Remembering Grant and the 1870s

By now you all know about my Eagle Motif Decade by Decade Project (if not scroll down through my old blogs and you’ll find the information about it). I have been commissioning other quilt artists and /or historians to create 24” x 24” wallhangings that have an eagle motif in them and reflect a certain decade.

Side note: The 1980s and the 1830s (and any decade before 1830s) are still open, if anyone is interested in creating one of these wallhangings for me.

Back to business……. I wasn’t going to do one of these wallhangings myself – then I was – then I wasn’t, but then I decided I really should – how can I expect someone else to do something I would not do myself. I waited until most of the decades were spoken for before I made a choice. I choose the 1870s and I choose to honor President U.S. Grant with my eagle motif piece.

My inspiration for the piece came from a trip we took to Galena, Illinois this summer for my family reunion – my brothers and their families drove in from various parts of Iowa and Illinois. Beautiful town Galena, Illinois – someone should write a time travel book about it because there are still spots in that town that haven’t changed since the time Grant walked the streets there. Grant’s home still exists - it is a historic site and if you decide to visit Galena a must-see on your trip to this neat city.

Most of my fabric came from reproductionfabrics.com. and Hancocks of Paducah online stores. Many of the fabrics used were from the Old Glory line – lots of fat quarters. This piece also utilizes some antique textiles and buttons (antique and new). I used fabric photo transfer sheets for the computer from Joann’s. The piece is hand-quilted and hand-pieced.

Here is my tribute to the 1870s and my eagle motif wallhanging “Remembering Grant:”

The Eagle

Left Upper Corner

Right Upper Corner

Left Lower Corner

Lower Right Corner

Centennial Side Left Side Piece

Chicago Fire Right Side Piece

Art Quilt with a Historical Twist

I have been a traditional quilter (hand piecer - hand quilter) since 1985 when I took my first class at our local community center - my son was two and I was looking for a creative outlet and a way to meet other moms. I became hooked on quilting the first night of class -- the teacher even said -- you love this don't you? I did and still do. I put away my oil paints and brushes and have never looked back.

I never thought I would venture into the art quilt arena though, but I have always been drawn to pictorial quilts because they tell stories. I decided in 2010 to try my hand at creating an art quilt, but I knew the wall hanging would have to tell a story, incorporate my love of history, and of course it would need to have an eagle motif on it.

My Defining Moment Art Quilt Series was born.

My definition of a defining moment is a point at which the essential nature or character of a person is revealed or identified and because of this moment, event, or discovery their life is changed forever.

This piece entitled "The Eagle: Walter Carlin Parks, Jr." is the first wall hanging in my series. It honors my dad whose defining moment, like so many others of his generation, was WWII. If you want to know the whole story about my father go to my web site: http://www.illinoisquilthistory.com/, go to the community by community section, scroll down to Atkinson, click on "Earning the Eagle's Badge," and you'll find my dad's story is there.

The aircraft carrier on fire (in the Storm at Sea quilt pattern) was my dad's ship the St. Lo.

It was hit by enemy fire and sank in the Battle of Leyte Gulf.

A "not so" final word about art quilts.....

I love the "no rules" aspect of art quilts - you can use ANYTHING in them from buttons to string to fabric to thread to ribbons to photographs (the list is endless) and it frees you up to create and tell a story the way you want to.

Hoffman 2011 Quilt Challenge

"This year the Hoffman Challenge is celebrating its 23rd Anniversary. The Challenge started with 94 enthusiastic quilters, and in some years, the number of entries has grown to more than 700. In addition to the three quilt categories (pieced, appliqué and mixed technique), new categories include clothing (wearable art), accessories, and dolls."

If you are interested in participating in this challenge, here is the web site with all the information you will need to know:

http://www.hoffmanchallenge.com/challenge2011.html

If you'd like a glimpse at 2011 fabric and coordinating fabrics to be used on this challenge, they can also be found on this page. Each one is a beauty and perfect for a Broderie Perse quilt even if you decide not to participate in the contest.

