Happy Memories of Paducah

 

My trip to Paducah was more than I ever could have imagined!  The Awards Presentation was filled with shrieks of joy and "Wow" after "Wow" as each quilt was lowered from the ceiling to an anxious audience.  I didn't place in the finals, but I was overjoyed to be a part of AQS Paducah's 29th Quilt Week.

 

.The next morning my husband, daughter, and dear friend, Jenn headed to the Convention Center to find my quilt.  Needless to say, everyone found it before I did. 

My quilt was the 3rd grouping on the right hand side, just inside the main door.  I walked by each day just to peek at it.  I loved hearing kind remarks and congrats.

 

Contestants had a yellow ribbon with their name tags.  Winners had yellow and white ribbons.

 

 

The people at AQS are the friendliest people in the world!!  The vendors were eager to share their knowledge and let you try just about anything you desired.  Jenn and I were looking at fabric when Edyta Sitir asked if we needed help in her booth.  We were ecstatic to have her help!!  She loves to pick out fabric!!  Then we went to Hancock's and were dazzled with their sprawling selection.  It has the Wow-Factor!!  Right before we left the first time, we were told about the "Back Room".  I took a peek while Jenn stood in line.  We had to return a second time so we could shop in the "Back Room".  We were on sensory overload everyday and came home with too many projects!  Where do I start?? 

 

Isn't that what Quilt Week is all about...being encouraged, inspired, spending a little too much $$, chatting with authors, designers, quilters and staying up late to savor the day's purchases!

 

What were your happy memories about Paducah?  I would love to hear about your Quilt trips!

 

Elaine

Chipper Piecemaker



 



A little knitting... a little sewing...

It seems my hands must keep busy and the soreness in my hands has eased up some.  I started making 4 different patterns for Hannah, but I finally settled on a simple feather and fan pattern.  The yarn is from the alpaca's where my husband works part-time. 

 

For those curious about the background, yes it is sitting on the cover of my Domestic treadle sewing machine.

I finished my ruffled scarf last week. My favorite yarn shop offered, Molly's Scarf, as an opportunity to teach short rows.  I re-started 3 times before I found the ease of short-row stitching.  This 100% wool yarn, by Classic Elite Yarns, was delightfully soft to knit.

 I'm ready to tackle the Bermuda Shawl next. It looks like ocean waves of short rows criss-crossing across the shawl.

Leah is sleeping under her duvet cover finally.  She's patiently been waiting for her Mom to figure out how to take 2 very different panels and make them into 2 different quilts.  The design and creation of these quilts have stretched me beyond measure, but she's thrilled and I'm so happy with the way they finished.  My sweet friend Linda quilted the duvet.

 

 



 The top photo is Leah's favorite side.  We found this panel of 18 coffee squares three years ago at a little quilt show.  I wanted the two sides to be different so I put them on point, thinking it would be so simple.  She wanted to add some color to the blocks, so I let her pick out a pile of bright, colorful fat quarters.  They made the blocks "dazzeling", don't you think?  It became an adventure that came out better than I anticipated.  To my surprise, the on-point squares came out to the exact dimensions I needed.  I don't consider myself a designer, but I did enjoy creating both of them.  She not only loves them, but her beloved kitty, Sammy loves to curl up at the bottom of her duvet and sleep.  I hope you enjoy them too :)

I've been so inspired by your sharing!
Hopefully my next post will be in the near future...

Blessings to you,
Elaine
Chipper Piecemaker

Blocks are Finished...Happy Dance!

I am amazed that I have all the blocks pieced!! WooHoo!!  Now comes the final piecing of the sides, center and final borders.  I am thrilled beyond words!!  Two weeks ago I finished the log cabin inner border.  There were 3 logs with directional fabrics, what a challenge to keep them in the right direction.  I know I'm fussy, but it would bugg me if the prints on this large border were out-a-sync.

Here's what they look like all together and one separately.

The last week and a half I have been working on the ribbon blocks.  I wish I would have thought about them a little more, because I would have pieced them on the diagonal so the center blocks were one square, but because the prints are so busy, it won't matter as much!  I'm so glad these prints were not directional. 

There are four stars in each corner of the ribbon border.  It was an "ahhh moment" to piece these little stars.  These stars grow on ya after you've made 21 for this quilt :)

I'm working on piecing the borders this weekend.  We have sunshine & beautiful snow outside making everything look glorious!  I love the snow, unlike most Ohioans.  I will drive in it, walk in it, play in it, snow-blow it, and sit with a cup of tea to behold it!

I hope you are working on beautiful projects!

Elaine

Chipper Piecemaker