eQuilter Blog

Having just returned from the Road to California quilt festival in Ontario California, I’d like to share this amazing dimensional piece of fiber art by Lys Axelson, who won the Outstanding Artistry award.

I spoke to Lys on the phone yesterday, to congratulate her, and learn more about how she made her Sahara Lion. I was fascinated by the layered dimensional strands of the lion’s mane. You can see detail shots in the RD2CA photo album here.

Dimensions: 94″ W x 60″ L

Techniques & Materials: Couching of yarn and perle cotton throughout. Decorative stitching and free motion quilting. Hand beading, hand embroidery (eyes). Hand applique. Donated fabrics, some new African fabrics. Heavy stabilizer for some mane pieces. (Pellon Fuse-N-Shape.) Scrap batting.

Artist Statement:
The Sahara lion is a subspecies of the now extinct Barbary lion, known for its magnificent dark mane. It is unlike the robust lions of the Serengeti Plains and other sub-African habitats with their large prides, lounging in the shade, watching over herds of prey. The Sahara lion is lithe and handsome and adapted to the desert, where prey and water are scarce. Those still existing in the Southern Sahara are threatened by hunting and habitat loss.

Lys works on 4 different domestic BERNINA machines – using a different machine for different techniques. She used her B475, B750, and vintage machines 830 Record, and 1000 Designer, to make this mind-boggling piece.

If you are in the SAQA Europe/Middle East regional group, please note that I am giving a lecture on International Quilt Trends (via Zoom) next Monday Feb 2!

Sharing your passion for fabric…
Luana & Paul

* Photo taken by Luana at the Road2California show. Fabrics framing the quilt image are in stock now at eQuilter.com

Subscribe to my artist website and blog!
www.luanarubin.com

Travel/Lecture Dates:
Feb 2 – SAQA Europe/Middle East – Zoom Lecture
Feb 18-21 – QuiltCon – Raleigh NC
Apr 26 – May 1 – Alegre Retreat, Gateway CO
May 16 – New England Quilt Museum, Soul Stories Artist Reception
May 18-26 – Montpellier, France

Visit eQuilter’s Instagram, Pinterest or TikTok pages for Color and Design ideas.

See Luana’s Flickr Photo Pages for travel images, comment on our blog, or follow us on Facebook.

Check out our Video pages for interviews and show reviews.

I’ve just come home from the Road to California show today. It was a very quick trip, and I took a 5 am flight back, arriving in single digits and a light dusting of snow. The storm that glanced past us here, is now wreaking havoc as it heads East across the US. We hope you are all staying safe and warm!

The last time I went to this show – also known as RD2CA – Matt was just taking over the show from his grandmother. Now it is a family affair, and I met several of the family members on this trip. They are expanding to a 2nd show – Road to Virginia – in Richmond VA. There is a lot of youthful energy in this show and I like the direction they are going.

Sacred Threads was hanging in the ‘Ballroom’ Exhibit Hall, so I was able to visit my “Children of War” which was very nicely lit. I enjoyed visiting with those who stopped by to have a look.

Today I went from palm trees to icicles, but I am wearing a smile after spending time with talented quilter friends. I hope your weekend brings you peace and comfort amidst the storm.

Sharing your love for fabric,
Luana and Paul

Subscribe to my artist blog here. Most recent article – Taiwan Quilt Festival – Taipei – Intro

Travel/Lecture Dates:
Feb 2 – SAQA Europe/Middle East – Zoom Lecture
Feb 18-21 – QuiltCon – Raleigh NC
Apr 26 – May 1 – Alegre Retreat, Gateway CO
May 16 – New England Quilt Museum, Soul Stories Artist Reception
May 18-26 – Montpellier, France
July 29 – Aug 2 – Birmingham UK – Festival of Quilts


Visit eQuilter’s Instagram and Pinterest pages for Color and Design ideas.

See Luana’s Artist Blog, Flickr Photo Pages for travel images, comment on our blog, or follow us on Facebook.

Check out our Video pages for interviews and show reviews.

As you may know, I am a wildlife photographer and I like to make art quilts about environmental topics, and endangered species. I am just now finishing up 2 bear quilts that will be in exhibits later this year. I like to make textile art that invites people to stop and think about these issues.

Today I am going to the Colorado State Capital to have brunch with the Speaker of the House, and then I am attending a meeting for CLAW. (Colorado Legislative Animal Welfare) I am also bringing a wolf quilt and a bear quilt to share with these folks who work to save and protect Colorado wildlife, and domestic animals. (Farm animals, and pets)

When the world is crazy, I try to spend time with people who endeavor to make our communities, our world, a better place. It helps me to get through the day, the week, the year….

One of my friends in this group is a chaplain who supports veterinarians who have to make difficult decisions for suffering animals. I really appreciate anyone who can give support, to anyone struggling with grief and loss. We all have something precious to give.

There are no magic solutions, but we can come together to make peace, justice, and positive change. I hope you too can use your creativity and wisdom to make a difference in your world.

Thursday I am flying to Ontario, California, for the Road to California how. I’ll be walking the show on Friday. Perhaps I’ll see you there, and we can give each other a supportive hug.

Sharing your passion for fabric…
Luana & Paul

Subscribe to my artist website and blog!
www.luanarubin.com

Travel/Lecture Dates:
Jan 22-23 – Road to California
Feb 2 – SAQA Europe/Middle East – Zoom Lecture
Feb 18-21 – QuiltCon – Raleigh NC
Apr 26 – May 1 – Alegre Retreat, Gateway CO
May 16 – New England Quilt Museum, Soul Stories Artist Reception
May 18-26 – Montpellier, France

Visit eQuilter’s Instagram, Pinterest or TikTok pages for Color and Design ideas.

