New for Christmas This Year

 I went to the International Quilt Festival in Houston this year - first time since covid.  While it was not what it used to be in terms of vendors or exhibits (no doll exhibit! 😞) I did find some sparkly cotton fabrics perfect for Christmas Elves.

Jolly and Jingle

Sparkle and Twinkle

All in my etsy shop now.

Also in my etsy shop: two new "Eco Angels"

Eco Angels are cloth dolls with felted merino wool dresses, wings, and rose crowns. 

The dresses have been eco printed with seeded eucalyptus. 

Their hair is white mohair. 

One has blue eyes, one has brown eyes.

They are designed to hang on the wall and measure 10” tall x 8” wide.

What a Doll! Texas Quilt Museum

 A couple of weeks ago I had the opportunity to go to the Texas Quilt Museum in La Grange, TX for an art doll exhibit.  This is a permanent collection of dolls to be shown periodically.  It was the brainchild of the late elinor peace bailey.  She asked cloth doll artists around the country to donate a doll to the museum and this was the first showing.

The Material Girls of Houston cloth doll club was instrumental in organizing and setting up the exhibit.  Laura Smith and some of the members gave a presentation.

I donated two dolls.

This is "A Mother's Treasure is Her Daughter".  I didn't notice until I got home and looked at my photos but mother's & daughter's hands should be clasped.  Oh well.....

Here's my second one:  "The Tumbler".  His unitard features the tumbling blocks quilt pattern.

There are some wonderful dolls by some of my favorite artists in this exhibit!

Here is a vintage Akira Blount doll

Doll by Amy Kuo

This piece by Barbara Willis is one doll, front and back.

Christine Shively Benjamin

Dell Jones

Dolls by Joyce Patterson and Deb Shattil

Doll by Laura Smith

Lise Peeples

Patti Culea

Front and back of doll by Charlie Patricolo

Marlene Slobin

And last but not least, a doll by the late great epb:

 

Women of the West Redux

 Our Women of the West exhibit that debuted at the International Quilt Festival in 2019 was expected to travel for two years.  Then Covid happened and canceled all plans.  But - good news! - we were invited to exhibit at the Brazosport Center for Arts and Sciences.  The show is currently up and will be there through October 15.  Several original pieces were sold and several new ones added.

Some pictures taken during set up:

Here's a closeup of one of my new pieces for the show:  "The Sweetest Rose", based on Emily West who legend has it was 'The Yellow Rose of Texas'.

Another new piece for the show:  "A Woman's Work is Never Done"

At the reception:

The local newspaper ran a nice article about our show

Weave Houston 2021

 The Contemporary Handweavers of Houston is celebrating 71 years!  Our show "Weave Houston" is on view now at the Houston Center for Contemporary Craft.  Due to Covid restrictions we were not able to have an in person reception but the juror, Dr. Mary Ruth Smith spoke in a Facebook Live event about the show and presented awards.  

I was surprised and thrilled to receive an award for Excellence in Craft/Technique for "Seasons: Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall".

Here is my piece, made of felted merino wool, with hand embroidery and silk embellishments.

It's a beautiful show, on view through March 6.

Women of the West

Another Quilt Festival has come and gone.  This year was especially exciting for me as I was part of a special exhibit titled Women of the West.  The exhibit consists of three quilt artists:  Ginny Eckley, Susan Ennis, and Kim Ritter; a bead artist: Kay Hendricks; and me with my art dolls.  

This is the first doll I made for the exhibit.  She is inspired by my ancestors who lived in Texas when it was still part of Mexico.  This is a replica of an authentic flag used during the Texas Revolution.

Come and Take It!

This piece was sold and is going to live with a collector near the town of Gonzales, which holds a Come and Take It Festival every year.

Winona and Pearl

Two cowgirl pals.

Miss Maybelle

A saloon girl

Maria Elena, Cantina Girl

Inspired by the cowboy song "El Paso" by Marty Robbins:  "Out in the west Texas town of El Paso, I fell in love with a Mexican girl.  Night time would find me in Rose's cantina.  Music would play and Felina would whirl."  

Bronco Bustin' Betty

Little Sure Shot

Little Sure Shot was Annie Oakley's nickname.  She's wearing some of the many medals she won in sharp shooting contests.  

Shenoah and Tehya

Native American mother and daughter.  Shenoah means White Dove, Tehya means Precious One.  

The gorgeous quilts and bead work can be seen on our website:  www.womenofthewestgallery.com

The icing on the cake is the book which describes each piece and the history behind them.

Books can be purchased here:

http://www.lulu.com/shop/kim-ritter-and-ginny-eckley/women-of-the-west/paperback/product-24276245.html