said, "Oh it will have to be accepted into the show first."  I really do not think that is going to be an issue.

One Cake, Two Cake, Red Cake, Blue Cake, by Linda Neal of McKinney, TX

We even got to see the back of the quilt, which is always a treat.  Just look at that quilting!  Can you tell I am a big fan?  Wow!

One Cake, Two Cake, Red Cake, Blue Cake, by Linda Neal of McKinney, TX

Ms. Neal kept her artist's statement short and sweet; she had lots more to say in person.

One Cake, Two Cake, Red Cake, Blue Cake, by Linda Neal of McKinney, TX

Well, my photographer husband really let me down in that he did NOT get a full quilt picture of "Twas the Night Before Christmas" also by Linda Neal and quilted by Jackie Brown (thank heaven for Pinterest, which you will need to see her quilt), but I found this link to the Baltimore Christmas pattern, upon which the quilt was based.  At least he managed to get a picture of most of the center medallion (you're killin' me here, Larry!)

Twas the Night Before Christmas, by Linda Neal of McKinney, TX

This quilt is unbelievably good too.  It won "Best in Show" in the Quilter's Guild of Plano show, "Quilt Plano 2014" and took another blue ribbon in the "Large Applique: Master Division" here at the Dallas Quilt Celebration.

Twas the Night Before Christmas, by Linda Neal of McKinney, TX

The applique on this quilt is superb.  I love the gingerbread and the snowman wreaths.  Ms. Neal also took the gingerbread men and snowmen and turned them into a border garland that is much more intense than the original design.  In fact, much of the border appears to be original to her interpretation quilt.

Twas the Night Before Christmas, by Linda Neal of McKinney, TX

And if you look closely, you can see the Sharon Schamber corded binding technique used to very good effect on this quilt too.  The quilting is pretty spectacular here as well; it really enhances the applique.  I would have liked to get a look at the back of the quilt.

Twas the Night Before Christmas, by Linda Neal of McKinney, TX

The red diamond edging is original to this interpretation of the quilt too.  I have to say that all of Ms. Neal's improvements to the original design are very lush and effective.  Her partridge is very lifelike too.

Twas the Night Before Christmas, by Linda Neal of McKinney, TX

The gingerbread house is just darling.  This quilt looks like it would be so much fun to do, but SO incredibly time-consuming.  (No, Susan, you are not going to immediately order the pattern, but I sure would like to.)

Twas the Night Before Christmas, by Linda Neal of McKinney, TX

Another short Artist's Statement.  I really look forward to seeing more from the team of Neal and Brown in the future.

Twas the Night Before Christmas, by Linda Neal of McKinney, TX

Tatting Tuesday will resume next week, in the meantime, happy quilting!

Dallas Quilt Show Slideshows - LOTS of Quilts!

Bull Winkle by Jean Brower of Allen, Texas, Third Place Open Division "Pictorial" category. My husband and I both loved this amazing moose; the detail was incredible.

Celestial Showers by Mildred Sorrells of Macomb, Illinois, winner of both the Judge's Choice (Jane Hall) Award and an Honorable Mention in the Master Division "Large Pieced" category. Awesome quilting!

Chairy Tree by Tonya Littmann of Denton, Texas. This didn't win any prizes, but it was so clever it always had a crowd around it giggling. 8)Clam Session by Karen K. Stone of Beaumont, Texas, First Place in the Master Division "Art Quilt" category. I'm not sure if this was the same quilt that won in Houston last fall or not. It was certainly very similar.

Dallas Wind Rose Quilter's Guild of Dallas, Keepers Quilt Collection, chaired by Ruth C. Cottrell. I wonder how many women worked on this quilt? There was certainly plenty to go around. If anyone knows more about it, please let me know.




Dear Harriet, I Am Trying by Kathy Kelley of Waco, Texas. An ode to Harriet Hargrove. I think Harriet would be VERY please by this attempt!

Emiline by Pat Kuhns of Lincoln, Nebraska, Second Place Open Division "Miniature Quilts" category. This tiny little jewel just captivated me; and it was so perfect, it could have been done by Sally Collins. 8)

Endless Stars by Pat McCarroll of Plano, Texas. This quilt reminded me of my efforts last year on Starry Night. So many stars!

