My Quip - MQX Closes - And The Great International Beer Festival Moves In

Good Day,

Our first MQX, albeit quilting conference, in Providence, Rhode Island is done… and we’re back at home in Tampa, Florida. A very different and challenging experience. And for the next show we are in tune with what to expect.

Of course as we were dismantling our display, ever so slight traces of hops and suds wafted gingerly through the halls of the Providence Convention Center. On the heels of Machines Quilters’ Exhibition East 2012, a new Show and Party was moving right in… The Great International Beer Festival, America’s largest International Beer Festival. Say what? Admission price provided and allowed the unlimited sampling of more than 250 brewers.

And I keep focused on quilts…

At times, seeing the other works of quilting art and masterful composition, it was a wee bit overwhelming. And thoughts of “We’re never going to ever achieve that level of accomplishment” kept surfacing.

And at other times I felt my chest bursting with pride, when I heard and received the many number of positive compliments regarding our Evolution display. A number of our quilts received a good amount of personal commendations. Our Patience, inserted above, was one such.

Two, of many of the quilts on display that caught my eye were Fiesta Mexicana and The Ancients.

Fiesta Mexicana is a brilliant quilt. It was pieced by Karen Kay Buckley and machine quilted by Renae Haddadin.

The Ancients, pieced and machine quilted by Marilyn Pugh, is a breathtaking quilt.

And now back to our work. Stay tuned for more updates and details.

Enjoy,

Jim

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My Quip - Tremendous Time MQX - And What's a Steam Press?

Good Day and Evening,

I have to say that I am thoroughly enjoying myself at MQX... I am thrilled and thoroughly astounded and appreciative at the level and caliber of organization, and the sense of fun that has and is being presented. I certainly bow with respect to both the head honchos, Janet Lee and Mary.

This being my first quilting convention show ever I would definitely recommend MQX to one and all.

Andy and I have met a number of very good teachers... and all-things-being-equal some life-time mentors. Our experience and learning will most definitely gain with our continued association. Further, we are both humbled and in awe of the positive comments voiced regarding our Evolution display.

The quilt the was announced as this years MQX East 2012 Viewers’ Choice is titled Turtle Bay.

Turtle Bay was pieced and machine quilted by Claudia Pfiel of Krefeld, Germany. Congratulations to Claudia.

And tonight at the MQX Banquet I lucked out and I won the door prize of a Steam Press Iron. Who would have thought?

Enjoy,

Jim

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My Quip - Are We Sure We're In the Right Place?

Good Day,

Well the first day of the open show of MQX East is over...and my legs are tired. And my mouth is exhausted. I think I talked non-stop about our Evolution for about nine hours straight. True, it has never been said that I did not have the gift of the gab.

And I have been extremely humbled to hear and receive the positive comments and compliments about our Evolution display.

Andy was a bit confused when he asked to see one of the Chief Organizers of the Show, and Bozina, Bozo the Clown's twin sister, showed up.

I am in awe, this being our first major quilt conference, of the technical and explicit organization performed and presented by Janet-Lee and Mary and their team.

Winners were announced and prizes and ribbons awarded. Many of the quilts are certainly works of art.

Best of Show was an entry from the Solo Artist Category. The winning quilt, America, Let It Shine was created and quilted by Sherry Reynolds of Laramie, Wyoming. It is stunning, amazing, and breath-taking.

Here is her America, Let It Shine -

Will be back tomorrow.

Enjoy,

Jim

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My Quip - MQX Set Up and Splish Splash Feathers

Good day,

Springtime in Providence.

Today was an interesting day.. I assisted the MQX personnel to set up our Evolution display for the open Show tomorrow. I was flabbergasted that our Evolution was given a complete aisle of the conference room floor, of the 60,000 square feet total... All 25 of our quilts submitted completed the presentation aisle. It is a mind-boggling experience. And it is different from climbing trees and hanging ropes to display quilts.

I have certainly met a number of interesting and talented people.

Andy took an afternoon class called Splish Splash Feathers. The idea is to use the longarm sewing machine to create free-form feathers. Think of doodling with a sewing machine and thread... You got it.

The Winners, as decided by the Judges, are some exceptional works of art. It is great seeing all the skilled accomplishments. Our Blue Diamonds is on display and will join Evolution after the Providence Show. Evolution will be traveling to Portland, Oregon for the October MQX West 2012 Show.

Tomorrow the main doors, and I am looking forward to meeting many attendees.