Quilt Kit Identification – Rosie Werner’s Quilt Kit Research Web Site

Cinderella Youth Quilt Kit

LeeWards - Elgin, Illinois

Mail Order Catalog

Researcher, lecturer, and collector Rosie Werner is an independent quilt historian who specializes in identifying 20th Century Quilt Designs that were sold as kits. She established her web site “Quilt Kit Identification” to help us date and identify appliqué, crib, cross-stitch, embroidered, and pieced quilts that were sold through art needle company retail stores and mail catalogs.

Her documentation includes:

Photo or Drawing of the Quilt
Name and Number of the design
Company or Designer
Sources
Materials in Kit
Size
Description
Quilting Designs
Original Price

Extras Include:
· Stories Behind the Quilt Kit Companies and Designers
· Reading List

This is a subscription-based web site.

For more information contact:

Rosie Werner
P.O. Box 18
Dundas, Minnesota 55019

Web Site: http://quiltkitid.com/index.shtml

Email: rwerner@quiltkitID.com

Telephone: 507-645-7995

Cell: 507-649-0171

Quilt Your Colors Quilt Contest 2010 - Joann Fabrics

I went to Joann Fabrics this afternoon and discovered they are conducting a contest. There is not much time left to participate in the contest, but here is the information anyway.

Quilt Your Colors Quilt Contest 2010 Official Rules

HOW TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS CONTEST:

(a) Entrants must make a quilt using all fabric purchased at a Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Store or from Joann.com®. Quilts must be at least 36"x36" (lap size), but no larger than 104"x93" (king size). Quilt kits are permitted, but entrant must make the quilt with little or no assistance from others. No groups or teams are allowed.
(b) Entrants must submit at least two color photographs of the quilt for a complete entry – one photograph showing the entire quilt in a hanging position and one close-up photograph showing detail. Each entrant may submit a maximum of five (5) photographs of the quilt.
(c) Each entrant may submit only one entry. All entries MUST include all of the following to be eligible:
1. Completed official entry form available online at www.joann.com/quiltcontest or at your local Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Store.
2. Photocopy of Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Store or Joann.com® receipt(s) showing proof of purchase of all fabrics used to make the quilt.
3. At least two color photographs (one of entire quilt hanging and one of detail), but no more than five (5) photographs, of the quilt. Photos should be no smaller than 4"x6" and no larger than 5"x7" and should list entrant’s name, address and telephone number on the back of each photograph. All photographs become the property of Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores® and will
not be returned. No professional photography allowed.
4. Each entrant must sign the Liability and Publicity Release and Consent (“Release”) at the bottom of the entry form.
5. Mail your complete entry to: Quilt Your Colors Quilt Contest 2010, Jo-Ann Stores, Inc., 5555 Darrow Rd., Hudson, Ohio 44236. Entries must be postmarked by December 18, 2010, and received no later than December 31, 2010. Hand-delivered entries will not be accepted and if left at our office will not be entered in the Contest. Incomplete or illegible entries will be disqualified. Jo-Ann Stores, Inc. is not responsible for lost, late, misdirected, mutilated or postage due mail.

ELIGIBILITY:

Contest is open to legal U.S. residents residing in the 50 United States (other than residents of the States of Maryland and Vermont) and the District of Columbia who are age 18 or older at the time of entry. Contest is void in Maryland and Vermont. Officers, directors, and employees of Jo-Ann Stores, Inc., AccuQuilt™, Fabric Traditions®, Gingher®, Gutermann®, OttLite®, Simplicity®, Singer®, Springs Creative, The Warm™ Company, Sew Essentials™ and their respective parents, subsidiaries, affiliates, and immediate family members (parent, child, spouse, grandparent, grandchild, brother, sister) and members of the households of such persons (whether or not related) are not eligible to participate in the Contest. By participating, entrants grant Jo-Ann Stores, Inc. permission to use entrants’ names, hometowns, and likenesses (including the photos submitted in the entries) for advertising and promotion purposes in any media, without limitation and without additional compensation (except where prohibited by law). Unaccepted prizes may not be awarded. By entering you agree to these Official Rules and to all decisions of the judges, which are final and binding.

