Click on the photo of a quilt and you will see a larger image.
Quilted Mosaics
Quilted mosaics are made from small (1 1/4") squares that are arranged in a way that painters use paint and chalk. I lay out a palette of cut fabrics according to color and arrange them in an composition that gives the illusion of the photograph I use as inspiration. When the quilt is sewn together, I then complete it with thread painting and embellishments of various kinds. My current favorites are Angelina Fiber, beads and crystals.
Here it all began - Water Lily Quilt
I had always had an interest in the process of making photo mosaics. When I discovered a book about quilted mosaics, I was hooked. This first one was created from a photo taken near the pond in my yard.
I was excited to be done with it. I started on it in 2007. I entered it in the 2012 Nebraska State Fair.
I was excited to be done with it. I started on it in 2007. I entered it in the 2012 Nebraska State Fair.
Buffalo
The buffalo in this quilt is from our own herd. It is my signature quilt. What is a signature quilt? It is the first that I completed and I have based my quilted signature off of it. This quilt is a part of the collection of Max and Lorraine Hanson.
Poppy
This quilt is embellished with Angelina Fiber and crystals. It is in the collection of Clark and Amy Hemje.
Cosmos
This is the first and last quilt that I will make on the bias. For anyone who works with fabric, it stretches when you don't want it too. I love the quilt but it was too much trouble keeping it in line.
Cattails
This grouping of cattails came from a photo from my pond. It is the tallest of the quilts I have made and currently have it hanging above my basement staircase.
Rothenburg Gate
Sometimes my quilts illustrate places that I travel. This quilt shows a gate in the walled city of Rothenburg, Germany.
Sunrise
This is from a sunrise photo in Phoenix, Arizona and a sunrise photo that shows the skyline of my hometown, Elsie, Nebraska.
Barrels
This quilt comes from a photo of some cactus near our home in Phoenix. It has individually tied threads for the spikes on the cactus. This quilt is now in the collection of Pennie and Troy Reese.
Calla
This was from a series of photos of callas. My daughter chose calla lillies for her wedding. I hope to do more.
Paradise
This quilt was inspired by a photo taken in Marbella, Spain.
Fall Lineup
This photograph was taken along a lake in Nebraska.
Black-eyed Susan
This quilted mosaic is based on a flower from my flower garden. I changed the technique somewhat and made it with an applique technique. The center has been embellished with some novelty yarn.
Royalty
This photograph of a poppy was taken near the Queen's garden in London, England.
Poppy II
This poppy was taken from a painting of a poppy that I purchased in Paris, France. It is in the collection of Mike and Shelley Peetz.
Goblet and Merlot
This set of two quilts came from our love of wine. This quilt duo was shown at the 5 Trails Winery in Paxton, NE. A visitor traveling through the area stopped, loved it and purchased it. Check out the Suzee suit that was made for winery owner, Pat Gamet.
Calla
This quilt was inspired by a calla lily I saw in London. Our daughter had calla lillies at her wedding. they make me think of her.
Sunflower
This quilt is a larger version of the one pictured below and turned 1/4 turn. This quilted mosaic was inspired by a sunflower that I saw in London on my 2011 trip with Nebraska Ambassadors of Music.
Sunflower, Petite
This is an appliqued quilted mosaic, each leaf being a different piece of mosaic. It was inspired by the same sunflower as above, just arranged and constructed differently. The center is three-dimensional, hard to see in a photo.
Nebraska
This quilt is entitled "Nebraska" and was completed to be sold at auction at a beef producers event in North Platte, Nebraska. Being a Husker fan and a beef producer made this a fun project to complete. The red fabric is traditional quilting squares, the shadows and background include "Husker" fabric. My son, Nick, won this at the auction.
Raw Edge Applique - Greek Island Series
Poros
Hillside Poros
Boardwalk, Poros
Buffalo Series
Contemplation
This young bull looks as though he is contemplating the person taking his photo. Hence the title "Contemplation". This quilt was given 2nd place honors at the AEI/NATA Art Educators show in October in Council Bluffs, Iowa.
This quilt is titled "APPROACH" for that is what these three are doing. I would get out of the way if I saw them. This piece was on display at the Noyes Art Gallery in Lincoln, Nebraska and has recently been purchased.
Compass Plant Series
I had occasionally seen this plant along I-80 in the eastern part of Nebraska in the middle to late summer. I knew it was not a sunflower because of how the blossoms were arranged. I discovered the true identity almost by accident and so loved the photo, I decided to create a quilted mosaic. This one has an added third dimension of the leaves and petals being attached in such a way that they are three dimensional. I tried to have just slight variations in the pieces.
FYI - The compass plant can grow to be six or seven feet tall. Quoting from Nebraskaland Magazine A Wildflower Year "The large leaves, up to a foot long and half again as wide, are oriented roughly north and south, hence the name. It is said that some Omaha and Ponca tribes avoided camping near compass plants, believing they attracted lightning."
FYI - The compass plant can grow to be six or seven feet tall. Quoting from Nebraskaland Magazine A Wildflower Year "The large leaves, up to a foot long and half again as wide, are oriented roughly north and south, hence the name. It is said that some Omaha and Ponca tribes avoided camping near compass plants, believing they attracted lightning."
This quilt was the first of a series of quilts. It was a piece that I donated to the 2013 Cattlemen's Ball Silent Auction June 7-8, 2013
The second in the Compass Plant Series is a reversal of the first quilt. The background is lighter. I displayed this at the Noyes Art Gallery for a short time before it was purchased
This is the third and final piece in the series. I will keep it in my collection but have entered it in the 2013 Nebraska State Fair quilt show. It received a second place award in one of the the wall quilt categories.
Montezuma Castle Series
Montezuma Castle
Can you see an ark or maybe a dashound?
MONTEZUma Mystery
Sinauga Montezuma Castle
Sinauga means no water.