Posted on July 4, 2013 by ovbrantley
Gumbo Lades 2 by Aisha Lumumba, 2009. Photo by India Brantley.
Aisha Lumumba will lead a master quilting class on Saturday August 3, 2013 during the 2013 Atlanta Quilt Festival. The workshop will be held at the South Fulton Arts Center from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Cost of the workshop is $60.00 which includes the kit and admittance to Aisha’s lecture at 3 p.m.
Aisha Lumumba
Quilters will learn five techniques that were used to create Aisha’s famed quilt Gumbo Ladies. This workshop is designed to improve basic piecing skills. It includes fussy cutting, easy appliqué, raw edge applique, trapunto, simple curves, and fabric painting. A fabric kit is provided with workshop. A sewing machine is required.
To sign up for the workshop, email Marva Swanson at mmswan@bellsouth.net. Space is limited so act quickly.
Like this:
Like Loading...
Filed under: 2013 Atlanta Quilt Festival, Continuing Quilt Education (CQE) | Tagged: 2013 Atlanta Quilt Festival, African American quilter, Aisha Lumumba, fiber art, India Brantley, Marva Swanson, South Fulton Arts Center | Leave a comment »
Posted on March 4, 2012 by ovbrantley
Small Steps by Marquetta Bell-Johnson, 2011. Photo by India Brantley.
With the first hints of spring in the air, it seemed appropriate to show a happy quilt. Small Steps by Marquetta Bell-Johnson is happy and bright.
Marquetta Bell-Johnson
Small Steps was exhibited at the 2011 Atlanta Quilt Festival, and it made all who saw it smile. Like all of Marquetta’s quilts, it is made from her hand-dyed fabrics, and it is hand quilted. Marquetta shares her hand-dying technique in her book Hand Dyed Quilts which is available on Amazon.
To see more of Marquetta’s work, visit the 2012 Atlanta Quilt Festival. The Festival opens July 29, 2012 at the South Fulton Arts Center, 4645 Butner Road, College Park, GA.
Like this:
Like Loading...
Filed under: Quilt Books, Quilt Features | Tagged: 2012, 2012 Atlanta Quilt Festival, African American quilter, India Brantley, Marquetta Bell-Johnson, Small Steps, South Fulton Arts Center | Leave a comment »
Posted on September 11, 2011 by ovbrantley
Forever Friends, by O.V. Brantley, 2009. Photo by India Brantley
Forever Friends was part of a group of four friendship quilts featured at the 2011 Atlanta Quilt Festival exhibit which was held at the South Fulton Arts Center. It was created by O.V. Brantley.
O.V. Brantley
Each quilter shared information about herself, and each quilter made two blocks for each of the other quilters in the group. Aleathia Chisolm, Nina Moore and Rosalind Newell were the other quilters featured.
Like this:
Like Loading...
Filed under: Quilt Exhibits, Quilt Features | Tagged: 2011 Atlanta Quilt Festival, African American quilter, Aleathia Chisolm, Forever Friends, Hammonds House Museum, India Brantley, Nina Moore, O.V. Brantley, quilt exhibit, Rosalind Newell, South Fulton Arts Center | Leave a comment »
Posted on September 10, 2011 by ovbrantley
Just Friends by Nina Moore, 2011. Photo by India Brantley
Just Friends was part of a group of four friendship quilts featured at the 2011 Atlanta Quilt Festival exhibit held at the South Fulton Arts Center. It was created by Nina Moore, who also taught the Beginning Quilting class during The Festival.
Nina Moore
Each quilter shared information about herself, and each quilter made two blocks for each of the other quilters in the group. Aleathia Chisolm, Rosalind Newell and O.V. Brantley were the other quilters featured.
Like this:
Like Loading...
