Friday, September 30, 2011

ART PRIZE IN GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN


It’s time for Art Prize.  This past week some 1,582 works of art went on display in Grand Rapids, Michigan.  This work of art is Mantis Dreaming by Bill Secunda, of Butler, PA.  It is a sculpture of a preying mantis with a butterfly on his claw and is made from discarded metal, with the majority being from an old railroad car tanker.  It weighs 3,000 lbs and is 20 feet tall.
Ocean Exodus is by Paul Baliker, of Palm Coast, Fl.  Baliker was inspired by his passion for nature.  The wood and bronze sculpture depicts various ocean life forms.  Note the tear from the octopus’s eye. (Click on the picture for a closer view.)
The Tempest II is by Laura Alexander of Columbus, OH.  This labor-intensive work of art is stunning.  It took over 300 hours to complete.  It is 8 ft high and has about five different layers of paper.  The top layer itself took about 120 hours to finish. It is all cut by the artist with an Xacto knife. She used over 400 blades.  
I don’t know who made this but I had to take a picture of it because it is made up of knitted one inch squares.  Wow!
I don’t have the details on this either, but I love this “old car.”  What really got me though were the patch of yellow flowers.  I was concentrating on the works of art and didn’t realize the flowers weren’t real.
I want some of these flowers for my yard.  They are made of old water bottles.  See the bottom of the bottle in the center.  
These Grizzlies are chainsaw carvings and are at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum.  They are by Llew (Doc) Tilma, of Wayland, MI.  One of bears stands 10' tall at the bottom of the fountain pool, with a trout draped in its mouth.

This huge flag represents the 43 us states and the 39 foreign countries where the participating artists are from.  These artists are competing for nearly $450,000 in prize money.   This event is so large you cannot possibly see it all in one day.  Last year the event drew as many as 400,000 to the area. 

I guess I was wrong about this flag.  This 100 by 60 foot flag features 247 national flags.  The other statistics about Art Prize were correct.     


Stay calm! Stay kind! Stay Positive!

Caroll

Thursday, September 29, 2011

KNOTTY GIRLS MEETING SHOW N TELL

The Knotty Girls Stitching Bee met Wednesday evening at the Attic Window Quilt Shop.  I wanted to show you all the fabulous projects they were working on.  Above is Autumn House, a BOM that Cindy was stitching.
Darla was sewing on the binding for this darling baby quilt.  She said that this was her first panel and liked working with it.  It is a gift for a friend’s new baby.  Isn’t it darling! I love the straight line quilting in the center.
Phyllis was working on this Northwoods Memories BOM from Wellington House Designs.  Notice a small leaf in the lower left corner block is not finished (click on picture to enlarge).  Phyllis did not stitch it in the green thread on purpose.  She also did not stitch the bird in the block above it.  On each block, she did not stitch one small item with the green as she plans to use another color of thread on that small item in each block.  She said after she picks out her sashing fabrics she will determine which color of thread to use.  What a clever idea!

Marcy showed us her Hop To It (an Edyta Sitar Design) blocks.  She wanted our help in choosing her sashing fabric.  These blocks are fantastic.  She used batiks and the fusing method of applique.  Great job Marcy.
Cindy showed us a bag that she made.  I love these bags.  Can you ever have too many?  Not! 

Quilting By The River has a tutorial for a Candy Corn Centerpiece.  Check it out!

NOTICE!  Don’t forget, the First Saturday Bee and the Sampler Class will not be held at the Attic Window Quilt Shop this Saturday (October 1) due to the Shop Hop.  The Bee and Sampler Class will meet the following Saturday (Oct. 8) at the usual times.
Stay calm! Stay kind! Stay Positive!
Caroll
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Attic Window Teachers

Attic Window Teachers
Attic Window Teachers

Quilting for Kids With Cancer

Quilting for Kids With Cancer
Generosity has no bounds. Above are the women in the Quilts For Kids group at the Attic Window Quilt Shop. Left to right, Henrietta, Phyllis, Nancy, Carol, Karen. These women donate their time, fabric, money once a month to make quilts for kids who have cancer.

Quilts For Wheels

Quilts For Wheels
Many thanks and much appreciation goes to the women who work diligently each month to make quilts for those in wheel chairs. Kudos go to: Yvonne, Mary T., Fran, Joan, Mary Ellen, Barb, Lee Ann, Nancy, Mary.
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