Festival of Quilts

I spent three days at the Festival of Quilts in Birmingham last week. As always, the show was just great.

First, I was very moved by the lovely tribute to Marie Roper. She had been my teacher during the Creative Computing City and Guilds course I followed some time ago. On top of being a great artist and a wonderful teacher, she was a very kind and sweet person.
Here are two pictures of the gallery space that was devoted to her beautiful work.

The competitions of the Festival were interesting. Some excellent work, and some, hum, how could I say?... not so excellent. ;-) There is no selection, and thus everyone has a chance to take part. And once you know this, I think it is perfectly fine. The list of the winner quilts, with some pictures, can be found on the Twisted Thread website, here.


As for the invited artists' galleries, they were as good as usual.
Here is the amazing Anne Woringer with her quilt "Ciel de traîne"...

I liked very much the "Heavy Metal" exhibit by the group It Happens. Their work is so good, well presented and also documented through their sketchbooks. What a treat!
Here is "Gate" by Anne Tuck...

Among my other favourite exhibits, there were also Masters 2 by SAQA, European Art Quilt VII, Kate Dowty, CQ@10 by the Contemporary Quilt Group of the Quilters' Guild, Cas Holmes, Pauline Burbidge, and probably a few more I'm forgetting at the moment.

The Virtual Studio was again a lot of fun to visit. Here is Susan Chapman busy demonstrating screen printing.

I believe the green fabric behind her was printed by Fiona Wilson.

So much inspiration!
Of course, I also talked with lots of old friends and made a few new ones.
And now, just for my friends of Twelve by Twelve, look what I spotted on the first day in a bookstore display...

Patchwork in Provence

As I told you, I was lucky enough to visit a nice patchwork show during my stay in Provence.
The show is held at the Domaine des Girasols in Rasteau. In addition to many contemporary and traditional pieces, there are some lovely antique quilts, as you can see in the first picture, and also a great collection of authentic molas.
The show is organized by Marie Elisabeth Joyet, who's with me in the next picture holding a beautiful quilt she made for her daughter.

The show will be accessible until September. If you are in the area, don't hesitate to visit. (And if your hubby gets bored, he can keep himself busy with wine tasting! ;-) )
Information here.

L'exposition reste accessible jusque début septembre. Voir les infos ici.

Next are two more pictures of beautiful Provence...
Time to get back to the studio now.

Provence

I am back from a well needed little break in sunny Provence...
Blue sky, gorgeous landscapes, beautiful little villages and great food... it was perfect.
I even stumbled by chance on a patchwork exhibition and had the pleasure of meeting the very nice French lady who organized it. But that will be for the next post...