Wow, beautiful, you did a great great job,

Congratulations!!!!

Please enter it in a Quilt Show!

Ray, I love the finished project. Looking forward to the next one.

I absolutely love your quilt! Wow!! What is the finished size? Are you going to enter it into any quilt contests or shows? It is just beautiful! Now whats next on your agenda? Keep us all posted

Great Job Ray I wish I was seeing it in person. I'm sure it's even better in person.

wow all i can say is wow very very beautiful,wonderful job

beautiful. I wish that I could see it in person also. just to touch and feel it. but it is absolutely fab!!!

Reading this post was like reading a great book, by Quilt Artist. Thanks for sharing such a wonderful masterpiece.

Thanks for allowing us to watch this incredible journey! I am sure you learned a lot and we all enjoyed the creative process....You have great potential....keep us in the loop...Thanks again
:thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:

Ditter :D

Well ONT.... I must say that I am in awe :D:D:D Thank you for taking us along on your first quilting adventure 8-)8-)8-)

You have quite the masterpiece there!!! Your imagination and creativity is amazing... I truly hope that you enter this quilt in some shows, the county fair... it should be seen!!! You have taught me a LOT along the way, and I am very proud of you my friend!!! :D:D:D

I can't wait to see your next quilt, and I hope that you take us with you on that ride, too :D:D:D

YEAH I FINALLY FOUND A QUILTER IN PHX ON HERE ! GREAT FABRIC :) CANT WAIT TO SEE THE QUILT

The finished size is 74" X 86"

Ingenious. Artistic. Creative. Imaginative. You put so many talents and skills into the making of this quilt. I love the way the flowers drape. You did your research and made an heirloom your family will be proud of for generations yet to come. Good job. Thank you for letting us enjoy the journey with you.
Regards, Dorothy

Beautiful beyond words! Outstanding! That definitely needs to go in a quilt show, it WILL win!

Thank you for alerting me that you posted the pic. Your quilt is breathtaking. I love it.

I still like it! You did a wonderful job. But, my favorite part is the flower branch. Dragon is nice, but, those flowers reach out and pull me in. Will look forward to more of your creative work.

Another similar idea is apply a fusible web such as steam a seam 2 or misty fuse to the back of your print, then fussy cut out the dragon and other sections, spread them out on the black fabric and raw edge applique them down using a satin stitch. If you cut the 3 yds of black in half and then sewed them together you could make a 54" sq medallion. Then make a red and black border, maybe half square triangles or one of the borders from quilters cache. I think I would save the white of another project.

Really like it! So creative, intriguing, a delightful work of art! My only reservation (which is entirely a personal preference, not an artistic statement) is that I would have made the white border narrower. I have this thing about worrying that white will get dirty too easily. But it certainly does look great, so I really can't argue from anything other than my own prejudice. Keep up the good work! Can't wait to see what you will do next. You've set a very high standard.

Ah yes, my reaction too. I had to catch myself up with all that was going on, because I have not been on here in like forever. Your work is fab. Thanks so much for sharing with us all.

Wow. Just...wow. It is beautiful! It was a pleasure watching this work of art come to life. You did a fabulous job. Please, please let us know when you start on the Koi fish! I am so excited to see what you do with them!
Congrats on finishing such a beautiful quilt!

So, you never told me what you did with the old shirts, what were you covering up? The quilt turned out wonderful, you're a good designer, art quilts are not one of my specialties. But, it seems to be your niche. I believe so, especially after seeing Gaigai's quilt. And you do it so fast.

Ray, first thanks for letting me know that you finished the quilt. OK now everyone after your last picture used up all the synonims (ok, so I can't spell either). I agree with them all. DSB and Eddie said what I wanted to, it is spectacular, a real work of art. Like dsb also said you combined both your talents into one beautiful work of art.
I agree with Eddie you should enter it in a show, it would win!!

Here is the answer to your pm. Your quilt turned out wonderful. I have judge many quilts and this certainly would get a ribbon from me. Stitching is great, corners are square, and sides are straight. Judges look for that. Very creative and original is another thing they look for. Now the only thing I and the judges would probably comment on is the white border. They would have probably of like to see last border to be black. That would have really pop you quilt. Now don't get me wrong it is an awesome quilt. Executed wonderfully. Excellently done, detail outstanding with the blossoms popping out. so original. Hope it was all right to give you my opinion on border and please don't be upset with me. I am not dissing your quilt just letting you know what judges look for in entries. Great job. I can't wait to see the next one. Keep up the great work. When I'm in Phoenix visiting my son we should meet up.

