I have spent most of September enjoying quilt shows in three different states, vending at one.  The Des Moines Area Quilt Guild (Iowa) quilt show is one of the best “local” shows.  The variety of quilts from art to artful to traditional with special exhibits hanging in the beautiful Iowa State Fair 4-H building rival the national shows in my opinion.  I was a vendor and was grateful for the care and attention guild members paid by continually taking care of my needs and for those who purchased my artisan dyed fabrics and vintage linens, scarves and patterns.  There was truly something for everyone at this show.  My booth was between Leo9Textiles, vendor of eclectic fabrics (and at many national shows), and Virginia Berger, curator of antique quilts.  I learned that Leo9Textiles is just off our path to Texas each winter and they have a show coming up in Smithville, Texas in November.  Alas, it is before we head south.

I share here the inspiration I garnered from being able to get in the show early (before crowds) and wander through the exhibits, savoring each one whether artful or traditional.  This show is on my list for next fall.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And so I shall gather fabric, thread and ephemera and begin to play!

 

 

As much as I love dogwood blooming in the spring, I also love the bright magenta of the redbuds that dot the roadsides near my rural home.  They, of course, have just inspired a quilt as I reviewed all the related colors in my stash. I will be adding some overdyed fabrics as well.  More as this project evolves.

 

As I’m watching the media replay what they consider the good, the bad, and the ugly of 2022 I wish to share the good of my year pursuing my quilting passion.

I tend to be a person who is thinking about “what’s next” rather than dwell on the past. However, 2022 was a great year for my personal quilting journey.  I had multiple quilts published in three nationally recognized quilt magazines with more coming out next year. Upon encouragement from friends, I entered a quilt in the 2022 International Quilt Festival. Not only was my quilt, Roses Remembered, accepted but it was selected to be part of their 2023 traveling exhibition.  I was fortunate to be able to attend the festival and view my quilt hanging in the special exhibit, In the American Tradition, along with the many other creative exhibitions that this exhibition is known for.

With the help of my daughter, I published a quilt pattern book and have done well selling it with the help of friends who are supportive of my quilting passion.  The book, Hand Me Down Quilts, has also led to several opportunities to share my passion as an educator, lecturer and workshop teacher.

Late in the summer I was invited to share my Quilts of Valor during the celebration of QOV initiated by The Electric Quilt Company.  I use their software to design most of my quilts and was grateful for the added publicity it brought to my book, my website and my Etsy site.

A new venture was vending at a large regional quilt show in Missouri selling my vintage linens, patterns and home dyed fabrics. I had done a couple of smaller shows so was just a little nervous to try something larger.  It was fun but a lot of work and tiring for sure.

And since social media sites encourage a photo reflection I share some of my recent favorite projects in various states of finish but I’m on to the WIP’s and UFO’s that are calling my name in 2023.  I truly wish for all my quilter friends to have fun and enjoy Something Stitched every day as they share their super power with needle and thread.