A Ribbon Always Makes Life Better

If you are one of my regular readers, you will remember my blog series on designing and sewing Garden of the Sun God. After a bit of time without receiving any significant awards for my work, I was beginning to doubt my abilities. Over the years, I have learned that there are many ups and downs to working for yourself and as an artist.  This is just one of those things. All of my thoughts, dreams and life are stitched into this quilt, it took longer than many I have designed.  Today I am thrilled and am basking in the glow!

Garden of the Sun God, original quilt by Ann Fahl

This weekend the judges at Mid-Atlantic Quilt Festival in VA, awarded the piece "best machine workmanship" in the Innovative category. I am sending them a big thank you for the award.

Ann Fahl

Quilts in Color, part 5

Rhonda Rodero is featured today. She has no website, but in the Racine Area, quilter's are aware of her wonderful talents.  She is my neighbor:  meet Rhonda.

The Anderson Art Center

January 29-March 25, 2012

6501 Third Ave.

Kenosha, WI  53143

262-653-0481

hours 1-4:00 Tuesday through Sunday

Wisterias Bloom, quilt by Rhonda Rodero

Haiku  by Marisa Rodero
Wisterias bloom--
Laced with a golden breeze stay
Untouched in glory

Rhonda Rodero comes from a family rich with artistic talent; poets, painters and dancers to name a few. She also has had the advantage of a colorful cultural heritage. She grew up in Arizona and studied in El Salvador, Madrid, Arizona State University, and the University of Southern Florida. Her background provides her with a wide range of subjects from which to draw and a sunny palatte of colors to combine in her quilts. Rhonda found her passion when her husband gave her a sewing machine for their first wedding anniversary.  (He thought she could do the mending!)

Detail, Wisterias Bloom by Rhonda Rodero

Quilting became a serious occupation by the time her two daughters were almost grown. She currently lives in Mount Pleasant, Racine County which is rich with quilters at all levels.  

 Photography and drawing are two of her hobbies which serve her well when it comes to designing her quilts.  She chooses subjects from nature; landscapes, birds and plant life. She uses rich fabrics and covers them with lifelike embroidery and quilts them with close attention to detail to create a sculptured look to her subjects. 

¡Pura Vida!, quilt by Rhonda Rodero

Zenith of Color, quilt by Rhonda Rodero

Combined with her artistic eye, her attention to detail has brought her success in shows and competitions. She has been awarded many prestigious prizes in area and national exhibits.

Night Blooming Cereus,  Jasper? Cleo? Is That You?,  and Profusion of Color, quilts by Rhonda Rodero

Quilt detail Profusion of Color

As you can see her ability to draw is very important in her work.  Her sense of color is amazing.

Flight of Fancy, quilt by Rhonda Rodero,  her most recent piece

Even though I don't have a detail photo of this quilt, you can see more of  the attention to detail that I've been telling you about.  Rhonda's heavy quilting makes this quilt come to life with texture. 

Many years ago, Rhonda asked me to come into her house to look at a quilt that she was working on.  I didn't know her well at the time.  She had some questions about some sewing or piecing, I don't remember the exact nature of the difficulty she was experiencing.  I said, "Pull out your thread, and let's see what you might use."  She opened a drawer, pulled out a small box with about five spools of thread in it.  So I said, "Where's the rest of your thread?"  Well those 5 spools were all she had collected!  As you can see, Rhonda's collection of both thread and fabric now includes a broad palette of colors.

Thank you Rhonda for your wonderful work.

Ann Fahl

For October 3 2011 only

I just learned that my quilt Celebration of Life is on the quiltindex for today. I consider this to be one of my top 10 best!  Thank you quiltindex!

http://www.quiltindex.org/news/

Celebrate the day!

Ann Fahl

Time to Organize for 2011

Now that Thanksgiving is over, and most of the leftovers have been eaten, it is time to spend a little time deciding which quilt shows I will enter next year. Having my work in competitions across the country is important for me; it's a big challenge, good publicity, and a possible source of additional income.

I make a list of quilts that I've made the last 2 or 3 years that are competition worthy, and list the shows and their entry deadlines and exhibit dates.  This takes a couple of hours, but I've worked out a tentative schedule for my quilts for the first half of next year. I do this every year to help me keep track of all the shows and what quilts will be where!  I've printed off all the entry info and forms, so I have everything I need as the deadline nears.

If you enter quilt competitions, it is the right time to organize. Soon the holiday season will be upon us, and there won't be as much time to take care of administrative type tasks.  Then you'll be ready for those early January deadlines.

How do you keep track?

Ann

A Little of This and That

It seems like autumn is here in Wisconsin. Leaves are falling, the Sedum and Mums in my garden are either in full bloom or close to it. I'm loving the cool weather.

You may be interested to see an online interview with me by Barb Harms. She interviews quilt artists, asking them questions about where they've come from and where they are going.  There are pictures of some of my quilts included as you scroll down the page.

Summer Sanctuary by Ann Fahl

Last night, I was thrilled to learn that my Summer Sanctuary quilt won a first prize at Quilt Expo in Madison. This is a very well run show sponsored by Nancy Zieman, Sewing with Nancy. I am honored. It is a special quilt for both Oreo and me. You can read more about this quilt on my website.  It has an interesting story to go along with it. The book on the chair happens to be the Harry Potter book 6. I loved the entire series of books and have read some of them twice.

No matter how long I have quilted it is always a thrill to have one of my quilts awarded a prize at a big show. I love this quilt and it means a lot to me, it is good to have the judges feedback, that the quilt is indeed a good one. So much of my heart and soul goes into my work, this is a great reward for me.