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.

More Goodies

Needlepoint, needlepoint, needlepoint!

It took more than two hours, but I finally fought my way to the back of the studio closet.  My oh my.  I had no idea I'd collected and/or created so much needlepoint!  Look for it in my booth - 34.

Someone started a Grandmother's Flower Garden quilt in 1937.  Dozens of pieces cut, but only two completed blocks found so far.

I also unearthed many, many vintage quilt blocks.  Deciding which of these to let go will be difficult.  Here's a sneak peak.  More tomorrow.

Happy Birthday!!!!!

Matthew at age 6

Matthew and Bill

I have to take time out today to wish our son a very happy 17th New Heart Birthday!!!!

Laces

I've just begun to go through tubs of lace! A few are shown here.

Redwork

Some of the redwork I'll have in my booth.  A limited amount of bluework will also be available.

Look for me in booth 34.  See previous posts for details.

Colorful Crochet

I'll have a variety of crocheted items - both funky and delicate.  This is a bit of flower trim.

Hand Painted Silk Scarves

Colors are soft raspberry and blue.

There will be a few painted scarves in my booth.  See previous post.

Vintage Wares

 Vintage hanky with lovely blue trim.

Each day from now until the Quilting and Needle Art Extravaganza (see previous post) January 29 and 30, I'll be sharing items I plan to have in Booth 34.  Click on the quilt image under Where I'll Be for details.

I Love Buttons

I found this "button family" bag years ago.  It is one of two in my collection. 

I have many treasure filled cigar boxes and tins. 

 I am a lover of things old.  Our house is old and its contents ancient.  Always a collector, I'm beginning to realize the enormity of it all.  Buttons, buttons, everywhere.  I will be parting with some of them at the Quilting and Needlework Show, Civic Center, Statesville NC, Jan. 29 and 30.  Sponsored by The Quilter's Gallery, the two day show will feature 38 vendors. http://www.quiltersgallery.net/

More of My Wares

In addition to my creations shown Tuesday, I've made flannel pincushions trimmed with vintage rick rack and buttons. 

These jewelry rolls with vintage ribbon could also serve as pincushions.

OUCH!

I'm SO glad I don't have bunions.  This one is a monster. 

 

Can't be too careful.  The surgeon personally marked and initialed the correct foot.

 My DH had his second bunion surgery today.  Pretty amazing.  No pain, even with two pins in his toe and a bone chip removed.  He's snuggled in on the livingroom sofa  for the night.  Not sure when he can tackle stairs. 

All three of my sisters have/had terrible bunions as did our Mother.  Fortunately, I did not inherit them.

Wool Sorbet

Among other things planned for the show, I'll have hand-dyed (by me) fabrics, my quilt patterns, quilt photo notecards, vintage sewing things, fabrics and buttons, and whatever else might surface in the studio over the next 2 1/2 weeks. 

It's been very cold here - much too cold to dye cottons outside.  So I've resorted to dyeing small bits of wool in the microwave.  Here is "The Sorbet Collection."

Below are detail shots.  I used two types of wool and was surprised that one felted much more readily than the other.  The effect can be seen primarily in the custom mixed greens and one of the blues.

 I like the mottling effect achieved by stuffing the wool tightly into jars.

Quilting and Needleart Show Coming Up

I'll be vending for the first time at the upcoming Quilting and Needleart Show Friday, Jan. 29 and Saturday, January 30 from 9-5. Sponsored by The Quilters' Gallery, the show will be held at the Civic Center in Statesville NC (north of Charlotte on I-77). Thirty-eight different vendors all in one place!  What a great way to give a boost to your creativity during these cold days.

My readers will have a sneak peak of my wares, including vintage textiles and linens, over the next few days.  For further information and directions, go to:

http://www.quiltersgallery.net/qneae2009.htm


 
I'll have one-of-a-kind quilted notebooks -

 
in an array of colors and styles.

This next one would be great for a dog lover!


From my extensive vintage fabric, trim and button collection I've been making pin-cushions, also one-of-a-kind.  Here's a preview:



This is one of my favorites:

Epiphany

 Our tree went up very late.  It is still green and very fragrant.

Epiphany is always my deadline for taking down our tree.  We had a plan, but it's way too cold outside for a follow through.  It takes a while to get a big tree lugged out our front door.  Besides, my DH and I are still "discussing" whether we can set the tree ablaze in the back yard, ensuring bounty for twenty ten. Guess which one of us is going for it.