Caohagan Quilts - More from AQS QuiltWeek

Special exhibit program cover - click to enlarge...

It is always wonderful when a learning experience presents itself in an unexpected way...Wednesday, when I visited the AQS QuiltWeek show in Des Moines, not only was I inspired, but I was educated along the way. "Celebrating Quilts the Caohagan Way" was one of the special exhibits at the show - and these beautiful and bright quilts were quite a treat to see in person.

After viewing my photographs from the show and looking through the show book, I decided I wanted to do a little reading and research on Caohagan and these colorful island quilts....there was just something special and inviting about these one-of-a-kind quilts and I needed to know more...

Caohagan is an extremely small island in the Philippines located between Cebu and Bohol - it is just over 31 square miles and is home to 600 people - it is known for it's scenic beaches and amazing marine life. Katsuhiko Sakiyama purchased the island in 1987, and settled there with his wife 1991.  His wife Junko taught quilting in Japan, so it was no surprise when she decided to teach the women from Caohagan about the craft of handwork. Caohagan is a quiet village whose main source of income has always been fishing; however, today the residents are earning bigger profits from the art of quilting - as the men thrive on the bounty of the sea, the women (and some men) are stitching quilts.

Today more than 120 of the island's 600 residents are quilters...and their earnings make up 1/3 of the island's total income. Proceeds from quilt sales help support the needs of the island residents, with focus on healthcare ad education. Caohagan quilts are handmade and individually created without any rough sketches or planning. Using vivid colors and island images, each artisan cuts and sews to create pieces/blocks for their quilt. Each quilt is hand pieced and hand quilted and takes from three to four months to complete...and each one is completely unique.

Here are just a few of the cheerful quilts on display...each quilt had a tag with details and a photo of the creator(s)...

Image from show program - click to enlarge...

Caohagan Quilts has a website with quilts available for purchase that contains wonderful photographs of each masterpiece - visit: http://www.caohagan.com/store...take a look at these bright, beautiful, and creative quilts - they just might inspire you too!

AQS Quilt Show & Contest - Des Moines, IA

I know it has been a while since my last post...and I do have a good reason...I have been preparing for two large events I am teaching on the East Coast later this month...and I will share more with you in the next few days...

I did manage to take the day off today to visit the AQS Quilt Show & Contest being held at the Iowa Events Center (October 3-6). My dear friend Kimber and her husband Tom were kind enough to invite me along to view the show with them...and it truly was a splendid day! We headed downtown bright and early, so we could see everything in one day. We started by walking the vendor area (I will blog about that tomorrow), then we perused the Des Moines Area Quilters Guild 29th Annual Quilt Show...and finally we walked the AQS Quilt Contest Exhibit. It was sensory overload as we visited an array of fabulous vendors, then took in all the incredible quilts on display...I was so inspired by the creativity and talent, that I completely forgot how much walking we were doing and the day evaporated without a second thought. If you are in the Des Moines area or plan to be this week, this show is a MUST SEE. After we finished our visit to the quilt show, we headed to the Brass Armadillo Antique Mall to see the antique and vintage quilts, sewing notions, and sewing memorabilia vendors prominently placed about their booths...and yes, we did find a few goodies. After our day of shopping, viewing and walking, we had all built up quite an appetite...so we headed to The Drake Diner - a local favorite/landmark for a delicious late lunch/early dinner. It was the perfect day off!

Here is my view of the Des Moines Area Quilters Guild 29th Annual Quilt Show through my camera lens...I truly took hundreds of photos - but here are some that stood out to me (click on each photo for an enlarged view). This year's annual show was titled "Welcome to the World of Quilting" and included over 425 quilts made by guild members. The show also included a silent auction with over 100 small quilts...

Small Quilts in the Silent Auction

Small Quilts in the Silent Auction

Missie Carpenter
Applique Medium
168J: Charmed Beginnings

Gretta Wilkinson
Mixed Technique X-Large
520J: Wedge - Red/White

Patty Barrett
Applique Large
122J: The Bride's Quilt

Patty Barrett
Applique Large
122J: The Bride's Quilt - Close-up Owls

Patty Barrett
Applique Large
122J: The Bride's Quilt - Close-up Peacocks

Barbara Blair
Pieced Medium
151J: Diamond LeMoyne Star

Leigh Lussie
Applique Medium
337J: Pineapples and Carnations

Leigh Lussie
Applique X-Large
335J: McLean Family Album

Leigh Lussie
Applique X-Large
335J: McLean Family Album - Close-up

Missie Carpenter
Mixed Technique Small
171J: Primitive Pineapple Welcome
Loved the punch needle center!

Julee Prose
Applique X-Large
410J: A Floral Celebration

Mary Shotwell
Applique Large
462J: Auntie's Red Hot Garden

Next, here is the AQS Quilt Contest display through my camera lens - there were so many breathtaking quilts on exhibit...again, I took hundreds of photos...here are just a few of the highlights for me....

Ruth Ann Reynolds - Raymore, MO
Super Sweet Ambrosia
Wall Quilts

Leigh Lussie - Windsor Heights, IA
An Abundance of Flowers
2nd Place - Bed Quilts - Machine Quilted

Carolyn H. Stine - Springfield, IL
My First Trip To Baltimore
Bed Quilts - Machine Quilted

Carolyn H. Stine - Springfield, IL
My First Trip To Baltimore (Close-up Fruit)
Bed Quilts - Machine Quilted

Ann Feitelson - Montague, MA
Basket Weave II: See Saw
1st Place - Wall Quilts - Machine Quilted

Carole J. Floyd - West Des Moines, IA
Miss Emily's Garden
Honorable Mention - Wall Quilts - Machine Quilted

Barbara Clem - Rockford, IL
Symphony of Roses
Best Hand Workmanship Award
Bed Quilts - Hand Quilted

Dolores Easter - Urbana, IL
Ladies of the Sea
2nd Place - Bed Quilts - Hand Quilted

Jean Clark - Mt. Horeb, WI
Scarlet Fever
3rd Place - Bed Quilts - Hand Quilted

Joyce L. Wuehle - Galesburg, IL
Onward
Bed Quilts - Hand Quilted

Joyce L. Wuehle - Galesburg, IL
Onward (Close-up Owls)
Bed Quilts - Hand Quilted

Wilhelmina Vandevoorde - Maryville, TN
Tree of Life
1st Place - Bed Quilts - Hand Quilted

Helen Williams Butler - Alpine, UT
Turkish Delight
1st Place - Bed Quilts - Machine Quilted

Janet Stone - Overland Park, KS
Letter Carriers
Best Machine Workmanship Award
Wall Quilts - Machine Quilted
My personal favorite of the show - the detail was incredible!

Marilyn Badger - Saint George, UT
Eureka!
Best of Show
Bed Quilts - Machine Quilted

Marilyn Badger - Saint George, UT
Eureka! (Close-up)
Best of Show
Bed Quilts - Machine Quilted

Marilyn Badger - Saint George, UT
Eureka! (Close-up)
Best of Show
Bed Quilts - Machine Quilted

It was truly a spectacular event and exhibit! I was completely mesmerized by the talent and creativity - it was a succulent feast for the eyes. Tomorrow, I will return with photos from a few of my favorite vendors...