Overload

[Collette]

Last year was better than this years for that reason, I had no idea what I was about to experience. This years wasn't as amazing because my expectations were way higher.

I know exactly what you mean. The first big show that I attended was AQS in 2000. I was overwhelmed by the experience and none that I've been to since have topped it. Zena Thorpe won Best of Show with her "Book of Kells" quilt. Entirely hand appliqued and quilted. I just stood in front of it, mouth agape, stunned at the amount of work it must have taken. (I wish the images were better quality, but they're scanned 35mm.)

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h134/collette_mtb/ZThorpe-AQS.jpg


http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h134/collette_mtb/ZThorpe.jpg

 

[Bluesboy2]

Elvis would never get Granny's wall space. That was reserved for the poker playing dogs.

I only get to see pics of these fine quilts when someplace posts them. I do not go to many quilt shows. To see them in person must be a thrill. Technology has given the quilters new tools and methods, but from my point of view it is impossible to tell where the bony knuckles stop, and the automatic doodads begin.

You are always welcome to com visit anytime and join us for the fair next year.

 

[Saint Peter]

You are always welcome to com visit anytime and join us for the fair next year.

Thank you, Bluesboy. I will make it down there, one of these years.

I am not so sure about doing it during a quilt show. It sounds like I would need a moped to keep up with someplace at one of those.

 

[Bluesboy2]

I know exactly what you mean. The first big show that I attended was AQS in 2000. I was overwhelmed by the experience and none that I've been to since have topped it. Zena Thorpe won Best of Show with her "Book of Kells" quilt. Entirely hand appliqued and quilted. I just stood in front of it, mouth agape, stunned at the amount of work it must have taken. (I wish the images were better quality, but they're scanned 35mm.)

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h134/collette_mtb/ZThorpe-AQS.jpg


http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h134/collette_mtb/ZThorpe.jpg

Wow! Really amazing. Of course I know that I can't possibly see the detail from a pic.

 

[someplace]

Petey's right about the technology part. Computers play a big part now in stretching patterns and making the formerly-impossible commonplace now. EQ is the big computer program to design quilts on the computer. When you're finished designing, it not only prints your patterns but figures up your yardage requirements as well. It's a whole thing unto itself. I know it's pricey ..."an investment" they call it. Then there are classes and books, addons and continual new software additions. Who's got time to quilt when you have to recoup your investment "designing?"

I am working on a design at the moment that will have some applique in it -- a technique I understand "how" but never had actually used in a quilt before. After putting Bluebie back on a bus home ('cause he'd had enough), I walked up on a woman sitting at a sewing machine giving a demonstration. She is an applique queen with several books on taking any mystique out of appliquing. I stood through a second demonstration, this time right in front of her work, then asked a bunch of questions. She was very nice and a little tricky.

Anyone ever wanting to sell a bunch of their books, take note: 1) she didn't give away ALL the information in the demonstration. She told us she had a "trick" for finishing up the work, "And the book explains that." and 2) She didn't ask me if I wanted a book. She asked me, "Can I autograph a book for you?" Well hell yeah I bought her book. I need the damned trick, don't I?

 

[Bluesboy2]

Thank you, Bluesboy. I will make it down there, one of these years.

I am not so sure about doing it during a quilt show. It sounds like I would need a moped to keep up with someplace at one of those.

You can only keep up for a while, but she is forgiving about that.

 

[someplace]

Thank you, Bluesboy. I will make it down there, one of these years.

I am not so sure about doing it during a quilt show. It sounds like I would need a moped to keep up with someplace at one of those.

Dude. I nearly got run over by a lady on one of those things that I'mWildCherry loves -- I forget what they're called -- the two-wheeled platform with a handlebar that you stand on.

There were a lot of oldies on scooters too, but they were much more sedate.

 

[Bluesboy2]

Those quilting grannies are single minded and can even be deadly if you impede them.

 

[Collette]

Dude. I nearly got run over by a lady on one of those things that I'mWildCherry loves -- I forget what they're called -- the two-wheeled platform with a handlebar that you stand on.

There were a lot of oldies on scooters too, but they were much more sedate.

Oh, crap. They've discovered Segways.

 

[Bluesboy2]

Oh, crap. They've discovered Segways.

Yeah, they are kinda wiley like that.

 

[someplace]

Had you seen the quilts in person you wouldn't have. The other amazing thing about the show... The hordes of frenzied grannys. Gangs of them...

