timeless reflections: International Quilt Festival

Monday, November 5, 2018

Bubbling With Excitement

Last week was bubbly good.

I've had time to sew

and I've got some travel plans.

I was able to machine applique

the final border of my Sutton Grange.

Again, I used the 100wt poly Invisafil by Wonderfil.

The thread is so thin that it disappears right into

the weave of the fabric.

I used a tiny Overlock stitch, which is

stitch, stitch, stitch, zig-zag.

The straight stitches

go right along the side of the applique and

the zig-zag holds it to the background.

I use the mirror image feature on my Bernina,
which makes it easier for me to stitch
along the right side of the applique piece.

The whole top is now together.

It's a beautiful design by Di Ford.

The next step is to figure out the machine quilting.

I'm going to work on it myself...eventually.

But in order to do that I need inspiration.

And what better place to get that,

than to head to Houston

and

Besides doing lots of shopping, there will plenty of

quilts to admire and study. I'll be excited to

enjoy the beautiful quilts of many of my

blogging friends, Wendy, Janet, Karen, Barb,

and my Virginia Quilting Friends and

I'm sure a few more.

Let me know if I've missed you.

And some of those friends will be there in person.

That will be extra treat!

It will be a whirlwind trip,
but a much needed one.
Running Man is coming to carry
the packages.
Isn't he a sweetheart!

Wish you were all coming too.

Until Next Time-

Kyle

Wednesday, November 4, 2015

I Was at Festival!

Have you ever dreamed of

running through a enormous warehouse and

having only five minutes

to collect as many prizes as you could?

That's what it was like for me last Thursday
at the International Quilt Festival in Houston.

I had one day to find the best vendors

and look at all the marvelous quilts on display.

To be honest it was a bit overwhelming,
yet totally exciting.
Running Man dropped me off at the
Convention Center and then
it was...Ready, Set, Go!

With such a limited amount of time
I had my planned list and the number of each booth.

First stop,
Somerset Patchwork & Quilting
and Karen Styles.
She was such a delightful person.
I was too excited to get a photo
of her and the booth, but
here's what I brought home.

It's her new line by Marcus Fabrics,
"Loire Valley".

Next,
Dutch Heritage
with Petra Prins from the Netherlands.
(I'm barely containing myself by now.)

Unfortunately,
she could only take cash or a check.
Otherwise,

I would have gotten a lot more
of these awesome chitzes.
I was down to digging for change in the bottom
of my purse!
I didn't get a picture of her either.
I didn't want to act too bush league.

There were wonderful antique
quilts to look at,

shops that many of us recognize from online,

and the free Mystery BOM

by Buttermilk Basin.
I mentioned to Stacy West
I was following along each month and
probably a gazillion people had already told her that
but, she was so genuine in her enthusiasm it was
truly heartwarming.

Saw a few quilting celebs,

Ricky Tims passing something
secretively to this button guy,

Carrie Nelson, of Miss Rosie's Quilts,

Jamie Wallen who has lots of YouTube videos

on machine quilting,

Lynette Anderson,

and Lisa Bongean

of Primitive Gatherings.
(Stop #3)
Everyone was willing to take the time
to talk with you, or show you how to do a stitch.

I took quite a few picture of the quilt shows,
but I won't post many. There's better places on line
to see the winners.

Ewe Are My Sunshine
by Janet Stone.
(The grand prize winner)

But here's what you do
if your husband that has tagged along.
You find the husband's corner.

and they can watch TV or take a nap.
In Running Man's case he went and
found a park and took a simple 16 mile run. :0)

And when you've hit the wall
you can literally

go sit up against the wall
until you've regained your stamina.

I saw gals wearing matching hot green T-shirts
calling themselves the Psycho Quilters
and then these gals wearing matching hats.