There Is More To See And Do Than Just Look at Quilts

Other blogs will feature photos of the winning quilts from International Quilt Festival, so let's see what else there is to do and see besides quilts...............

We arrive early!  And we do mean early.......before the buses and crowds arrive.  The sky is just warming to the sunrise and downtown hotels and offices are just beginning to wake up.

In three hours time, we'll walk through one of these red doors and enter the massive convention center and all the fiber happenings.  A worker busys herself cleaning the portal windows.

We'll travel upstairs to the second floor and find the Starbucks. 

This booth greets you just as you arrive on the second floor--want to volunteer or be a show assistant--here's your chance.

There are many others just waiting for you to approach them--they look rested and ready to answer your questions.

The bulletin boards contain all messages and inquiries--it was here several years ago we pulled one of these notes to form a pen pal friendship with an English gal.

It's a brisk wind blowing our flags this morning and through the large front windows we can look out into the world as we enjoy the quilt world.

Upon the third floor, where all classrooms are, we can shop for supplies for our workshops if we forgot something necessary.

Or you can attend a lecture--this morning we are sitting in on a lecture about color.  We will also enhance our brain as we wait for the opening of the market and first floor activities.

Oh, a fairly large crowd decide to do the same thing!

Traveling back down to the second floor, we can peek through the large windows to the floor below........................what's going on down there?

Yes!  It's the vendor section of festival!  Let's synchronize our plans and decide what vendors to hit first...............................because when you have over 700 vendors, you must have a plan!

Oh, there is another informational board--what great ideas--if only, we had a month here instead of just three days.

Here's a schedule of workshops and classes--see if any are open for registation.

Want to be a teacher's pet?  These classes are available and need assistance.

Finally, it's time for the downstairs doors to open.....but wait!  there is such a long line to go down and this crowd is being paced--just a few at a time.

A short walk down to the next down-a-later and few people are heading that way--perfect!

Up front and personal is the IQA (International Quilt Association) booth. 

On the quilt side, we find a variety of activities and events.  Here is the 4-H quilt challenge area.

And Cancer coats display.

Each coat has a story to tell of surviving a dreaded disease.

And the SuperShuttle Quilt Challenge is behind this information signage.

Want to rest your feet for awhile while you learn something?  Then take a few minutes to enjoy a free lecture in this area.

"Quilts of Valor" booth

Pink Ribbon gives you the inside 'scoop'.

Tucked back on the west side of Hall E are American Sewing Guild tables.

Quilts just waiting for those quilting hands--sit awhile and place a few stitches.

Project Linus hosts an area where you can sit and sew up a small quilt for needy children.

And if you don't know how to quilt or sew, here's the booth for you.

The Guild of Greater Houston members are willing to assist you.  These are just a few of the booths awaiting your visit--place a bid in a silent auction; buy a small quilt for Alzheimer research; stop to see doll quilts & their dolls, a gypsy doll challenge, other guild challenges, wearable art.................oh, my so much, so little time!

Okay, we've made a walk through the educational booths and now we confront the map--which way to go..................................? 

There are resting spots throughout the halls if you need a break for your weary bones and feet.  There is even a husband's lounge, complete with big screen TV and easy recliners.

First aide is readily available--

Tired and weary but still want to go on?  Then rent a electric scooter to finish out the day.  We just might need that first aide if one of these scooters runs into us along our venture through the crowded aisles.

"Make It University"--make it and take it!  What wonders can we create in this section?

And before we head out the door, we stop to browse at the pin collection from past quilt festivals......................yes, we have that one, that one, that one and so on and so on.  After hours of viewing wonderful contemporary, artful and traditional fiber masterpieces, we take our tired bones the last few steps to the car.  Oh, yes, there are the times when you are walking the aisles and you bump into someone who turns out to be an old friend from a past life--ahhhh, life is good at the quilt festival.

Can we say--WSW or Westside Weavers???!!

The WSW (Westside Weavers) meetings are always a treat--but, when one of the members returns to our fold from a summer away, it's a double treat.  She brings all the summer 'goodies' for show & tell.  And this group has a method to their madness--around the circle we go--anything you have to show or tell, go for it when it comes to your turn.

