PADUCAH

Laura and I are  in Paducah.

It rained all the way down highway #57 yesterday. When we arrived in Paducah we found out that the city was in the middle of a flood warning/watch.  The city of Paducah has erected the flood gates. They also made the AQS people move the main quilt show from the Convention Center, which is on the wrong side of the flood walls, to the new Pavilion, affectionately known as the giant marshmallow, which is on the right side of the flood walls. Initially we would have been in the main Convention center but now we are housed, along with the prize winning quilts, in the giant marshmallow.

Today it is sunny and hot outside, just the way we like it here in Paducah in the spring time. I hope if you were planning on coming to the show that you don’t let a little threat of rain keep you away. We are all set up and ready to go. I know it will be a fun show, because it always is.

Off to Paducah

I'm off to the AQS show in Paducah this morning. I got a good nights sleep in my own bed after a very successful IQA quilt show in Chicago. Go quilters!! I always love the show in Paducha because as you can see from last year everything is blooming down there in KY, while up here in IL we might still get one last snow!!

Miss Laura Loo will not be with me in Paducah this year, she has to go teach the New Englander's how to fuse, Press on Chicago Fuse, and speak correct English without dropping their r's. Boo Hoo for me, ya for Boston.

But Anne Lullie will be in the booth with all her enthusiasm, quilts, patterns and fabric. So stop by and see us in booth 1907 on the main convention floor. See you in Paducah!

Spring Rain

Spring Rain is a quilt that was designed after a trip to Paducah. By the way I am on my way to Paducah right right now!!
I will be in booth #1905 ArtFabrik/FrieStyle, and I certainly hope you stop in and say hello if you are at the show.
Each year when I drive to Paducah, KY for the big quilt show I am inspired by the drive down highway 57. When you leave Chicago it is still cool weather, it hasn't really become warm springlike yet.

As you drive down highway #57 it begins to really feel like spring, often it is raining, spritzing really, and the grass is getting greener and the redbuds are starting to bloom and by the time you get to Paducah spring has sprung and the dogwoods are in bloom and daffodils and tulips have popped up everywhere. I think it is one of the reasons I love the AQS show so much. I love the feeling of spring when you are there.

If you want all of the directions for this quilt, they were published in Fons and Porter magazine in Sept/Oct 2009.

So good to be home

Home again, home again, jigged jig.
I just returned from a week long trip to Paducah and Cedar Rapids IA.
It always feels so good to come home, don’t you think? I certainly do.
I had a great week with some wonderful quilty gals.
The three days in Paducah were fabulous, and it was wonderful to be inside quilting on such hot summer days. What on earth did we do before air conditioning. I guess we sat on the porch, drinking cool limeade and fanning ourselves. Or maybe it was Mint Julep's.
Teaching at the National Quilt Museum was really special.

There is a gigantic Magnolia tree at the corner of the Museum. One morning on my way into class I heard all this buzzing. I looked over and there inside the blossoms were these bees. I believe they were having a sugar overdose. They seemed incredible happy. What a way to start the day with the heady smell of gorgeous Magnolia blossom. I am in love with the way they smell.

There are these historic markers all over town. I have never had the leisure to read any of them. I am now so impressed with all the history of the place.
It was so fun to have classes in the museum it self and then be able to walk through the galleries at lunch time, or if we just needed a quick inspiration break.
This museum is a real treasure for all of us quilters.

I taught three days of classes.  A two day fused collage class and one day of machine quilting.

The happy quilty gals of Paducah.

And I was lucky enough to stay at Caryl Bryer Fallerts home and studio. I couldn’t have asked for a nicer mid summer trip.
After three glorious days in Paducah I was off to Cedar Rapids IA to teach at the Eastern Iowa Heritage Quilters Guild in Cedar Rapids.
On the way I passed through St Louis. Just a little glimpse of the arches as I drove by.

We have been parched here in the wid-west this summer. A real heat spell has been upon our region, but driving through Iowa on the way home today the fields looked green and ripe, and I felt like I was in the heart land of America.
It is good to be home.