Grandma Larson's Flower Garden by Joyce Larson of Burkburnett, Texas, Winner of an Honorable Mention in the Open Division "Quilts made by Seniors" category. The machine quilting on this quilt was done by Richard Larson, whose name I saw as quilter on a number of the quilts in the show. His quilting is superb and this quilt was simply wonderful, so delicate!




Happiness is a Primitive Garden by Timi Ann Welch of Allen, Texas, Third Place Open Division "Group Quilts" category. This was a fun quilt! I really enjoyed seeing it and I bet it was fun to work on too. 8)

Historical Buildings of Denton County by Barbara McCraw of Denton, Texas, First Place Open Division "Group Quilts" category. This quilt was a clever idea that was wonderfully well executed.

Mammy Quilt by Marlene Dreyer of Frisco, Texas. This was a sweet quilt that, I think, is a sensitive portrayal of a much loved figure.

Marching With Shermon by Pat Poulter of Allen, Texas, Third Place in the Artisan Division "Two-Person Large Quilts" category. The quilting on this rather austere quilt was meticulous. I thought the name of the quilt was an interesting choice for a show here in the land of cotton. ;)




Mission: Impossible 2 by Kumiko Frydl of Houston, Texas, Winner of the Pride of Dallas Award and First Place Open Division "Miniature Quilts" category. This should have been called "Oops, I did it again" because I remember a very similar quilt winning the same prize last year. How about something a little different next year? Even just another color would be nice. Big kudos on the level of perfection achieved again; it's definitely become the gold standard.

Montana Lone Star by Vicki Conley of Ruidoso Downs, New Mexico, Second Place in the Artisan Division "Large Pieced" category. This was my husbands favorite quilt (which is why the slideshow is so long - lol) I liked it, especially the bambi kaleidescopes, but not as much as he did!

Mostly Morris by Joyce Saia of Beaumont, Texas, winner of an Honorable Mention in the Master Division "Applique" category. This is a beautiful quilt, which spent most of the show surrounded by admirers. Everyone liked the gold braid accents; I thought it was all terrific.

My Traveling Winter Wonderland by Linda Neal of McKinney, Texas, Second Place Open Division "Other Techniques" category. This could be my favorite quilt in the show. I thought it was darling! The little snowman vignettes are just captivating and it is soooo pretty!

Peace Rocks by Rosemary Raley, Winner of an Honorable Mention in the Artisan Division "Two-Person Small Quilts" category. This quilt rocks! What a terrific tribute to her Aunt; she must be so thrilled!

Roseville by Ingrid Fullard of Georgetown, Texas, Third Place in the Artisan Division "Two-Person Small Quilts" category. This is the quilt I WISH I had more pictures of! It's so beautiful and I only got ONE detail photo. Dang! By the way, this is really big for a "small" quilt!

Sandhills Stars by Sandi McMillan of Albion, Nebraska, First Place Master Division "Large Pieced" category. This quilt shows how very ordinary fabrics can be combined in ways to make a stunning statement. Very nicely done!

Just Sing... Sing a Song by Tom Russell of Katy, Texas, winner of the Corinne Manley Award. The detail on this quilt was amazing. I'm glad I got lots of photos. I think it's a really special little quilt!

Stitch Sampler by Vicki Conley of Ruidoso Downs, New Mexico, winner of an Honorable Mention in the Artisan Division "Wall Quilt" category. I WISH I could machine quilt like this. Such artistry! I wish I had taken more detail shots, but it was surrounded by an admiring hoard and I was in the way.

Sun Burst by Wendy Chizuko Simard of Colleyville, Texas, Third Place Open Division "Miniature Quilts" category. This was a spectacular little quilt. I loved the originality of it's asymetric design and wonderful use of contrasting colors.