Filed under: Quilt Features | Tagged: 2011 Atlanta Quilt Festival, African American quilter, Aleathia Chisolm, friendship quilt, India Brantley, Just Friends, Nina Moore, O.V. Brantley, quilt exhibit, Rosalind Newell, South Fulton Arts Center | Leave a comment »
Posted on September 9, 2011 by ovbrantley
Keep An Eye On Your Blocks, by Aleathia Chisolm, 2010. Photo by India Brantley
Keep An Eye On Your Blocks was part of a group of four friendship quilts featured at the 2011 Atlanta Quilt Festival exhibit held at the South Fulton Arts Center. It was created by Aleathia Chisolm.
Aleathia Chisolm
Each quilter shared information about herself, and each quilter made two blocks for each of the other quilters in the group. Rosalind Newell, Nina Moore and O.V. Brantley were the other quilters featured.
Like this:
Like Loading...
Filed under: Quilt Exhibits, Quilt Features | Tagged: 2011 Atlanta Quilt Festival, African American quilter, Aleathia Chisolm, India Brantley, Keep An Eye On Your Blocks, Nina Moore, O.V. Brantley, quilt exhibit, Rosalind Newell | Leave a comment »
Posted on September 8, 2011 by ovbrantley
A Few of My Favorite Friends, by Rosalind Newell, 2011. Photo by India Brantley
A Few of My Favorite Friends was part of a group of four friendship quilts featured at the 2011 Atlanta Quilt Festival exhibit held at the South Fulton Arts Center. It was created by Rosalind Newell, who was also the organizer of the group.
Rosalind Newell
Each quilter shared information about herself, and each quilter made two blocks for each of the other quilters in the group. Aleathia Chisolm, Nina Moore and O.V. Brantley were the other quilters featured.
Like this:
Like Loading...
Filed under: Quilt Exhibits, Quilt Features | Tagged: 2011 Atlanta Quilt Festival, A Few of My Favorite Things, Christmas quilt, friendship quilt, India Brantley, quilt exhibit, quilt show, Rosalind Newell, South Fulton Arts Center | Leave a comment »
Posted on February 18, 2010 by ovbrantley
Mother and Child by Michelle Willis. Photo by India Brantley
The featured quilt of the week in the Februiariy 14, 2010 edition of the Start Your Week With a Quilt newsletter continued our celebration of Black History Month. The quilt is called Mother and Child and it was created by Michelle Willis. It was recently exhibited in the 2009 Brown Sugar Stitchers Quilt Show.
This quilt starts with a pre-printed panel in the middle. The panel depicts an ageless symbol of a mother’s love.
Michelle Willis
Michelle accented the panel with luscious blues and browns to create a beautiful wallhanging that measures 38 x 58 inches. The quilt was pieced and quilted by Michelle.
Wonder what this mother is whispering in her child’s ear? Do you remember your mother’s whisper even now?
Like this:
Like Loading...
Filed under: Quilt Features | Tagged: Afircan American quilter, art quilter, Brown Sugar Stitchers, India Brantley, Michelle Willis, Mother and Child, Start Your Week with a Quilt | Leave a comment »
Posted on February 3, 2010 by ovbrantley
Underground Railroad, by Charlotte Lindsey. Photo by India Brantley.
We kick off Black History Month with a quilt that is simply called Underground Railroad. It was featured in the January 31, 2010 edition of the Start Your Week With a Quilt newsletter, and it was created by Charlotte Lindsey.
Many people believe that quilts were used to guide slaves to freedom on the Underground Railroad. A book called Hidden in Plain View by Jacqueline Tobin attempts to document that history.
The blocks in this quilt are from a book by Eleanor Burns who based these blocks on ideas from Tobin’s book. Quilters call these blocks the Underground Railroad blocks.
Charlotte Lindsey
Charlotte challenged herself by making each block in this quilt only six inches square! The entire quilt measures 30 x 44 inches when the sashing and the border is included.
This quilt was part of the 2009 Brown Sugar Stitchers Quilt Show. It is part of Charlotte’s permanent collection of heirloom quilts.
Like this:
Like Loading...