Come see us in Paducah

We are finally in Paducah. It was a regular road trip with Laura giving bad directions. We ended up starting out by way of DeKalb, NOT on the direct route to Paducah. But she saved my keaster several times by directing me to the right, right, RIGHT HERE, keeping us on the correct highway south. Of course no trip to Paducah is complete without a stop at the Illionis Artisian shop in Rend Lake, where we ran into many old friends. Need less to say we made it safe and sound. It is hot and sweaty here, but the dogwoods are in bloom and the tulips are up and everything is green green green. My favorite color. We even had time to set up half the booth before they kicked us out for the night. We found a new restaurant to eat at, that had home made Tamales, yummy. But the not to smart ice cream shop closed it's doors before we could get our scoop after dinner. Just as well my pants are getting alittle tight. Anyway stop by the booth and say hi.

Paducah day two

For the last several years we have been renting bed and breakfast in Paducah. It has given us the feeling of coming home at the end of the day. This is a shot of the front of the "Mary Jane" where we are staying this year. There is a cute front porch, where if we had the time, which we don't, we could sit out there and have our coffee, or later in the day, lounge back on the wicker porch furniture with a Mint Julep and wave at the neighbors. However our time here is never so relaxed. We finished setting up the booth around noon and then went out and had lunch. After lunch we stopped by Caryl Fallerts, and saw many old friends and were invited to dinner tonight. Yea, we get to eat in Caryl's new home and have a gourmet meal served by a local shibori artist. Doesn't get much better than that.

Laura has re-discovered her roots. As a young girl she lived on a farm in rural CO. The urge to run over and milk this gigantic cow was too much for a country gal. She got her farming fix satisfied for the time being. You never know who you will run into in Paducah!!

Paducah quilts

Here we are in Paducah. This was Anne Lullie’s first time vending in Paducah. We had a ball and worked very hard. It seemed like all the quilters were really happy to be there and find the great items that they did.

This is our friend Rachel Wetzler who is a member of a group I belong to PAQA. She won a third place.

This is a whole cloth quilt by Anne Munoz called “The Perfect Storm”. It was really wonderful.

Debut by Yoshiko Kobayashi

This was a fabulous quilt. It is so hard to get good photos. But I loved this quilt. It is vibrant and catches your eye immediately.

OH Happy Day

I am happy to announce that my quilt “’Woodland Secrets” won an award last night at the AQS show in Paducah KY!!!

I am doing the happy dance all over Paducah. In the booth - Laura and I are here at the show vending in booth 1905 - down the aisles and all around town.  I wish you were all here to help me celebrate.!!

And just in case you are wondering; here are a few details about this quilt - it is made from my hand dyed fabrics, a cotton/silk blend for the border fabric, a cotton background fabric that was cut out using a wavy blade in my rotary cutter, and several different dyed silk charmeuse fabrics that were fused for the jack in the pulpits and the oak leaves. It has a pillow case finish and is (I think) 52” square.

The quilt was designed from one of my drawings that I have done over the years from “live” Jack in the Pulpits that I find growing in the little woods near my house. You know the woods where George and I walk.

If you are in Paducah for the quilt show be sure and stop by the booth and say hello. Fade to music  and dancing…..

Oh happy day
(Oh happy day)
Oh happy day
(Oh happy day)
When Frieda washed
Oh when she washed
When Frieda washed 
She washed the fabric out

Oh happy day
(Oh happy day)
Oh happy day
(Oh happy day) 
She taught me how to watch 
Quilt and fuse
Quilt and fuse
And live rejoicing
Ev'ry day
Ev'ry day
Oh happy day
(Oh happy day)
Oh happy day
(Oh happy day)
Oh happy day
(Oh happy day)
Oh happy day
(Oh happy day)

When Frieda washed
Oh when she washed
When Frieda washed 
She washed the fabric out

Oh happy day
(Oh happy day)
Oh happy day
(Oh happy day) 
she taught  me how to watch
Quilt and fuse
Quilt and fuse
And live rejoicing
Ev'ry day
Ev'ry day
Oh happy day
(Oh happy day)
Oh happy day
(Oh happy day)
Oh happy day
(Oh happy day)
Oh happy day
(Oh happy day)

Springs Greeting

Springs Greeting just received second place in wall quilts at AQS Lancaster. If you missed seeing it there but are going to be in Paducah it will be displayed with the winners from Lancaster at the Paducah show in April. WoWo!!

