Quilt Show Part Three

More quilts!

Some beautiful applique

And Bargello!

I think this is a variation of the tumbling block pattern.  Amazing 3D effect.

So that the was 2014 Prairie Piecemakers Quilt Show.  I can hardly wait the two years until the next one!

Maureen

Friday Funny, and a Resolution Update

First off, a funny to start the weekend.

Fabric, yarn...all trouble for my credit card!

This is actually pair 5 of 14 pair of socks to be done.  I finished them back in March, but didn't get a picture of them before today.

Definitely fraternal twins.  These socks make me smile though every time I put them on.  That's five pairs of socks completed out of 14, one more pair close to being finished, and one pair hibernating until I decide if I like the wool enough to continue.

Maureen

Quilt Show Part Two

After I made my purchases, I toured the quilts on display.  There are really some amazing textile artists around here.  The picture quality isn't as good as I would like since I was using my phone to take pictures.

There were traditional quilts, like this log cabin.

This was made up from blocks made by several people.

The picture really doesn't show how amazing this quilt is.  It spirals into the centre, and the quilter used metallic thread and crystals to really make it shine.  It deserved the ribbon it won.

This quilt is incredibly detailed.

The quilter used hand embroidery for many of the details.

I love this seal!

Now that's a work of art.  I can't imagine how long this took to complete.

More quilts to come!

Maureen

Look what followed me home!

I went to Golden Willow today, to pick up some circular needles.  I need a bit of a break from the socks I'm making.

I no sooner got in the store than Sharon (the lovely lady who owns it) came up and asked if I needed a spindle.  I didn't really need a spindle, but couldn't resist looking.  There were still some spindles left from the retreat on the weekend.  Some lovely Maggies, and even better, some Tabacheks.

I don't have a Tabachek spindle, but my fibrey friends sing their praises.  There were support spindles, and top whorl spindles.  The top whorls called to me.  And this one decided it was coming home with me.

The whorl is Yukatan Rosewood, and the shaft is oak.  It weighs 42 grams.

I think I know which fibre I'll spin with this!  I'm feeling the spinning mojo return!

Maureen

Regina Prairie Piecemakers Quilt Show 2014

I'm still getting over the bronchitis, and was faced Saturday with lots of things to do, and not enough energy to do all of them.  So, I had to make choices.  The yoga was out, and unfortunately I didn't make it to the Regina Weavers and Spinners Guild retreat.  Regina's first Fan Expo was also out.  I did make it to the quilt show, though, and even that was close to not being done.  I made the choice to use my energy for the quilt show as it was closer and only happens every two years.

My plan at quilt shows is to hit the vendors first, and then take my time browsing the quilts.  I was telling myself that I didn't need to buy any fabric, until I came across this

It's a line of fabric from Northcott called Oh Canada!, and for every metre of fabric sold, Northcott is donating a percentage of sales to Quilts of Valour-Canada.  How could I pass that up?

I also bought this pattern to go with it, but I'm not sure if I'll use it with the fabric or not.

Finally, I picked up these books about felting.  I've been thinking about trying some felting, so these may help.

I took some time to wander through the quilts, and tomorrow I'll post pictures.  There are some amazing textile artists locally!

Maureen

Friday Funny

No finishes to report again this week, so here's another cartoon to start off your weekend.

I'm hoping that I'll be feeling well enough tomorrow to go to the Prairie Piecemakers Quilt Guild show.

Maureen

Road Trip!

A week ago Thursday (the day before Good Friday), my sister and I were both off.  So we decided to drive up to Saskatoon for the day.  It's warm enough that we could take the dogs with us, and not too warm for them to stay in the car.

Our first stop is always McNally-Robinson book store.  I got a few fibre related items there; the spring Quilter's Connection magazine, the March/April Handwoven magazine, and a book called Woven Scarves, which has designs specially for rigid heddle looms.

One of the things that is great about McNally-Robinson is that they have an actual shelf for spinning and weaving books.

At Chapters, you're lucky to find a single book on either topic.

Another automatic stop for me is Periwinkle Quilting.  I'm glad I follow their blog, because they have moved since the last time I went to Saskatoon.  I'd have had a heart attack if I'd have pulled up to their empty store on 8th Avenue!  They're now on Broadway Avenue, beside the Extra Foods store.

Karen stayed in the car with the dogs, while I browsed.

I was talking to one of the ladies in the store.  See those boxes at the top of the shelves of fabric?  They are cardboard boxes that have been wrapped with quilt tops.  They made a lovely decoration.

And these framed pieces of fabric!  I have a few orphan blocks that I might do this with.

Loved the new store!

Had a really good day.  We went to Fuddrucker's for lunch, did some shopping, took the dogs for a short walk by the university.  It felt like a nice spring day.

Maureen