See Luana’s Flickr Photo Pages for travel images, comment on our blog, or follow us on Facebook.

Check out our Video pages for interviews and show reviews.

Last night I attended the opening of the SAQA “Balance” exhibit opening at the Lafayette Arts Center. Several of the talented featured artists were attending, along with many local quilters. I enjoyed talking to visitors about my piece “Stardust Mothers“, explaining my creative process. I really get a kick out of non-quilters asking “How did you DO that?!?”

But also, I loved hearing from our local quilt customers about how we are there to supply their specialty sewing needs. If you are in the Boulder area, or if you are traveling through the Front Range, you can save shipping charges by picking up your order here…and get a little tour when you visit also! Just place your order online, then contact us and ask to have your account converted to “Retail account” so you can choose $0 shipping for pickup.

If you have a larger group, you can also schedule a tour of eQuilter, and my art studio which is in the back part of our warehouse. You can have your own private trunk show for your group, but you will need to schedule ahead of time when I am not traveling. Extended group tours are generally scheduled for Friday afternoons. Contact Customer Service for more information. We’d love to see you here!

“Commemorative American Quilts: Stitching Our Heritage from 1876” by Sandra Sider is now in stock. I was asked to make a quilt for this book, and the exhibit which will open in June at the New England Quilt Museum. Quilt historian Sandra Sider’s book explores the history of commemorative quilt making from the 1876 US Centennial to today. It is a beautiful companion book as we prepare to celebrate 250 years of American quiltmaking for the Semi-Quincentennial on July 4th.

I also have 2 quilts in the Semi-Quin exhibit at the Virginia Quilt Museum, and hopefully we can carry the catalog for that show as well.

Next week I have a quick trip to Road to California. I’ll be walking the show on Friday, so if you see me, please say hello!

Sharing your love for fabric,
Luana and Paul

Subscribe to my artist blog here. Most recent article – Taiwan Quilt Festival – Taipei – Intro

Travel/Lecture Dates:
Jan 22-23 – Road to California
Feb 2 – SAQA Europe/Middle East – Zoom Lecture
Feb 18-21 – QuiltCon – Raleigh NC
Apr 26 – May 1 – Alegre Retreat, Gateway CO
May 16 – New England Quilt Museum, Soul Stories Artist Reception
May 18-26 – Montpellier, France
July 29 – Aug 2 – Birmingham UK – Festival of Quilts


Visit eQuilter’s Instagram and Pinterest pages for Color and Design ideas.

See Luana’s Artist Blog, Flickr Photo Pages for travel images, comment on our blog, or follow us on Facebook.

Check out our Video pages for interviews and show reviews.

I have a couple quilts traveling in SAQA exhibits. My piece “Stardust Mothers” spent most of 2024 at the DAR Museum in Washington DC. A few months ago I attended the opening of the SAQA “Balance” exhibit in Durango, with this quilt. Now this exhibit is opening right here in Lafayette Colorado which is adjacent to Boulder. The opening reception is this Friday at 6 pm. Please come and see this exhibit if you can! It is open Jan 15 to March 8.

The Collective Community Arts Center
201 N. Public Road Lafayette Colorado

This work depicts the generations of women who protect each other, and the planet. You can see the distant layers of matriarchy fading into the distance. My own Swedish great-grandmother is tucked up in the left-hand corner.

There is a continuity of wisdom that stretches down through the generations of women. It is not just our own ancestors, but it is in the archetypal wisdom that grandmothers pass on to their granddaughters. We are all made of stardust, and that wisdom vibrates in every atom. When we turn to dust and return to the Earth, that wisdom, that divine consciousness…lives on.

The faces were all painted with Inktense pencils and gel medium. Then the rest of the image was built up with applique and then free-motion stitching on my Q20 machine. The applique fabrics are batiks and hand-dyes, all from eQuilter. Most of them are picked out from the scrap hamper at the end of the week, after all of you have a chance to buy them. I also use fusibles like Gentle Fuse and Mistyfuse, and many colors of 50 weight Aurifil threads…all available at eQuilter as well.

She has really been around the world which brings me a lot of joy. From France and the UK, to Japan and DC, she travels to share my message with other mothers and daughters, grandmothers and granddaughters, and those who love them. I hope that you too will find a message in this image.

You can see where she has traveled if you scroll down on this page. I have several quilts traveling now so perhaps you will see one at a museum or quilt festival this year. And I do hope that YOU have a special quilt that will travel and inspire others as well!

Sharing your passion for fabric…
Luana & Paul

Subscribe to my artist website and blog!
www.luanarubin.com

Travel/Lecture Dates:
Jan 16 – “Balance” opening at The Collective Community Arts Center in Lafayette, CO. 6-8 pm.
Jan 22-23 – Road to California
Feb 2 – SAQA Europe/Middle East – Zoom Lecture
Feb 18-21 – QuiltCon – Raleigh NC
Apr 26 – May 1 – Alegre Retreat, Gateway CO
May 16 – New England Quilt Museum, Soul Stories Artist Reception
May 18-26 – Montpellier, France

Visit eQuilter’s Instagram, Pinterest or TikTok pages for Color and Design ideas.

See Luana’s Flickr Photo Pages for travel images, comment on our blog, or follow us on Facebook.

Check out our Video pages for interviews and show reviews.