From Quilt Show to Studio: Celebrating & What’s Next at Deb’s Quilt Studio
What an incredible showing for our Card Tricks Quilters at the Arizona Quilt Guild event! This year’s exhibit was filled with creativity, craftsmanship, and storytelling—and our group absolutely shined.
Dear Quilting Friends,
What an incredible showing for our Card Tricks Quilters at the Arizona Quilt Guild event! This year’s exhibit was filled with creativity, craftsmanship, and storytelling—and our group absolutely shined.
I had the opportunity to spend the entire week at the show, and while it was a lot of hard work setting up, it was equally rewarding. There is nothing quite like seeing these quilts displayed, hearing the reactions from attendees, and watching people connect with the stories stitched into each piece.
We are especially thrilled to celebrate Diana Anderson, who earned both a First Place Ribbon and the coveted Viewer’s Choice Award. That combination is something truly special—it means her quilt not only impressed the judges but captured the hearts of everyone who walked through the show.
Her winning piece is a breathtaking, pixel quilt —rich with depth, light, and emotion. It’s the kind of work that stops you in your tracks and keeps you looking.
Diana made this quilt to honor the women, especially nurses, who served in Vietnam. They were her mentors and role models. The theme category was "Let Freedom Ring".
This extraordinary quilt is composed of 20,040 half-inch finished squares, meticulously arranged in a pixelated design to depict the Vietnam Veterans Nurse Memorial. Each tiny piece of fabric acts as a “pixel,” blending seamlessly to create a powerful and lifelike image from a distance.
The quilt captures a deeply emotional moment, honoring the courage, compassion, and sacrifice of the nurses who served during the Vietnam War. Rich earth tones and dappled sunlight bring warmth and depth to the scene, while the intricate piecing showcases an exceptional level of precision and artistry.
More than just a technical achievement, this quilt stands as a moving tribute—telling a story of service, humanity, and remembrance through the remarkable medium of fabric.
The Finishing Touch That Made These Quilts Shine
Many of the quilts featured in the show—including several from our Card Tricks group—were custom quilted by Debi Bice, the longarm quilter behind Deb’s Quilt Studio.
Debi’s work is truly exceptional. Her custom quilting adds dimension, movement, and texture that transforms a beautiful quilt top into a finished piece of art. She has an incredible eye for enhancing each design—never overpowering it, but elevating it in all the right ways.
At Deb’s Quilt Studio, we are proud to offer Debi Bice as our signature custom longarm quilting service, along with a team of talented quilters ready to help bring your projects to life. Debi had five ribbons from this quilt show!
We also had several outstanding entries from our talented group:
This vibrant quilt by Katy Taylor is a stunning showcase of classic star blocks brought to life with fresh, modern color. Set against a soft cream background, each block features a unique star variation, creating a beautiful sampler-style layout that feels both cohesive and dynamic.
Katy’s use of rich jewel tones, warm reds and golds, cool blues, and soft purples gives each star its own personality, while the consistent setting allows the eye to travel effortlessly across the quilt. The precision of the piecing is striking, and the subtle quilting in the background adds texture and movement without competing with the bold design.
Each block tells its own story, yet together they create a harmonious composition that reflects both technical skill and artistic creativity. Displayed alongside Katy, this quilt is a true celebration of craftsmanship, color, and the enduring beauty of traditional quilting.
A Study in Indigo Elegance by Ellen Yacovone
Created by Ellen Yacovone, this striking three-panel quilt draws the viewer in with its deep indigo background and exquisite, high-contrast stitching. Each panel tells its own story while remaining beautifully unified through thoughtful composition and meticulous craftsmanship.
The left panel features flowing botanical motifs—leaves and florals that move gracefully across the surface, creating a sense of rhythm and natural harmony.
At the center, a serene narrative unfolds: softly glowing lanterns, drifting leaves, and a solitary figure beneath an umbrella evoke a quiet, contemplative evening scene. Subtle touches of color bring warmth and life to the composition.
The right panel introduces intricate geometric patterns reminiscent of traditional sashiko, offering a striking contrast with its precision and symmetry.