Our wayward traveler, Rosemary, has brought the latest issue of Handwoven magazine, which has an article about her summer guild and their indigo dyeing project. 

The magazine also has an article about ply spliting by Louise French, who created this lovely neck wear piece that Rosemary purchased at one of the festivals she attended.

Rosemary is modeling her felt project from a summer workshop--felting on a ball!

What a darling hat!  and only Rosemary can wear something this chic and really look good!

A wonderful doll was another purchase by Rosemary.

Briar Rose Yarns, hand painted yarns at the max!

And Rosemary was weaving--look at these block weave mug mats.................

And during one state conferences, Rosemary took a workshop on warp painting, so here are the results.................

Blue with a splash of red......................

And what clever fringe--

Nice drape and handle in this scarf....................

Another super purchase--a spinners basket with a place for your spindle...split oak made by Susan Preuss

Now we move onto Penny Nelson's handspun boucle--what a great funky yarn!

And Penny's hand models her wonderful cable mitt--note:  knit with two needles!!  Hope pattern comes soon!

This is a super soft cotton yarn--cozy feeling for a cold winter's day.

Dottie's turn now--she brought some of her Christmas ornaments that didn't make it to the fall guild sale (poor Dottie was under the weather and couldn't attend--but, we are richer for it)  She makes these adorable hooked sheep (handwoven fabric on flip side) and cute trees made from empty yarn cones.  Her things sell out fast at the sale.

And just look at these handwoven pin cushions!  Dottie has outdone herself this year--but she is very creative gal and we always look forward to her creations each year. 
Good meeting everyone!!

Check this out!!

18 Hands Gallery is hosting a great exhibit right now --Interwoven III: Fiber Extravaganza!  The third annual: "Interwoven" exhibition, showcasing the work of 30 regional fiber artists from our area. The work ranges from quilted and woven wall work to innovative wearables and even 3-D knitting!

Juried by well-known fiber artist and author, Ginny Eckley, this year's Interwoven III show includes work by Noreen Borys, Sheila Burke, Marian Carlson, Beth Dewey, Tatiana Ermakova, Lynn Sorelle Forster, Sony Hartley, Margery O Hedges, Veronica Helton, Susan Fletcher King, Scharine Kirchoff, Charlene Kolb, Linda Lewis, Leisa McCord, Carmen McGee, Janice Daniel McKeehan, Sheryl Means, Tammy Minnich, Leila Reynolds, Olga Starostina, Olga Tarasova, Sandra Elbel Taylor, Linda Thiemann, David L. Vollmer, Doerte Weber, Lynn S. Williams, Hope Wilmarth and Gerry Woodhouse as well as the work of our juror.
 Pop over to the gallery but if you can not make it in person, be sure to check out their website and see photos of all the work.

A Quilters Delight

This week there was a chance to visit with some favorite people--expatchers quilt group.  Even though not all were in attendance (and we miss those who are absent) we enjoyed our gab and sewing morning.  Always something new and different going on with this group of gals.

Judy was working on this delightful hanging designed by Pam Puyleart.  This is one of many from Pam's backdoor quilt series.

and here is Judy in her new studio--where we all enjoy gathering on those special days.  Thanks Judy!!

Brenda was finishing up her French Braid top.  She and several of the other expatchers took a workshop recently from this book.

What smashing colors!

And a fun quilt top is going to a special little baby soon.

Who is that peeking from behind her finished quilt top?  None other than our group coordinator --Camilla, who found the fabric this summer while attending Long Beach Quilt Festival.  We are happy to have Camilla back after a two year stint in Mexico.  Welcome Home, Camilla!!

Linda is sewing on the binding for her sweet baby quilt. 

A-B-C-D--we can sing right along with the song as we feel the softness of the flannel. 

The diaper pin quilting (by Sandy) adds that special touch.

Last, but not least, is Debby--finishing up the handwork on this lovely quilt that is a gift for a dear foreign exchange student (newly married) she hosted many moons ago.
Yes, we meet to gab, stitch, share, moan and complain; and even though into our lives sadness and trouble flow, we are there for each other.