The Show is Over

This happens every time at the conclusion of a show.  For months and sometimes years, I have prepared for an exhibit. The opening is a thrill, because the work is hanging on the walls and it looks so wonderful.  I can't believe that I have created all that stuff!

Then the end of the show arrives, everything comes off the walls of the gallery, and it gets packed up to go home. It's over.  Then this cloud seems to hover over your life.  It took so much preparation and it's over, another artist or group arrives to hang their show in your place.  So I'm feeling the downturn in my spirits.  Now when this happens, I'm not surprised and I understand what is going on.

This time, we are experiencing this wonderful very early warm spring in Wisconsin and I can go out and dig, rake and transplant! This is a sure thing, it makes me feel really good.

Hepatica, a wild flower that is filling a spot near an old stump on a hillside.

Little sprouts of May Apples are pushing through the leaves.

Here is a cluster of May Apples that are beginning to open.  Soon when will be like umbrellas that are knee high.

There are daffodils and narcissus everywhere. 

The King Alfred Daffodils bloom outside the windows of my studio.  On a warm day the fragrance is wonderful.

These white primroses have never bloomed for me.

These little primroses have never been so beautiful.  It must be the mild winter and early spring that has made them so large and colorful.

These purple ones are always the first to open up.  I usually find them in mid April when I push the leave aside and find them. 

All these flowers and brilliant colors have boosted my spirits, and when the weather is warm enough, I am in full gardening mode.  My quilting will have to wait!

Ann Fahl

The End is Near

Again, a long awaited show is coming to a conclusion.  Quilts in Color, closes this Sunday March 25.  You still have a couple days to get there.  Here is my "fireplace" photo.  Another View, is included in my book, A Black and White Tale, and is hanging in the parlor of the Anderson Arts Center.

Flamingo Garden, Purple Iris, Smelling the Flowers

Gallery View

Another deadline.  For those of you interested in my Free-Motion Quilting Tutorial, the termination is March 31.  If you'd like to read it go to this link. Thanks to SewCalGal for putting this challenge on the web.

I'm going outside to work in my garden now.

Ann Fahl

Pulling from the Past

The new issue of The Quilt Life, April 2012 is out on news stands now.  What a great magazine!  I admit that when I first heard, last year, that there was going to be a new Quilt magazine coming out, I was less than enthused. I am so tired of pattern magazines!

The April 2012 issue of The Quilt Life magazine

The Quilt Life is different. It is published by the good people at AQS; Ricky Tims and Alex Anderson are the executive directors; Jan Magee is the editor-in-chief.  They have put together a magazine that is artful, well designed and includes a plethora of topics. When my issue came in the mail today I sat down and decided to read it cover to cover.  The articles include a very wide range of subjects by authors that you will recognize and some you will not.  Each is tied in to the subject of quilting in some manner.  Each author was so inspired by some story, experience or subject, that it became a part of their work.  No matter what level of quilter you may be:  beginner or experienced; you will find the magazine colorful and fascinating. I would also like to mention that the subjects are equally divided between traditional and artful quilts. Whatever type of quilts you prefer, you will find something of interest.

The article I wrote is on pages 50-53; it is titled Yesterday and Beyond.  I have to say, that I am pleased with how the editor, Jan, took my mishmash of photos and made a beautiful article out of everything.  Look closely at the first page, and you will find a ginkgo tree from Winona Lake. Suzanne Marshall is featured and one of her hand appliqued pieces is printed on the centerfold.  Yes, quilters can have centerfolds too. On the very last page, p. 86, there is a lovely soft landscape designed by Sarah Ann Smith. This quilt took my breath away.  Go find a copy and check this out!

Take a moment to celebrate this day, March 18:  National Quilting Day.  Go start a new quilt!

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

Put this on your calendar! March 16-18

Big news from TheQuiltShow.com! In honor of International Quilt Day March 17, 2012, The Quilt Show, on web TV hosted by Alex Anderson and Ricky Tims, will "open" all of its shows from the first nine series--that is, from shows numbered 100 through show 913--for the entire weekend of March 16 –18. This means that—for three special days—everyone will have the chance to view these 117 shows, featuring some of the quilting world’s leading artists, at no charge.

After the filming of episode #111,  Alex Andersen, Ann Fahl, Ricky Tims

As you may already know, I appeared as the featured artist on TQS on show 111. If you didn't have the opportunity to see this show first time around, now you'll have the chance to see it—and so many other terrific shows. Filming this segment was one of the most exciting days of my career. Being on stage with Alex, Ricky and an audience was quite a rush. Most of my cat quilts were there! The filming was before A Black and White Tale became a book!

Waiting for Breakfast, a quilt by Ann Fahl

Please share this information with all of your quilting friends. It's a fantastic opportunity to enjoy three days of learning and fun without leaving your home…all for free. And...... Support your fellow quilters!

Ann Fahl, and the staff of thequiltshow.com