Regards, and enjoy,

Jim

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My Quip - Evolution On Route to MQX East 2012

Good Day,

Evolution, in three boxes, is now on its way to its first stop on route to MQX East 2012 in Providence.

Evolution - 25 Quilts in three boxes. And they are gone on tour from the Tampa in the Southeast, to the East coast and Providence, Rhode Island, then to the West Coast and Portland, Oregon… and then return home to Florida. An approximate total of 8,805 miles.

We will be leaving The Pack, in capable hands, for a while and heading up to MQX East in Providence shortly. Certainly would like to see you there.

Here is the list of our Quilts and Wall Hangings that will make up our
Evolution. It is our visual and creative history of our short involvement into the fascinating world of quilting.

Woven Scraps; Nova Sun; Beige Bargello; Warhol’s Marilyn; Betty Davis Tribute; Primary Twister; Twisted Lightning; AD I; AD II; Rainbow Glass; Patience; V-Bricks; Provence; Café au Lait; Kanzashi; Noël Diptych; OP Ornament; Coral Steps; Mauk I; Born This Way; Twisted Basket; Civil War Re-Enactment I or CWR I; Tetrishead; MEM911; and Colored Windows II.

You can see images of all these quilts and wall hangings on The Grid at the bottom of any Quilts SB page. Just scroll down to get to The Grid.

And now we’ve got more quilts to make.

Enjoy,

Andy and Jim

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My Quip – Sous Vide Time Today – Evolution Is Set – Tampa Lightning Gets Quilting

Well today is definitely a catch up day.

And it is a day to Sous Vide supper… The menu – Applewood smoked Turkey tenderloin with Tomato-Onion Chutney, Grilled Asparagus, Baked Sweet Potatoes, and a Green Salad.

This is what happens when the pollen count is so bloody high that I have to be cooped up indoors.

Evolution, our special Quilt and Wall Hanging Exhibit for MQX East 2012 in Providence, Rhode Island is now in four organized piles on the dining room table. MQX East 2012 is April 11-14 at The Rhode Island Convention Center in Providence. The Public Quilt Show is Thursday, April 12 through and including Saturday, April 14.

Andy is finishing his final review of all our 25 quilts and wall hangings that will make up Evolution. All-things-being equal, I will be able to group and package them orderly together for their trip to Providence.

Blue Diamonds is now on its way to Rhode Island.

I have been playing around with ideas for quilting Tampa Lightning. All-things-being-equal we’re exploring this quilting process on both our Longarm and Domestic machines, and a combination thereof. The 21 batik fabrics are each separated with a fabric of a beige light sand hue. The backing and separating sashing of Tampa Lightning is the same fabric that we used on our original quilt design NC the coast.

Keep abreast of all our updates. I have added a “Follow By Email” capability at the bottom right of each posting under The Grid. You can also become a Follower of Quilts SB. Click on the “Join this site” in the right-hand column to follow Quilts SB.

I’ve added another means to follow the images of our quilt creations via Pinterest. Also check out our new Quilts SB Page on Facebook. Link over to Quilts SB and become a Fan, albeit “Like” us.

Check out my new experimental format of my Blog, Quilts SB Test. Certainly would appreciate your feedback.

To see previously posted quilts, there is a visual Grid presentation at the bottom of the Quilts SB page. Move your cursor over any mini-picture found there and click to see an enlargement. Move your cursor to the "Q#" link to see the quilt's details. If the quilt’s title is highlighted in yellow or in red, it has found a home in a collection and is no longer available.

If you have any questions and/or comments please feel free to get in touch with me via Email Quilts SB.

Enjoy... Will let you know how the Turkey Tenderloin turns out.

Jim and Andy

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My Quip - Where Is That Quilting Thread? - Update

Good Day,

Well the work continues on preparing our portfolio for Evolution for MQX East 2012 in April in Providence. All quilts and wall hangings have been chosen. We have to make sure that all quilts are included with a hanging sleeve and a Brunhammer Smith label. Next comes the packaging and shipping.

Blue Diamonds has been completed and is ready for shipping to Providence, Rhode Island for competition at MQX East 2012.

Tampa Lightning has been accepted as entry to MQS 2012 (aka Machine Quilters Showcase 2012) this coming May at the Overland Park Convention Center in Kansas. Check back for our updates at Quilts SB.

Our Mondrian I is still in the process of being quilted. We are considering entering this one to HMQS 2012 show in Salt Lake City.

