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Monday, November 15, 2010

Shirlee Fassell's Award-Winning Quilt

I first became a fan of Shirlee Fassell's work in 2006 and 2007, when her work was appearing in Maureen Greeson's newsletter (now out of print).


Then, in August 2007, Shirlee's quilt, Vintage Vignettes, appeared as a winner in the Crazy Quilt category in Issue 3 of the $100,000 Quilting Challenge Magazine (This is out of print too *sorry).


I was completely smitten with her work and tried to find her online...


Only to find out that she didn't have a blog and didn't really participate online. *droopy shoulders, sad face, big sigh*


Well, last week, Shirlee and I attended Candace Kling's workshop together and I finally got to meet the master of so much of the work that I admired *jump-up-and-down, hoot-and-holler* !


I love how Shirlee mixes all types of media together...


She's fearless.


And her choices of materials and colors are a treat for the senses...



She loves the new and the different...

And she's an exceptional embroiderer.


She opts to delight...


And to amuse...


And the result is a symphony of threads and beads and bling. My heart sings when I look at her work.


I was overjoyed to photograph this award-winning quilt and to spend time with her...another hero in my Crazy Quilt Hall of Fame.


And the good news for all of us?


Shirlee now has a blog...Needle and Hook...and you must go there and scroll around! She's been to the Lesage embroidery school and taken three of their classes...her work is beautiful. And the "circle" quilt that she's designed and is stitching with her tambour hook is out of this world!

What a joyful way to start a new week...thanks Shirlee!

29 comments:

  1. Thought I'd stop to say Thanks for the Link before I follow it to look at Shirlee's blog!

    Thanks! Recommendations do help us to find blogs we might like!

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  2. Wow! I especially like the peacock. Thanks for the link, Susan. I can tell that you had a great time at that workshop!

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  3. Susan
    Thank you so much for blogging my quilt. You really take great pictures. I had to submit a professional grade picture when I entered the quilt in the contest and the pictures were very good but yours are better because they give it such personality and dimension. I think you have a special talent for photography along with all your stitching talent. Thanks again and I am looking forward to seeing you again at the "Adventure"
    Shirlee

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  4. Wow! Your pictures of the quilt are amazing - all the details just pop right off of my screen! Every time I glance at one, I see some new detail. I'm off to look at Shirlee's blog!

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  5. Great blog! Shirlee does some of the most beautiful work in this quilt and in all of her projects. I'm always in awe when I see what she's done.

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  6. Thank you for the wonderul photos of shirlee's work it is just amazing, and how thrilled you must have been to meet her and have this opportunity.

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  7. Anonymous1:49 PM

    Your photos capture so much detail - they are amazing. So too is the actual quilt, I am still taking in all of the details and it leaves me awe inspired! Thank you for the link also.

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  8. Thanks for the close-ups and the link. Simply beautiful.

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  9. WOW!!! I don't know what else to say! Her work has totally blown me away. Thanks for sharing with us!

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  10. Wow! Easy to see why you are a fan! Such gorgeous work! Looking forward to perusing her blog!

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  11. Simply lovely and exquisite. How fortunate for you to meet and learn from such a master CQer. Happy stitching...

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  12. Incredibly beautiful work by Shirlee - she certainly has magic in her fingertips. Your photogrpahy is fabulous and captures every detail. I'm so looking forward to meeting you both next April in CT.

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  13. Well she's at the top of my blog list now...right after you of course... Love all the crystals and the yummy bugs and beetles...
    AND what a beautiful smile... You really captured her spirit Susan!!!

    Gerry K.

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  14. Anonymous11:57 PM

    So amazing indeed. I think the peacock has stolen my heart. ~Kelly

    unDeniably Domestic

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  15. OMG - these photos are absolutely amazing - I am in awe of this masterpiece of artistry! Beautiful does not even begin to describe such talent - this is beyond anything I have ever seen~~

    Vicki

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  16. dearest Susan
    thank you so very much for publishing the story of your masters story. I am totally in awe of Shirlees beautiful embroidery and talent AMAZING. bless you for opening our eyes to this amazing embroiders quilt, I will be going going gone - but I will also be here much more thanks Susan and Shirlee Thank you so much I bow to your astounding talent
    love n hugs bear xoxoxoxoxox

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  17. OH MY!!!! Such exquisite use of materials and what an imagination!!! IS there a book in the works by chance???!! What a dream for you to meet her an to be able to study and photograph her lucious work!! thank you so much for sharing it with us!!!!
    I am so glad that she has a blog- off for a peek!!
    Hugs!

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  18. Beautiful work! I've put her blog on my blog feeder.

    Are you getting my mails? I've sent several lately with links to vintage ribbonwork and couture dresses, and haven't heard anything back. Are they getting through?

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  19. Thankyou for exposing us to this wonder woman of Crazy Quilting! I couldn't agree with you more on every comment you made.

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  20. All I can say is she does lovely work. And you take glorious photos!!
    It is still my hope to get back to Lesage some day.
    I hope you are having a wonderful week.

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  21. I am speechless!
    Debbie

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  22. Wow, so many fantastic pictures, beautiful:))

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  23. Wow, I've never seen such work, and the photography matches the quality of the quilting.

    Suzanne

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  24. Sueray1:48 AM

    Absolutely awsome & to die for work !! What a wonderful & beautiful inspiration that she has created. Just gets my sewing juices flowing for sure !!

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  25. Thank you for sharing these photos. What an inspiration!

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  26. well this is just beautiful thanks so much for sharing love it

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  27. Anonymous11:14 PM

    This is beautiful and so inspirational, thank you for sharing.

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  28. Well I have died and gone to heaven looking at this beautiful work Thanks for sharing it with us. xo

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  29. Shirlee's handwork is so lovely, I've found it hard to come up with words to adequately complement her talent and creativity! Thank you, Susan, for sharing your beautiful photographs of Shirlee's quilt so that we can all enjoy seeing it. I just found your blog through Pinterest today and I'm looking forward to following you both!

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It's always a happy day when I see that you've stopped by and left a note. Thanks for taking the time to send me your beautiful thoughts. I try to comment back when life isn't too hectic and when Blogger has your email.

Have a wonder-filled life!