North Carolina Quilt Symposium

The North Carolina Quilt Symposium  will be held in Charlotte June 3-6.  Registration is open now.  Go to:  http://www.charlottequiltersguild.org/ for complete details.

Orchid Spectacular

I can't keyboard long enough for details, but there is a great exhibition this weekend at the Daniel Stowe Botanical Gardens, Belmont NC.  Orchid quilts, created by talented members of Fiber Art Options, will be on display.  The artists will be giving demos tomorrow from noon until four with walk-throughs on the hour.

For a sneak preview, go to Susan Brubaker Knapp's blog:

http://wwwbluemoonriver.blogspot.com/

Doctor's Orders

Following my 4th cortisone shot this morning, my doctor said, "I want you to rest your hands for two weeks.  That means no fine sewing, no needles, no keyboarding.  We want to get rid of the trigger thumbs and carpal tunnel."  I kinda sorta promised......starting tomorrow.  I had to finish an order tonight.

I'm going to try my very best to follow my doctor's orders.  So far her conservative treatments have really helped. 

This fabric has never been washed.  I found just over two yards of it on a recent outing.

Every once in a while I may sneak in a photo - like this great Indonesian batik found at my favorite thrift store. But for now I'll say "auf Wiedersehen."

Show Closed

The Needlework and Quilting Arts Extravaganza is closed today.  Heavy snow and ice have made the Statesville Civic Center parking lot inaccessible.  Cindy and Patty, show sponsors and owners of The Quilter's Gallery, worked very, very hard to make this show possible.  I am so sorry for them and for all the vendors. And I'm sorry for everyone who couldn't attend yesterday.  It was a really great show.  I will definitely participate again next year.

As  the daughter of a farmer, I grew up with an appreciation of weather's impact.  As the wife of a weather obsessed fellow with considerable training and experience in emergency preparadness, I remain very aware of potentially dangerous conditions.  Needless to say, I'm very thankful I heeded the advice of my DH yesterday to get on the road quickly. 

Heavy Snow

Today was the first day of the show I'd been anticipating for months.  Due to heavy snow, I will not be at the Quilting and Needle Art Extravaganza Saturday. My friend Debby and I packed up and headed out. Snow was coming down hard and wet; it was dark with low visibility. Traffic on the interstate crawled at 35 mph. If we had left 30 minutes later, I would not have made it home. Statesville already has more than 6" of snow - 14" expected. Safe journey to all vendors who stayed. 

And to think it was 63 degrees in Charlotte yesterday. 

Statesville Show

My friend Debby helped me set up my booth this afternoon.  Still a few things to add, but we're basically ready and excited!  The vendors have incredible stuff.  I'm eyeing the gorgeous hand-painted silk.

Try to get to the Quilting and Needle Art Extravaganza Friday.  (see right side bar under Where I'll Be.)  Weather might cause real problems Saturday.  Snow/sleet/ice.  We're watching the forecast closely.

Meet Me at the Show!

Set-up for The Quilting and Needle Art Extravaganza is tomorrow!  My car is  packed with all kinds of goodies to pick and plunder. There will be lots of vintage wares too. 

Please come by Friday or Saturday, 9-5, and say hello.  My friend Debby and I will be in booth 34. Click the link for details and directions.      http://www.quiltersgallery.net/

Let's make art!

I'll have hand-dyed fabrics similar to the ones used in this piece as well as one-of-a-kind specialty yardage.

Hand-Dyed

Fat Quarters

Some of the hand-dyed fabrics I'll have in my booth, #34.  Also available, one-of-a-kind multi-color hand-dyed pima cotton yardage.

See you at the Needlework and Quilting Art Extravaganza, Jan. 29 and 30, 9-5.  Details on the Civic Center event in Statesville NC can be seen in the right side-bar of my blog.

Almost Finished!

Hand-dyed fabrics by me.

Thanks to cortisone shots and splints, I've been able to get back to this quilt.  I began quilting Salt Water Taffy long ago.  It takes great discipline to stop after just a few hours each night.  I'm determined to finish it one day. 

Log Cabin

There are 85 of these 19th century log cabin quilt blocks.  Hand-pieced and quilted onto foundations, they are circa 1890-1910.

Frugal Patch

"Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without."

The maker of this quilt block obviously took the saying to heart.  This frugal little example was hidden away in my collection.  I love its humbleness.

Vintage Quilt Blocks

Yesterday I promised more info on the unearthed vintage blocks. 

There is an overall view of some of the blocks in my old blue chair.  I also found 85 log cabin blocks, circa 1880-1910, hand-quilted onto foundations.  I know there are 19th century bow tie blocks somewhere, but..........

And check out the double wedding rings!  Have not counted them, but there are quite a few.  A newspaper pattern for the other parts of the block is also there.