Pennsylvania National Quilt Extravaganza XIX

This past weekend, I went to the Pennsylvania National Quilt Extravaganza, an annual quilt show outside Philadelphia.  I always enjoy this show, the largest quilt show in my area, and this year was no exception.  Here are just a few of the display quilts that particularly caught my eye.

 

Field of Lubines, by Betty K. Fulmer of Quakertown, PA.  Machine appliqued and machine quilted.

Pineapple Blue, by Brigitte Morgenroth of Germany.  Paper pieced and machine quilted.  It won a "Best Use of Color" ribbon.

 

This close-up shows how the quilting emphasizes the circular shape achieved with the pineapple piecing.  I've been thinking about tackling a pineapple quilt recently, which is probably why this one caught my attention.

 

Millefiori, by Chrise Kenna of New Zealand.  It was inspired by Murano glass paperwights and constructed with the spiderweb technique but with additional spidewebs in what are usually the negative space/solid fabric spaces.

 

This has to be the ultimate scrap quilt!  I think it is spectacular!

 

Barcelona Crow;s Nest, by Pat Delaney of Abington, MA.  It was inspired by a mosaic ceiling seen in Barcelona.  This quilt won 3rd place in the Traditional category. 

 

Fabric loops on all four edges and a variety of quilting patterns in the strips and triangles.

At a quilt show, the vendors are just as much fun as the exhibits.  This year, I was more restrained with my purchases than usual because I have my next several projects mentally planned and so was looking for only a few items.  I could not pass up this key ring.  It is inlaid wood and hand-made.  Each color is a different type of wood.  The maker had boxes, necklaces, earrings, pins, and Christmas ornaments as well as key chains, all with quilt block motifs. 

 

In case you are thinking these would make nice gifts, you can find them at www.woodquilter.net.

 

I limited my fabric purchases to a few fat quarters.

 

And I bought just one pattern, Irish Birds by Lynette Anderson Designs.  The vendor had a sample hanging up and when I saw it, I was sure I had finally found the design deserving of my hoarded fat quarter stack of Rouenneries fabrics. 

The pattern is an Irish Chain design with added applique and embroidery.

 

 

Setting Triangles

Just a short post to show you the progress on my Christmasy Crossroads.

I'm in the process of sewing the center section together - blocks, sashing, and setting triangles.  There will be a narrow black inner border and then the holly stripe outer border. 

It is coming together very well.  Either the pattern is particularly good or I've been unusually accurate because I managed to avoid nipping off any of the points on the star blocks!  Just a bit more work and I'll have a finished flimsy.

Quilt Sampler Magazine

Reading about quilt shops can be almost as much fun as visiting them in person.  That's why I so enjoy Quilt Sampler magazine.

 

It was publishing genius when they increased the frequency to two times per year.  I may never go on a physical shop hop but I've done it in my head once or twice a year for the past ten years or so. 

 

Though I enjoyed this issue, none of the quilt projects caught my fancy enough to go on the LIST.  But there were a few drool-worthy specimens on display in the store photos, particularly this rainbow effect design made from solids, hanging on a wall in Quilt Beginnings in Columbus, Ohio.

 

 

From the notation, I think it is the store's own pattern, called Amish Crossroads.  At the moment, their website is not set up for e-commerce but maybe I could order the pattern by phone.  Hmm...

 

 

 

What A Find!

I guess I could have clled this post, "Storing and Displaying Quilts, Part 3."  I was doing some errands on Saturday and my route took me by a furniture consignment store in Princeton.  I have plans for an update of our living room and dining room so decided to run in and see what was available.  I didn't find anything for the living room or dining room but I did find this:

 

It is a brass quilt rack, designed to hold three quilts.  It was priced at about $80 (with sales tax) so I decided it had to come home with me.  It is perfect for our mostly traditional decorating style.

 

Here it is in the bedroom with some of my quilts...and a view from the top. 

 

Right now, it is in front of a window so I need to do a little rearranging so I can move it out of direct sunlight.  I think I can even squeeze a couple more quilts on it.

 

 

American Patchwork & Quilting Project

I recently picked up the latest issue of American Patchwork & Quilitng magazine (October 2012, issue 118). 

 

One project in particular caught my eye.  It is called Back On Track and was designed by Carrie Nelson of Miss Rosie's Quilt Co. fame. 

 

It is going on my to-do list.  It could be my next project.  It looks like a good scrap or stash-busting project.  Anyone game for a quilt-along?

 

 

 

It's Coming Along

I labored over the weekend - it was a labor of love - and finished all the blocks for my Crossroads quilt.  They are up on my design wall, though not very tidy.  But now I can see how it will come together.

 

My next step is to add the sashing, then the side triangles, then the striped border.   I hope to get this finished and quilted in time for Christmas.

 

 

 

Quilting While House Hunting

I did a lot more hand quilting this past weekend.  This project makes a nice alternative to the machine piecing of Crossroads. 

 

Unfortunately for this quilt, the Olympics did not last long enough.  I was really making progress, while watching gymnastics, swimming, track & field, cycling (who knew that watching a bunch of people race around on bikes could be fun to watch on TV?), and beach volley ball (is it really a sport if you play it wearing a bikini?). 

 

But the Olympics are over so I had to find an alternative.  This weekend, House Hunters on HGTV served the purpose.  (House Hunters follows one person or couple's search for a home they can afford in their desired location, with all the amenities they want.)  This show is perfect to watch while hand quilting because you don't have to pay close attention.  Sure, the show isn't quite the "reality tv" it is made out to be (surely most home buyers look at more than three properties!) but it can be amusing.

 

Just one more block and the sashing and border to go.  There could be a lot more house hunting in my future.