Spring QBee Day

Oh joy!  Last Saturday I drove down south for a QBee day at Miss Carol's of Sweet Peas and Possum Blog!  I think the last time I had a QBee day was in January.  It has been too long and I miss my quilting friends and all the fun we have with our projects.

We started off with a show and tell.  I brought my 007 project.  NO pictures yet!  

Miss Carol had Easy Street all quilted and ready for me to take home.  Woo Hoo!  I was thrilled and love the quilting pattern she used.  I forgot the name of it, maybe "Cascade."  Miss Carol, is that correct?  Anyhow it is gorgeous!!

Miss Carol has also been going "bananas" with an I-Spy quilt - It is just too cute!

Mama Barb was working on a snowflake quilt.  After this long winter, I'm not sure I would want to sew around snowflakes right now.  Nevertheless, she is on a mission, cutting out lacy shapes and sewing the flakes on the background using the raw-edge applique technique.  It is very cool!  Pardon the pun.

  

Maverick Stars from Scraps

Miss Carol was also working on using up little triangles left over from her other quilts.  The free pattern for Maverick Stars is on Bonnie Hunter's Blog:  CLICK HERE FOR THE PATTERN

I like them!  I never thought to save those leftover triangle scraps before, but now, of course, I have to do just that.  Oh, goodie!!  More scraps for my collection/stash.  We never seem to run out of ideas or projects.

Disappearing Pinwheel Quilt

Miss Carol also finished a "Disappearing Pinwheel" quilt for a new little girl.  Isn't it adorable?  The border really sets it off!  You can find this pattern from Missouri Star Quilt Co. on You Tube.  HERE IS THE LINK

This is the backing for the Disappearing Pinwheel.  Sweet!

Enders and Leaders Happy Scrappy I-Spy

Say that three times fast!  Here is a baby or toddler quilt that I worked on at QBee day:

Looking back at our different projects, it never ceases to amaze me; especially since visiting Paducah, of the diversity among quilts and quilters.  It is, in my opinion, the very best time in the world to be a quilter!  We have patterns and fabrics at our fingertips; we have tutorials and great workshops, and best of all we have our quilting buddies! 

 Have fun and quilt on!  

How Does My Garden Grow?

I have been quilting, but can't show my latest quilt since it is a 007 project.  Therefore, I will show you some pictures of my backyard; it is greening up and looking pretty.

First of all, I have to admit that my backyard is not kept up as well as it should be.  I start off well in the spring and then it always goes a little wild.  I don't use pesticides or weed killers because I want it to be nature friendly.  That makes it weed friendly too.

Here are some close-up pictures of some plants in my yard.  What you don't see is the side of the garage that needs painted and the fence that is falling apart in one section.  Ah well, I still love my yard.

Ferns and Pachysandra grow well since there is a lot of shade.

My postage stamp garden has onions, lettuce and Swiss Chard.  We will be eating onions soon.  My granddaughter, Zoe, loves green onions from the garden.

The shy Lily-of-the-Valley

The Rhubarb will soon be ready for a pie.  This is an old fashioned plant that used to be called "Pie Plant."

In the lawn there are many dandelions and violets.  I think they are pretty weeds!

It is so nice to be able to get outside, in between the raindrops, and enjoy the flowers.

"In the spring, at the end of the day, you should smell like dirt" ~ Margaret Atwood.

Paducah Rotary Antique Quilt Show

It's a rainy afternoon here in Ohio and a good time to re-visit our fun trip in Paducah last month.  The week was jam-packed with events, and one show that we really enjoyed was the 26th Annual Paducah Rotary Antique Quilt Show.  We found great vendors, a display of Hoffman Challenge quilts and an impressive display of antique quilts.  So impressive in fact, I had to drag Barbie out in order to catch the bus.

The Rotary Club uses the admission to the show to fund college scholarships and educational programs.  A very good cause!  

It really was amazing to see these antique quilts up close and personal.  Here are some that I admired, along with descriptions:

Hand Pieced - Hand Quilted

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Variable Star with Flying Geese Border - Hand Pieced/Hand Quilted

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I didn't get a picture of the description paper for the quilt below, but I'm pretty sure it is the "Multudinous-Pieced Mosaic quilt," c 1920.  Quiltmaker unknown, but over 8000 pieces.  Hand pieced and hand quilted.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
If you do get a chance to go to Paducah, Kentucky next year for the "big" show, don't forget to check out the Rotary Quilt Show located at the Robert Cherry Civic Center on 2701 Park Avenue.

Ricky Tims AQS Show in Paducah

Our fun trip to Paducah continued last Friday, April 25, when Country Heritage Tours provided tickets for us to see Ricky Tims at the AQS Show.  I had no idea what to expect.  I knew Ricky Tims was a quilter and teacher, but that was all I knew about him.  What would he do for a show?  What could he do?  Talk about quilting? Show quilts?  Teach techniques?  It was a mystery to me.

The evening began as we entered the building and saw a banner displayed of all the Best of Show Winners in Paducah. Look at the size of that rotary cutter!!

Entrance to the show

Don't Let the Cowboy Hat Fool You:

The name of the show was "Don't Let the Cowboy Hat Fool You," but I still didn't know what to expect from that title.  On the stage was a grand piano and colourful backdrop, but no quilts.  

Anticipation!

We had great seats!  Front row first level up!  I'm short, so this was perfect.

The show opened with a big "Woo Hoo" from Tim, and we quickly learned that is how he communicates with his audience. We "Woo Hoo'd" right back and he encouraged lots of audience participation.  As it turned out, he is an accomplished piano player and story teller.  It was an awesome show!  His music made my heart sing and his stories about life and quilting made the audience laugh out loud.  It was a fun-filled night; everyone in our group agreed with that!

Ricky Tims Video

Here is a one minute sample of Ricky Tims playing the piano.  You can order his CDs from his Website at http://www.rickytims.com/online-store  I loved his music and plan to do just that.

At the end of the story telling and music, Tim did a "show and tell" of quilts.  Beautiful backdrop for any stage!!

Ricky points out his first quilt ever - a sampler quilt.  

How about this for show and tell!  

You may want to follow Ricky Tims on Facebook.  You will find amazing pictures on his Facebook page and much more.  If you ever have the opportunity to see him live, I suggest you go!  It's an experience that you won't forget!

Thank you, Ricky Tims, for an unforgettable night!!