Highlights of Quilt Arizona! (4)

The 2025 Quilt Arizona show features hundreds of quilters, many of whom spend the winter months in this sunny locale.  Here are some highlights from the show.  We hope you enjoy our photos!

Note: Please check out our E-Bay shop for great bargains on patterns, jewelry, and collectibles. You also can follow us on Twitter!

Moving Parts, made and quilted by Claire Victor 

Winner of a blue ribbon for 1st place in the Modern-Solo category, plus a special award for Exemplary Professional Machine Quilting, Claire Victor says: "Moving Parts was designed using Procreate [design software]. I am trying to create dimension and motion without shading or painting.  The background quilting design is my modern tribute to crazy quilting.  This is English paper pieced and machine quilted on a domestic Bernina machine." 

 

 

Claire's exemplary machine quilting can be seen in the closeup photos, with different quilting designs applied to each of the "segments" of the design. 

Wonkydoodle, made and quilted by Geri Cavanagh  

Winner of a special award for Excellent Use of Color, Geri Cavanagh says: "This is way outside my box.  I usually make quilts with traditional blocks and civil war fabrics.  I stretched my creativity with this since I had no plan and no pattern. I just developed into this wild and crazy quilt which I love."

She continues, "I found a purple and green print, and a Caryl Bryer Fallert Gradations print, then matched them with colorful, upbeat and wonky fabrics. I started doodling with purple and green strips of various widths. Some were too short, so I cut them which left a hole to be covered with a circle... I had no idea how it was going to turn out. It was fun to use my creativity and let it develop."

Freedom, made and quilted by Frances Murphy

This original design was given the NACQJ Award of Merit  by the National Association of Certified Quilt Judges.  Frances Murphy says that she pondered how to tell a story about freedom. She used birds because they are icons of freedom (as reflected in the saying "free as a bird".) The theme is depicted in 4 panels, from the open door of a bird cage on the left, to birds flying over the city, to birds viewed in their natural habitat in the wild. She says, "I love working with graphic design and color to create emotion and depth in my quilts."

Peacock Patchwork, made and quilted by Linda Hopkins

It was so much fun to see this colorful and unique quilt with its many details. Linda Hopkins says, "When cleaning out my Crazy Quilt fabrics, I discovered a multitude of peacocks.  In this color-washed Crazy Quilt I have incorporated vintage doilies, beads, buttons, and many of the peacocks that I purchased over the years. Enjoy the journey." (And so we did!)  Winner of Honorable Mention at the show.

Bottle Vases, made and quilted by Merci Apodaca

Made with machine-embroidery appplique with organza overlay on vases, this lovely piece won 2nd place in the Machine Embroidery category.  Merci Apodaca says, "I chose to make this quilt because it reflects my love of flowers.  It's been challenging growing flowers in AZ.  The next best thing would be to embroider flowers.  Published design: Anita Goodesign Embroidery.

 Image credits: Photos were taken by Quilt Inspiration at the 2025 Arizona Quilters Guild show.

Welcome to the Quilt Fiesta! (3)

We attended the 2025 Quilt Fiesta in Tucson, Arizona, and had a wonderful time.  This show is produced by the Tucson Quilters Guild, and there were so many beautiful quilts to admire. We hope you enjoy our photos of the show! Here is part 3.

Note: Please check out our E-Bay shop for great bargains on patterns, jewelry, and collectibles. You also can follow us on Twitter!

Retro Living, made and quilted by Tami Graeber

This fantastic, large art quilt was one of the top award winners at the show.  The original design was awarded 1st Place - Viewers Choice, Judge's Choice, and 1st Place - Art Whimsy.  Tami Graeber says, "I grew up in the 50's - sat in front of a TV like this.  The good old days! [It was] fun creating the mid-century modern iconic images." Check out the retro wallpaper, a pole lamp (on the right), stylized cats, a French poodle, and even a martini glass on the arm of the sofa. 

The black poodle has a daisy collar and a real bow in her hair. She sits next to a modern potted plant.

Tami says, "I wanted to use "I Love Lucy" on the TV, but copyrights made me use the NBC peacock that was first used in color in 1957."

Summer's Night and Day by Caroline Ellermann, quilted by Glenda Davis

Multiple borders surround this fabulous medallion quilt with its lollipop flowers, houses, Dresden plates, hearts, and more beautiful elements. Caroline Ellermann says, "After seeing this Sarah Fielke pattern made by one of our accomplished guide quilters, I decided to make it. With all of the machine applique, it was a very big challenge.  However, I now have new skills." Pattern source: Sarah Fielke with adaption.

The Blue Door, made and quilted by Lisa Fryxell

Lisa Fryxell is known for her original paper pieced quilt designs.  She says, "This quilt is based on a photo I took in France in June 2024.  It is foundation paper pieced and quilted on my domestic machine."

Psychedelic Carpenter Square, made and quilted by Penny Boese 

A stunning color combination with its an ombre effects truly light up this modern quilt.  It is made with numerous brightly colored batiks. Penny Boese says that her design was inspired by a traditional pattern and Carpenter Square pattern.  The detailed machine quilting adds considerable interest to the design.

