Final Art Quilt for 2025

Here we are at the end of a turbulent year in our history.  Let it be done!  Meanwhile, I am planning some fun travel in 2026, so I have been working on getting some things completed before said travel begins.  I have completed my final art quilt for 2025.  I have created it to be donated to the SAQA Spotlight Auction coming up.  It has to be mailed out by February 23, so I will submit the application and mail it next week, as I will be traveling then.

I made four owl art quilts this year.  This one is Owl Time IV.  I have only experienced using Lutradur since last month and this is my first completed project using Lutradur, which I painted with Jacquard Dyna-flow dye.  Then I placed a mottled piece of pink fabric behind it to add depth and mystery to the background.  I used regular cotton thread, tatting thread, #16 pearl cotton, and #8 pearl cotton.  I hand-dyed the fabric for the body of the owl, except the wings which is from a commercial charm square I found floating around.  I really like this guy with the petite ankles and the sturdy branch.

To recap the year, I had another winning summer at the Western Idaho Fair with my improvisation quilt that I was aided in construction of some of the blocks . . .it was wild and wooly for a bit, but it came out great with lots of personality, and it took a blue ribbon.  I also entered two AG Doll backpacks with pockets and zippers, an art quilt, and a doll quilt.

Besides completing 24 art quilts this year, I completed four regular quilts, 14 doll quilts, and various small sewn projects.  The small sewn projects include quilted tennis shoes, zipper bags, handbags, etc.  I really enjoyed indigo fabric dying in the great outdoors.

The real highlight of my year was erecting my AG Doll Quilt Show inside a larger quilt show.  It was a tribute to Gwen Marston and Freddie Moran.  My 'girls' truly outdid themselves in creating a vast array of quilts honoring Gwen and Freddie. (It was exhausting!)

The AG Doll Quilt Show also led to doing a presentation for a doll collecting club called, AG Dolls Across the Universe.

I was honored to be the spotlight presenter at the November meeting of the Montana/Idaho Region of Studio Art Quilt Associates (SAQA).

We only got away in the RV twice this year, but I expect to do some traveling in 2026, and focus on whatever creativity my heart desires.