ALQS-3 Art Quilts

I have participated in a few sessions of the ALQS (aka Another Little Quilt Swap). This round was different in that more artistic quilts were done. Now some of them were too "granola" for my taste, having too much glued items, excessive texture, and unwashability, but that was the terms of the swap. Generally speaking, this swap attracts extremely tallented artisans, so I felt that the risk of receiving something I would not like was slim. Very true.

About 25 quilts were made and pictures were anonymously posted. Each swapper ranked their favorites. This was one of my top three choices. I have traveled to Italy several times. It's architecture, culture and scenery are amongst some of my favorites. Come to think of it, I like the food and the sense or romance quite a bit too (takes me back to a little "trist" I had with an Italian that I met on a Swiss Air flight a decade or so ago!... - I used to travel significantly for business then). Dare I not digress too much though...I was lucky enough to receive Deana's "Italy through Window Shades" quilt. It is all from nice batiks, and so intriguingly constructed. It's so much me, and I feel fortunate.
Here's a closeup...

Thank you Deana - you did a wonderful job.

Now, as coincidence would have it, my "Orca" quilt went to whoelse but Deana! I regret that I never got a nicer picture of the quilt (June was SO rainy and I never got a sunny day to take it outside, before I plum forgot and mailed it off!). It is partially traditional piecing, partly paper pieced, and a needle-turn appliqued killer whale. I live on the ocean, so themes with plenty of deep blue water occur often in my quilting.
Here's a few closer looks at this 20"x20" quilt, made all from batiks (and fairy frost accents)...
...a little feather-quilting along the waves...

The sky had a wispy movement quilted in it.

...and I even quilted in a jelly fish into the deeper part of the ocean...

...and as if there was not enough paper piecing with the waves, I did a NYB for the sun... I really love the freedom I felt doing the quilting. It was a time-consuming project but fun. "Orca" has moved to Utah. I hope he is loved as much there as he was here, and does not feel like a big fish out of water (no pun intended since Utah has no ocean!)