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!

A Colorful and Inspiring Day

Friday was a road trip day...and thank goodness...I needed it even more than I thought! My dear friend Lorrie and I made a trip to Omaha, Nebraska for the 4th Annual AccuQuilt Barn Quilt Unveiling event...and we had a FABULOUS day. We left Des Moines a little before 8:00 and made it to AccuQuilt a few minutes before 10:00...perfect timing, as the festivities started at 10:00 AM. We were greeted with a very warm welcome from Steve Nabity (CEO), Linda Pumphrey (National Sales Manager), Lynn Gibney (Director of Marketing), and all my favorite AccuQuilt staff members...seriously AccuQuilt has the friendliest staff around...and they were all outside to greet us! Once inside, I couldn't wait to meet the special guest Ricky Tims (woohoo!)...he was kind enough to autograph my GO! Arabesque #3 die (one of his designer dies for the AccuQuilt GO! Fabric Cutter) and pose for a couple photos (here is where I thank Lorrie for taking the photos of me with Ricky Tims). I was also thrilled to see a bunch of familiar faces from last year...always so much fun to see quilting friends from across the country (and Canada)!

After meeting celebrity quilter Ricky Tims, we entered the AccuQuilt Quilt Gallery (always worth a visit if you are in the Omaha area) where some of his AMAZING quilts were on display...they were breathtaking...I mean SERIOUSLY incredible! I managed to get most, if not all, of them photographed for you...even with the hoards of people crowded in for viewing..click on any image for a larger, more detailed photo...

Asternoon Delight
Year made: 2009 - 36" x 44"
Created by Ricky Tims

Bears in Bertie's Log Cabin
Year made: 2004 - 53" x 53"
Pieced and Quilted by Ricky Tims

Dad's Lone Star
Year made: 2002 - 92" x 92"
Pieced, appliqued, and quilted by Richard Tims and Ricky Tims
(Father and Son Quilt)

Viva Violetta
Year made: 2007 - 58" x 58"
Pieced and Quilted by Ricky Tims

New World Symphony
Year made: 2002 - 90.5" x 90.5"
Pieced and Quilted by Ricky Tims

Time Warp
Year made: 1999 - 82" x 82"
Pieced and Quilted by Ricky Tims

Self Portrait
Year made: 2012 - 22" x 22"
Pieced and Quilted by Ricky Tims

Bohemian Rhapsody
Year made: 2002 - 88" x 88"
Pieced and Quilted by Ricky Tims

Simple Gifts
Year made: 1996 - 88" x 88"
Pieced and Quilted by Ricky Tims

Lifelines III
Year made: 2012 - 50" x 50"
Pieced, Embellished, and Quilted by Ricky Tims

Next we entered the AccuQuilt Dream Studio, where attendees of the event were busy making pillow cases  for American Patchwork & Quilting 1 Million Pillowcase Challenge...it was insane in the dream studio (as you can see from the photo) - wall to wall people busy sewing pillow cases...it was almost overwhelming just to walk across the room!

Our next stop was the AccuQuilt warehouse where there was shopping...yes, I said shopping! AccuQuilt had set-up a merchandise area with all sorts of goodies for sale...including "gently used dies" at greatly reduced prices...and how could I pass that up...both Lorrie and I found several dies we *had to* have!

We then made our way outside to the where Ricky Tims would be making his presentation to a tent full of enthusiastic quilters...and what a marvelous presentation it was...thoroughly enjoyable. Ricky is so down to earth...and listening to his life story was inspiring and uplifting...

Next was a performance by "Steve and the Stitches"...and to say it was amusing would be an understatement...the whole entire crowd was smiling, clapping, and enjoying the entertainment!

It was then time to reveal the 2013 Barn Quilt Contest winners and unveil the grand prize winning block...I must say it was sad to see a new 17' x 17' block in the place where my winning block has been for the last year, but Sue's block definitely looked FABULOUS on display and I was so excited for her!

After the unveiling, it was time for lunch...and barbecue really hit the spot...but more importantly,  it was time for door prizes! Lorrie and I had a conversation about how we never win drawings of chance...it just doesn't happen...and we watched quite a few happy quilters take home some stellar prizes. When Linda held up an adorable pink GO! Baby Fabric Cutter Tote, I leaned over to Lorrie and said "you could use that" and her response was "yes, I could"...and guess what, they called her name...we were dumbfounded....and SO excited!...I was just thrilled for her to win a prize to take home. Then the most incredible thing happened...as they called names for the last few prizes, I heard my name too....what?!...this never happens... My door prize the coolest thing ever...the book "Japanese Quilting Piece by Piece" by Yoko Saito (it is a DELIGHTFUL book) and an assortment pack of SCRUMPTIOUS AURIfil Threads (so totally awesome!). WOW, WOW, WOW...what a perfect treat for our trip...

After saying goodbyes and gathering our purchases and winnings, we headed off to one of our favorite quilt shops...The Quilted Moose in Gretna, NE...this shop is a must visit whenever we are in the area! We managed to find just a few a TON of marvelous things to take home...yes, we did some power shopping...in fact, time flew by while we were in there...and although we had plans to possibly visit other shops in the area, we knew we had a two hour drive to get home (and I had an anxious puppy in the kennel that I knew needed dinner and a potty break)...so after enhancing the economy of Greta, NE, we headed for home.

