Quilting is definitely an art form! While I used to sew a great deal at one time, I have to admit that I was never that hot at quilting, mainly because it takes exact measuring to product a quality quilt. I’m just not an “exact” kind of crafter! However, I do appreciate the art of quilt making. The techniques involved and the possible color combinations are amazing! In my many wanderings around the web, I found a Call for Entries that might be worth considering for quilt artists out there. One of the nice elements of this CFE is that those selected receive a $200 gift certificate, so at least there is some form of payment for all that hard work.
Okay, here’s some of the low-down (make sure you read the whole thing if you plan to enter) from Quilt Arts Magazine:
The theme for our Quilting Arts Magazine® 2010 Calendar will be “Fresh Picked.” Show us your favorite fresh-picked fruits, vegetables, or flowers in stitch, fabric, fiber, and embellishments. You can interpret the theme in many ways, from realistic still life to digitized abstract. You may focus on a single piece or type of produce or flower, or on a bountiful harvest. You can approach the theme with humor or portray a serious message. But however you slice it, we’d like the essence of your design to put forth fresh-picked fruits, vegetables, and flowers in all their beautiful, colorful mouth-watering, shapely, good-for-you glory. The artists who create the 13 winning submissions (one for the cover and 12 for the months) will each receive a $200 gift certificate to our online store.
How it Works
* Create up to two original, not previously published, 12″ x 12″ square, embellished art quilts based on the theme of “Fresh Picked.” The quilt(s) must be backed and bound (anything from a traditional binding to a zigzagged or satin-stitched edge is fine, but the edges must be closed). The quilt(s) should also include a sleeve for hanging, as the winning quilts will be displayed at various quilt and textile shows with Quilting Arts Magazine®.
Please note: Because the winning quilts will be photographed at their actual size and used in the 12″ x 12″ format, all embellishments on the submissions must remain within the 12″ x 12″ boundary; unfortunately, submissions that open to a larger format, have a pocket with a hidden artistic element, or that have embellishments that extend beyond the border cannot be accepted.
* Although we welcome all quilting styles, each quilt should be of original design and have some form of embellishment, include mixed media, or have some surface design technique. Examples include—but are not limited to—beadwork, silk screening, fabric painting, thread painting, needle felting, and hand embroidery. Also, though we encourage you to follow your muse, please be aware that quilts that are overall very dark or very shiny do not photograph well, and are thus less likely to be chosen.
Your entry must be free of any text or images that are protected by copyright unless you have the expressed written permission from the person or institution that holds the copyright and you provide that written permission with your submission.
* Submit three 8″ x 10″ photographs of each submission, one of the full quilt and two detail shots. To give your submission the best chance of being accurately evaluated, please make sure the photographs are well-lit, clear, and are printed on photo-quality paper (not copy paper). Please label each photo with your first and last names, address, phone number, and email address.
Along with your photos, please include a brief narrative explaining your interpretation of our theme, “Fresh Picked,” as well as the methods and materials used in your quilt(s).
* Deadline for entry: Friday, March 6, 2009. Please note that this is a receive-by date. Your photos and descriptions must be in our office no later than March 6th.
On Friday, April 10, 2009, we will announce the finalists on our website and ask them to ship the actual quilts to our office. Please check the website on that date as this will be the only notification to the finalists. We will not contact the finalists directly.
On Friday, May 22, 2009, we will announce the winners on our website (winners will not be contacted directly).
Please note: We reserve the right to keep the 13 winning quilts for display through December 31, 2010.
* Include a $10 entry fee with your submission. This $10 fee covers your entire submission, whether you enter one or two quilts. Checks should be made out to Quilting Arts Magazine. Send your photos, narrative, and entry fee to:
Quilting Arts Magazine
ATTN: 2009 Calendar Contest
P.O. Box 685
Stow, MA 01775
