Festival of Quilts

Hi everyone:

I've been so busy working on end-of-the-school-year things that I forgot to show you some of the quilts at the recent Festival of Quilts at Heritage Park in Calgary. Can you believe that work and kids' stuff actually made me neglect to post quilt photos? I know, it's hard to believe, but sometimes real life interferes with my dream occupation (quilting, that is).

One of the exhibits that I found interesting were by our local long-arm quilters in the Calgary Longarm Quilters Group. One pattern, Avignon Picnic by Andrea Harris of Urban Quiltworks, was selected and each long-armer chose their own fabric and quilt motifs to complete it. It's a great pattern, available FREE at Moda Bakeshop, and it was really interesting to see the different interpretations. And the quilting! Lots of great inspiration for quilt designs in these quilts.

Avignon Picnic by Andrea Harris

Detail of Avignon Picnic by Andrea Harris

Hodgepodge by Nancy Basserman

Picnic Critters by Bev Rinehart

Just a note: the dark specks you see on these quilts are not a camera (or in my case, iPhone) malfunction - these are mosquitoes, which really seemed to enjoy the quilts too!

There were lots of other wonderful quilts in the park that day. Thankfully the weather cooperated so the majority of the quilts were on display outside, where I really think they shine. Here are a few more examples of quilty deliciousness.

Salt Air Stripes by Joanne Middleton

Rug by Jennifer Peirson

Mirror Lake by Margaret Jessop

Anna & Popeye by Margaret Jessop

Remember the Time by Joleen Schneider

Pumphouse Pinwheels by Wayne Kollinger

Hope you enjoyed this glimpse of the amazing quilts on display at Heritage Park for this year's Festival of Quilts. If you entered quilts for display, thank you - I enjoyed each and every one!

Quilts - Rain or Shine

Hi everyone:

Not even the deluge of rain that Calgary recently experienced could dampen the enthusiasm of quilters for a quilt show. The Heritage Park Festival of Quilts was a little wetter than usual, but the sun did eventually come out for a beautiful Sunday so that quilts could be hung outside for all to enjoy.

Some of the quilts on the Wainwright Hotel balcony

Heritage Park is a 1910 prairie railway town in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. When you enter Heritage Park, you take a step back in time and can imagine what life would've been like in the early 1900's. I can't imagine a more appropriate venue for the Festival of Quilts, which is held annually on the last week-end in May. This year there were over 800 quilts on display. 

I was helping out at the Quilter's Connection magazine booth for the week-end, but did manage to sneak in some quilt viewing and shopping (just a bit). 

Heather McArthur of Quilter's Connection magazine

On Saturday I was able to chat with the Prairie Quilt Mercantile gals, Devon and Sharon. They've just released their first book, Fresh from the Prairies, and I was fortunate enough to snag a copy. I love the quilts in this book - so traditional, yet fresh. I'll have a review of their book in a future blogpost.

Sharon Smith and Devon Lavigne from Prairie Quilt Mercantile

As the weather wasn't very cooperative on Saturday and very few quilts were hung outside, I saved most of my quilt viewing until Sunday. My buddy, Lee of Lala's Lovelys accompanied me as we enjoyed the quilts and the sun. Here are a few of my favourite quilts.

Curling Fun by Naoko Miyazaki, Calgary

Lee's quilt, 430 Days, her version of Bonnie Hunter's Orca Bay

Spider Web by Vanecea Greene, Calgary

Kitty Among the Flowers by Lori Slack, James River Bridge
Based on a Laundry Basket Quilts pattern, Location, Location, Location

Tree of Life by Doreen Ryning, Calgary
Quilted by Chris Tessier

Mumbo Gumbo by Marie McEachern, Calgary
A Pie in the Sky pattern

Pineapple Party by Nancy Basserman
Inspired by the book, "Pineapple Quilt" by Loretta Smith

Santa's Backup Crew by Gail Banks

Grand Canyon Splendour by Thelma Lucille Traub, Calgary

Fabric Stash Overload

Hi everyone:

As you know, I was at the Heritage Park Festival of Quilts last week-end. What you may not know is that I bought a few things. Okay, if you know me, you would be surprised if I only bought a FEW things. Like most quilters, I love sales and find it impossible difficult to pass up a good deal (must be my Scottish ancestry). 

Wool, buttons and fabric, oh my!

