A Favorite Journal Accompanied Me To Festival

Although some folks might think it odd ; I generally travel with two journals. One that is strictly my written (and sometimes illustrated) personal journal & one that I bring along for taking notes on things that catch my eye, observations, thoughts to develop for quilts or felted pieces - that sort of thing. For the Houston trip this was the little beauty that I used to capture those scattered thoughts, and to hold all of the information I needed for the trip. It's a lovely notebook that's available in two colorways from Exaclair. Called the Quo Vadis Robert Le Heros this journal definitely has a lovely European flair. I love the Clairfontaine paper - works great with just about any ink I use in it - including some watercolor washes. Here I am holding up this great journal in front of one of my more traditional quilts at the Houston Quilt Festival 2008.

The other two pieces that I had in the show were art quilts. This quilts, called "Butterflies & Cream" was in an exhibit called In The American Tradition. I can't think of a more quintessential traditional American Quilt pattern that these butterflies that were so popular during the last great depression. I bought the beginnings of these blocks as orphans from Ebay. There were certainly not enought to make the large quilt I wanted from them so I had to dig into my stash of vintage fabrics and construct the new-old butterflies to match the original blocks. Now, I can no longer remember which blocks I made and which were the ones I purchased. I used a bright cheerful yellow for the setting blocks. The batting is an 80/20 cotton batt and the backing is plush fleece. Warm, cheerful and traditional. This quilts is actually my hisband's. I was once offered $1200. for it, but he loved it so much that he "bought" it for that same amount so that we could keep it at home - ans till give me the money I needed at the time. Although I make a lot of art quilts now , it is traditional quilts that I always seem to return to. They brings me peace and make me happy - and there is nothing better to sleep under IMHO!

I think my lovely Quo Vadis journal goes quite well with my beautiful quilt ! Don't you agree?!

Houston: The Memory

Before the doors open long lines circle around & around.
Everyone is eager to get through the doors and into wonderland.

Don't forget that you can double click on any of the photos for a larger, sometimes better, view

Once again the photo upload gremlins have thrown my sequence out of order - so a once sequenced photo plan has gone all awry. No worries. This really is just a smattering of photos from the early hours of Festival. I've been home for three days now and, although my body is just starting to recover, my mind already needs the photos to remind me that it was just a week ago that this adventure in quilt land was beginning! After a day at work tomorrow it may seem like a year since I was on the floor being awed by the artistry and talent that surrounded me. Festival is an experience like no other. It is a choreographed ballet of color, form and feeling. The folks that put this extravaganza together are amazing - and we all owe them our sincerest thanks for providing this superlative artistic venue that helps shape our perceptions of our work as both form (the actual construction) & function (comfort,art, history). This is all sweet memories now, but, Lord willing, I will get to play in Houston again before too long !

Just after the awards ceremonies on Tuesday Night. It's the best opportunity to see the winners up close.
This is always an exciting evening for Festival goers.

Settling in to our hotel room at the Doubletree.
Beautiful rooms, superior service (although the restaurant seemed unprepared for the crowds)
& the best bedding I have ever enjoyed in a hotel!

This is the sign that greets you at the airport when you arrive.
You know it's bug when the airport announces an event!

The sun on the hotel room room floor. How could I resist this lovely image?!

Sarah preparing to do her Open Studio demo on leaf printing.
I wish I had half of her enthusiasm, energy and talent !