 Firewall by Carol W. Carpenter, quilted by Kris Neifeld  

A wonderful stained glass effect is achieved with this design, thanks to the vertical black borders and bright geometric fabrics. The pattern Source is Free Spirit Fabrics' "Play Quilt" by Adrienne Leban (this is a free download).  Carol Carpenter says, "I'm unsure why these wild, swirly fabrics from Adrienne Leban captivated me, but they certainly did. I had a great time under the tutelage of Susie Weaver, making sense of diverse directions, shapes and colors with a cohesive, beautiful result."

Image credits: Photos were taken by Quilt Inspiration at the 2025 Tucson Quilters Guild show.

Welcome to the Quilt Fiesta! (2)

We attended the 2025 Quilt Fiesta in Tucson, Arizona, and had a wonderful time.  This show is produced by the Tucson Quilters Guild, and there were so many beautiful quilts to admire. We hope you enjoy our photos of the show! Here is part 2.

Note: Please check out our E-Bay shop for great bargains on patterns, jewelry, and collectibles. You also can follow us on Twitter!

We Chose Arizona by Maine-ly Quilting Sisters (Karen Chrisman, Betty Jordan, Mary Lucas, Katherine Kenwood & Susan Baxter); quilted by Betty Jordan & Katherine Kenwood.

This incredible landscape quilt was constructed in parts, then assembled.  Each part was made with Seminole piecing. The description says, "Our group began practicing Seminole piecing together. Betty, Katherine & Mary are from Maine; Susan is from Oregon and Karen is from Arizona. We live in this beautiful state by choice. The work shows our skills and our bond as quilters."

 Queen of the Night by Trish Hastings-Sargent  

This is a framed work of art, representing a relatively new category called Rigid Finished Art Quilts (RFAQ).  They are supported by a frame, stretcher bars or other means rather than a sleeve.  When art quilts are stretched onto a rigid frame, or matted and put into a decorative frame, they resemble a fine-art piece.

We were captivated by the translucent quality of these flower petals and the embroidery representing the pistil and stamen in the center. Trish Hastings-Sargent says, "Once a year in June, the night-blooming Cereus (cactus) turns into a stunning display of fragrant white blossoms! The show begins just after dusk and is usually over by midnight. By morning, the blooms are all gone."

Tucson Five-O by the Tucson Quilters Guild Quilt Fiesta Committee, quilted by Athena Taylor.  

 Pattern source: Inspiration from TQG opportunity quilt blocks over the years.  In 2026 the Tucson Quilters Guild will celebrate its 50th Anniversary. This quilt was created with this milestone in mind (hence the name, Five-O).  It will be the guild's 2026 opportunity quilt (wow!)  The quilt center showcases the stately saguaro cactus of the Sonoran desert, along with an ocotillo and prickly pear, highlighted against the mountains and the colorful sky.

Various local birds can be seen including an owl, hummingbird, and a Gambel's quail (below). 

Sonoran Baltimore by Judy Tenen, quilted by Linda Cote 

This gorgeous Baltimore album-style quilt was designed by Nancy Landon.  Judy Tenen says, "As always, I enjoy making quilts that Nancy Landon designed.  I modified her pattern slightly and enjoy the elements that represent Tucson while still being a traditional "album" style quilt.  Linda Cote furthered the desert theme with her custom quilting. Thanks to both Nancy and Linda!"

The historic San Xavier Del Bac mission is shown in the closeup photo above. Sitting just south of Tucson, the mission is not to be missed if you are visiting the area. It is Arizona’s oldest European structure and a masterpiece of Spanish Colonial architecture, completed in 1797.  

Beautiful applique work can be seen throughout this quilt, including the doves, squirrels, and vines in this photo.

Happiness by Sandra Schuster, quilted by Rick at Sunset Quilting

Sandra Schuster won a blue ribbon for her brightly colored beauty.  She says, "It pulses - from small to big, from thin to thick, with such saturated colors, and OH! Those feathers that are quilted on it! Brought together they equal happiness."  Pattern source: Prismatic by Gina at Gem Hill Quilts. 

 Image credits: Photos were taken by Quilt Inspiration at the 2025 Tucson Quilters Guild show.

The 50th Annual Utah Quilt Show! (6)

Welcome back to the 50th Annual Utah Quilt Show! This show features some of Utah's finest quilters. Each quilt displays a convergence of artistry and creative decision-making, with the meticulous technical work required at every step of the quilting process. We hope you enjoy our photos!

p.s. Check out our E-Bay shop for quilt materials & patterns, jewelry, and collectibles! We also invite you to follow us on Twitter ! 

Colors at Sunset (2024), made and quilted by Jared Moore

Tucked a way in a corner of the show were two outstanding wall quilts by Jared Moore, one with an autumn theme and the other with a springtime theme. Jared says, " I have an obsession with trees. For me, trees evoke an endless array of emotions and meaning." This outstanding collage is made with hundreds of tiny fabric pieces with the end result looking like a painting. The background light source reminds us of the rising moon, casting shadows of the tree on the forest floor.

