Houston Recap!!!
I can’t believe how fast time goes by at an event like International Quilt Festival. Not only did I have a lot going on at the show, I’ve had a super busy time once I got back. Now after a little rest I’m ready to jump back in! Here goes…
I guess the biggest thrill for me is to have a quilt at the show! Geschwindigkeit (Speed) was hanging in the show in the “An Exquisite Moment” special exhibit. Yes, I did that thing where you hang out in front of your quilt and listen to what other people say about it (it was all good).
I was part of Open Studios (sponsored by Craftsy) and had a great time showing everyone all about my cartoony quilts, dimensional sewing, and light up quilts! Lots of people asked me if I teach and lecture (YES!) and a bunch asked if I had a Craftsy class, so I guess I’ll have to look into that!
Check out all of these awesome light up trading cards made in my class!!! I LOVE student work, it’s so innovative and I always see something new that someone wants to put a light into. We had a great time. Big thanks to Superior Threads for the conductive thread (check out this link for tutorials and more using their conductive threads)!
I’m always nervous to be the first Make It University class of the day, but I didn’t really have to worry.
The other awesome thing I did was to demo in the Cherrywood designs booth! People came by and learned how I make my little cartoony people with Cherrywood hand dyed fabrics! I worked on the cast of the Big Bang Theory during my demos, and had a great time showing people what I do.
Then there’s my friends! This is a big part of the show for me. Clockwise from the top left: Judi Hurwitt, Pokey Bolton, Ebony Love, and Deborah Boschert!
Even more fun is to be had at the “after parties” like the Gala on the Green on Saturday (top) and the Dinner @ 8 Artist dinner for those of us in the “An Exquisite moment” exhibit.
Of course, there’s my friend Catherine, who travels with me, is a fab roommate, and has her own “quiltie adventures” while at the show. She did lots at the show this year too (like teaching and demoing) and you can read about her version of events on her blog! (How is it we get no pictures together, Catherine?)
See My Work at International Quilt Festival in Long Beach!
If you will be at the International Quilt Festival in Long Beach, CA this weekend, be sure to look for my quilt ,Geschwindigkeit, in the special exhibit “An Exquisite Moment”. Please be sure to stop by here and tell us what you thought of the show! I wish I could be there, but there’s so much to do here at home!
Chicago Quilt Festival Recap!
I had a fabulous time at the International Quilt Festival in Rosemont (outside of Chicago). I had one heck of a packed schedule, and I got to meet so many new people and see lots of my good friends.
First off, I had great fun at the Open Studios. This is where you get to stop by and see what quilt artists are up to and what they are making. It started last year in Houston, and I loved it, so I was totally game for it again this year. I showed off three different techniques: Cartooning for Quilters, Heirloom Sewing, and of course, Light Up Your Quilts! I was asked so many times “Do you teach?” The answer is YES, YES, YES!
I also got an opportunity to teach Light Up Artist Trading Cards at Create on the Spot! This is similar to the old “Make It University” (which is coming back to Houston this year– YAY!).
The students in my light up class had a great time, and I had lots of kids in my class! Everyone’s project lit up! I thought the class was a great value and I hope everyone liked their project.
There have been a few places I’ve popped up since, like over on Pokey’s Blog, and on Generation Q’s blog, which is also nice.
It’s always great to have a quilt in the show, and my quilt “Schwerkraft (Gravity)” was part of the Naperville Modern Quilt Guild’s Log Cabin Modern Quilt Showcase. It was great fun to see it hanging.
There was also a great Modern Meet Up that Catherine and I co-hosted with the Chicago Modern Quilt Guild, and we got to see our friends and have a few drinks to wind down the day.
Again I demoed the Conductive Thread and lights from Superior Threads, who were super great to work with! They have the best threads. In all, it was a great weekend. I can’t wait until Houston! I already have my flight and hotel!
Visiting my quilt at a local show
After the show I spoke with some fellow quilters and they all remarked how the organizers had just moved to this location from somewhere else, and they are aware of the lighting issues. Such a shame, but hopefully it will be better next time!
What I bought in Houston
It’s a tradition of mine to post the stuff that I spent my money on in Houston to feed my fabric and thread addiction. Here’s the stuff I bought while at the Houston Show!
MMM thread. I had all of the brights of this line of Superior thread, and it’s time to fill in the rest of the colors. |