The Bold and the Beautiful by Dana Jo Johnson, Winner of an Honorable Mention in the Artisan Division "Two-Person Small Quilts" category. This was another simply amazing quilt that had a nearly constant crowd of people around it disbelieving that it hadn't won a higher prize. Congratulations, Ms. Johnson, your quilt was a really big hit. 8)

The Day it Snowed Tortillas by Juanita "Lou" Lovelady-Sikes of Portales, New Mexico, Winner of an Honorable Mention in the Open Division "Pictorial" category. This was a clever little quilt, and so well executed. I'm not sure what it all meant, but I sure enjoyed it!

Van Gogh Sunflowers by Debra Dall'asen of Plano, Texas, Second Place in the Artisan Division "First Quilt" category. This is a fabulous quilt. My camera gave me lots of trouble with the blue background and I was never able to replicate the lovely soft shade of blue, but you get the general idea.

Wistful Willows by Linda Roy of Knoxville, Tennessee, winner of the Viewer's Choice Award, the Betty J. Carpenter Memorial Award for Overall Handwork AND First Place in the Master Division "Applique" category. This was a very popular quilt. Her "willow" technique reminded me a bit of chenille; it was certainly a lovely tribute to her kitty!

Dallas Quilt Celebration Slideshows

Here are some of my favorite quilts from the Dallas Quilt Celebration with links to the slideshow of the quilt on the name of the quilt:

"Beneath the Deep Blue Sea" is in the "Quilters Guild of Dallas, Keepers Quilt Collection, chaired by Consetta Boscardin" (BTW If anyone knows exactly what that means, please let me know.)
"Facade" by Melissa Sobotka of Richardson, Texas took first prize in the "Open Division - Pictoral". Ms Sobotka wrote, "A crumbling facade in Montecatini Terme, Tuscany, worn by time, and masked by failed restoration, possessed great beauty and character - making me wonder what was behind those doors." "Peacock Squawk" by Kathy Kelly of Waco took 3rd Place in the "Master Division - Art Quilt" category. Ms Kelly wrote, "These 8" square blocks were the prototype for a class project studying the color wheel. Then they unexpectedly took off on a wild bird". There I am, taking a load off, enjoying the back of this quilt, which is completely reversible.
"How My Garden Grows" by Shelly Sutton of Cedar Park, Texas was a terrific colorful quilt that sadly didn't win anything except high praise by everyone who saw it. Ms. Sutton wrote, "I wanted to make a Dresden Plate quilt and this is what happened". Wow.
More to come...

Best in Show and the One that beat Dear Jane

A very deep purple take on the "Little Brown Bird" quilt called "Brown Bird's Lullaby" by Sally Magee of Heath, TX most deservedly won Best in Show at the Dallas Quilt Celebration this past weekend. I got to meet Ms. Magee, who told me that this breath-taking quilt took her a total of 4000 hours to complete; 3000 to do all the applique and 1000 to quilt. She was the first of her friends who are all making this quilt to complete it. (When I told her I had the book she encouraged me to make one of my own.) Here is Ms. Magee beside her masterpiece. I also made a slideshow of many details of this quilt.

"Poinsettias in the Snow" made by Janice Bentley of Dallas and quilted by Richard Larsen, beat out Dear Jane for winner of the "Open Division - Senior" group. Here is a slideshow of the lovely Poinsettias quilt.


"Poinsettias in the Snow" is a beautiful example of an overall applique design with a subtle Christmas theme. The workmanship of the applique and the machine quilting are exquisite, and, as far as I know, it is an original design. (If I'm wrong about that someone please let me know!)

Dear Jane at Dallas Quilt Celebration Takes Second Prize

A Dear Jane quilt by Mary Lou Strohm of Quinlan, TX took second prize in the "Open Division - Senior" at the Dallas Quilt Celebration this weekend. The quilt entitled "Mixed Techniques" used 169 different red fabrics and took Ms. Strohm 7 years to complete.

This magnificent quilt, which appears to accurately reproduce the complete, original Dear Jane in lovely shades of red, clearly deserves high praise to the maker. Congratulations Ms. Strohm on your wonderful achievement! Here is a Slideshow of just this Dear Jane, showing much of its fabulous detail and lovely hand-quilting.