Monday, May 8, 2017

Dutch Quilts, Fabrics and New Friends

Enjoying the culture and history of the 
Netherlands was just one part of my recent trip.
The other part revolved around quilts,
fabric and new friends.

Scene 1
Eight giddy quilters
eagerly walking down the streets of Amsterdam
in search of 

and the shop "Den Haan & Wagenmakers."

We were so excited about going in, it was
hard to stop and have our picture taken.


Petra Prins' Amsterdam shop is not very big, but
definitely filled with wonderful Dutch Heritage fabrics
and beautiful inspiring quilts.


It was one of those shops where you have 
to just stop and let your eyes rest in
one spot before looking some more,
otherwise everything is just a blur.


We were having so much fun!




I had told myself I would look for a kit
to bring back home.


This is the one I chose.


  but instead of the gold
border I picked out two Dutch fabrics.

I wasn't sure which one would be perfect so
it's best to get both.

This doll size quilt
would be perfect to make
with all the leftovers
I have from making Petra's mystery quilt.


Scene 2
One thing you learn when you travel 
is that people are the same no matter where you are.

 Our group had the sweet opportunity 
to meet with another quilting bee from
 Leiden, Netherlands.
  
Yvonne is a blogging friend 
and you'll want to check out her blog .

Just look at the beautiful Dear Jane she's made.


Doreen had arranged for us to all come together.
 What a thrill to come to Yvonne's home,
 share a delicious Dutch meal,
 and them meet the gals in her quilting bee.

 There was time for show and tell

 sharing some gifts,


and sharing that quilting rush you get when
quilters get excited.

Before leaving on the trip,
 I had made "sister quilts"
for Yvonne and myself.
It was so much fun to give her hers.

We had each made a block for signatures.
It was fun to get everyone to sign our friendship squares.

 This is mine.
It will be the label for a quilt I have in mind.

Getting together was definitely
one of the high point of the trip.
  "Quilting Sisters"

Scene 3
The next morning we were up early and
on the train heading to Amersfoort to attend the
quilt show 
The Australian-Dutch Connection
 You can read more about it on Judith's blog
who was one of the coordinators of the show.
It featured the quilts of Di Ford-Hall
of Australia


Cloverdale House

 
Gigglewick Mill Sampler

and Petra Prins of the Netherlands
 An's Treasure


Discovery
the Quiltmania mystery quilt, 2016

It was so exciting to see these and many many more 
gorgeous quilts in person.

We attend Petra's and Nell Kooiman's
trunk show of antique quilts.

  The lecture was in Dutch, but we learned
 
 we all speak "quilt"!

I had traveled with only a small carry on 
so my shopping had to be somewhat limited.
But I did manage to bring home a 
few more Dutch Heritage pieces

 and


 Di and Petra's new books. 
It was hard not to go crazy! 

Needless to say 
it was a fantastic trip

 from beginning to end!

Until Next Time-
Kyle 



37 comments:

  1. How delightful! How did you manage such restraint at the shops? I think I would have been leaving some clothes behind to fit more fabric in my carry one! Your choices were luscious! Thanks for sharing your spectacular journey.

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  2. What a wonderful experience. Those quilts are all so amazing. I love the 'sister quilt' idea.

    I'm impressed you made this trip with just a carry on...maybe you can share your secrets for efficient packing :)

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  3. I love your comment, "We all speak quilt". You have made so many wonderful memories that will be with you forever and thank you for sharing them with us. Great post!

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  4. What a wonderful blog you made about your quilt adventures her in Holland. We will all remember your visit for a long, long time. My sister quilt is something I will always cherish. Love the kit you took home with you, how fun it will be to make and let the fabric bring back the memories........

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  5. Love that last photo! Well, it all looks so tempting, I'm not sure I would have as disciplined as you. It looks like a completely wonderful trip!

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  6. WOW-what a GREAT trip! How fun to meet blogging friends from across the world:). I like all your purchase choices, I probably would have had to buy a new suitcase.

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  7. Those two border fabrics you bought for your kit are so luscious! Swoon! What a wonderful trip, and meeting so many wonderful quilters! I'm so happy for you! And totally jealous! :o)

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  8. I'm glad you loved your trip in Europe ! What fun memories for you and your friends ...
    You've bought wonderful fabrics and I hope you will have lot of pleasure to realize your quilt ! Can't wait to see it !
    Thank you for this wonderful post !

