Once in awhile a person just needs to take the leap! Quilting Arts magazine had a contest inviting readers to submit their art quilts for a chance to be on the cover of the magazine. I have never entered anything to one of the magazine's call for artwork but this one was too hard to pass up. I sent several images and this one, "Kelp Forest" was chosen as one of seven finalists.

In the end, it was not chosen as the cover. Kate Themel's "As You Set Out" was the chosen artwork for the Summer 2023 issue. However, this piece, and the other finalists, are all featured inside the magazine. It has been great fun, and quite an honor, to be involved in this project.

 Here are a few detail shots of my quilt which was made using commercial and hand-dyed cottons, one of which is a beautiful blue Japanese ombre sateen. The background kelp fronds are done with an ombre silk chiffon. The stitching is all free-motion by machine. I also embellished it with a few glass beads.