Standing in line Wednesday night behind 2 older granny types. Bluebie puts away our tickets in his wallet because they're good for our return on Saturday. "If you're GOOD I'll let you come back with me. Otherwise, I'm coming down here to get me a hot date. ...<overly suggestive voice> 'HEYYYYYYYY, wanna go to the Quilt Show with me?'"

The lady in front of us turned around and said, "These women are NOT interested in THAT!"

I think she thought she was being funny. I thought it was sad. I wanted to say, "Speak for YOURSELF!"

 

[someplace]

Oh, crap. They've discovered Segways.

That's it!

Have you SEEN the size of the George R. Brown Convention Center? I'm sure they could house a small city within it's floor space. That's a LOT of walking -- and the Market/Festival took up 3 floors as well. Only the exhibits and vendors were downstairs. The upper two floors were filled with classes and presentations.

http://www.mccorvey.com/GeorgeRBrown_Aerial.jpg
http://www.hotelsconventioncenter.com/user_files/convention_centres/5b0f34fd5f11e3b5e1980835dd558f4d.jpg

 

[someplace]

Starting in Spring 2008, there will be a Spring edition of the International Quilt Festival on the west coast -- either Los Angeles or San Francisco (I can't remember).

Seems to me that will take away from Paducah.

There has been a spring Quilt Market in Chicago.

Paducah is on our list though. We wanted to go this year and went to Pennsylvania instead. We're trying to get Bob's Girl and PepperminTrish to meet us in Paducah. Wasn't that a song? Meet me in Paducah?

I seriously need more coffee.

 

[someplace]

Also:

Wednesday night we noticed the vendor selling the tennis shoes with the spring under the heel.

Yesterday I noticed a LOT of women wearing those kind of shoes.

I'mWildCherry would be proud.


Bluebie got some really great herbal goo for relieving back pain. It doubles as a air freshener.

 

[Collette]

That's it!

Have you SEEN the size of the George R. Brown Convention Center? I'm sure they could house a small city within it's floor space. That's a LOT of walking -- and the Market/Festival took up 3 floors as well. Only the exhibits and vendors were downstairs. The upper two floors were filled with classes and presentations.

Good grief, that's HUGE! Now I definitely want to come down next Fall. Chicago is only 5hrs. away to hit the Spring show, but I've heard Houston is better. Talk Pete into coming and I'll get Tort to help entertain him...or at least push him around the floor in a wheelchair.

I love taking classes during events. It's a great way to study with some amazing talents, without having the expense of a multi-day workshop.

 

[Bluesboy2]

Good grief, that's HUGE! Now I definitely want to come down next Fall. Chicago is only 5hrs. away to hit the Spring show, but I've heard Houston is better. Talk Pete into coming and I'll get Tort to help entertain him...or at least push him around the floor in a wheelchair.

I love taking classes during events. It's a great way to study with some amazing talents, without having the expense of a multi-day workshop.

Come on down. I will even let you cook for us!

 

[someplace]

Start saving your pennies now. The class schedule comes out in July and they fill up fast. Most classes are about $15-25 and they're taught by many of the greats of the quilting world.

I swear I'm taking a week off for it next year AND I'm going to classes too.

I had to take my mother to her 50th college reunion this year and couldn't take off from work so soon afterwards.

The Market was not as crowded. I'm taking Bluebie to see the quilts then next year. Most of the people at Market are there for the commerce, so the Quilt Exhibit part (though already set up and open) was nearly empty. He can have them to himself. The only difference was the creators and "angels" (to handle the quilts & answer questions) were not there yet.

There were a lot of classes during the Market too, though many of them (not all) focused on aspects of marketing and retailing.

If you'd like to go to the Market part, just let me know and you can come with me.
They started the Festival classes a day earlier this year to overlap with the Market too.

 

[Bluesboy2]

I don't have to go to the classes do I?

 

[tortoise]

Good grief, that's HUGE! Now I definitely want to come down next Fall. Chicago is only 5hrs. away to hit the Spring show, but I've heard Houston is better. Talk Pete into coming and I'll get Tort to help entertain him...or at least push him around the floor in a wheelchair.

I'm in!

 

[Bluesboy2]

I'm in!

Come on down. Would love to meet ya.

 

[someplace]

Come on!

 

[tortoise]

We'll be more than happy to cook, just as long as Pete agrees to dazzle us with his sugar free lime jello extravaganza.