The Tree (2024), made and quilted by Jared Moore.  

The Tree is intended to represent the Tree of Life blooming in spring.  Jared Moore says, "I am a self-taught amateur quilting artist. My quilts began out of a desire to create something interesting and beautiful, and turned into an outlet that expresses my feelings. I use fabric and quilting because I have no talent with any other medium. This is the only medium that I know... It is typically for this reason that I am unwilling to sell my quilts. They hold my thoughts and my feelings in a way that nothing else can."

Amish (2023) by Karen Martindale, quilted by Emmy Evans.

We love Amish quilts and it's rare to see such an outstanding *new* creation! Winner of a Blue Ribbon (Award of Excellence), Karen Martindale says: "My husband and I loved visiting Lancaster Pennsylvania. We visited the Quilt Museum that displayed the "Esprit Quilt Collection" of beautiful Amish quilts. Sadly, the museum closed permanently.  I've wanted to make an Amish quilt for a long time."

Karen adds, "I knew I wouldn't be able to do the massive quilting.  My hands and wrists said they wouldn't do it! so, Emmy [Evans] came to my rescue and did an awesome job!  She is the most talented longarm quilter!"

Just look at the gorgeous border quilting, below.

Summer Quilt Along (2022) by Kara Southwick, quilted by Charlene Nelson.

Kara Southwick says, "I love bright colors and had been collecting some while waiting for just the right quilt to come along. I knew when I saw a few of this quilt's blocks that my colors would pop.  I am so happy with how it turned out!"

Night Skies (2023) by Colette Lindemann, quilted by Judy Jackson. 

Winner of Honorable Mention, Colette Lindemann says: "Since my son likes astronomical anomalies, I wanted to make something along the lines of the northern lights by using bright fabrics against black.  I named the four center blocks (which represent the earth's 24-hour rotation) Morning Light, Sun So Bright, Evening Delight and Moon at Night.  The blue and green crosshatch blocks represent meteor showers.  Three of the purple blocks are constellations: Land-Bear's Paw (Ursa Major), Sea-Seahorse (Barnard 150 Cepheus) and Air-Soaring Eagle (Aquila). Others are various stars, comets or asteroids."

Image credits: Photos were taken by Quilt Inspiration at the Springville (Utah) Museum of Art.

The 50th Annual Utah Quilt Show! (3)

Welcome to the 50th Annual Utah Quilt Show! This show features some of Utah's finest quilters. Each quilt displays a convergence of artistry and creative decision-making, along with the meticulous technical work required at every step of the quilting process.  We hope you enjoy our photos!

p.s. Check out our E-Bay shop for quilt materials & patterns, jewelry, and collectibles! We also invite you to follow us on Twitter ! 

Purple Elephant (2021), made and quilted by Emily Weinheimer.

A 60%-scaled version of Violet Craft's original foundation paper pieced Elephant Abstractions quilt pattern.

Sonoran Preserve Saguaro & Cactus Wren (2024) by Carol Librizzi, quilted by Leisha Farnsworth. 

Carol Librizzi says, "I made this quilt based on a photo I took of a saguaro cactus in the Sonoran Preserve in Arizona.  I was inspired by the collage cactus in Emily Taylor's book, Collage Quilter.  I added colors other than just greens in the cactus to add interest and a bit of whimsy.  The ombre background was suggested by my daughter after I could not find the "right" blue.  It captures the Arizona desert sky."

Carol says, "I love all the textures and movement Leisha Farnsworth did in the quilting. Every year, I try to learn something new, and I thoroughly enjoyed learning this."

Colorful (2022), made and quilted by Marilyn Snow.

Marilyn Snow says, "When I first saw the pattern, I knew I needed to make it. The hardest part was keeping everything organized so that the pencil points lined up with the correct pencil. It was a fun pattern and I really love how it turned out.  I love to play with fabric and any of my great quilting machines. I have sewn for many years and quilted for about 20 years.  I'm inspired by the many patterns and fabric lines that creative people come up with."

Burgoyne Surrounded (2024), made and quilted by Shirley Olsen.

We love this quilt pattern, which is hardly ever seen these days, so this was a special treat. Winner of a Blue Ribbon (Award of Excellence), Shirley Olsen says: "This quilt is a combination of the traditional "Burgoyne surrounded" block and an adaptation of a border designed by Trudie Hughes. Although begun in 2003, this quilt was put aside while I worked on other projects. I finally worked on it again in 2022 and 2024. I hand-guided the quilting on my Bernina 820 stationary machine." Beautiful!

Shirley explains that her quilt was inspired by a red and cream version shown many years ago at a Utah Valley Quilt Guild meeting. "Blue is my favorite color, so I chose blue and cream for my quilt. I am so happy to have finally finished."

Kaleidoscope Stars (2023) by Kathy M. Asay, quilted by Common Threads.  

Here is another gorgeous re-creation of a traditional design! This quilt is based on a Civil War quilt.  Each star has a twin star with the facets reversed.  This design really sparkles.

Image credits: Photos were taken by Quilt Inspiration at the Springville (Utah) Museum of Art.