Filed under: Quilt News | Tagged: Afircan American quilter, Black history month, Brown Sugar Stitchers, Charlotte Lindsey, Eleanor Burns, Hidden in Plain View, India Brantley, Jacqueline Tobin, Sampler quilt, Underground Railroad | Leave a comment »
Posted on January 6, 2010 by ovbrantley
Adorned by Elaine Parker, 2009. Photo by India Brantley
The featured quilt in the January 3, 2010 edition of the Start Your Week With a Quilt is called Adorned, and it was created by Elaine Parker.
Elaine is known for her exquisite bead work, and this quilt is no exception. The piece which measures 12 x 12 inches starts with an appliqued lady on an orange background. It was quilted and then adorned with hundreds of beads. The beads are all sewn by hand.
Elaine Parker
Clearly this is a lady who is comfortable with who she is. She is not shy about expresses her individuality and feels no qualms about standing out in a crowd.
She also appears to be deep in thought. I wonder what such a regal woman thinks about.
Like this:
Like Loading...
Filed under: Quilt Features | Tagged: Adorned, African American quilter, Elaine Parker, India Brantley, Start Your Week with a Quilt | Leave a comment »
Posted on December 15, 2009 by ovbrantley
Christmas Joy, by Elisa Woods, 2009. Photo by India Brantley.
Christmas Joy was the featured quilt of the week in the December 13, 2009 edition of the Start Your Week With a Quilt newsletter. It was created by Elisa Woods. This quilt reminds us of the appropriate Christmas spirit by combining Christmas trees with Bible verses.
The quilt consists of four Christmas tree blocks on white or cream backgrounds accented by red sashing. Each tree is made unique by the choice of different fabrics and embellishments.
Elisa Woods
Quotes from the Book of Psalms are pieced into the quilt. The quotes draw you in and force you to examine the quilt closer.
Besides being a pretty quilt, I am sure this quilt brings great comfort to those who have lost loved ones during the year. It is a beautiful reminder to find joy in the midst of sorrow.
Like this:
Like Loading...
Filed under: Quilt Features | Tagged: Afircan American quilter, Christmas Joy, Christmas quilt, Christmas tree quilt, Elisa Woods, India Brantley, Start Your Week with a Quilt | Leave a comment »
Posted on December 11, 2009 by ovbrantley
Dancing Poinsettias, 45 x 45 inches by Rosalind Newell, 2008. Photo by India Brantley
You should have your home decorated for the holidays by now, but if not, here’s a quilt to get you started. It is called Dancing Poinsettias and was created by Rosalind Newell.
Rosalind Newell
Rosalind appliquéd the poinsettias by hand using the needle turn method. The machine quilting was done by Janna Bigelow. It is currently on display at the Bowden Senior Multi-Purpose Center as part of the Clara Ford Foundation Christmas Tour of Quilts. The Bowden Center is located at 2885 Church Street, East Point, GA.
Now run out and buy some poinsettias.
Like this:
Like Loading...
Filed under: Quilt Features | Tagged: applique quilt, Christmas quilt, Christmas Tour of Quilts, Dancing Poinsettias, H.J.C. Bowden Senior Multi-purpose Facility, India Brantley, Janna Bigelow, Rosalind Newell | Leave a comment »
Posted on October 7, 2009 by ovbrantley
Blazin' by Cathy Johnson, 2009. Photo by India Brantley.
When describing the month of October, Anne Mary Lawler wrote:
“The fields are harvested and bare,
And Winter whistles through the square.
October dresses in flame and gold
Like a woman afraid of growing old.”
In keeping with such a poetic description of October, the October 4, 2009 featured quilt in the Start Your Week With a Quilt© newsletter was Blazin’. It was created by Cathy Johnson.
Cathy Johnson
This 38 x 55 inch bargello quilt was made from a pattern called ribbons in motion in a class taught by Jeanette Walton. Cathy pieced the quilt, and Maxine Moore machine quilted it.
