"Six of a Dozen Assorted"

That was a phrase my mother's father (a grandfather who died long before I arrived on the scene) used to say when he was referring to a variety of items.  And that's what's in this post!

First, as I mentioned a while back, the deadline for entry into the 2015 SAQA Benefit Auction is looming -- in fact, it's Monday.

A number of SAQA Western Canada members have contributed this year -- well done!

So far, these are the SAQA WC member pieces that have been posted to the Gallery of Quilts for this year's Auction:

Jaynie Himsl, SK

Jill Sullivan, B.C.

Karen Johnson, B.C.

  

Rena Holma, SK

Patricia Scott, AB 

            

Paula Jolly, SK

Terry Aske, B.C.

Patti Morris, AB

     Pippa Moore, B.C.                                                                         Marie Barry, B.C.

Valerie Wilson, MB

Linda Sharp, B.C.

Susan Purney Mark, B.C.

Margaret Blank, AB

NOTE: there is a piece in the Gallery contributed by a Dianne Firth...but there are two SAQA members with that name (and yes -- with the same spelling).  One is our own Dianne Firth from Edmonton, AB; the other is from Australia.  One of them contributed a piece to the 2015 Benefit Auction -- but I'm unable to find out which one!  Dianne in Edmonton, please let me know if this is you or not (margblank@xplornet.ca)!

Second: new this year -- an opportunity to see short YouTube videos from contributors who've shared their processes in making their pieces!  

THIS is the LINK to the SAQA Channel on YouTube.

In addition to these clips, you can see videos from various events and presentations at the Fiberlandia Conference.  Enjoy!

Third, we have a new Co-Rep in B.C.!  Welcome to Coleen Adderley of Peachland, who'll be more formally introduced in an up-coming blog post.

Fourth, A BIG WELCOME to these new SAQA WC Members:

• Jane Bryttan, B.C.
• Terri Illingworth, AB
• Cynthia Plant, AB
• Bonita (Bonnie) Rozander, B.C.

I'm looking forward to meeting SAQA members from across Canada -- new or 'seasoned' -- at Quilt Canada in Lethbridge next weekend.  Look for the SAQA Trunk Show booth in the guest exhibit area!

Last but not least, "Fiberlandia Highlights" will begin soon, I promise.  Watch this space!  :-)

Don't Miss Out!!

Maria Shell

What? The Art of the Word: Getting Grants and Other Art Opportunities by Crafting a Well-Written Proposal
When? Thursday, June 25 at 1 pm ET*

After rave reviews at the recent SAQA conference, SAQA asked Maria to share her presentation with the larger SAQA membership on a Mentorship Webinar. She graciously agreed. Maria's webinar will touch on several topics including doing the work, networking, applying and following through. Take a look at Maria's art work and read her blog to get an idea of her vision and experience. 

Speaking from personal experience (i.e., I was there!), this webinar -- a repeat of Maria Shell's presentation at the SAQA Conference in Portland, OR -- is excellent!!

Maria's Website: http://mariashell.com

Please click the following link to register. 
https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/6620010343774327297

NOTE: If you can not attend the live webinar, SAQA members will have access to the full audio and video recording on the SAQA website a few days after the event.

*SAQA uses ET as our official organization time zone. Use the following link to covert ET to your local time zone.
http://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/converter.html

Congratulations are in Order!

I came home from the Portland Conference to find that SAQA Western Canada members are well-represented in the winning ranks -- as winners or finalists -- of Grand National and Quilt Canada 2015.

Congratulations to the following members:

Quilt Canada's National Juried Show Finalists:

• Helene Blanchet, Alberta/Nova Scotia;
• Alison Cowitz, Alberta;
• Wendy Greber, Alberta;
• Jaynie Himsl, Saskatchewan;
• Paula Jolly, Saskatchewan;
• Patti Morris, Alberta;
• Jenny Perry, B.C; and 
• Susan Purney Mark, B.C.

And

Grand National Quilt Show Connections Award Winners:

• Margie Davidson, Edmonton, AB - The Janome Award of Excellence for Not Everyone Has a House.  Note: This piece is published in SAQA's Portfolio 21: The Art Quilt Sourcebook. You can see it in my copy of this publication if you visit the SAQA Trunk Show exhibit at Quilt Canada in Lethbridge, June 4-6.
• Alison Cowitz, Calgary, AB - An Award of Merit sponsored by Friends of the Grand National Quilt Show, for Green Piece.

And...

An up-date on the touring SAQA exhibit, Radical Elements, which includes Calgary member, Karen Jurek's piece, "CU Around".  This exhibit opens at the National Academy of Sciences, 2101 Constitution Ave, Washington, D.C. on May 18, 2015 and runs through October 19, 2015.  Note: you can see this piece -- and all the pieces in this exhibit -- in the catalogue for Radical Elements which will be available for viewing at the SAQA Trunk Show booth at Quilt Canada in Lethbridge.

Stay tuned for more posts about the Conference.  Meanwhile, I leave you with the Annual Crazy Canucks Conference Photo, courtesy of Maggie Vanderweit of Ontario.  She claims this was the best of the ones taken with her camera!

(L) to (R): Margaret Blank, AB; Ellen Bourassa, B.C.;
Tracy Lawko, Ontario; Maggie Vanderweit, Ontario;
Andree Fredette, B.C.; and Teri Donovan Springer, N.S. & Michigan

Why Go to a Conference?

A few months back when the registration opened for SAQA's 2015 International Conference, Fiberlandia, one of our members asked me, "Why should I go to Conference?  It seems like a lot of money..."

I will say more in an up-coming newsletter but for now...

Dinner with Teri Springer (L), Lyric Kinard (next)
Sue Bleiweiss, Rosalie Dace, Nancy Turbitt

Marianne Williamson & Maggie Vanderweit
Same dinner -- deep in discussion

Rep meeting...with Lin Hsin-Chen from Taiwan

Meeting up with friends
Me (L) with Jenny Lyon (Northern California)
and Nancy Turbitt (Rhode Island)

Art Tours -- this in front of a shop
in the Alberta Arts District

My piece (centre) at the Spotlight Auction fundraiser
flanked by "Patches II" (L) (Larkin Van Horn)
and "Polka Dots and Posies" (R) (Marie Wolfe)

"Let the Fabric Speak: Roses I"
was purchased by artist Jenny Lyon 

Not to mention key-note speakers; break-out sessions with the likes of Sue Reno and Lyric Kinard; daily panel discussions featuring International Artists, Art Students and Local Artists respectively; wonderful touring opportunities; delicious local cuisine; opportunities for serious one-on-one discussions and much laughter and camaraderie...

Why go to a conference?

Why not?

:-)

P.S.: Venues for the near future:

• 2016: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania;
• 2017: Lincoln, Nebraska (International Quilt Study Center and Museum); and
• 2018: San Antonio, Texas.