Quilt Week at Daytona Beach

Don't think for a minute that I spent a whole week at the AQS quilt show. No, that was the name of the show - Quilt Week. 

Here is the website for AQS where you can learn which other cities across the US are having Quilt Week shows. I learned from a reader that one will be in Grand Rapids, MI, in August. Of course, there are others.

I went to the Facebook page for Daytona AQS and found that many of the quilts I took pictures of are also shared on their page. So I won't put as many on this post as I could. Believe me - I took over 80 pictures! So many gorgeous quilts and absolutely stunning, meticulous craftsmanship! I am totally impressed by the exquisite level of perfection, and at the same time, absolutely not inspired to do anything similar in my own quilting. I remain content to crank out 9-patch quilts, churn dash quilts, Ohio star quilts, and so on with the same level of completion as I've always had.

Let's being the parade! On to the pictures!

Birdsville by Judy Ballance

This struck me for two reasons: one, it reminds me of Sue Spargo-like quilts; two, my cousin Marilyn would totally be up for making a quilt like this. 

Filigree Calligraphy by Janet Stone

I have to add a close-up of this one. The detail is amazing. Click on the picture; that will probably enlarge it for you.

 

Supraspinatus's Swan Song by Margaret E. Solomon Gunn

Again, a close-up is necessary. Dense quilting; beautiful design; spot-on color choices; embellished to perfection.

Watermelon Sugar by Amy Pabst

The close-up for this one will show you how thin the sections of the log cabins are; in addition, it's worth noting that the fabrics are silks. 

 

Millefleur by Jan Hutchison

This is thread work, not applique. Amazing.

 

And There Is More by Inger C. Blood

Of particular note on this close-up: the blues in the log cabin blocks are all Kaffe Fassett fabrics (I believe), the quilting is exquisite; the border has both prairie points and 3-D loops of some sort. A-maz-ing.

Heartwarming Days by Aki Sakai

 

Noteworthy in this close-up: the tiny applique; the tiny yo-yos; the 3-D elements (there's a fridge at the upper right edge with a door that opens and food inside); the decorative outer border. I cannot fathom the time it took for this woman to make this quilt.

Six Hours in Arles by Ruth Ohol

 

This appeals to me for the incredible quilting, that impressive swirly border, and the skillful blending of neutral colors.

Coming up next are other quilts I liked, but did not get ribbons.

Cabin on the Beach by Mindy Skinner

 This quilt simply speaks to me of all things Florida. I'd make something like this for a bed here at our winter house.

Coral Reef by Penny Powell

Zoom in on this one, if you can, to see the amazing quilting done in all these rings. I thought of my pals in the Frankfort Girls group; we have had an ongoing discussion about Double Wedding Ring quilts; Jan has even made one; the rest of us are leery or downright opposed to making one.

Twilight Garden by Patty Nelson

Amazing applique and it's done on a black background, which I found interesting. Not something I would have thought to do, that's for sure.
 

Flower Carnival by Naomi Otomo

This was such a unique, happy design; I love the way it is bordered; I love the sprightly nature of the swags and the bursts from each point. It suggests lots of movement - sort of like a May Day celebration.

Enchanted by Dawn Siden & Joyce Grafe

Another quilt using a black background. I particularly like the vivid, almost electric blue ribbon effect encircling the design and how that same color is used in the corners and the borders.

Enough for today. I have one more post about the AQS Daytona show to share. I'll have it ready in the next day or two.

Happy Quilting, Friends!

Jayne

A Parade of Friends' Quilts

Over the last month or more, I have accumulated several pictures of quilts made by quilting friends. It seems a good time to share some of those with readers. Prepare for a little quilt parade!

Basket Quilt made by Terry.

Monkey Wrench quilt by Becky.

 

Red and White Sampler made by Becky.

I cannot stress enough how valuable these friends are to me. Besides being wonderful human beings, they provide endless encouragement and inspiration. Our shared love of quilting may have brought us together, but true friendships have grown through getting to know them more closely. 

Now, one quilting friend goes back much, much further than the others. Sharon and I taught English at CHS for 30 years, and formed quite a strong friendship even before becoming quilting enthusiasts. The love of quilting has served to strengthen that friendship and to keep us close in retirement. Here are two recent makes from her - not totally finished just yet, but you'll still get a "feel" for them.

Scrappy 9-Patch made by Sharon.

 Not wanting to waste a single bit of 3 Sisters fabrics and other similar prints, Sharon began piecing these 9-patch blocks and setting them with Kona Snow. It is a fabulous way to use up scraps and they look so perfect when scattered about in happy little 9-patches. Sharon has a show-stopping border to go on this quilt, and you can be sure it will be shared here in due time.

Christmas Trees and Stars made by Sharon.

Remember earlier this fall (or late summer) when Sharon and I were both making Alpine? Well, Sharon wasn't done making trees as you can see above. She combined dark green trees with Christmas-y red and green stars and then used some holiday yardage to create this strippy quilt. Her plan is to add shiny buttons at the top of each tree and then use this as a wall hanging. Totally eye-catching in her holiday decor!

There you have it, friends. A tiny quilt parade for your viewing pleasure. Can you see why I never run out of inspiration? These sweet friends boost me in so many ways.

Happy Quilting, Friends!

The Quilts at the Quilt Show

The quilts on display at the Good Time Quilters' Quilt Show last week did not disappoint. Rather than do a lot of words, I will focus on the eye candy - quilt pictures! This collection of quilts represent the ones I found attractive, interesting, or unique for any number of reasons.

One quilt in the show has a very personal connection. Remember when the Frankfort Girls did an Ohio Star block exchange? The only rule was that we should use reproduction fabrics on off-white backgrounds. Sheryll finished hers and won a ribbon in the show!

I studied this quilt quite a long time trying to remember which blocks I'd made. Six or seven blocks in this quilt are mine, but I could only definitively identify five. Here's a link to a post about our exchange. 

I included this final picture in the previous post, but I did not elaborate on the fact that it, too, was made by Sheryll. At a recent Frankfort Girls gathering, we 'oohed and aahed' over this beauty live and in person. Click back here to get the quilt's history and to see it as she had just gotten it back from her quilter. 

I plan to do one more post about the quilt show. The guild conducts a BOM challenge, and while I don't know all the rules and guidelines, I do look forward each year to seeing the variety of the finished quilts. That will be the focus of the final quilt show update.

Have a great Monday!

Happy Quilting, Friends!

Fun With the Frankfort Girls

It has been simply ages since we last checked in with the Frankfort Girls to see the pretty makes they produce. Let's remedy that today! These ladies are some of the dearest and most encouraging friends; seeing all their gorgeous creations helps me maintain my energy to create.

I missed a couple of gatherings in late January through mid-February while we were in Florida for the extended stay. We left for the second trip south after a meeting at Terry's and I will present those pretties first. Let the quilt parade begin!

Don't you agree that these quilts would without doubt keep a quilter motivated? These gals are most prolific!

I will gladly share any pattern names with readers if you are interested. I didn't write down any details, but I can easily get them if anyone wants to make these quilts. That gingerbread man quilt at the end was  completed with backing of the gingerbread man fabric in the final picture. Dontcha' love it when happy combinations like that sometimes occur!

Last Friday we met at Sheryll's house and these next two quilts are her creations - finishes of UFOs, if I recall correctly.

Brown and red quilts are so appealing; you all probably recognize that last one as a Primitive Gatherings pattern. It's one I've lusted over many a time!

Since I have nothing to show in the way of finishes, the next best thing is to share the finishes of friends. Hope you enjoyed the little quilt parade.

Happy Quilting, Friends!