This week I am up in Northern Manitoba to photograph polar bears and other arctic wildlife. It has been super cold which means Hudson Bay has frozen and most of the bears are out on the ice feeding, after their long summer fast. We had a nice close encounter with a mother bear and cub, and also with an Arctic Fox and a Crossfox. (A Silvery Red Fox.) Right now it is -9 F, -18 F with windchill. The cold temps mean the skies are clear so we are hoping to see some Northern Lights tonight.
I have had time to reflect on the quilts on display in Houston this year. First of all I want to thank all the artists who made quilts for our Love Your Mother challenge. 17 of these were juried into the exhibit, and 6 received prizes, including a BERNINA 570 QE, an Eversewn machine from Brewer Sewing and Quilting Supplies, and eQuilter gift certificates. Thank you to our co-sponsors! …and congratulations to the top prize winner Elizabeth Budd. The exhibit will travel and we are working on these future venues. We will let you know the schedule!
eQuilter sponsored a new IQA category this year – the Animal Kingdom. I am so excited about this new category, and I want to encourage all you amazing quilters to consider making an Animal-themed quilt for next year. This can include birds, fish, insects, tigers, elephants, cats, dogs and horses. Knowing how quilters love animals, I think this should be the biggest category. Or should I say… CATegory?
eQuilter sponsors the Modern Quilt category at Quilt Canada, and this summer the winning quilt was a red and white quilt about the indigenous women here who are missing…inspired by the Red Dress Project on the same topic. At the Human Rights Museum in Winnipeg there was a Red Dress exhibit. Last night we had a lecture by a Cree Elder, talking about her childhood and all of her siblings being separated and sent to residential schools. I am grateful that we can make art to bring awareness to these topics about women.
We have a close family friend who has lost their house in the California Fires, and when I get back I will see if there is interest in organizing a comfort quilt drive. Right now those affected have more urgent basic needs, so please donate to trusted organizations that are on the ground involved in the rescue operations.
sharing your Passion for Fabric…
Luana and Paul
