Gayle Simpson - Extreme Quilter!

Gayle Simpson of Idaho and California is one of 24 quilters (several are SAQA members) whose works are currently being shown at the Thousand Oaks Community Gallery in Thousand Oaks, California. It looks like a fabulous show, features 130 pieces and is free!
Open until October 29th on Weds-Sundays from 1-5 pm.
2331 Borchard Drive, Thousand Oaks, California.


It is a great time to be in California! Quilt Visions in San Diego opens on October 24th and several SAQA members have been juried into the show, including Montana Regional Rep. Brooke Atherton. If you should be lucky enough to get some time in So. Cal during that week, check out www.saqasocal.blogspot.com for other related quilt opportunities.

Fall Journal, Kudos to Heidi Zielinski, and finally . . .

The new Fall SAQA Journal has arrived and it is a beautiful issue. I only hope to have time to read it this week. Region member Heidi Zielinski has a piece titled "Capture the Sunrise" on page 20.

Heidi has been having a fantastic year winning awards at many shows, proving once again that persistence pays off-quite literally! Not only did her quilt "Red Sky" win 3rd Place in the Fiber Arts Category at the AQS Des Moines show, (with a cash prize) it was sold while at the Lowell Quilt Festival!
"Blackberries and Dandelions" will be going to Art Quilts XV:Needleplay in Chandler, Arizona. Three other pieces, including Capture the Sunrise,will be exhibited at the Spokane Quilt Show October 15-17. Heidi also has one piece juried into the PIQF October 14-17, in Santa Clara, California. Nice!

And finally . . .
Creative is a Verb
This is a new book due out in November by Patti Digh. Her prior book, Life is a Verb is based on her blog: www.37days.typepad.com. Both of her books give delightful and thought provoking examples of how to live mindfully, joyfully, and creativly with the days we have been given. I have two collages published in the new book, illustrating two essays and they will be on my blog: www.sheryleggleston.blogspot.com

2011 Visioning Conference

Registeration is now available online for the SAQA Conference May 19-22, 2011 in Denver, Colorado. There are going to be classes to pique everyone's interest. It looks to be a very invigorating conference. See you there!

SAQA Auction 2010

SAQA 2010 Auction raised a fantastic $52,075.00!
Here are the pieces donated by members in the Idaho Montana Region. Now is the time to put a small piece away for next year's auction.


"Fossils #3"
Cynthia St. Charles



















"There's Always Hope"
Heidi Zielinski

















Linda McLaughlin




















"Sharing the Sunrise"
Sheryl Eggleston

In the News - Heidi Zielinski, Leslie Rego

Not only did Heidi Zielinski have 2 quilts juried into the Lowell Quilt Festival-Images 2010, she received a Judge's Choice Award for her piece "Blackberries and Dandelions" AND an Honorable Mention for "Red Sky" in the Art/Innovative category. "Red Sky" will be going to the Des Moines AQS show in October.
"From Winter We Emerge" will be in Tacoma, Washington at the Innovations 2010 show, September 15-18.
Check out her blog and photos at www.fiberintoartbyheidi.blogspot.com



The Fall issue of Cloth, Paper, Scissors 'Studios' highlights great studios including Leslie Rego's from Sun Valley. It is an absolutely beautiful and inspiring studio.

No Place to Call Home

Congratulations to Brooke Atherton for her piece "Quiet Man" that was chosen for the "No Place to Call Home" exhibit. This show will be held in several locations. Details on the SAQA website and in the July e-newsletter.

If you are going to Montana . . .

...then this is one of the pieces you will see at the upcoming exhibition by SAQA member Regina Browne, entitled "The Rosalie Tree".






The exhibit "Not Your Grandmother's Needle Art" is an exhibit featuring the work of longtime friends Regina Browne and Paula Johnson and their art journey with two different mediums over the last several years.
Held at Big Fork Museum August 10th - September 14th.
Artist reception will be held Friday, Auguust 13th, from 5:30-7:30.
www.bigforkmuseum.org