2008 Theme Contest Winner Metamorphosis "Emergence" by Barbara Herlocker 2007 Theme Contest Winner "Life's Harvest is Filled with Nature" by Kathy Pazera	2009 Theme Contest: The Power of Red The theme for this year’s Quilt Contest is “The Power of Red”. Red is hot, red is power. In some cultures, red denotes purity, joy and celebration. We use the color red to grab attention. We use red when we want something to stand out. And sometimes a little bit of this powerful color goes a long way! We have red letter days, get the red carpet treatment and paint the town red. Or we may get distracted by a red herring, see red if we’re angry or be in the red over our fabric purchases. Red is a color that evokes strong emotions and great passion. For this year’s theme contest, we’re seeking original entries that capture the power of RED for you, how it inspires, impacts and influences your work. Entries must be at least 36” x 36” and no more than 80” x 80”. Quilts should be an original design, not from a pattern or kit. The quilt should be made by the person who is named as “Exhibitor” and made within the current year. Only one entry per person. Entries are judged primarily on execution of the theme and originality. We also consider overall design, appearance and workmanship. Contest prizes totaling $1,100 will be awarded. Registration materials to enter a quilt in the contest will be available after February 1. You can download the Quilt Entry Brochure here when it becomes available. Our Feathered Star sponsor for the annual Theme Contest This sponsor has donated the cash prizes for our contest.  We are honored to have them present checks to the winners who are present at 4:00 PM on Quilt Show Day.
Quilt Block Contest 2008 QBC Winner    2007 QBC Winner	In honor of our special visitors, the Quilters from Gee’s Bend, we’ve chosen a group of shot cotton solids from Westminster Fibers for this year’s contest.  The women of Gee’s Bend have developed a bold and distinctive style of quilting – often using whatever fabric happened to be around.  The use of many solid fabrics enhances the bold, geometric simplicity of their work.  Our challenge to you this year is to create a quilt block using only solid fabrics.  You may add one or two solids of your choice, but your block should include a majority of the fabrics in your packet.  Block may be machine or hand pieced, machine or hand appliquéd, or both.  Complete contest instructions and information will be sent along with your fabrics.  Completed blocks are due by June 15th. Our Quilters Affair instructors will select their favorite blocks for a “Teacher’s Choice” quilt top and they will select a “Best In Show” block – a $50.00 prize.  The teacher’s block selections will be sewn into a finished quilt top for one lucky winner.  The remaining blocks will be arranged in complimentary groups and one person will win each group.  Starting in 2009, we will not be returning any blocks.  All of the blocks will be on display for Quilt Show on July 11. Packets for the contest are limited, so please request as soon as possible. Here is the 2009 fabric selection.   To receive a fabric packet, send your complete mailing address with $8.00 (checks only please, we cannot accept credit cards) to:              Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show/QBC           P.O. Box 280           Sisters, OR  97759 Deadline to return the blocks is June 15th. Our Feathered Star sponsor for the Quilt Block Contest is Sponsor contributes $2,000 or more of cash or "in kind" products or services.
2009 Featured Quilter	Each year the Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show invites a local quilter to be “Queen for a Day”.  In selecting the Featured Quilter we look for someone who has dedicated themselves not only to quilting, but also to inspiring others.  We display the quilts of our Featured Quilter in a special location on Quilt Show Day and invite our Featured Quilter to preview their work during the Around the Block Fiber Art Stroll. Phyllis Johnson of Camp Sherman, Oregon is the 2009 Featured Quilter.
Machine Quilter Showcase	The annual Machine Quilter Showcase features the work of a talented Central Oregon quilter.  The surface design is often the finishing touch that makes a quilt sing.  More and more, that finishing touch is done by a professional quilter.  The purpose of the Showcase is to highlight and honor the work of one of our gifted quilters each year.  Their work is truly inspiring! The work of Barbara Copeland of Culver, Oregon will be featured in the Machine Quilter Showcase for 2009.  Barbara has won numerous awards for her amazing artistry.  The most amazing part of Barbara’s quilting is that it is NOT done on a long arm machine.  We’re thrilled to have Barbara demonstrate her technique for you during the Around the Block Fiber Arts Stroll.
Inspirational Instructor	This year we inaugurate a new annual exhibit honoring an instructor who has dedicated herself (or himself!) to teaching and inspiring others on their quilting journey.  The exhibit this year will feature the work of Lawry Thorn.  Lawry has taught classes for the Stitchin’ Post for as long as most of us can remember.  She is known for her skill, patience and creativity.  Although famous for her Mystery classes, Lawry may be best appreciated as the instructor to our first time quilters.  Lawry has helped hundreds, if not thousands, of quilters take their first stitches.
The Next Generation of Quilting Exhibit	The Next Generation quilts will be on display in a special location set aside just for the younger folks.  Visitors truly enjoy seeing what the ‘next generation’ is creating!  The Next Gen quilts are an annual “Special Exhibit” which means we’ll be publicizing them as a featured location for visitors to the show.  The quilts on display in this exhibit will be from quilters up to the age of 18.  To be included in the exhibit, quilts must be made by the entrant, but can be quilted by someone else.  The quilts must be at least 36” x 36” and not more than 72” x 72”. To request registration materials to enter a quilt in this exhibit, please check back here after January 1 for the Quilt Entry Brochure.
Gallery Artist	Lura Schwarz Smith has been producing textile art for over 30 years. Before that, she was making very bad traditional bed quilts with her first quilting partner, her mother, starting in the 1960s. Originally showing in galleries in the 70s and 80s, for the past years she has been showing quilts and receiving awards at regional, national, and international quilt shows. Several highlights of her career in the quilt world over the past decade are that one of her quilts was named one of the "100 Best American Quilts of the 20th Century," and she was included in the "30 Distinguished Quilt Artists of the World" exhibit at the first Tokyo Dome quilt show in 2002. Lura says, "As an artist, I am interested in merging my art background with quilting techniques and to explore those potentials, in the effort to express the inner life through fabric art. As a teacher, my interest is to share those techniques, and more importantly, to encourage students to validate their own art nature, and find their own unique expression of art in their quilt work, no matter what style they choose.
Quilters Affair Instructor Special Exhibits	The Quilts & Quilters of Gees Bend Several of the quilters from Gees Bend, Alabama will be joining us for a Thursday evening lecture during Quilters Affair.  We will display their quilts on Saturday morning (they have to leave town early and will take their quilts with them) July 11th in front of The Stitchin’ Post. Freddy Moran & Gwen Marston Freddy & Gwen are back again!  And they have a new book – “Freddy and Gwen Collaborate Again”.  Freddy & Gwen are the featured speakers at the Quilters Affair Picnic in the Park on Friday, July 10th and we’ll have a special display of quilts from them at the show on Saturday.  This year’s show will be the debut for their new book which includes new quilts, new stories, and fresh ideas from these entertaining and talented ladies.   Rob Appell We’re happy to welcome Rob Appell to Sisters for the first time.  Rob, manager of The Cotton Ball quilt shop in Morrow Bay, CA, brings a fresh, young feel to his quilts.  Rob designs patterns, fabric and has a new book coming out in June, “Making Waves.. The Adventures of a Surf Quilter”.
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