Chihuly's Gondola

If you watched my slide show you saw this picture of Dale Chihuly's gondola at the Denver Botanic Garden exhibit.

I knew I had seen it before and sure enough I had - as a quilt!

Melissa Sobotka had seen Chihuly's glass art exhibit at the Dallas Arboretum and she said, "The colors screamed to be made into a quilt."

She said she created one ball a day out of batiks and raw-edge appliqué.   She also used Tsukineko inks to give depth and soften the edges.  She soon filled the boat with these beautiful balls and quilted it on a rented long arm machine and her domestic machine.
AND - she won BEST OF SHOW at the Houston International Quilt Festival last year and that's where I had seen it!

Melissa's quilt is also featured in this month's issue of The Quilt Life.  It is the "centerfold" feature on page 45.  In the article Melissa says that after her quilt won Best of Show in Houston last fall, it caught the eye of Dale Chihuly, who then sent her warm congratulations and an autographed gift!  Way to go Melissa!


Sadly, this issue of the Quilt Life is the last one.  I have really enjoyed this magazine and will miss it very much.  Thankfully The Quilt Show with Alex and Ricky is still going strong.  I have learned much from that show over the years.  They feature many amazing quilters and keep quilters up to date on the latest information from around the world on their Daily Blog.  Go check it out, if you haven't already.  And remember, "It's a new day, everyday!"