Some I just can't stop thinking about

 At Festival, some quilts just make an impression that you keep thinking. Here are a couple that rang my bell. First, my favorite. I love Polish pottery and this quilt was made from crocheted pieces appliqued. 

From the International Miniature Quilt Exchange

Jane Sassman, of course

Closeup

Closeup

Reminded me of an oil painting, part of woman power exhibit

How do you describe it?

     It is overwhelming- the International Quilt Festival in Houston. My friend, Elizabeth, and I flew down and stayed for 4 days. I had been to the show 4 years ago, but I was suffering then from chronic migraines, which I am cured from now. This time I had a plan and pre-decided what to see when and how and not just wander up and down every aisle like Pac Man. The multiple quilt shows (about 25) in one area are just breathtaking. I took lots of photos, but am still processing them in my head. 
     Quilting is real work done by a huge variety of people. It is legitimate work, not a hobby. 
     Today, I will show ones I call FUN! Sometimes it just gets too serious and technically over the top at the show. Here are some for inspiration that will hopefully make you smile.

Thank you! Pieced not fused.

Unbelievable amount of work, ideas, and flawless execution

Hard to see, but look at the quilting. Too much fun.

My favorite by Timna Tarr- just marvelously pieced. She nailed the values, spot on.

Not quite an angel

     At the Quilt Festival, I managed to dent my credit card with fabric. Even standing trying to be an angel in the park across the street was futile against the siren call of fabric.

     I tried great restraint. I only bought what I knew I could not find anywhere else at this time except for the Frozen Panel and snowflake panel to make my granddaughter a quilt. I do not like and buy Disney things, but when a two year old looks at you with her big blue eyes and blonde curls and says, "Grandma Linda, make me an Elsa blankie?", I cannot be held responsible for my actions. The photos are not great until I get a new lens for my Canon Tli instead of this point and shoot.

New thread from YLI that is a 70 glazed cotton piecing thread for sewing my small scraps, quilt magnets, and yes, fabric

New Kaufman Pointillist Jewel fabric

Hand dyed spiral from Joy Fabrics

Drinking out of a firehose

     I have been back from Houston and the Quilt Festival since Saturday, but I am still in numb mode. It is not just from the long airplane jaunts. I was told by others that it would be overwhelming. I have been to NYC numerous times, so I thought that can be overwhelming, but I survived. As a visual artist, so much can be too much to digest and process.
     The Convention Center is 6 city blocks long by 2 wide. It truly is. This Festival filled it all. The Quilt Show is actually many embedded shows, all separate shows in themselves. So, think of every quilt show you have been to and put them in all in one spot, at once. The vendors stretch forever and are not limited to quilt stuff, but any kind of jewelry, clothing, skincare, and on and on. Non-quilters could drop big chunks of money as well as fabric fiends.
     Please keep in mind that I only had my inadequate point and shoot since autofocus died on my Canon Tli and could not adjust for the lighting. I am only going to include some photos. All the award winners are found much better elsewhere. This is meant as a sample of the quality and creativity.

Vendor Mania

Red Pipes from top of corner of the Convention Center as viewed
from the park across the street

Only a small portion of the Stunning Red and White exhibit

Exquisite drawing and amazing quilting in the background

Quilting designs just amazing

Notice this quilt is not solid but has cut out areas, can't fathom the construction

Dynamite quilting, composition and colors