Sometimes you just have to take a break from the sewing and quilting projects, step back, reassess, learn a new technique, refine an old technique and maybe indulge yourself with the luxury of enjoying another's work. Over the last month, I had the opportunity to participate in a short retreat with friends in Hampton, VA as well as attending the Mid-Atlantic Quilt Festival. The retreat consisisted of late night sew-ins, eating, the jelly roll race, (we didn't race), eating, a visit to local quilt shop, eating and seeing friends that we haven't seen in a while and did I say eating... I participated in a class for the first time in 12 years of attending this show. I took "That Perfect Stitch" hand quiling class from Diedra McElroy to revisit and refine my techniques for handquilting. I plan to do a little more hand quilting in the future. The quilts at the show were wonderful and of course what would this show be without the vendors. They add to the excitement of the show with all of the delicious fabrics and awesome gadgets. I returned home dog-tired but with some inspiration to create unique and different quilts.
This past weekend, I took my granddaughters to their first quilt show. It is a small local show thoughtfully coordinated by 2 local quilt guilds, The Cabin Branch Quilters and the Stone House Quilters. While I looked at the quilts, the coordinators had the children participate in a scavenger hunt with prizes for those that completed the hunt. They had a ball and I can honestly say that for the first time in a while I got a kick out of some of the unique and whimsical quilts. My camera even worked this time, so there are photos of some my favorites. There were quite a few that I gravitated toward, but here are some of my favorites. Oh...while I visited the small array of vendor booths, I did not spend any money. A first for me...I think I am getting better. Enjoy my fav pics!!! I am headed back to fulfilling my WIPs. Thanks for stopping by.
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| I love this Cathedral Windows quilt. It was hand-pieced. |
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| You probably can't tell from this picture, but the windows were made from clear plastic. |
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| I have a thing for circles in quilts. The picture does not do the quilt justice. The colors were so vibrant. |
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| He is so cute. The title for this quilt was "Stop and Smell the Flowers." |
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| How cool is this? The sunglasses are embellished with rhinestones. |