Your quilt is absolutely outstanding. I especially love the flower branch and the Kanji squares. Eye catching but still subtle enough not to distract from the dragon. Excellent additions. Looking forward to your next adventure.

WOW!!!! Simply amazing!!! I know that my son would fall in love with it immediately....all the red, black and white :D Please continue to show us your future work

Thank you for letting me know to come back and look again :D

Awesome quilt and piece of art. You are definitely gifted in how you see things and go for it. it has inspired me to let the artist part of me expand on my quilts. Thank you! I am looking forward to your next gift you will share with us.
My Blessings and prayers to the family of your fallen police officer and Blessings to you and yours

I would like to take this time to thank you all
that have been with me on this,
My first journey into the world of art quilts.
I read all comments for the helpful ideas I glean from all of the great minds on this quilt board. No comment is ever taken in a bad light, only to enhance my experience, and knowelge in this wonderful time of my learning a new art form.


Ray..


P.S. I used the 12" t-shirt squares to make the checkerboard cover for the back. So as to give the back side a more cleaner look. Keeps all of my quilting secrets undercover, man...

Wow, Ray, it looks better and better every time I look at it! You definitely need to enter that in a show, it is gorgeous! You are obviously a wildly creative person, and I am absolutely blown away by your talent! I know when I'm outclassed, and no way I can compete with you!

You do know that you've set your own bar VERY high, right? :mrgreen: :shock: :P We can't wait to see what you will come up with next!!!!!

And what are you going to do with this masterpiece? Is it for the bed or wall? I vote wall, in the main room of your house. Or even a gallery!! :P :P

Your quilt is truly spectacular. Really nice - Love It!!

I made it to cover this "ROCK-N-LOVESEAT".
Who thinks it should be displayed in a differant manor?
Let me know...
Should I get it appraised?
Anybody know about this $ subject???


Ray..

NO!! It should NOT be put on something as a cover up and get sat on. It needs to either be on a bed or on a wall. Go to Wally World and buy a throw to put over the rocker. :hunf: :hunf:

What Gaigai said. ^^^

DITTO

You sure you're not an Aussie artist in disguise Ray?....Only an Aussie would be cheeky enough to back a stunning art quilt with Tshirting and then toss the whole thing on a love seat!

It has been a real pleasure to follow the story of this quilt from beginning to end. The evolution of a dragon print and a stack of quite ordinary fabric into this masterpiece has been a treat for all of us. I think this art quilt journey is just beginning for you. Do I know anything about quilt appraisal...no...but I do think you need to get this appraised. Then, no matter what...get going on the next one...your work is good, which is important, but you have that certain extra something which if you take it further could be rewarding, both personally and financially.

Thanks again for inviting us to watch your progress and I know I'm looking forward to seeing your next project.

Just some feedback on where it should go. I think entering it in quilt shows is good at first and then wherever you can appreciate it the most, sitting on it and wear and tear would depriciate it over time. I think spread out somewhere to it's full potential. Can't see it much on the rocker/loveseat but a wall or bed would be great. Some art galleries even have quilt art now and this is definitely that. Go for it!!!!

Well I don't think I can add anything to what has already been said about the beauty of this piece of art. It is stunning.

Please, please, please don't use it as a seat cover, so much work and beauty deserves a place of honor where you can enjoy it for years.

Can't wait to see what you do with the koi.
Muriel

Ray, I'm sorry I'm so late responding. I just got back from a week of vacation - fishing at the coast and caught a boatload of flounder (yeah!). For once I'm speechless - over your quilt. I am totally amazed at your new found talent!!! Like so many others said, you need to enter your quilt in a show. The detail is stunning. Thanks for taking us on your first quilting adventure. We all look forward to many more equally beautiful quilts from you.

Send it to me.... :lol: Love it...don't know what pattern is best suited for it. Let us know what you do with it though!

ooops didn't see finished quilt. How awesome, very lovely!

Just read your Fish Tail in Fabric Thread and had to see your 1st quilt. They are both Beautiful!