Tonye Belinda Phillips

One of the delights of belonging to a quilt guild is the opportunity to meet, learn from, and view the incredible work of some of the best and most well known quilters.

I belong to a rather large group...we have almost 350 members in the Mid-Valley Quilt Guild, here in Salem, Oregon! And we have had such a line-up over the years of quilters, quilts, and workshops from some amazing quilters!



Here in Oregon, we love our famous quilters and we have a lot of them! One in particular, Tonye Belinda Phillips, is a favorite of the Sister's Outdoor Quilt Show, and a personal friend of its founder, Jean Wells (who has also visited our guild, click on my Jean link to read blog posts)






Please note: I apologize for my low jpeg resolution of these photos. Unfortunately, I grabbed 6 bags as I headed out the door for my Mid-Valley Quilt Guild meeting and all of my day's errands, and none of them was the better camera's bag.



But I still have to thank our lovely MVQG member, Carol, who kept Vanna 1 and Vanna2 holding these quilts in position until my poor little battery depleted, and failing to zoom properly camera could take even these photos!

And to be honest, Tonye's website doesn't allow you to enlarge her tiny photos, so mine therefore are even way better than nothing ;)



But my little Nikon pocket pal is better than nothing! Be inspired and enjoy.



Tonye (pronounced Tony) grew up in Portland and actually went to high school when Jean Wells was still teaching Home Economics classes there. Ironically enough, Tonye wouldn't meet Jean until years later when she took a quilt class from her in Sisters. Tonye has a remarkable historic log cabin home in Camp Sherman...near Sisters.

And Tonye's very first quilt...the album quilt above. She claims she didn't know better. Ha! Not what most of us would learn to quilt on ;) I think she just always dreamed big even when she is sewing in the tiny!








Tonye's work may be quite familiar to you as I'm sure you've seen it before, even if you haven't purchased one of her books or seen her work in person, elsewhere. It's bright, colorful, filled with vibrancy, and great charm.



A lot of her more recent work has been done in wool felt and her unique and extremely whimsical applique' style is often incorporate into other's work. There is so much crossover, as I'm sure you have all noticed in the past decade of quilter's work. How can they help it? Everyone is inspired by everyone else and they all take one's anothers classed when at quilt shows, together!



Take a look at her wonderful and wonky, log cabins! This delightful liberated look is everywhere now and who is to say which came first....and by whom? Not me! I can barely track one event from another in my own life line! Heck, I'll always credit Gwen Marston...love her and her quilts and she's been around for more than a while, anyway! PS...notice the Gwen quote near the end of this post :)




And look at these, above.....these two were Tonye's second and third quilts!! Modern and lovely!


And if you're first thought is I don't do applique or could never make quilts like these...check out the idea of a tiny pillow or even a pincushion like these!



That's her book peeking up there on the upper right! Hand Appliqued Quilts

And guess what? We're not the only inspired by Gwen Marston...she writes this for the book:

"Here is a collection of fresh, original and wonderfully playful quilts from the hand of an exceptional artist. Tonye’s appliqué quilts most often begin with simple containers which she fills with floral bouquets in ingenious, delightful ways that will make you smile. These are quilts I wish I had made! " Gwen Marston

And Jean Wells writes:

"True Folk Art Style------ Tonye has created a wonderful selection of charming hand appliqué quilts with containers full of whimsical flowers in an eclectic array of fabrics. Her charming no-fuss method of appliqué is approachable for any stitcher. Time-tested techniques for Log-Jammin and Spikey Triangles add pieced elements to the quilt designs. Tonye’s style, design process and play with color take you through an unexpected journey of this new approach to a classic design!" Jean Wells Keenan

See what I mean? Everyone inspires and is inspired by everyone else! Isn't that how it should be? It's all such great fun! Great quilts, and an amazing funny and creative quilter!

Tonye Belinda Phillips

Kathy Deggendorfer

Check out Tonye's work with Kathy Deggendorfer, a wonderful Oregon artist. They have done a lot of amazing collaborative work using Tonye's quilts and Kathy's paintings! Photo courtesy of google images via Kathy's website. I've also met Kathy at a display at the Oregon State Fair. Her work is gorgeous and she is as equally warm, friendly, and inspiration as Tonye is! What a super duo!


Michele Bilyeu Quilts With Heart and Hands

As a lifelong volunteer, I offer links to over 2,500 free patterns for quilts, quilt blocks, crafts, clothing, sewing room accessories, and more.

As a committed volunteer for the Alzheimer's Art Quilt Initiative (AAQI) I am always urging others to join in the Liberated Quilting Challenge...and buy or donate a quilt, today!!

We are all changing the world...one little quilt at a time.