Browsing the vendors and picking up the vibe of the industry brought us renewed enthusiasm and inspiration for our business.
However, for me as a fiber artist, it was the exhibits that were the soul of the trip! Wow, such eye candy and artistic expression.
The added bonus of seeing the exhibits during Market instead of Festival was that there were no crowds and I could get fairly good shots of the quilts in the exhibits that allowed photographs, were were mainly the judged exhibits.
These are shots of my favorites. I didn't learn the results of the judging until after we were back home, but it was amazing the number of my favorites also turned out to be the favorites of the judges.
The title and artist's name is above the photo of the quilts.
Hand in Hand by Reiko Kato
The next four photos are of the amazing Caryl Bryer Fallert exhibit - 30 quilts for 30 years. All thirty of these quilts were stunning - the artistry, composition, color, and stitching. We bought the CD of the exhibit so that I can be inspired whenever I want.
Wind by Masanobu Miyama
The Superior Threads Master Award for Thread Artistry winner
I just loved the feeling of wind expressed with the blowing fur and swirling colors in the sky. Just beautiful and expressive.
House in the Valley #5 by Laura Wasilowski
Art-Miniature - 3rd place winner
My favorite part of Laura's work is her sense of whimsey! Love it. I was sorry to see that this piece was already sold. Laura is teaching a workshop for us next year in April.
Tropical Fantasy by Bonnie Ouellette
What can I say, I love beads and bright colors. Some of the leaves are completely covered in beads and others are hand silk-screened fabric.
Home at Last by Kaye Koler
Miniature Quilts - 3rd place winner
The log cabin block is one of my favorite traditional patterns and this one is so wonderfully scrappy. The fact that it is no larger than about 14" square makes it all the more amazing.
Pray for the Land of Green by Masa Yanagimoto
Mixed Technique - 2nd place winner
This piece was in the embellished category and it is a beautiful example of just the right amount and kind of embellishment. It features Japanese embroidery, Sukashi with kumiage (combination open work), hand piecing and appliqué.
Illinois Album by Jane Sassaman
The Baby Lock Master Award for Innovative Artistry - winner
I'm always inspired by Jane's work! The photo below is a detail shot of the same quilt. Jane is teaching another workshop for us next year in December.
In the Bleak Midwinter by Ruth Powers
Beautiful use of hand-dyed fabric to evoke the chill of winter. Ruth will be teaching a workshop for us in 2015.
Random Rose Garden by Karen Eckmeier
Innovative Pieced - 2nd place winner
Such a marvelous blending of colors.
A Pocket Full of Paisleys by Lorilynn King (detail shot)
I Have Many Faces by Natalie Carlton
Art-People, Portraits, and Figures - Honorable Mention
Jack by Sandy Curran
All Together by Hiroko Miyama and Masanobu Miyama
Emmy Tovo by Sherri Culver
Art-People, Portraits, and Figures - 3rd place winner
I love the playful expression in this portrait and the use of the fabrics.
Cock of the Walk by David Taylor
Art-Pictorial - 3rd place winner
David is teaching a workshop for us next year in August, which is filling fast.
Did You Wash Your Beak? by David Taylor
Judge’s Choice winner
Venus in the Garden by Sheila Frampton-Cooper
This photo doesn't do this large piece justice. It is amazing. I love the composition, the colors, and intense stitching. Sheila will be teaching a workshop for us in 2015.
Shadows 2 by Margarete Steinhauer
This is just a general shot of a grouping of fabulous works. I'm sorry I didn't get the titles and names of the artists but my camera battery gave up the ghost right after this shot.
It Takes the Case by Karlyn Bue Lohrenz
Art-Pictorial - Honorable Mention
The Great Barrier Reef by Miki Murakami
Emerald City by Norma Schlager
Tutti Frutti Main Street by Susan Bleiweiss
Art-Whimsical - Honorable Mention
Lair of the Amethyst Deva by Sheila Frampton-Cooper
Snow Buddies by Ruth Powers
Best Friend by Barbara Yates Beasley
I was immediately drawn to this happy dog face, probably because, as I learned after reading the description, the dog is part Dalmatian, so I recognized the smile!
Sue Spargo's booth at Market displaying all her original folk art quilts.
Sue will be teaching a workshop for us in 2015.
Jane Sassaman posing the booth featuring her new line of fabric.
Lenore Crawford's work on display in the Northcott fabric booth.
Lenore is teaching a workshop for us next year in November.
One can dream can't one . . . . The new Bernina.
I love the art of Charlie Harper and this new line of fabric by Birch Fabrics features his art. It is made of organic cotton.
On the last day of our stay in Houston, we took the Texas Quilt Museum tour. The museum is in La Grange, TX, which is about 2 hours west of Houston. The bus was very comfortable and the tour guide kept us all entertained with lively descriptions and histories of the things and towns we passed on the way.
There are no photos allowed inside the museum, but this wonderful mural is painted on the outside.
Also next to and part of the museum was this lovely historically inspired garden.
The museum is near the town square in La Grange. The center of the square is the location of the historic town court house, an impressive stone structure with an atrium in the center.
Not showed but one of the highlights of this stop was the Quilted Skein, my dream quilt shop that not only had loads of tempting fabric, but also yarn! It was right next door to the museum.
Then next stop on the tour was the town of Round Top, TX (we have a Round Top, NY near us!) The feature of this little town was the Henkle Square Market - grouping a small shops, one of which was the Copper Shade Tree, a shop featuring artisan-made products including fiber arts.
Another of my favorite shops was the pie shop, Royers Pie Haven! I enjoyed a slice of yummy strawberry rhubarb pie on the front porch. Nothing says "country living" more than homemade pie on the front porch!
All in all, it was an awesome experience and I look forward to doing it all again some day.