We have just received new commissions to create a King-size quilt - Blue Memories, and a Queen-size quilt – S’s Memories. Interesting ideas and we will be beginning that work shortly. The draft designs for Blue Memories have been completed.

The Amulet is waiting on the back of a chair for the final modifications to the top.

All 15 planets have been constructed for Astro-Physics. Now next, the placement in the overall design.

The top for Joseph’s Coat has been completed. We are really pleased with design result.

176 blocks have been created for Joseph’s Ladder Pants and the design arrangement is currently on the pin-up wall.

And fabric has arrived for the make-up of a new quilt for Kumquat.

You would think that we were a wee bit busy? One would know that this obsession has got to them when you start dreaming of quilt design and fabric combination in the couple of hours that one sleeps at night.

Keep abreast of all our updates. I have added a “Follow By Email” capability at the bottom right of each posting under The Grid. You can also become a Follower of Quilts SB. Click on the “Join this site” in the right-hand column to follow Quilts SB.

I’ve added another means to follow the images of our quilt creations via Pinterest. Also check out our new Quilts SB Page on Facebook. Link over to Quilts SB and become a Fan, albeit “Like” us.

Check out my new experimental format of my Blog, Quilts SB Test. Certainly would appreciate your feedback.

To see previously posted quilts, there is a visual Grid presentation at the bottom of the Quilts SB page. Move your cursor over any mini-picture found there and click to see an enlargement. Move your cursor to the "Q#" link to see the quilt's details. If the quilt’s title is highlighted in yellow or in red, it has found a home in a collection and is no longer available.

If you have any questions and/or comments please feel free to get in touch with me via Email Quilts SB.

I'm not sure if I have missed any, but enjoy,

Jim and Andy

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My Quip – Guess What Just Came In The Mail? – Quilters Newsletter

Good Day,

We’re both grinning from ear-to-ear. You cannot imagine our delight!

Delivered, today, at our front door was a copy of the April/May 2012/No.427 issue of Quilter’s Newsletter. This national magazine, published today in Colorado, has been gracing magazine racks since 1969.

When we opened and turned the cover and flipped over a couple of pages into the magazine, guess what?

Guess what?

On Page 10 – eYeQ News, Neighbors, Notions and What’s New by Bill Gardner at the left-bottom corner is a picture of our Colored Windows, aka Colored Windows II. Check it out…

We’re ecstatic… It’s Chinese Take-out for supper!

Thank you Janet-Lee Santeusanio, and thank you Scott Murkin. Check out our Quilts SB Posting for the details of Colored Windows II.

We’re currently working on our Evolution Exhibit for MQX East and West 2012. Colored Windows II will be included in the show.

Enjoy,

Andy and Jim

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My Quip - No Nom de Plume for Evolution - MQX East/West 2012

Good Day

Thought you may like to see what I discovered on Page 11 of the 2012 March/April Issue of Machine Quilting Unlimited magazine.

Think we’ve started over in another place, and another time.

And Andy has not created a nom de plume. He still is the same, quiet and reserved, Andy Brunhammer. No fancy name for this quilt artist.

We’re working on Evolution to get it ready for MQX East 2012 in Providence, Rhode Island in April. Evolution will also been on the road to MQX West 2012 in Portland, Oregon in October.

Hope to see you there.


Enjoy,

Jim and Andy.

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My Quip - Quilts SB Update - We Are NOT Busy!

Good Morning,

It is that update time again at Quilts SB… Just a spare minute to note down and bring you up-to-date on what Andy and I are working.

Since the beginning of January we have accomplished much more than we thought we had, and at times it is a wee bit mind boggling.

Three Quilts have been finished; Civil War Re-Enactment I (or CWR I), Dogwood Steps, and Blue Diamonds. Check out their Postings. We are truly amazed.

Dogwood Steps has reached its new home in New York and the new owner is thrilled with the composition and achievement.

Blue Diamonds has been submitted for entry in the category Wallhanging Large – Art at the Machine Quilters Exhibition, MQX East 2012 in Providence, Rhode Island. We are waiting to hear if it is accepted as a finalist.

The Happy Bug Quilt has been embroidered and I have designed the quilting pattern to complete the construction. Once it is completed, it will be traveling to its new home.

Andy has finished all 15 blocks for Astro-Physics. This design will be our adaptation of Jacqueline de Jonge Fly Away.

The Amulet top has been completed and we are making a few modifications. It is definitely in queue.

I have decided on a quilting matrix for Mondrain I. It should be making its way to the rack shortly. This quilt will be a part of our Rainbow Series.