SELECTION OF FINALISTS AND WINNERS:

A panel of sewing experts will judge all eligible entries and will select twenty (20) finalists based on the workmanship/skill level, originality, and level of detail shown in the photographs submitted with each entry and the information about the quilt provided on each entry form. The twenty finalists will be notified via e-mail and/or telephone on or about January 28, 2011, and must send the actual quilt that is the subject of the entry to Jo-Ann Stores, Inc. prior to February 11, 2011, for further judging. Jo-Ann Stores, Inc. will provide finalists with a self-addressed pre-paid label in order to ship quilts. Finalists must not include potpourri or scented items with shipment of their quilts, or quilts will be disqualified. All quilts will be returned after judging. Jo-Ann Stores, Inc. is not responsible for any loss or damage associated with shipping the quilts. Any finalists who do not provide the actual quilt for judging will be disqualified. Jo-Ann Stores, Inc. may decide to select another finalist to replace a disqualified finalist, or not, in its sole discretion, except that Jo-Ann Stores, Inc. will ensure that there are at least 15 finalists for purposes of the final judging. The judges will select one First Prize, one Second Prize, one Third Prize and seven Runner-Up winners based on the workmanship/skill level, originality, and level of detail demonstrated in the quilts themselves. No telephone calls or correspondence will be accepted from contestants inquiring on winners or judge’s selections. The ten winners will be notified of the final prize awards by e-mail and/or telephone on or about March 4, 2011, and will have 5 business days to contact Jo-Ann Stores, Inc. regarding their prizes. Judges include representatives from Jo-Ann Stores, Inc. Anyone not complying with all the Contest rules will automatically be disqualified. Limit one prize per person. Winners will be required to sign and return an affidavit of eligibility and liability/publicity release, and a W-9 form, if applicable, within 7 business days from the date sent. Failure to return these items in the time noted will result in disqualification of the entry and may result in the selection of an alternate winner from among the remaining eligible finalists according to the judging criteria above. Return of any prize or prize notification as “undeliverable” will result in disqualification and an alternate winner may be selected. If a potential winner cannot be reached after a reasonable effort has been made during 5 business days from the first notification attempt, such person will be disqualified. Because this is a contest of skill, odds of winning depend upon the quality and eligibility of submissions received and entrants’ final overall score, as determined by the judging criteria. Winners are solely responsible for all applicable federal, state and local taxes on prizes.

REDEMPTION:

Cash prizes will be awarded in the form of a check made payable to the winner. Jo-Ann Stores, Inc. will arrange for shipment of the checks and gift cards, as applicable, to each winner’s address provided in the declaration and forms via courier within 6 to 8 weeks after confirmation. Gift cards are subject to the terms and conditions generally applicable thereto. Merchandise prizes will be shipped to each applicable winner’s address within 8 to 10 weeks after confirmation. Prizes are non-transferable prior to award and no substitutions are allowed except by Jo-Ann Stores, Inc. in its sole discretion.

CONDITIONS:

By participating in the Quilt Your Colors Quilt Contest 2010, you agree to release and hold Jo-Ann Stores, Inc., its subsidiaries and affiliates, and their respective directors, officers, employees and agents harmless from any and all losses, damages, rights, claims, and actions of any kind in connection with the Contest or any product purchased, or resulting from acceptance, possession, use or misuse of any prize, including, without limitation, personal injuries, death, and property damage, including any damage or loss to any quilt submitted, and claims based on publicity rights, defamation, invasion of privacy, or breach of intellectual property rights whether suffered by you or a third party. The Contest is void in Maryland and Vermont, and wherever prohibited or restricted by law, and is subject to all applicable federal, state and local laws and regulations. By participating, entrants agree to be bound by these Official Rules and the decisions of Jo-Ann Stores, Inc. and waive any right to claim ambiguity in the Contest or these Official Rules.


LIST OF PRIZE WINNERS:

For a list of prize winners, mail a business-size, self-addressed stamped envelope, accompanied by a hand-printed request to Winners List Request, Quilt Your Colors Quilt Contest 2010, Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores®, 5555 Darrow Rd., Hudson, Ohio 44236. All requests must be received from December 1, 2010, to January 31, 2011. Vermont residents may not participate in the Contest, but may omit return postage if they request a list of prize winners. Contest is governed by U.S. law. The names, logos, and icons identifying the products and services of Jo-Ann Stores, Inc. are proprietary marks of Jo-Ann Stores, Inc. Jo-Ann Stores Inc., 5555 Darrow Rd., Hudson, Ohio 44236 is the Sponsor.
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Eagle Scout Art Quilt

I love quilt history and quilts that tell stories. It's no secret that I love eagle quilts, the history of that particular motif, and how it can appear and has evolved on quilts. I had been hunting for a Boy Scout quilt with the Eagle Scout quilt symbol on it for a spell to go into my collection of eagle quilts. You can't share the history of that particular motif in America and leave out the eagle scout symbol.