Crisp white sashing frames each section, allowing the detailed stitching to shine against the rich navy fabric. Ellen Yacovone’s work beautifully balances storytelling, nature, and geometry—demonstrating how thread alone can create depth, movement, and emotion.
Standing proudly beside her award-winning quilt, Patty Hacker presents a delightful celebration of color, texture, and whimsy. Set against a rich cobalt blue background, the quilt features a collection of twelve intricately designed bird blocks, each one uniquely embellished with playful fabrics, embroidery, and dimensional details.
Every bird tells its own story—some bold and graphic, others soft and textured—creating a lively patchwork full of personality and charm. Patty’s creative use of color and layering draws the eye from block to block, inviting viewers to pause and appreciate the individuality of each piece.
The surrounding border adds another layer of artistry, with hand-guided stitching and appliqué elements that frame the quilt like a garden in motion. It’s these thoughtful details that elevate the quilt from beautiful to truly memorable.
Awarded an Honorable Mention, this piece is a testament to Patty Hacker’s creativity, craftsmanship, and joyful approach to quilting. It’s the kind of quilt that makes you smile—and keeps you coming back to discover something new each time you look.
Stellar Convergence – A Carpenter’s Star Masterpiece
Stellar Convergence is a breathtaking interpretation of the classic Carpenter’s Star, expertly pieced by Deb Rogers, owner of Deb’s Quilt Studio. Rendered in a luminous palette of cool blues, soft lavenders, and rich purples, the quilt radiates from its center with striking precision, creating a dimensional starburst that immediately captures the viewer’s attention.
What truly elevates this piece is the exceptional custom quilting by Debi Bice. Along the outer border, whimsical rocketships glide through a galaxy-inspired print, adding a playful and imaginative touch that perfectly complements the quilt’s celestial theme. The combination of precise ruler work and expressive free-motion quilting showcases both technical mastery and artistic vision.
Within the quilt, the freehand quilting is nothing short of outstanding. Intricate, flowing designs fill the negative space, softening the bold geometric lines of the Carpenter’s Star while adding depth, texture, and movement throughout. Each area is thoughtfully quilted to enhance the piecing, creating a cohesive and visually dynamic composition.
Stellar Convergence is a stunning example of how traditional quilt blocks can be transformed into something truly extraordinary through intentional color choices, expert piecing, and masterful custom quilting.
Deb Rogers entered this quilt in the beginner category with the goal of receiving thoughtful feedback from the judges, and she chose a design that highlights both her piecing and longarm quilting skills.
The quilt features a grid of richly detailed floral blocks in deep purples and blacks, set against soft lavender and crisp white interlocking shapes that create movement and contrast across the surface. The composition feels balanced and inviting, with the darker prints drawing the eye while the lighter elements provide space for the design to breathe.
Her longarm quilting adds a graceful finishing touch, with flowing free-motion swirls that move consistently across the quilt, softening the geometric layout and tying all the elements together. The coordinating floral border frames the quilt beautifully, reinforcing the overall color story.
By entering this piece for critique, Deb demonstrates a commitment to growth and craftsmanship. This quilt reflects a strong foundation in both piecing and quilting, and a willingness to learn that will no doubt continue to elevate her work.
✨ Now It’s Your Turn…
If you’ve been inspired by these quilts, now is the perfect time to take the next step with your own projects.
👉 Join us for our Open House on April 28 at Deb’s Quilt Studio!
- Be the first to shop new fabrics
- Reserve your summer quilting spot before the schedule fills
- Meet our talented quilting team
- Get inspired for your next quilt
Spots for custom quilting fill quickly—especially after a show like this—so we encourage you to reserve early.
Whether you have a finished quilt top ready for quilting or just an idea waiting to begin, we would love to help you bring it to life.
This show reminded me that quilting is more than fabric and thread—it’s community, creativity, and shared passion. I’m so proud of what our Card Tricks Quilters accomplished, and I can’t wait to see what we create next.
Warmly,
Deb Rogers
Deb’s Quilt Studio