SAQA - Studio Art Quilt Association

 The Studio Art Quilt Association is an international organization dedicated to the promotion of art Quilts. It affords each member - professional or non professional membership the opportunity to be a part of national and traveling exhibits, mentoring programs, tutorials on line....the list goes on.

 Linda Sexton-Patrick started the group several years ago; it was very small, maybe 4 or 5 members. It stayed that way for quite a while but you know how it goes, all of a sudden it has blossomed. We only meet 3 - 4 times a year; we met today at my home after a long absence from each other along with much enthusiasm. We had some wonderfully talented new people who will add so much to our group.

 Lynne showed us a wonderful top that has yet to be quilted. She has a wonderful color eye and dyes all of her fabrics to use in her work.

 One of our new members - Jenny Perry showed us a piece she made using photo transfers and some hand painted fabrics. I really loved the angle she captured.

 And another piece from Jenny based on a photo she took.

 Julie Bagamary challenges herself with a piece a day for 30 days. Perhaps you remember her challenge of "hands". Julie says at first it's very exciting, but by about the 15th day, it's "why did I decide to do this" but shortly after that it's how can I push myself outside the box to come up with another idea. I happen to love this bird series...... so Bravo Julie. She also has a wonderful way of mounting using wafer thin velcro and boards from Cheap Joes.

 And another new member - Shirley Parkin showed us the type of work she loves to do - first of all, very colorful, also whimsical and beautifully appliquéd.

 And a detail.

 Lynn DellaPosta created this wonderful and very large quilt.

 This was from a new member - Mary Jane Lappin. Her work revolves around photo transfers on different fabrics, sheers and opaques. It is bordered with a Dupionni silk and then placed in a shadow box. Really elegant.

And Susan W. Lee, not new to the art quilt world but new to our group and we are so lucky to have her. She's a master of color and design. This was not one of her new pieces, they are all out in galleries but it was still new to us.
After a long break, I'm finally home and ready to get back into the swing of things...including my blog.
Thanks for hanging in there with me.