Tampa Lightning top has been completed, and if we can be so bold, it is going to be a gorgeous quilt.

Two new quilt projects are on the way. The first, The All Blue Quilt, that is comprised of varying shades of blue. It is based on and inspired by a Kimberly Einmo design. The second, Joseph’s Coat is our adaptation of Kaffe Fassett’s X-Factor. Our design will have 44 colors and fabrics without any pattern. Both should prove interesting. The above inserted image is of scraps for Joseph's Coat.

Mauk II is still under construction. It is the next quilt in our Escher Series.

I am still working on the design to our next Bargello Quilt – Rán. My initial drafts have been completed and now I have to deconstruct my actual design to calculate the appropriate parts, albeit fabric cuts.

Work is continuing on my adaptation and inspiration of Gunta Stölz's 1928 Jacquard weaving 5 Chöre. This should prove interesting, as well as challenging.

And then of course, there is the work to be done on our MQX 2012 Exhibit “Evolution”. If you get a chance, and are in Providence, Rhode Island in April, stop in at the Convention Center for a visit.

And lastly, but not finally, I am pondering the new design of a new quilt, Kumquat. Definitely stay tuned for this one.

If you are interested, and would like some more information of available quilts, regarding costs, shipping, and insurance, please check our Quilts SB Etsy shop.

Andy and I are moving at a steady pace with our quilt and fabric wall hanging work. Keep abreast of all updates. I have added a “Follow By Email” capability at the bottom right of each posting under The Grid. You can also become a Follower of Quilts SB. Click on the “Join this site” to follow Quilts SB.

I’ve added another means to follow the images of our quilt creations via Pinterest. Also check out our new Quilts SB Page on Facebook. Link over to Quilts SB and become a Fan, albeit “Like” us.

Check out my new experimental format of my Blog, Quilts SB Test. Certainly would appreciate your feedback.

To see previously posted quilts, there is a visual Grid presentation at the bottom of the Quilts SB page. Move your cursor over any mini-picture found there and click to see an enlargement. Move your cursor to the "Q#" link to see the quilt's details. If the quilt’s title is highlighted in yellow or in red, it has found a home in a collection and is no longer available.

If you have any questions and/or comments please feel free to get in touch with me via email.

I'm not sure if I have missed any, but enjoy,

Jim and Andy

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My Quip - MQS East 2012 - Machine Quilters Exposition - April in Providence, Rhode Island

Good Day and a Great Start to a New Year...

This April Andy and I have been invited to present a Special Exhibit of our quilt work and journey at MQX East 2012.

The MQX (Machine Quilters Exposition) will be April 11 through 14... and it be held at The Rhode Island Convention Center in Providence, Rhode Island. And to top it all, this is the 10th Anniversary of MQX.

Our Exhibit is entitled "Evolution". We hope to present a number of our Quilts and Wall Hangings, that may show a progress of our work over the past numbers of years. We will, all-things-being-equal, introduce a number of our new efforts, as well.

I have included copy of the write-up and announcement of our Exhibit as it appears in the MQX East 2012 Class and Event Catalog.

Our hotel room is booked and we are working on the final steps of compiling our 20+ quilts and wall hangings for "Evolution".

All-things-being-equal we see you there at MQX East 2012. Set your sights on April in Providence.

Enjoy,

Andy and Jim

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My Quip - MQX East 2012 - Evolution

Good Day,

The MQX East 2012 Catalog Viewer is now available.

Check out Page 10/6 of the MQX East 2012 Catalog. Evolution is coming.

It is 27°F, -3°C in Kamloops, British Columbia... but not here in Tampa, and we're the ones with the quilts. The Holidays are just around the corner. Give a Quilt for the Holidays. Check out our posted On Sale and our currently available quilts at Quilts SB Etsy.

Also check out my new experimental format of my Blog, Quilts SB Test. Certainly would appreciate your feedback.

To see previously posted quilts, there is a visual Grid presentation at the bottom of the Quilts SB page. Move your cursor over any mini-picture found there and click to see an enlargement. Move your cursor to the "Q#" link to see the quilt's details. If the quilt’s title is highlighted in yellow or in red, it has found a home in a collection and is no longer available.

If you are interested, and would like some more information of available quilts, regarding costs, shipping, and insurance, please check our Quilts SB Etsy shop.

If you have any questions and/or comments please feel free to get in touch with me via email.

Enjoy,

Jim and Andy

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