Fan Quilt

I really tried to be disciplined while shopping the vendor room at Quilt Study Seminar last week in Lincoln.

  There are three styles of quilts that I would like to add to my collection and I was "holding out" for one of the those.  Well, only found a couple of blocks.  So then I decided on another quilt but when I went back it was gone!

So when the auction started I decided I'd get one that wasn't on my "list" but at least then I'd be donating to the Study Group.  Well I bid on many and only came away with one.  (it was so crazy that at one point Julie Silber, the auctioneer, was bidding for me....)  I ended up with the last quilt of the auction!  And a fan embroidered quilt at that!  Not my usual style but I do like it.  One of my sister's loves crazy quilts and this one is in very good condition.  I think it may find its way to Massachusetts...

I didn't get much sewing done this weekend.  Dh took lots of time.  We finally went and got some new clothes for him that done require a huge belt to hold his baggy pants up (he went from a 40 waist to a 32!)  He looked much better going off to work today.  So now maybe I can get some work done....

Halloween came early

For the past two years my local quilt guild has celebrated Halloween early with a "spook-takular" party.

Lots of fun Halloween themes quilts...

Halloween themed food....

                                                               "Finger" food...

                                                                     Creepy eggs....

                                                            "Punch in the eye"
Halloween projects....

                              Bottle-cap pincushions...don't we all need one with the eyeball!
and of course costumes....

So this got me in the mood to start putting out some Halloween decorations and working on a couple Halloween themed UFO's that were put on the shelf when I didn't finish them last year!

Finally Unpacked!

Well I am unpacked but I haven't taken photos yet so the finds from Seminar will have to wait another day.  Isn't it amazing that only being gone a few days can generate such a long list of things to do when you get home?  I feel as if I've been running errands non-stop!

                         One of the quilts on display at the IQSC&M, Signature Quilt Exhibit

                                          Soldier's Quilt in the storage room at IQSC&M

Regardless, today I will sew.  If I don't then it will be over a week without a needle in my hand and that just will not do!

So do I finish up my ribbon candy quilt or pull a Halloween quilt UFO out of the closet in hopes of finishing it in time for this year's holiday?  Tune back tomorrow...

In the meantime Mac and I need to get ready for tonight's debates....

More from the study seminar

Last night unpacked all my purchases from the American Quilt Study Seminar in Lincoln.  Hope to get photos today.  Mainly I bought books this year...though the carpenter's wheel block in the photo at the top of the post was impossible for me to resist!

                                   "Hollywood" one of the Mountain Mist Quilts recently acquired by the IQSCM

                      Isn't it interesting to see the solid colors that are again so popular ...it all comes back around!
After all the energy from the past few days I'm having a hard time settling in and getting back to sewing.  I keep going back to my notes and checking things either online or in my collection.  Hopefully I'll settle down a bit today!

Also I came back to a bit of the neighborhood crisis...leave it to say a cat-hater has threatened to either run-over or worse to any cat he finds outside.  Unfortunately the two people he said it to do not know where he lives...just that he lives in the neighborhood.  So I am taking it on and tonight am going door to door to find him...I waited a day to get my "Irish" under control (I came by this red hair honestly...)  I am hoping it is a cultural misunderstanding and he just needs to learn that in this country poisoning another person's pet is not acceptable and if done intentionally, illegal.  Realize this face to face talk was my third option...my first involved my military training, the second taking his photo and posting on warning notices around the neighborhood (I'm keeping these options in reserve!)  Wish me luck....

Back from Quilt Study...

                                                    A unique chintz applique block from a quilt at the IQSC&M
I am back from the American Quilt Study Seminar in Lincoln.  I haven't unpacked yet so this will be a short post...more photos than writing (I know you'd rather the pictures!)

                                                                Two quilts from the Indigo Exhibit at the IQSC&M
If you are interested in quilt history but never been to seminar you really need to treat yourself and check it out next year (it is in Charleston, SC which is a great spot too!)  The seminar is broken up into many types of events...

                                                                In the work room at the study center...
First there are tours.  This year I took tour of the International Quilts Study Center and Museum...the staff there were really great.  Not only did we see the exhibits hanging in the three galleries but we got a behind the scene tour...and who doesn't like that!

                                                                       Storage area of the Study Center....
Then there are study centers that this year ranged from World War II Quilts with Sue Reich, Beauty Secrets: 150 years of History in One Quilt Pattern with Bill Volckening, to Digital Imaging/Imagining: The 21st Century.   There was a long list of study centers so something for everybody!

