Monday, May 2, 2011

I'm Baaaaack . . . . .

I'm happy to report that I survived the 2011 AQS Show in Paducah.

Just in case you didn't hear, the city of Paducah had a few issues with flooding and the convention center that normally houses 90% of the sponsored events and exhibits was not available for the show this year.

A church and a couple vacant buildings along with the Pavilion built last year housed the show's events. It was tight quarters for the vendors and the attendees.

The AQS folks made the best of a bad situation and I'm so happy they did not cancel the show. If it was you first year to attend the show, I hope you'll give it another try.

For the first time I observed several notices about picture taking, specifically how it's fine to take all the pictures you want for your personal use, just don't use them for commercial purposes or display them on the internet, unless you have the permission of AQS and the quilt maker. They even defined internet which includes websites, blogs, Facebook, etc.

Well I didn't get permission but hopefully this little collage will give you a flavor for the show without compromising someone's work.




I'm always amazed by my pictures when I get home and download my card on my computer. By looking at my pictures you would think that 80% of the quilts were red, that's not the case at all. For some reason those red quilts are always a draw for me. Interesting quilting, a new pattern and quilts that look like I could actually piece them usually get photographed by me, but I never take near enough pictures, I get too distracted I guess.

One quilt that really drew my attention for several reason was Fleur de Lis by Glenda Jones of Springfield Missouri. I won't break the rules by showing you a picture, but this quilt also won the Ozark Piecemakers Guild Quilt Show in Springfield, Missouri and is shown on this blog, click here and scroll down to the bottom. I've never seen that pattern before and looked for it online but didn't find it. The quilt had a nice clean fresh look. And the fabric, Glace!! I bought a fat quarter bundle of that fabric and decided it wasn't for me and gave it away! It looks great in Fleur De Lis.

Added Later: Fleur De Lis looks to be adapted from the pattern Frosted Windowpanes by Brenda Riddle at Acorn Quilt Company. (click here) Thanks Donna!!

I think I could piece any pattern that came my way, but when it comes to choosing fabric, that's a gift I just don't have. I'm hoping I get better with that aspect of my quilting as I progress.

Before I left town and headed to Paducah, I exchanged my change that I collect all year in a cooking jar into bills, and was able to spend most of it.

This bracelet was my first purchase.


The buttons are dated around 1780 and are colonial glove buttons. They are small and dainty. I don't wear much yellow gold, but love a good bracelet, I'll save this one for special occasions.

Have you seen this? If you hit many quilt shops you've probably seen it, but it was new to me.


It's a quilt ruler connector!



It connects any two acrylic rulers to make then longer, wider or to create a corner square. The Olfa folks were demoing them, it's probably something I'll use once.

Have you seen the Twister and Lil Twister templates?

Primitive Gatherings has made an even smaller twister but they call it the Itty Bitty Primitive Pinwheel. It makes a cute little 10" x 10" mug rug. Sucked in by another demo, but I plan to use this one, soon.

I bought some circle templates from the Paper Pieces folks.


I have a plan for these, stay tuned for an update.

And I bought one kit.




Cinnamon Sticks, a Cotton Tales Patterns designed by Pamela J. Curo.
I probably could have gotten by with just the pattern, I have plenty of reds and creams, but you know me and fabric, how nice to just let someone else do the work of choosing the fabric. This quilt finishes at 30" x 45", a nice size for the back of the red couch!

Well I'm almost caught up on the laundry, did get to the grocery store, and am eager to see what you did with your week while I was away. As always, it feels great to be home!

15 comments:

  1. LOVE your bracelet! It's a special piece.

    My eye went right to the Fleur de Lis quilt. Funny how fabrics look different depending on how big the pieces are. I have a BOM from FQS in Glace that I haven't started yet.

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  2. Thanks for sharing about the quilt show. I do love that quilt. Love the kit you got. I am really beginning to love red quilts.
    Love the bracelet!

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  3. This was my tenth year at the show and it was a bit different this year with all the vendors being split up...and the buses...oy vey...so much time spent waiting for the buses to go from place to place...but I was so happy to find the Lil'Twister too!!

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  4. Sounds like you had a good time and the button bracelet is a pure treasure. I attended the Springfield MO show this year and the site you directed us to had photos of some quilts I missed. It's just overwhelming to attend any quilt show and try to see it ALL!!!

    I have a magnificent stash and it's 60% red with a lot of cream, too. Hmmm, I probably need to get busy and make another red quilt. I always get wonderful ideas from your blog.

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  5. I think you not only survived Paducah but had a great time. :-)

    Love the bracelet - a real beauty.

    I'm quite smitten with the kit you purchased - need to find that pattern. ;-)

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  6. Welcome home Thelma! Your bracelet is just the sweetest and I love that quilt kit you bought !

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  7. Thelma,
    I love your bracelet!! Your gadgets are great also. I am sure you will put them to good use.
    Donna

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  8. I think Paducah did a great job getting things relocated on short notice. It was more cramped quarters than usual and hard to see all of the quilts. Some of the vendors didn't get as much space as they had planned for, therefore not as much fabric selection. That didn't stop me from coming home with plenty from Hancock's of Paducah and Eleanor Burns though! Reservations have already been made for next year!

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  9. Hey Thelma, I just got back home this evening. Wasn't this an amazing quilt show!!!! This was my second time as I went three years ago. I LOVED the quilts this year. And yes the staff did an incredible job of getting this quilt show off the ground even though there was the threat of flooding. Love your booty. I've yet to go through mine ;-)

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  10. How fun to read your Paducah report! Some fabulous purchases!

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  11. Christine Thomas shoppernana@gmail.comMay 3, 2011 at 1:10 AM

    The bracelet is amazing. What a treasure. Regarding the new kit you bought...I want to say, "Really? It finishes at 30"x45", a nice size for the back of the red couch?" I have a feeling your finished quilt won't finish at 30"x45" and may not look exactly like the kit intended. I'm anxious to see what you do to it Thelma-wise. :)

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  12. A great update. Wish you were able to show the quilts you especially liked, though!

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  13. Love all your purchases, especially that pretty bracelet. Gotta get myself one of those ruler connectors. I just think it's tacky how quilts shows have got so particular about people taking photos and using them on blogs and such.

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  14. Thanks for the trip report and, even better, the pictures of your purchases. How fun!

    Glad to hear the quilt show worked out in the end.

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  15. That Fleur de Lis quilt is gorgeous. I didn't care too much for the Glace line, but it really is stunning in this quilt. Thanks for sharing.

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