Without a doubt, the most creative quilt at the Northwest Quilting Expo was made by Flora Joy of Johnson City, Tennessee. She wrote, “Twelve separate, freestanding curvy blocks have been sewn at their top borders to a separate base quilt. Viewers can lift each Dutch doll/Sunbonnet Sue to read the block’s unusual but true story […]
Quilt Show Extravaganza!
The last two weeks of September were filled with judging three quilt shows in succession with wonderful quilts in each. The first show I judged was in La Conner, Washington located on a channel of the Swinomish River. I was lucky enough to have a room at the Channel Lodge with a beautiful view of […]
North to Alaska–Juneau
This past weekend I had the pleasure of giving a quilt judging presentation to Capital City Quilters in Juneau. They had their first quilt show in 2017. In 2019 they will have their first judged quilt show and wanted to learn more about the process. Twenty five of the fifty members attended my three hour […]
Big Winners at Oregon Coastal Quilters Show
After two days of judging in Newport, the winners have been selected. With the show opening, I can announce who these talented quilters are. I love guilds like this one that have two “best ofs” with one for wall hanging and one for bed-size. It’s challenging for small quilts to compete against large given the […]
More Minnesota Quilters’ Show
On my third day, I taught Accent Your Quilts With Creative Cords. We spent the morning doing hand made cords. The first one I introduced was the North-South-East-West cord aka a Round Cord, best done with two people. I supplied a kit with a variety of threads and base cords. To make this one, we […]
Minnesota Quilters–What a Show!
I spent the past week in St. Cloud, Minnesota at the Minnesota Quilters 2018 Show, judging, teaching, and lecturing. It was a whirlwind and what a great experience. On Monday and Tuesday, I judged with fellow NACQJ (National Association of Certified Quilt Judges) judge Kathi Eubank. The caliber of entries was high, which is impressive […]
A Fabulous Guild Challenge
Last week I had the pleasure to judge for the Rogue Valley Piecemakers in Grants Pass for the second time. The guild had one of the most exciting challenges I have yet seen. Fifteen members made quilts inspired by the work of artist Charley Harper. For those not familiar with him, he is well known […]
“Dreaming of Diamonds” in Roseburg
Last week I judged for the Umpqua Valley Quilters’ Guild along with Gerrie Thompson and Val Pellins, two quilters who attended my Two-Day Quilt Judging Seminar a couple years ago. They have been judging since. Here is our pick for Best of Show. This is the second time in three years Doris has won best […]
Bonnie Keller–Best of Show Winner
I would be remiss if I did not post the Best of Show from the Clark County Quilters Show. I judged with fellow certified judges Carol Brooks and Elizabeth Spannring. We had quite a challenge deciding which among several superb quilts was the Best of Show. We ultimately agreed upon Bonnie Keller’s wonderful quilt. Here’s […]
More Quilt Show Picks, Mine That is!
Here are ten more quilts that caught my eye. Some won awards. Some did not. But I think they are all successful for one reason or another. In no particular order– This quilt was in a special exhibit from the Portland Modern Quilt Guild and was not a part of the judged show. That’s why […]
Judge’s Choice–Joanne Roth
At most shows, judges are given an award called Judge’s Choice or a similar name, which the judge bestows upon a quilt for any reason the judge likes. Sometimes there is a quilt that has already received an award that is so outstanding or unique, I award it my judge’s choice. But generally, I try […]
Judith Phelps–Thread Artist
I’ve been remiss to not follow up with more quilts from the Clark County Quilters Show. But I’ve been occupied getting my own quilts ready for my featured quilter exhibit at the upcoming Northwest Quilters Show May 11 and 12. In fact, I still have one wall hanging to quilt and bind/face. Nevertheless, I want […]
Judging in the Rogue Valley
On May 8th and 9th, I had the pleasure of judging for the Rogue Valley Piecemakers in Grants Pass, Oregon for the first time. Members submitted over 200 quilts–a healthy number–in 19 categories. Best of show was created by Yvonne Cook, a master quilter whose work I have met before. In April 2016, I awarded […]
Northwest Quilters Show Their Spirit
Yes, once again, the Northwest Quilters’ Guild had Eastside Distilling among their vendors at the quilt show this weekend held at the Expo. I had to buy the Marionberry Whiskey for my partner Mike, because it was such a big hit last year. I also bought the cherry-flavored whiskey, which has just a hint of […]
It’s Quilt Show Season in the Northwest
On Thursday I judged at the Umpqua Valley Quilters’ Guild Show in Roseburg, OR. Best of Show was “Galactic Supernova,” an original design by maker and quilter Corrine Woodward. Corrine is a well-known longarm quilter for others in her area. As an upholsterer by trade, she is talented with fibers and stitching in more than […]
It’s My Birthday, and Some Just Want to Have Fun!
The theme for this year’s Clark County Quilters’ Show was “A Walk on the Wild Side.” Needless to say, many interpretations included animals, such as zebras, lions and tigers and bears–oh my, and dragons. Scary creatures. But there were three quilts that were just plain fun. As a quilter and a judge, I have thought […]
Quilt Judging–just how does it work?
Yesterday I had the opportunity to serve as one of three judges at the Clark County Quilters’ Show in Ridgefield, Washington. I thought I would explain a little bit about the process. Best of Show is, of course, the biggie. Everyone who attends and enters wants to know who won the big prize. As the […]
Some of My Road2CA Favorites
For those of us who attend quilt and fiber art shows, it’s always interesting to see which pieces win awards and which do not. As a judge, I don’t always agree, and I accept that’s the way it is. But sometimes, I really don’t understand the decisions. And it’s always heartening when other viewers feel […]
My Favorites from the IQA Houston
Here are the first of my favorite quilts. Art-Naturescapes was the category in which I won an Honorable Mention. Some categories had only one HM, others such as this one had two. Below is the second HM. It leads me to believe the competition in this category was particularly strong. I think the piece is […]
Judging at the Columbia River Gorge Quilt Show
On Wednesday I had the pleasure of judging for the Columbia River Gorge Quilters Guild in Hood River, Oregon. I arrived twenty minutes early, and they were already set up and raring to go. Their preparation–totally appreciated. This year as last they asked me to comment on all positive and constructive points. Their members want […]
More Winners and Favorites from NW Quilting Expo
“Popcorn” was a blue ribbon winner and well deserved. You can feel the energy of a state or county fair in this composition. I absolutely love this quilt! This is another stand-out quilt. While I don’t know what the cat is thinking about, I know what he thinks about it! Great group quilt with […]
