My quilting thoughts and inspirations sprinkled with a glimpse of life down on the farm

Thursday, November 21, 2019

USA Part One

In my last post I hinted that I was off on an adventure! Well I'm home sweet home now - I had a great time away.
First stop was the International Quilt Festival at Houston —
I was so lucky to be able to leave the farm jobs to the MOML and go....it wasn't the main reason for my visit to the USA but I'm pleased my sister-in-law Sandie twisted my arm and made me fit this in too :-)
Many of you would have already seen plenty of photos from the show on other blogs and websites. (Especially as it was held nearly three weeks ago.)  The highlight of the quilt exhibits was the Sapphire Celebration, marking the 45th edition of the Quilt Festival. All shades of blue and white were hung in an amazing display - every time I approached the area there were more blue and white quilts to discover or rediscover.
The quilts at the base of the huge display were stunning miniature blue and whites by just two artists, Andrea Blackhurst and Ellen Carter.
So tiny!!
There were over 1700 quilts (and works of fabric art) on display. I liked the way they were displayed - they weren't in rows but sort of arranged within their various categories. That did make it hard to determine if you had seen them all or not. I also wished I had another day to devote to looking at them.
I took lots of photos but they all still need a good sorting. If I stop to do that, this post will never get written and I won't be able to move on with my blogging (!). Plenty have been shared online already so I think a quick google search will find you some if you're wanting to see more.
I didn't have one favourite - I had plenty that I really liked, for varying reasons  - the design, the skill mastery, the subject, the colours, and so on. 

Shopping was also huge - there were more than 1000 vendor booths. Again another day would have been good. I told myself beforehand that I wouldn't go overboard with shopping as I already have plenty of 'stuff' at home - but I did' get tempted by the odd ruler and pattern. Even without buying, it was great fun to explore all the booths and see what was there. Again, another day would have been nice!

We stayed in an Air BandB and were delighted with how close it was to the Convention Centre - it was just big enough to fit in Sharon and Doniene as well - they joined my SIL and I for part of the time. I met both of these lovely ladies when I started up my 365-day photo (a day) blog. We bonded over our daily visits to each others blogs and I have stayed with both of them at their homes. It was the first time Sandie, Sharon and Doniene had all met but it was as if we'd all been buddies for years! There was a fair amount of talking and we enjoyed each other's company a lot.
Myself, Sharon and Doniene
Sharon, Myself and Sandie
Thanks for your company, ladies!

All too soon, the 3 ½ days of Quilt Festival were over, and it was time for the next leg of my adventures. Next blogpost.
I was there :-)

'til next time,
happy stitches,
(And yes, I do see a blue and white quilt in my future!)

16 comments:

  1. What an exciting time. How lovely to see friends and do Houston at the same time. Love the pics of the gorgeous blue and white quilts. Can't wait to hear about the rest of your time there.

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  2. So glad you had a wonderful time, your smile says it all. Glad too that you are home safe and sound....look forward to hearing more of your adventures.

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  3. must have been a blast! all those blue and white quilts look so pretty grouped like that. Glad you had fun in Houston I went about 3 years ago I guess and really enjoyed it - and all that shopping can be overwhelming

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  4. How wonderful, and such a change from life home on the farm! This is certainly a trip you will remember forever, I'm sure.
    What a great quilt show, so much to look at, it would make my eyes pop with so much going on.

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  5. Wonderful to go and see all those amazing quilts Raewyn, and to meet up with blogging friends, that is extra special! Those miniature quilts version are stunning, so many tiny tiny pieces. The number of vendors would have been overwhelming!!

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  6. Oh what fun you had--friends, shopping, looking--
    and even though you didn't say it--
    I bet some great food was involved too--
    luv, di

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  7. Wow! What an amazing experience.

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  8. Oh my! It WAS a grand time! And yes, meeting Sharon and Sandie felt like we’d know each other for years! Can’t wait for us to get together again someday!

    Hugs from Texas!

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  9. What an exciting adventure. I am envious. Someday I will wander down to that show. oh those miniature quilts are amazing.

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  10. Oh my gosh Raewyn... how exciting. Although i suppose its old hat to you now! I think I would find the lack of rows frustrating as otherwise I am forever lost and lose track of where I've been!

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  11. Oh my, now I have another reason to be sad that I did not get to Houston this year! I am planning on going in 2020 so if you get the chance to come back I would love to meet you! So happy that you had a great time. What's not to love right!

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  12. Wow what a fabulous experience....so HUGE! Lovely you got to spend time with your SIL and your bloggy friends too. Hope your suitcase home wasn't too heavy xx

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  13. What a great part of your adventure! I would love to have seen the Sapphire collection. Blue and white quilts are my favorite 2 color combo. And thanks for the shots of the miniatures!! I haven't seen those on anyone else's blog!
    That vendor mall would have given me a migraine with system overload. You were a strong woman to resist.
    So fun that you got to meet up with blog friends. I recognized Doniene.
    Looking forward to the next part of your journey.

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  14. What a lucky lady to have not only gone to the 45th Houston Quilt show but also meeting up with your blogging buddies...
    Love all those blue and white quilts.. my favourite colour combination .

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  15. You look lovely and and so happy. I am glad you got a little vacation from the chores and stuff. Thank you for sharing the eye-candy. I am looking forward to the next blogpost - the next leg of the journey!!!

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  16. Looks like you had a marvellous time, so pleased you were able to make the trip over there.

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