AQS QuiltWeek in Des Moines

I actually took the day off yesterday to visit the 2013 AQS QuiltWeek being held at the Iowa Events Center (October 2-5). My dear friend Kimber and her husband Tom were kind enough to invite me along again this year to view the show with them...and it truly was a splendid day! We headed downtown bright and early, so we could see everything in one day - we actually arrived before the doors opened. We started by walking the vendor area, then we perused the Des Moines Area Quilters Guild 30th Annual Quilt Show...and finally we walked the AQS Quilt Contest Exhibit. It was sensory overload as we visited an array of fabulous vendors, then took in all the incredible quilts on display...I was so inspired by the creativity and talent, that I completely lost track of time and the day evaporated without a second thought. If you are in the Des Moines area or plan to be this week, this show is a MUST SEE. After we finished our visit to the quilt show, we headed to the Brass Armadillo Antique Mall to see the antique and vintage quilts, sewing notions, and sewing memorabilia vendors prominently placed about their booths...and yes, we did find a couple goodies. After our day of shopping, viewing, and walking, we had all built up quite an appetite...so we headed to The Drake Diner to refuel - a local favorite/landmark for a delicious late lunch. It was the perfect day off....and has quickly become a favorite annual event!

The show included an incredible merchandise mall with more than 280 Merchant Mall booths! Yes, there was shopping GALORE - aisles upon aisles of ways to spend your hard-earned money...in fact, the shopping mall was so large, it took us most of the morning to walk down each of the aisles. I must admit, I did very well at controlling my "urge" to spend and kept my purchases to a minimum...in fact, I only purchased a couple patterns (although I was tempted by MANY). I thought I would share a few of my favorite booths with you..and yes, these photos were all taken with the permission of the kind and creative vendors....

First up, Yellow Creek Quilt Designs...I love this vendor and their gorgeous designs! I seriously could live in this booth - each and every one of their quilt designs is incredible and every single one is on my "must make" list. They have a brand new book called "Kindred Spirits: Celebrating Pieces of the Past", and many of the projects were on display (BREATHTAKING!) - this book is another "must have" for me. One of the things I admire about their designs - you can use traditional fabrics (their style) or switch it up and use modern fabrics to give each piece an updated look...making them perfect for just about any quilter! They also had the most incredible hexagon quilts on display...using teeny tiny hexagons...the ones in the photo have hexagons that are 1/4" and 3/8"...but we were shown even smaller paper pieces (yes, they were itty bitty!)...I was awestruck by these models and their intricacy (I feel very blessed they allowed me to take a couple photos to share with you). Yellow Creek Designs has a quilt shop in Pearl City, IL...or visit their website for their online shop...you won't be disappointed...

Another very favorite vendor - From my heart to your hands: Quilt Designs by Lori Smith. I have adored Lori's designs for years - so much so, that there are a bunch (and I mean a bunch!) in my personal stash (and I hate to admit it, but I have purchased some of her designs twice, because they speak to me and I forget what all I have in my collection). Walking up to Lori's vendor booth, my eyes were immediately drawn to "Mrs. Lincoln's Sampler Quilt" (pattern shown right and model shown in the top photo below)...it is incredible...and was one of the two purchases I made in the vendor mall...I can't begin to tell you how much I love this quilt...it is so very "me". I can hear each and every one of her models calling my name and I could spend hours in this particular booth admiring each design...love, love, love! Visit the From my heart to your hands: Quilt Designs by Lori Smith website to see all these beauties and Lori's online shop...it is FULL of eye candy!

Finally, the Millie P's Quilt Shop booth...the fabulous models from this vendor stood out to me from the very start! It looks like I have a new shop to visit when I am in Minnesota in a couple weeks (even if I have to drag my husband kicking and screaming!). Millie P's Quilt Shop is located in Anoka, MN and is a "must visit" for me. I jut love their color and fabric choices...and their models make you want to purchase every pattern they have for sale. I also adored the white fixture holding fat quarters...it was such an inviting display. Everything was cheerful and beautiful and made me happy...

Up next...my view of the Des Moines Area Quilters Guild 30th Annual Quilt Show (through my camera lens, of course)...I truly took hundreds of photos - but here are some that stood out to me. This year's annual show was titled "Our Quilting Legacy" and included over 400 quilts made by guild members. The show also included a silent auction with over 100 small quilts...here is a slideshow...visit my Flickr page for sharper images and details of each photo (including entry information and quilter's names)...

Created with flickr slideshow.
Now for the 2013 AQS QuiltWeek Contest Quilts...and these were spectacular - there were over 170 AQS contest quilts vying for $44,000 in cash awards! One of my favorites was "On Your Mark" created by Barbara Barrick McKie in Lyme, CT...it was in the fabric art category...and it was a SQUIRREL quilt...and it looked completely realistic and 3D - the squirrel was jumping off the quilt - and although it was not a ribbon winner, I thought it was incredible! Take a look at the slideshow below to see all the quilts (including the squirrel)...and again, visit my Flickr page for sharper images and details of each photo (including entry information and quilter's names)...

Created with flickr slideshow.
I know I have given you plenty of inspiring images today...and I still have some more to share in the next several days...check back in a day or two if you would like to see more images from my day off!