Thursday, September 27, 2012

THE MOST EPIC AND BRUTAL OF WAR QUILTS

I made this quilt as a gift for another one of my favorite bands, SABATON. They're a metal band from Sweden and their songs are about war and history. I found some really great fabrics for this: a panel with combat silhouettes, bordered with camouflage guitar necks and a backing of camo pinup girls! I gave it to them when they played Emo's in Austin last year. Props to Jude Hubbard for the "bus blankies" idea!



Friday, September 21, 2012

and in related news.....

this bit of awesomeness has been brought to my attention: quilter Chawne of Completely Cauchy has stirred up a bit of controversy herself, with her text-based quilts that incorporate "offensive" words.
As a result, she started the "give a f*ck" project, inviting quilters around the world to submit their own "f*ck" blocks. read more about it here!



Sunday, September 16, 2012

a "controversial" quilt

Last year when I was diagnosed with cancer, the gals in my Modern Quilt Guild bee secretly made this for me as a surprise....I took it along to my weekly chemo treatments for months. (and yes, I did succeed in giving the middle finger to cancer!)

This weekend was the Austin quilt show, and when I entered it I didn't anticipate any problems. However I was contacted by the show's  organizers, who were concerned about possible issues with the City/ venue finding it offensive (and possibly removing the quilt and/or not renewing the show's permit.)

At first they suggested putting up some sort of screen in front of the quilt with a warning/ age statement sign, but I suggested I could make a matching block with an asterisk to strategically cover up one letter. We agreed this was probably the least hassle-y solution.

When I dropped off the quilt for the show, I had the asterisk safety pinned in place at all 4 corners...but when I saw it hanging, the cover was only pinned at the top edge like a flap, so the truly curious could have a peek at what was underneath.

Despite all the hassle, I got quite a few compliments from people who were glad it was submitted. I was also told that it received a number of write-in votes for the "viewer's choice" award :)

Below is a group shot at the show with myself and some of the people who worked on it, followed by a glamour shot on Town Lake (photo by Bobbi Brekke).



Wednesday, September 12, 2012

BAGNAROK!

Welcome to the Quiltocalypse!!
Here I will present the best in alternative quilting and crafts, interspersed with random cuteness.

Let's start with a heavy metal tote bag I made using 2 backpatches of one of my favorite bands, Finntroll (Scandinavian folk metal). I used black cotton duck canvas to match the weight of the patches. It has a lining and studded black pleather handles, which I was amased to find by the yard at Joann Fabrics. I was pretty happy with how it came out, considering it was my first bag and I was kind of making it up as I went. If I make any more I will be sure to post a tutorial!