After about four years on the hunt, a light bulb went off in my head - why not commission someone to do an art quilt, one of those one of a kind pieces, that can only come from a truly gifted quilt artist's head. It is a win-win situation. The artist wins, you as the collector wins, and the world of quilt study wins - why not.

I went to quilt artist Jennifer Myers of Ohio (Google Art quilts by Jen) and she created this pictorial wallhanging for me which stirs up memories for this former den mother and summer camp mama and makes me smile. I loved that time in my life and learned many things - most of those boys are in the middle to late twenties now and I see them occasionally. Hard to believe, but a nice memory to be a part of.

I never guide a quilt artist - I let them have free reign -- I tell them I want this size, this theme, and the eagle motif in it and then I let them go. I guess it comes down to this -- to me, I feel too much imput on my part stifles creativity, I TRUST THEM to create a piece for me, and I have NEVER been disappointed.

This quilt came completely from Jennifer's imagination, but it is interesting that the boy scout camp she depicted looks amazingly similar to the one my son used to attend and I used to work at. Next spring if I can remember I will repost this blog and add a "spring" picture of my son's old scout camp. You will be surprised at how similar they are in appearence.

The boys in this piece look like they are having fun, don't they?

Thanks again Jennifer - as always a wonderful job.

Remember quilt history ladies and gents -- you can't find the quilt you're looking for then consider giving a quilt artist the opportunity to make it for you. Like I said earlier, it is a win/win situation.

Eagle Motif Wallhanging Decade by Decade Project

I collect eagle quilts - antique, vintage, and new. I call my collection of eagle quilts the Parks-Wildemuth Collection to honor my parents and my husband.

Eagle Motif Wallhanging Decade by Decade Project

I was walking one day and an idea occurred to me to commission wallhangings – decade by decade traditional or art wallhangings with eagle motifs by quilt artists and/or historians whose work I admire to add to my collection of eagle quilts. The more I thought about that the more I loved the idea. I took a chance and approached my first quilt artist, designer, and historian and that dear soul said yes…..

And the rest is history.

I have a variety of quilt artists and/or quilt historians who have created these eagle motif wallhangings or are in the process of creating them for me.

I am looking for more quilt artists and/or historians to create more eagle motif wallhangings. The only decades that are open (and not spoken for) are 1830, 1870, and 1980 – if you’d like to do wallhanging utilizing the 1820s or an earlier decade we can talk about that too. If you decide you would like to participate, I will need you to contact me first and choose one of the decades not spoken for above and I will save that decade back for you.

Contact: Sue Email: quiltingbee73@yahoo.com and put the words Eagle Motif Decade by Decade Project in the subject line.

The Criteria

The wallhanging has to have an eagle motif in it.

It can be based on an antique eagle quilt or it can be an original design.

It has to represent, either by the eagle motif or the fabric or the design in the quilt - the decade it represents. In other words someone looks at it and they say ahhh - that's the 1970s or that's the 1970s version of the eagle motif.

The maximum size of the wallhanging is 24 inches by 24 inches but it can be smaller than that too.

The wallhanging should reflect the work of the designer who made it.

The piece can have a traditional interpretation or an artistic interpretation.

The wallhanging needs to be signed, dated, and named – a sleeve for hanging – if possible.

It does not matter whether it is hand pieced and hand quilted or machine pieced and machine quilted.

The person can use either period or reproduction fabrics. I get mine from reproductionfabrics.com (Margo)

I would like a photograph (scan) and a biography of the person who created the quilt.

The deadline for the piece is very open -- no hurry and no worry.

I pay a fair price for the commission and for shipping it to me.


What Will I Do with Them

The quilts are going into my eagle collection, but someday I will exhibit the wallhangings as a group - giving the artist who created them full credit in the exhibit for creating them -- I would simply be the owner of the commissioned piece.