So, there you have it, my day at the 4th Annual AccuQuilt Barn Quilt Unveiling event...it was a perfect day - I couldn't have asked for more - time with a dear friend was just what the doctor ordered (all the quilty goodness was a bonus!).

Exploring New Hampshire and Vermont...

Each time I travel to teach, I always try to make a little time to see the area and explore - it is such a treat for me to visit other parts of the country and do a little sightseeing! Lucky for me, my dear friend Ruth lives in New Hampshire and agreed to take me on a little excursion Friday morning/afternoon before the New England Stitcher's Retreat started that evening. Before we begin, I should tell you, it was pouring rain all day - normally I take a lot of outdoor photos and show you the area...but on this particular day I was only able to manage some indoor camera shots...

We set out bright and early Friday morning...our first destination was King Arthur Flour...now, you know I love to bake and I was definitely familiar with King Arthur Flour...however, I didn't quite understand how this could be a "destination"...but oh my goodness was this ever a great place to visit! King Arthur Flour has a brand new campus in Norwich, VT that houses a phenomenal retail store, a baking education center, and a bakery and a cafe - it was FABULOUS! I could have shopped for hours and easily filled a cart - however, knowing I could only add a few pounds to my suitcase, I showed some self restraint (making sure to sign up for their e-mails, grab a catalog, and write a mental list for some online shopping!). There were a few goodies I had to purchase on the spot and ship home...and Ruth did a little shopping for me too - picking me up an adorable owl kitchen towel and a jar of Maple Pumpkin Butter (delicious!). The staff at King Arthur Flour were so very kind and accommodating and allowed me to take a bunch of photos to share with you...

After a delightful morning at King Arthur Flour, we headed to Brattleboro, VT (a little over an hour away) - a couple retreat attendees had shared with us about a fabulous shop called Delectable Mountain Cloth...and all I needed to hear were the words "hundreds of crystal dishes filled with buttons" and "silk fabrics" and off we went! It was an enjoyable drive through Vermont...and yes, it was still pouring rain...but it gave me and Ruth a chance to chit chat and catch-up (after all, we only see each other once a year). Once we arrived in Brattleboro and found our destination, we did a quick drive around the area and found a place to park...then set out to explore the oldest town in Vermont. Main Street had a wonderful assortment of shops - including In The Moment Records (yes, a record shop!), Beadniks (a bead shop), Vermont Artisan Designs & Gallery, and Kitchen Sync (a wonderful kitchen shop)...and I am positive there were many more great places to visit, but the rain definitely hindered walking from shop to shop. We spent a good amount of time in Delectable Mountain Cloth...and it exceeded all of our expectations! This quaint and cozy Main Street shop was full of treasures...all sorts of textiles, silks, velvets, organzas, chiffons, and specialty fabrics...and yes, hundreds of crystal dishes filled with buttons (a feast for the eyes)...along with trims and laces...they also have handmade jewelry and large assortment of scarves. I will let the photos do the talking...

How was that for a large dose of "eye candy"??!! Seriously, if you are ever in the Brattleboro, VT area, this shop is definitely worth the trip...Ruth and I have already discussed that this will be permanently on our yearly itinerary. Oh, and I must mention, if you visit this shop, be sure to cross the street and enjoy a meal at Amy's Bakery Arts Cafe (113 Main Street, Brattleboro, VT) - it is all fresh ingredients - wonderful soups, sandwiches, and salads - DELICIOUS...

So that was how we spent our rainy Friday in Vermont - it truly was a stellar day! That evening and the next couple days were filled with event activities and lots of stitching, but we did get a few more hours together to explore on Monday. After a final breakfast with the retreat attendees, packing up, and saying tearful goodbyes, we had a few more places to see before I headed to Boston where I was to catch a flight home to Iowa. We made a final trip to ABC Stitch Therapy where Ruth got in some last minute shopping and I dropped off all my classroom materials to ship home...then we headed cheerfully to Quilted Threads in Henniker, NH. I was so beyond excited to see this quilt shop, as I had heard all about it...and the feedback was exceptional; I couldn't wait to visit a new quilt shop and find some goodies to take home! Well, the excitement didn't last long - as we pulled into the parking lot, I was quite discourage to read the sign "Closed On Monday"...how disappointing...but we weren't going to let that ruin our day. We continued our drive to Concord, NH where I was to catch a bus to Boston....and made the best of a SUNNY day! I was able to see the Capital of New Hampshire, walk Main Street and visit a few shops, and then have a spectacular lunch at The Barley House. I have already added The Barley House to my list of places I must visit again - both the atmosphere and the food were WONDERFUL - believe it or not, I had a Lobster BLT...yep, a BLT with lobster meat on it and it was scrumptious! It was the perfect way to end my visit to New England....and I can hardly wait to return next year...

An extra special thanks to my friend and chauffeur Ruth - you definitely made this a special trip to remember...thank you for exploring New England with me...I love you sis!

There you have it, my final post on my recent trip to New Hampshire for this year's New England Stitcher's Retreat - it was another AMAZING visit - I got to see more of the East Coast - I got to see old friends and make new ones - I got to share my passion for needlework - and I got to smile and laugh for several days. Now I have a full year to look forward to my next trip...it can't get here soon enough...

To see all sorts of additional photos from my trip to New England, check out the albums on my Facebook page...and smartphone users can check out my Instagram album (user: BRDGIRL)...