While I enjoy looking at all the quilts, and I do look at all of them, I really love visiting the vendors' mall. I enjoy checking out the latest items and chatting with the vendors (is it a good thing that they all know me by name?), but I really think it is the high I get when I score a good deal that makes my day. And I had a good day last Saturday!

Just a bit more fabric

I could try to justify my purchases by saying that I'll use the fabric in future pattern samples or that they coordinate with what is in my stash, but is it so wrong to buy things just because I like them? I'll admit that I have fabric that has been in my stash for many several years and it still hasn't morphed into an actual quilt, but you know what? I still enjoy taking it out, seeing how it plays with other fabrics and imagining what it might someday become. I figure I get as much enjoyment out of playing with my fabric as I do from creating a quilt. Although it is a bit difficult to wrap individual fat quarters around yourself to keep warm!

Too much?

I'll admit that I went may've overdone it last week-end, but I won't be buying any more fabric for awhile. At least until the upcoming quilt show in Red Deer next week-end :)

Heritage Park Festival of Quilts 2012

Hi everyone:

Well, it's definitely been a quilty week-end! I spent all of yesterday and half of today at the 17th annual Heritage Park Festival of Quilts admiring the over 650 quilts on display (and doing just a bit of shopping). While the weather wasn't very warm and the sun kept hiding behind the clouds, at least the snow rain held off for these two days. 

I look forward to this event every year for several reasons; here are just a few of them:

1. Viewing the beautiful quilts displayed indoors and outside around the park
2. Chatting with my vendor, quilting and guild friends
3. Practising my acquisition skills in the vendor tent (and doing more chatting)
4. Finding my own quilts that are on display (a bit of a treasure hunt)
5. Having a cookie (or two) from the bakery

I'm always amazed at the quality and variety of the quilts that are on display. Just when you think you've seen every possible type of quilt, there is something new. This year I did notice more "modern" quilts, which I think is great. Not only are the fabrics and designs fresh and new, but the quilting is also different and typically more geometric. There were also many young people volunteering at the event and I hope that some of them were quilters too!

Now, for your viewing pleasure, just a few examples of what I was enjoying this week-end.

Okay, they're not quilts, but aren't they cute?

This couple was guarding some of the quilts hung in
the tent outside (didn't see any white gloves on them)

Sea Star by Linda Nixon, Calgary
Quilted by Sheila Mote, Stitchez

Magic Tile by Inge Klingemann, Calgary
Quilted by Cairnhill Quilting

Jelly Roll Brights by Rita Guthrie, Calgary

Cat Nip by Sonja Hind, Calgary

Another Brick in the Wall by Marie McEachern, Calgary

Mr. Kosowan by Beverly Patkau, Calgary

Spring Bouquet by Jennifer Peirson, Calgary

Through the Portal by Jennifer Peirson, Calgary

Rose Garden Wonder by Cindy Phaff, Calgary
Quilted by Fran Stromberg

Just for Fun by Lorraine Rohs, Calgary

Dragon Slayer by Kim Sanderson

Salsa! by Marsha Cochrane, Cochrane

Come on- Get Happy by Mary Dylke, Calgary

Time Machine by Mary Dylke, Calgary

And finally,

Baaack in Black

Blossoming

Posh Pets

Thanks to all the volunteers and quilters who work so hard to put this event on each year. It's always an amazing event and I look forward to the 18th annual festival next year.

Heritage Park Festival of Quilts

Well, I managed to survive the snowy, wintery weather that we had in Calgary this week-end (note the winter jacket!). Yes, while most of the country east of us is enjoying beautiful spring weather, we had cold, windy, snowy weather for the past several days. Just in time for the Heritage Park Festival of Quilts! But, as usual, the wonderful volunteers who devote their time and energy to this event were up to the challenge and the quilts were all beautifully displayed - indoors. I can't imagine the frantic scrambling that must take place when the weather takes a turn for the worse. Thank you, thank you, thank you to these dedicated ladies who always manage to make this event successful. Also thank you to the many vendors who were at the show. 
I'm not sure that my husband will be as thankful when the Visa bill arrives, however I enjoyed some great shopping there.

I am in the process of uploading photos from the show and some are currently available on Flickr. You can see what I have uploaded so far by going to http://tinyurl.com/264w4zm. I hope to add more descriptions time permitting. 


Now I need to finish unloading my show purchases. I already have some new pattern ideas brewing in my head from these new fabrics!