Jacksonville Quiltfest

This past weekend we went to Jacksonville, Florida to see the quilt show there. It is a large show with a great variety of quilts. And, of course, a lot of great vendors (isn't THAT why we go?). This year I was fortunate enough to win prizes for both of the quilts I had entered: The Eye of the Storm and Honey Locust Beans. Batiks, Etc. (one of my favorite vendors and shops) was the sponsor of two of the ribbons. I also won a ribbon for Artistic Merit (I was floored by that one!) which was sponsored by the show itself. The committee that puts on this show does a lot of really neat things--some of which work better than others. They had a recognition ceremony on Saturday morning which is really just a photo "op" because they didn't have a microphone and no one could really hear anything but , they presented each of us with a gorgeous rose that was done in the style of Joan Shay (and that was a LOT of roses for them to make). They did a similar thing last year and I think it is a really nice touch to make each ribbon winner feel special. After the ceremony, each winner was asked to stand by her quilt for a while to answer any questions people might have. This year, my husband Smokey stood by one of my quilts and talked also (I think he enjoyed it!). The people are so nice and really seem to appreciate the opportunity to talk and ask questions. Again, they did this last year also and I think it is a great addition to any quilt show.

There was another quilt there by a Charlestonian, Virginia Schrenker. She does absolutely beautiful needleturn applique and her quilt is really outstanding.

I took more pictures, but there were so many wonderful quilts that it was hard to choose just a few to post. This one I liked because of the use of color--something that I always need to work on. Working out where to put so many individual pieces of fabric really takes a lot of patience and a good eye. And the dog by Pauline Salzman I really liked because she does such a great job of looking at the ordinary and making it extraordinary.

So . . .all in all, it was a great trip that included a visit to the Old Green Cupboard (a GREAT quilt shop), some good food and a comfortable bed. Hopefully, tomorrow I head back to the mountains and can get back to work on my swamp hibiscus quilt. And then, Karen, I can post an updated picture.

Finished Drunkard's Path

Hi Again--Just thought I'd post the Drunkard's Path with the quilting finished. It was a lot of fun.

Quilters of SC Retreat

This past weekend was our State Retreat and my first time to teach there. The class I taught, Winter Blessings, lasted the entire weekend and, although I had taught this class before, this was the first time I taught it two days in a row rather than two Saturdays in a row. I learned a lot about the difference 6 days can make. There is so much more time to work at home and get ready pattern pieces traced and fused for the next class. At any rate, I think most everyone had fun and were pleased with the results of their efforts. I think it would have been a lot to expect to finish the entire top in two whole work days, but everyone went home with a good "chunk" of it completed. These two pictures are of Jean and Ann, a "sister act." They may be related, but they will end up with quilts that are completely different. They are both pretty lucky when it comes to winning prizes though. Ann won a nice collection of thread and Jean won a massage and a SEWING MACHINE! Good work girls.

It was a great weekend and I enjoyed being with quilt friends from all over the state of South Carolina. Karen Kendo did a really great job of organizing the retreat and we're all glad that she's agreed to do it again next year.