Quilt Market 218

I'm home from my first Quilt Market.  What an experience!  I really didn't know what to expect or how it would impact my business.  I was exposed to all the fabric designers and distributors, a lot of sew-lebrities, so many beautiful quilts, some notions and came home with a whole lot of inspiration.

 

I had the pleasure of taking a class with Ebony Love on blog revival.

I came home with some gorgeous fabrics for my use in pattern design, and some great tools and notions to add to the site for sale.  I've heard other quilters mention these wool ironing mats.  There was a booth dedicated just to them at Quilt Market.  I bought one for my big board ironing board and a few for sale.  These will be added to the online shop shortly!

 Wool ironing mats! Very cool.

It was a great first exposure to the industry and I'm so thankful for the opportunity!

Thanks for reading and we'll catcha later after I go and put away some gorgeous fabric!

Mavis

City of Gardens Quilt Show recap

This past weekend my guild, the Victoria Quilters' Guild held their bi-annual quilt show at the Pearkes Arena here in Victoria.  I worked Friday and was chomping at the bit to get there after work on Friday for the last hour of the show.  I had heard from one of my friends via text earlier in the day that I had won a second place ribbon.  When I picked myself up off the floor, I knew I had to get there pronto to see for myself! 

It turned out to be a second place in the group category for a quilt started by my friend Linda Moran who pieced most of it.  She didn't want to finish it and gave it to me to finish. I felt it should be entered in the show.

Some of you will recognize this pattern immediately as being Bonnie Hunter's "Grand Illusion".  Linda chose these gorgeous batiks so all the hard work was done.  She did an amazing job of piecing the blocks.  I finished assembling the rows and did the border then my daughter and I quilted it with  my APQS Millenium. And this is the result:

Here are my other three entries:

Spanish Rose (Bonnie Hunter/Quiltville pattern)

Two Fabric Bargello

En Provence (Bonnie Hunter/Quiltville pattern)

This quilt, made by Jay Boulet, won 1st prize in its category, PLUS viewers' choice first place, PLUS the CQA Ribbon. Way to go Jay!!!

And my friend Mae won third place in the Viewers' Choice category for her Under the Sea:

Mae is in black, standing with Gail from Bib n Tucker who provided the prize for the third place winner.  Mae went home with a gorgeous assortment of batiks. Congratulations Mae!

So much inspiration in one location!  I have some new ideas floating around and will soon have a retreat to roll up my sleeves and get sewing on.  I can't wait!

Until next time!

Mavis