This and That

I've almost recovered from the Quilt Symposium of Alabama.  I should probably say I've almost recovered emotionally from having to leave the Quilt Symposium of Alabama.  It was hard to go back to work last Monday after having so much fun in Birmingham.  The Symposium was hosted by the Evening Star Quilt Guild, and they did such an amazing job putting everything together.  The quilt show was excellent, I wanted to buy everything in the vendor mall, and I had so much fun in the classroom.  Even though hosting an event that big was an enormous job, the Evening Star folks made it seem like quilting fairies put everything together by magic.  No worried looks, no swearing, no crying -- just smiling faces everywhere. 

These are a couple of my favorite smiling faces.  Terry on the right (my "boss") was the event coordinator.  At least I hope she was, because people were always asking her for stuff.  Mary on the left is Terry's sister, a non-quilter, who volunteered to help with the Symposium.  I wonder if she knew what she was getting into. :-)  She must have walked 8,000 miles. 

These three (Beverly, Ella, and Sandra) always looked like they were having way too much fun.  They sure made me giggle.  And check out those yo-yo hats.  Adorable, right? 

Yes, it took this many people to guard the opportunity quilt so I wouldn't run off with it.  It was fabulous!




It was really cool to meet a fellow blogger, Lisa (right).  She's adorable!  She's helping Judy hold up a quilt that Judy made using the Over and Under pattern from my book.  Judy made only a quarter of the blocks, added red "berries" and a bow, and it looks like a beautiful Christmas wreath!  Unfortunately, my photography skills are terrible, but trust me when I tell you this was really pretty.

Here's a whole family of quilters -- Betsy, Suzie, and Gary.  Betsy was in one of my classes.  What a sweetheart.  And a mess.  She kept me in stitches.  Pardon the pun.  Gary won awards for his hand quilting, including the Judge's Choice award.  They're such sweet people, and I wanted to bring them home with me. 

Here are pictures of one of Gary's award-winning quilts, My Blue Heaven.

Can you believe all the stitches in this quilt?!  It's easy to see why it's adorned with ribbons. 

By the way, thank you, Meg, for changing the settings on my camera so that my pictures aren't dark as night.  I'll read the manual, I promise. :-)

I squealed when I walked into the quilt show and saw a quilt made from my Summer Breeze pattern.  It's such a lovely version made with batik fabrics and an extra border.  I later discovered that it was made by one of my students, Shirley.  And of course I squealed again when I found out it was her first quilt! 

She did a fabulous job!

I couldn't take my eyes off this quilt, so I had to buy the book.  So many great ideas for string quilts.  And so many more to add to my bucket list. 

If you're in the Birmingham area, check out the Evening Star Quilt Guild.  Lots and lots of very nice people and super-talented quilters.  And be sure to give all of them a hug from me. :-)

Have a super weekend!

Kim