Hey, I've Visited Two Quilt Shows; Got Pictures to Prove It!

Back on September 21, my two quilting buddies and I went to a quilt show in a nearby town about an hour away.  Once we got into the building, we saw lots of pretty quilts, but before we go in, we were almost ready to get back in the car and come home!   I guess my old age is getting the best of my patience and temperament; I was almost angry before we got in. 

The show usually is held at the Sheriff's Posse Grounds, but for some reason, it was held in a big church this year.  We had never been there before, and the parking lot in front of the church was full by the time we got there.  Our leader/driver let us out at the front door, where there was also a long ramp going up to the second floor on the side.  Our driver took the car across the street to park.  The Sanctuary foyer had no lights on, and we couldn't see where the ramp led to.  Others were arriving, and no one seemed to know where to go in.  We walked to the corner of the building and down the other side hoping to find a sign or a door, but found neither one.  Others were coming around to that side from the back side of the building; they said there was no entrance there either.  We all walked back to the ramp, and we decided to make the long climb.  No signs were anywhere to be seen to even indicate a quilt show there. 

We got to the top and could see people inside, but the big double doors at the top of the ramp were locked, with nowhere to go but back down!  I was exhausted, and I'm sure some others were too.  We knocked on the glass doors, and a lady taking admissions waved her arms in the air and mouthed "No Key!", and pointed in another direction.  We all (about 10 of us) walked back down, and one lady went to another door on a wall further around the other way.   It was unlocked, and she went in, and was told we could go through that way.  So we climbed another set of stairs!

As I was paying  my admission, I said, "It would be nice if you would put some signs out to tell people how to get in."  The lady replied that the church would not allow them to put up any signs outside anywhere.  Can you imagine?  I was upset to say the least, and I wasn't alone. 

Once we got into the show, things got better, and we saw lots of pretty quilts.  Here's a few from that show:

 The last one was made by a man who had quilted lots of quilts for others, then realized he had not made a quilt for himself.  I talked to him and he said he worked on this quilt over 7 years, and used more than 5 miles (yes, five miles!) of thread!  I believe it!  I wish I had taken a really closeup so you could see it.  Ordinarily I don't like really heavy quilting, but his quilt was incredibly beautiful! 

Several vendors were there, and I bought a couple yards of Civil War background fabrics, but didn't take a picture; sorry.  After we ate at Montana's, we went back to the Gibson's Store there that has Moda fabrics for $8-9 a yard.  That stop is a must every time we are in that town!  Over all, it was a fun day --- after I got over my mad spell!  (Believe me, the others weren't happy either!)

It's getting late, and this is way too long to tell about the show I went to yesterday, all alone, but I'll try to make it short.  Both friends were busy; one packing; the other having company.  I was determined not to miss that show because I knew one of the gals at our retreat was going to have a quilt there, so I took off by myself, and quite frankly, I had a really good time.  It was about a 90-minute drive through the countryside, no heavy traffic and only one other town to go through.  I made it just fine!

Indeed my friend had two quilts there.  I couldn't seem to get a position for good pictures there, but maybe you can use your imagination on a couple of the pictures.  The first two were made by my "retreat" friend, and she did a great job on both of them.

Her Trip Around the World got Honorable Mention.

Her Lone Star

A wee bit more than my DIL's Christmas tree skirt!

Both the piecing and quilting were unbelievable!

More incredible piecing and quilting!   Can you even imagine?

The beauty and simplicity of this one spoke to my heart!

In fact, I bought a couple of yards of a pretty floral fabric I hope I can put together for something like this next year --- maybe.  It was just so delicate and lovely.  Picture doesn't do it justice.

Lots more pretty quilts at this show!  I had a fun day all by myself, and got home about 5:15, bone tired!

Looks like rain here for 2-3 days.   Hope I don't have to get out any time soon! 

---"Love"