There are research paper presentations that also span a wide range of topics.  The papers are published in AQSG's annual Uncoverings.  And yes,  there is more...

                                                                  Julie Silber running the live auction....

                                                                   The "Julietes" who help with the auction....

              My table doing its part to keep the bidding going...money goes to the American Quilt Study Group
There are roundtable discussions.  I went to the one on 300 years of plaids and was excited to see Roberta Horton and her sister attending!  There were also posters sessions where ongoing research was presented.  A book sale, a vendor area, a silent auction, a very not-silent live auction, and two exhibits - Quilt Study: Quilt Revival, and Pot-of-Flowers.

                                                         Sandra Starley and her Mom at the Quilt Revival Exhibit
There is also a show and tell night....

                                             Bill Volckening with an amazing applied Chintz which he is researching....

                                                                   Mary Bywater Cross with a wool quilt....

                                                            Cindy Rennels with a gorgeous Russian Sunflower....
So I hope you got the picture...there was a lot to do.  This doesn't even include the time just talking quilts with anyone you meet at breakfast, in the elevator, in the van on the ride to the airport....no wonder my brain is just a bit tired...but very happy!

Old fabric "friends"

I've been digging through the vintage fabric and quilt top piles looking for candidates to bring to the American Quilt study Group Seminar this weekend in Lincoln.  I want to avoid checking a bag so bringing a quilt may not be an option.  A top however I can fit even into my carry-on bag!

The roundtable discussion I signed up for is on plaids.  I have several quilts that would be great for this but tops..not so much.  The top in the photo above was at the bottom of a large pile.  I hadn't seen it in ages!  The blocks are around 6 inches (give or take a 1/2 inch!)

Lots of interesting fabrics including some plaids,  lots of madder and a variety of double pinks...think I'll keep looking though...I've got to have one that has more plaids than this!

Of course I could just add a couple of these Dove in the Window blocks with the printed plaids to add some variety....

I also went through  some of the vintage fabrics I've gathered through the years just in case I needed to do some restoration on one of my quilts.  Some of these have sat in the box for over 20 years!

With Dobby on guard duty I know I'll have that fabric when I need it!

So now you see why this packing has taken me so long!

Debate Night!

Please tell me mine isn't the only household in the U.S. that is excited for the debates tonight.  For us it is almost like the Superbowl...yes, we make snacks and yell at the TV.  All fun but serious as well....

Leaving politics aside I did use the elections (or at least American Political history) as part of a recent guild program.  I had several antique quilts named after political figures and a set of 9 blocks that I made so that we could have a quilt block quiz...all fun!  Unfortunately due to time constraints we only did the quiz...still fun

These are some of the blocks I made...

I had to keep it non-partisan so if Ararat (blocks above) was there...

I also had to have Giddup....

One of my favorite blocks (both to make and to research) was Dolly Madison (upper left in photo)...who knew she was such a pistol!  Not only did she save many pieces of artwork from the White House from the British soldiers but she left dinner set out on the table for them!  Who knows of it is really true...but it makes for a great story!

Not to be out-done...I have long enjoyed making the Martha Washington star...(upper right in photo.)  The lower left is Lincoln's Platform and on the lower right is Road to the White-house.

This last one is called the President's Chair...my DH called it "Dirty Harry's Hammock."  He thinks he is clever...Now off to back some snacks for tonight...let's hope for a great debate!

Packing time!

When I used to pack a suitcase weekly (sometimes multiple times a week!) for work it was easy.  From start to finish it was a done deal in under 15 minutes!  Now that I only pack 6-7 times a year it takes me forever...

                                                                           Brownie "helping" to pack.....
I am heading out to Lincoln for the American Quilt Study Group Seminar (AQGS.)  I haven't attended one in several years so I am really excited.  So much to learn and see.  Plus I get to meet folks that I have "known" via my blog and facebook!

                                                                  Maryland Applique Crib Quilt circa 1840
So first there is the problem of what clothes to pack...then what projects to bring to work on in the room and during at least one long wait in the airport and then finally what to bring for show and tell....Needless to say my closet it now turned up-side down only to be rivaled by the antique quilt collection which is now draped across every surface of the house...well, except for the kitchen...

                                                                                 Strippy star, circa 1920
In addition to getting myself ready I have to get things organized for my DH back here at home.  He is doing much better and is even back to work 3-4 days a week.  However, he still gets tried quickly and is limited on what he can eat.  So I am making him a menu to use while I am gone (the ingredients are all in the cupboards.)  Last night he finally gave himself his own shot and this morning made his own oatmeal...there was much grumbling involved but it came out fine.