ELAINE QUEHL, Quilt Artist, Teacher, Dyer, Designer

Wednesday, July 17, 2013

Heading for Houston

No, I'm not heading to Houston, but I've just learned that two of my quilts were accepted to the World of Beauty juried international show in Houston.  They are as follows:
Red Stool 
and
Curtain Call 2

I don't anticipate being in Houston myself this fall. Too many competing demands on my budget! I haven't entered Houston in a few years, and discovered that my hanging sleeves are not up to their standards, so that is going to take some work to fix. I've also been asked to ship Curtain Call 2 early as it has been chosen for POSSIBLE inclusion in the Quilt Scene Magazine, a magazine by Interweave that covers events at the Festival. To save money on shipping (which is very expensive) I have permission to ship both quilts together, BUT Red Stool, being an irregular-shaped quilt, needs to be mounted on black fabric, and that black fabric needs to include a hanging sleeve.  There's a major not-fun project I need to fit in this week. I sure hope it hangs OK when its mounted. They'll have to be shipped this week as I'm away the next two, and they are due by August 1. 

I know I've been quiet lately, but I am madly preparing for my two weeks of teaching at the Haliburton School of the Arts, beginning next week. First week will be my Art Quilt class, and the second week is a new class called Flowers and Foliage.

I've also been on a dyeing binge, partly inspired by work I want to complete, and partly inspired by an offer that has just come in from a fabric company to collaborate on a line of fabric based on my hand-dyes. I will share more about this when details are finalized. It took me a while to come to a decision on whether to take this on. It is going to involve publishing some patterns too.  Stay tuned!

16 comments:

  1. I'm happy for you about publishing your patterns! But I'm not so sure about the hand-dyes becoming a fabric line--I'm sure you're thrilled about it for financial reasons, but I hate to see "faux" hand dyed fabrics in quilt shops. I know people are incredibly lazy or don't even want to think about dyeing their own fabrics, but they really should try it (in my opinion, anyway, which doesn't really count for much). Congratulations, maybe this will include a book, too??

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    1. Hi Laura. I think most people buy a particular fabric in a quilt shop because they find the fabric beautiful. I think the actual hand-dyed fabric and the commercial fabric using the design of the hand-dyed fabric will look very different, and of course they come at a different price. I think a lot of people hate the mess of hand-dyed fabrics. I've noticed people seem to be either dyers or painters. I am the former but not so thrilled on painting fabric. There are people who are clearly not lazy, who will spend a year making a hand-appliqued quilt. They may not want to dye fabric, but they are definitely not lazy. They could say the same of me, who uses fusible applique non-stop ;-)) Each to their own. A book? Well not while this fabric contract is going on. A book is a lot of work. I better try patterns first ... that is the biggest challenge of this undertaking as I find it very challenging to do them up in good so others can understand my intentions.

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  2. Elaine, what exciting times for you! Congratulations - I know you'll knock 'em dead!

    Barb Ramik

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  3. Sounds fabulous! Congratulations. I'm passing through Ontario on my way to Chicago. Staying at the KOA RV park in Cardinal tonight & on to London tomorrow. We are hoping to spend a few days in Ottawa the end of August. Enjoy the summer.

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    1. Thanks Judy. What's happening in Chicago? That's a pretty long drive. Isn't that funny, you are in Ottawa the end of August, and I'm in Cape Breton. Can't wait!

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  4. Congratulations, Elaine. It is particularly nice to see your quilts accepted after watching the video on your process.

    Judy

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  5. Congratulations on all counts, Elaine! You're going in some new directions with that fabric line, and I wish you all the best.

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    1. Thanks Margaret. I think it is time for a new adventure!

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  6. Awesome!!! Congratulations, Elaine.

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  7. Congrats on all counts. I'll look for your quilts in Houston. I also had two accepted and will be going this year.

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    1. Congratulations to you too Norma! I remember my very first entry to Houston hung right next to your prize-winning piece. Who knows, maybe our work will be neighbours again :-)

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Elaine