The key to a successful bargello quilt is the fabric choices. Here, Cathy’s choice of vibrant oranges and lush greens on a brown background make this a beautiful October quilt.
Blazin’ is currently on loan to the H.J.C. Bowden Senior Multi-Purpose Facility, located at 2885 Church Street, East Point, GA.
Like this:
Like Loading...
Filed under: Quilt Features | Tagged: Afircan American quilter, bargello quilt, Blazin', Cathy Johnson, fiber art, H.J.C. Bowden Senior Multi-purpose Facility, India Brantley, Start Your Week with a Quilt | Leave a comment »
Posted on September 11, 2009 by ovbrantley
Get a Life, by Vickie Clark, 2009. Photo by India Brantley.
Get a Life! was the featured quilt in the September 6, 2009 edition of the Start Your Week With a Quilt© newsletter. It was created by Vickie Clark. This quilt was recently featured in the Brown Sugar Stitchers Quilt Show where it was voted “Best of Show” by the viewers.
Get a Life! is a kaleidoscope quilt. A kaleidoscope quilt results in a unique symmetrical design. They have been made popular by quilter Paula Nadelstern, who has turned them into an art form.
Vickie Clark
However, it is not the quilting that stopped people in their tracks. It is the exquisite beading that Vickie added to the quilt after it was quilted. This quilt has over 10,000 beads in the border alone!
Vickie says it took her four years to finish this 58 x 72 inch quilt. If you haven’t guessed already, that’s where the quilt gets its name!
Like this:
Like Loading...
Filed under: Quilt Features | Tagged: Brown Sugar Stitchers, crystals, Get a Life, India Brantley, Kaleidoscope quilt, Paula Nadelstern, quilt, Start Your Week with a Quilt, Vickie Clark | Leave a comment »
Posted on August 21, 2009 by ovbrantley
Gumbo Lades 2 by Aisha Lumumba, 2009. Photo by India Brantley.
Gumbo Ladies 2 was featured in the August16, 2009 of the Start Your Week With a Quilt newsletter. It was created by Aisha Lumumba.
This quilt depicts two ladies making gumbo. It is appliquéd and pieced with hand painted fabric and altered fabrics. It is embellished with beads and hand quilted by Aisha.
Gumbo Ladies 2, which measures 45 x 65 inches, took second place in the “hanging quilts” category at the Brown Sugar Stitchers Quilt Show. The vibrant colors and the way it captures the scene makes it a real show stopper.
Aisha Lumumba
One visitor at the quilt show was heard to say, “That is me in that quilt.”
Gumbo Ladies 2 sells for $6000.00. Contact Aisha at
alumumba@cs.com if interested in purchasing it.
Like this:
Like Loading...
Filed under: Quilt Features | Tagged: Afircan American quilter, Aisha Lumumba, Brown Sugar Stitchers, fiber art, Gumbo Ladies 2, India Brantley, Start Your Week with a Quilt | Leave a comment »
Posted on August 13, 2009 by ovbrantley
Desert Queen, by Anita Crosby, 2009. Photo by India Brantley.
Desert Queen, created by Anita Crosby, was featured in the August 9, 2009 edition of the Start Your Week With a Quilt newsletter. If you attended the Brown Sugar Stitchers Quilt Show, you saw this quilt up close. It tied for first place in the wall quilt balloting.
The queen’s name is Thea, and she is Anita’s daughter. Thea took a vacation last summer to the United Arab Emirates. This photograph was taken while Thea was out on a camel tour of the desert.
Anita Crosby
To truly immortalize Queen Thea, Anita printed the photograph on fabric, added decorative borders and machine quilted it. The quilt measures 52 x 52 inches.
I am sure this quilt will become a family heirloom.
Like this:
Like Loading...
Filed under: Quilt Features | Tagged: Afircan American quilter, Anita Crosby, art quilter, Brown Sugar Stitchers, Desert Queen, fiber art, India Brantley, photo quilt | Leave a comment »
Clara Ford Foundation 