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  9. WOW! What great pictures of your trip ! Thanks for sharing :-D

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  10. A perfect trip! You did and saw so much! Still sorry we did not meet, but maybe next time. I loved reading this post.

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  11. Kyle I am so happy for your reaction on my blog, now I have found you, became a follower right away and added your blog in my reading list. Lovely to read and see that you have had such a wonderful time.

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  12. This is such a heartwarming post! The quilts are gorgeous, time meeting other quilters is priceless, and the shopping looks wonderful!!
    The kit you picked out is beautiful. I love the idea of swapping out the border fabric.
    Thanks for treating us by sharing this with us--loved it!

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  13. What a wonderful time your group had. Love, love, love the windmill signature label! What a great idea. Where will you travel next?

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  14. Looks like lots of fun, thanks for the lovely photos.

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  15. Such a wonderful trip - so many quilting treats to enjoy! Love your fabric selection and the kit...and all of it really!! Your last photo made me laugh :)

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  16. What a wonderful trip! Lovely photos!

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  17. All I can say is WOW! I travel a lot but your trip takes the cake. What a great set of memories you made! Love all the pictures. And how amazing to have met up with a group of Dutch quilters, too! Nice job of organizing your trip!!

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  18. Thanks for sharing your lovely trip with us. You showed incredible restraint - you made some beautiful memories and some beautiful purchases :0)

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  19. What a great description of your trip. You made it seem exciting and full of friendship. What a lovely shop and fabrics.......I am quite envious. Thank you for sharing with us.

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  20. Thanks for sharing your beautiful trip, quilts & fabrics.

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  21. OMG, what a fabulous experience and all those yummy fabrics!

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  22. No kidding it was a fantastic trip! I felt all emotional just reading about it! Wowsers, what great fun to have the time with the Dutch ladies and share some quilting time together. It will be wonderful to start sewing with your new fabrics and have the memories to think on!

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  23. So much fun to live vicariously through you. It looks like an amazing adventure - I'd be giddy too! Love the kit that you picked up.

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  24. So glad you had a good trip! Love the Dutch chintz project you chose, very wise to get two border options.
    Thanks for sharing your trip!

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  25. my oh my, what an amazing travel trip you had and so so much quilty goodness. I loved seeing the quilts you shared and the shop.
    Was that big fan quilting I spied on that seven sister star quilt? It is fabulous!! The column prints are gorgeous.
    What a thoughtful Idea to make a quilt to bring.
    I'd say you were controlled and thoughtful with your purchases.
    Thanks so much inspiration and photos from your trip.

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  26. My goodness you were on a Quilters Dream Vacation! Loved seeing pics of all the beautiful quilts, your quilting buddies, the sweet little "sister" quilt you made and all the wonderful Dutch fabrics you bought! Books, too :)

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  27. You must still be flying high after all those wondrous experiences! Tulips, fabric, Petra's shop and seeing Di's quilts!!

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  28. What a fun, fun experience your trip was Kyle! I'm so happy that you all had a good time and enjoyed quilting to the MAX! I know the kit you bought will get stitched up quickly - can't wait to watch it grow. You must still be on cloud nine!

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  29. What a lovely time! And all those beautiful fabrics and quilts . . . gorgeous!

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  30. trip of a lifetime....drooling here in the USA....quiltspeak is borderless isn't it?

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  31. What a wonderful trip! Thanks for sharing your memories with us!

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  32. Fabulous post and those glorious fabrics, are you really going to be able to cut into them or just let them mellow in your sewing room for a bit? How wonderful that you were able to share your friend's quilting bee and meet other quilters with an entirely different tradition. And those fabrics, just luscious! I'd love to see some of Di Ford's quilts in person one day. Thanks for sharing with all of us.

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  33. Sounds like a trip of a lifetime. Thank you for sharing, love the Dutch fabric.

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  34. Wow, Everything looks so wonderful. I love that you got to meet up with a group of dutch quilters. The kit you chose is beautiful , a perfect souvenir of a special trip.

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  35. Wow what a fabulous trip in every way! The fabrics are beautiful - just gorgeous - and how meaningful that you could get to know some Dutch quilters! I would love to take a similar trip in the future!

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