That's One for the Books

 

As Always, this years quilt show was spectacular!  There are so many creative and talented people in this world. 
But before I post some quilt pictures (that absolutely do not do the quilts justice) I want to talk about the people of the Quilt Show.

It goes without saying there would be no show without the people...
not only the quilters, and dear husbands, who attend and the quilt creators who display their stunning work, but the vendors and the people who "work" the show, also.

We raise our glass to the People of the Show!

The first is a woman I met tending a booth called Sew Powerful.
"Sew a Purse, Change a Life."  

This is a charity group.  Their current focus is a purse program.  We, the sewing public, download a pattern and make a cross-body purse.  After sending the completed bag to Sew Powerful, they in turn send the purses to under-developed countries where there are more volunteers who fill the purses with reusable hygiene products and then give them to young women.  Click here to read about it.  

I was so impressed.  I'm hoping to get our First Saturday Needle Group to take this on as a charity project.

Of course there were many vendors at the show...after all that's one of reasons we go to shows, we want
to see what's new and different and what we absolutely CAN NOT live without.   

One of the vendors was Glenda Wilder.  She designs patterns.  We had such a nice conversation about quilting and patterns and such.  I need another pattern like nobody's business, but I could not resist. 

I like applique and these boots are too cute!!

Glenda Wilder Designs

While eating lunch, a delightful 90-Y-O lady from Pigeon Forge, TN sat down next to me.  As we ate we talked about quilts (of course) whipping out our phones to share pictures of quilts we have made.

She has been quilting for 50 years! She now lives with her daughter and they BOTH quilt...she was telling me how much chaos they have in their studio.  

Trust me when I say There Are No Strangers at a quilt show.

A big THANK YOU to the Paducah Ambassadors.  There were a lot of ambassadors volunteering at the show.  They were so friendly....reminds me of Portland's Royal Rosarians.  I think this is something I might want to do, someday.

Finally, thank you to the volunteers that make the PaDucky Derby happen.  This charity benefits victims of domestic violence.  It's not too late to adopt a duck.  The race is in October.

Oh, Look.  An entire pond full of MSQC quackers!!*

 

 

 

So, you see, quilting is more than just a hobby; it is fun, educational, good for the local economy, good for our mental health and benefits the community in many ways. 

Quilting checks ALL the boxes! 

 

*MSQC Quackers....Missouri Star Quilt Company Duck.

In Case You Need a Project....

I'm tempted, but I don't really need another project....just sayin....

If I DID, this looks like fun!  It's a virtual Shop Hop.

 

It is time sensitive...the Hop only runs from April 1 through May 31, 2023.  
There's still Time.

 

As you can see, there was a live session from Red Pine Quilt Shop this past week, which I did not watch.  Each shop is having live Showcase nights.   AND, just look at the quilt!  Isn't it nice!?  I love sampler quilts.  If I were participating, I'd want to make THAT one!!

Go to this site and read the instructions.  You do have to buy the block fabric from each shop, but it is very reasonable. 
You can also purchase the finishing kit with several finishing styles to choose from.

 I'm sooooo tempted.  The only thing that stops me is it will end up on next year's UFO Challenge list. 

 

Oh...AND... Paducah Quilt week is almost upon us!

Exchanging My Babes for Vegas Peeps

A quilt-related weekend and more visiting.

Felicia and her two youngens.

Elder Sister, Neva

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

How long does it take to finish a quilt you're not working on???? 
We all know the answer to that.... because we're all just as guilty....

The Quilting niece and I spent two days getting her back on track with a UFO she started more than FIVE YEARS AGO! 
Well, I have UFOs that are at least that old...so I guess I can't judge.  We worked on this quilt my last trip to Vegas ...
July, 2021

But she is back on track now and hopefully can get it finished without me sitting next to her, cracking the whip.  Big progress has been made; the last two blocks are now done, the layout planned with sashing and corner stones,  and the quilting and binding plan made, Sew Yeah* has finishing services and the cost is very reasonable.

Slow and Steady wins the race...but you do have to be IN the race...just sayin, keep at it.

First Row

 

 

 

We quilters are often asked to "help" with garment projects. (Which really means...."can you do this for me"...)  My sister asked me to help her finish a night gown for her granddaughter.

I had to dig deep to remember some of my basic garment-sewing skills...but, we made it happen.

 

No trip to Vegas would be complete without a trip to *Sew Yeah.  They have a new bigger, brighter location. It Is Very Nice!!  Their new location now includes a section for sewing furniture and cabinets.

Dez and I browsed for quite a while, touch all the fabric getting our " fabric fix." We nearly made our escape without buying  any fabric....but....right next to the door was a bin of fat quarter bundles....
and I could NOT resist!!

 

 

 

Who doesn't LOVE Barbie...especially the classic Barbie!!

Fifteen Fat Quarters!!  I need to decide on a pattern...I'm thinking a Wonky Star. Or, something like it.

 Fussy Cut Miss Barbie for the Center of the star.

 

Next time you are in Vegas, this shop is worth a visit!! Website

 

 

 

 

And with the blink of an eye, it was time to say good-bye, again, to the people that I love and return to
"my 'ol Kentucky duplex."  Home - Sweet - Duplex.

 Until next time....

All The Little Munckins

Holiday in So. Calif with the "Littles" is the BEST!

 

 

 

 

 

Easter Sunday

Track meet with the oldest G-Son.

 

 

Aquarium of the Pacific

 

 

No Southern California trip is complete without a day at the beach.

 

 Then, it was time to head to Las Vegas to visit the nieces and nephew...AND the chickens!

L to R:  Great Grand niece, Nephew, Me, Great Niece, Chelsea (Chicken mama)
and her D.H., Miss Abby and down front
Cade is in his Spider-man position

Chelsea loved the chicken wall hanging!

My heart is flooded with love for these people.

Memorial Quilts

Most of us have made a memorial quilt...at least one....in our quilting life.

Waiting to watch the 3-D movie, Under the Sea.  Excellent!

On holiday in Southern California, I took the grands to the California Science Museum (very entertaining. If you've never been and have the opportunity....go.)  We were there for 4 hours and did not see everything.

Also on Display:

The creator of these is only 14 years old.  I was touched.  Google her name and you'll find more information. 
HERE is one YouTube video.

Spring Break!!

Off to California on a well-deserved holiday to see The Babes and all the California peeps. 
AND, not going empty-handed, either. 
All my hard work last month will bring happy faces this month.

 

 

In Case you missed it....the UFO Challenge number for April is 4. 
My #4 is an easy one....go through all the Row-by-Row kits I purchased over the years and decide what to keep and what to pass along.

No Foolin!

March went out like a lion last night!  There were tornadoes all across the South and the Plains States. 
At one point there were 55 active tornado warnings and/or sightings in at least a half dozen states.

 

 

 

 

I live at the "purple X" but while the weather was WILD and tornadoes were touching down all around us in Tennessee, Arkansas, Illinois and Iowa... even Texas, we were perfectly safe in this little corner of Kentucky.

After all the commotion, woke up to a BEAUTIFUL day today , although a bit windy.  Perhaps I'll get some gardening done later.

 

 

 

Looking forward to a wonderful April with not too many April Showers!