The 2011 Capitol Quilt Show

Colorado Quilt Council is displaying 270 quilts during their 2011 Capitol Quilt Show. There are representatives quilters from different regions of the state. This show is held every odd year in the state capitol--what could be a better location than a state captiol with its high rotunda and walk around open levels.

Reaching the capitol from the east side leads one to the north entrance and luckily there was plenty of parking spots right off that entrance.  After crossing through the security measures, one can't help but be impressed by the warmth of  these 270 wonders.

The Colorado Quilting Council is an association of over 1000 members and is not for profit statewide organization of persons interested in preserving the heritage of quilting, promoting excellence in quilting and related arts.  Their meeting locations vary throughout the state to enable as many members as possible to attend.  Usually, meetings will host from 100-400 members and guests (guest fee is $6). 

Meetings are held the fourth Saturday of January through October with exception of September when Quilt-a-Fair (held in Loveland) is held in place of their monthly meeting.

Their meetings for the next few months include speakers such as Robbi Eklow, Eileen Sullivan, Debbie Bowles, Sue Spargo, Linda Poole, Cindy Needham .

So feast your eyes on some masterpieces of the hand as we roam the halls of the Colorado State Capitol.

Every nook, cranny and hallway is filled with hangings.  This exhibit will run through August 19.  Open Monday-Friday 7:30 AM-5 PM.  The building is not open on weekends.

Going Green?

Did you ever have those times when you were stuck in one color theme and just couldn't get out of it?  Well, that seems to the case lately around this household.  The color once upon a time was orange--which makes one happy--orange yarn, orange fiber, orange clothes, orange foods.  But, now, the color seems to be GREEN!  That's not all bad though--as there is much talk about 'going green'.  So we are just taking that to heart and green surrounds us.

From the farmer's market we carry home a green bag filled with green peas and we use our green bowl to store our shelled peas.

Delicious green peas for dinner!

The 'green' feeling carried over into our yarn buying mode as well.  Here is Kermit (appropriately named for sure)!

And look at this--even the yarns we bought have green featured!  What the heck is going on??

Thanks goodness--this roving has only a small amount of green, but doesn't that green just pop out at you?

Kermit looks lovely on the bobbin and it is spinning up easily and swiftly--soon there will be a Kermit scarf or shawl or who knows what!

And since we are on a green roll--we'll leave you with some photos taken on our nature walk through the botanic gardens in the valley area.

Not all green--as this Queen Ann's lace testifies to.

And the hole in the brick silo is the perfect frame for the wooden fence and green background.

It is said that nature provides the perfect compliment to any color and so this ladybug does her duty on the green plant.

John Deere Green for the door bell on the red barn--perfect!!

Okay, maybe our next color fetish will be yellow or gold, but for the time being--we are on a green roll.  Bring it on!!

Getting Motivated!

We have been at our Colorado summer home for over two weeks now and the box of UFOs have finally been unloaded.  A couple of 'aged' projects were brought along with a few new projects (shouldn't really think of beginning a new one before finishing at least one old UFO).  This past week we took some time in the basement studio to work on a really aged UFO.

This UFO was dated 1996!  Now, that has really aged!  It was an exchange with other guild members and somehow all the pieces got placed in a bag.  The exchange was plaid fabrics and now we are working up this quilt.

There are over 85 different plaids in the exchange--rectangles and squares.  You add the star points and centers. 

It sews up quickly (since all the pieces are already cut) so why did it rest for such a lengthy time?  Who knows?  It's fairly straight forward too.

And all those cut strips have finally been sewn together.  Instead of one large quilt top, we got two smaller tops.  Now, just need to add borders (first a trip to the fabric shop--madness to my method!) before they can be finished completely.

The June block of Heneriatta was easy to whip up--just a little hand stitching and it was placed in the box to be returned to winter home.

And the June block from Little Birdie's site is stitched--that was fun!  Okay, now we are back to being motivated after a visit from our grandson--a trip to the mountains and other fun things happen while he was here--back to thinking about fiber, fabric and completing those aged UFOs!

Fiber Visits

There are those days when you just want a fiber fix!!  doesn't matter if your stash is very well developed and aging--you just 'need' to see what's out there.  And this week was one of those times plus there was the perfect opportunity to stop in yarn and quilt shops.

Ah, Yes,!  what a great name for a shop!  Stash shop is located right off the main 'drag' in Castle Rock, Colorado; slightly across the street from our favorite lunch spot--The Old Stone Church.

The front porch is very inviting as it is well shaded by a large tree along the walkway to the front door.  This shop is situated in an old house and each room is filled with lovely yarns and fabrics--a great combination and a satisfaction to the fiber soul.

Amy Butler fabrics

Yarns from far and wide decorate the wall space.

The open spaces give way to yarns of choice colors and samples of knitted, crocheted garments decorate many nooks and crannies.

And books and patterns are close at hand.

Darling hats adorn a step ladder

Just take a look at these wonderful fabrics--not only is the space invited but the personnel provide a warm and friendly atmosphere.

Need an idea?  Well, here it is!

Down the road a short distance and located in Parker, Colorado is High Prairie Quilts

And the front hosts a Quilt of Valor quilt

Step inside to find shelves loaded with fabrics from many vendors--you can find what you 'need' here for sure

Color! Color! and more Color!

A touch of this color will brighten any quilt!  A day out by yourself is rewarding but a day with fellow fiber addict is twice as good!

So, the following day my knitter friend Judy met me at this shop--new to me but a main stay in her fiber diet--Colorful Yarns!  This shop is located in Centennial, Colorado and it is in an office building, which puts one off at first but once you cross the threshold, you are in awe!

Fibers and yarns that you hear about but haven't touched yet.

And the best part about this shop --there is a wonderful lounge area and a class room that any instructor would envy!  Judy said that the shop has expanded and feels more comfortable.

Need any equipment to make that special garment?  The wall of needles is outstanding.

After a tasty lunch, Judy took us to a relatively new quilt shop Snappy.

Oh My! The first impression is certainly 'snappy'!  The fabric selection is bright and cheery!

The staff is lively and helpful.  Check out their web page for a free pattern.  You can not resist all these bright fabrics.

Add to this 'snappy' appearance is a lounge area to sit and visit while deciding on the perfect fabric to go with that special pattern.

Onto our final stop for the day Holly's Quilt Cabin--

This shop is taking up the slack that Great American Quilt Factory left when they dissolved earlier this year.  The shop is expanding and bringing in her fabric, equipment and other sundry supplies.

Sadly, the day with Judy must come to an end.  But, we didn't part ways without taking along some great purchases and time spent with a good friend.  We have plans to meet up again soon to take in northern fiber shops.