YLI silk thread on Frieda’s silk fabric. You can buy my silk fabric at the Chicago show in Rosemont. Booth #1123 April 14-17, 2010

Fons and Porter Magazine

Spring Rain will be a featured project in the Sept/October issue of Fons and Porter Magazine. Seems like an odd time to feature this little quilt but who am I to quibble with the powers that be.

I designed this quilt after driving to Paducah a couple years ago. You know when you leave upper Illinois in April we sometimes still have snow on the ground. We are lucky if the Daffodils are blooming! But as you drive down highway 57 straight down the state of Illinois, as each hour passes the landscape turns greener and lusher and the red buds are beginning to bloom. By the time you reach the end of Illinois and pass into Kentucky the dogwoods are blooming and everything feels fresher and cleaner and spring like. I always love driving to Paducah in April.

I hope you enjoy this project.

Design wall Friday

My good friend Laura Wasilowski has shared a photo of her current design wall.
Laura and I will be driving to Paducah on Monday we will have our booth - #1905.
We are on the main floor, against the back wall. I hope that if you or your friends are in Paducah that you will be sure and drop by and say hello. I will be taking lots of pictures of guests in the booth.


Laura’s comment about her wall is “Lots of quilts ready to bind but no time to do it!” My design wall is seldom used to design a quilt. Instead it serves as a photo wall or as a place to store small quilts that are in process. The little quilts are pinned up with notes saying: to be steamed, stitch this, needs machine stitching, or needs photo. It's like a quilt bulletin board.The three on the top and the one in the middle are from her series “Tools of the Trade”. Laura has a very fun view of the world.

When making a large quilt, I occasionally pin the quilt up on the design wall. That's when I get that nasty shock that says the loaves of bread are sliding off the table! (see image of Penelope's Art)


Won’t you be the next person to share your design wall? I’m looking forward to seeing what you are working on.

The last week of March specials on my website

FrieStyle Fabrics and Notions Newsletter March 2011

March Special

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To me, March is the month of green. St Patrick's Day is in March and just recently I learned that I have a little Irish blood in me, so go GREEN. I always knew there was a reason why I liked green so much. This month’s special includes green. With every order in March I will send you a copy of my pattern for the quilt Shimmering Foliage. This is the quilt featured on the opening page of my website. The predominant color in this quilt is Frieda Green. So, for the month of March, Frieda Green and Grass Green gradations will be on sale @ $20 a yard on my website. I feel every project can use a touch of green, and I certainly think of Frieda Green as the perfect neutral! I will be traveling a lot the month of March, and I hope you will understand if it takes a week to ship some orders.

New Fabric Gradations

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I have a new gradation this month - Earth Brown. I hope you will find time to look at this new gradation and maybe even send me a comment or two about them. I would love to hear from you. Perhaps you have an idea for a color gradation that I might try. Please blog or email me your ideas. And please, feel free to forward this newsletter on to a special quilting friend.

Spring Flowers

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The Daffodils are starting to come up in the flower bed under my southwester facing window. My patterns Daffodils and Tulips will also be on sale this month for $6 each. If you have always wanted to make these patterns, now is your chance.

Grandma Status:

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Our first grandchild was born last month, Micah Gillette Anderson, a healthy 8lb 13oz boy born to my son Lars and his wife Megan. I was so fortunate to be able to spend a week with them after the little guy arrived. He is, in my humble opinion, the most perfect baby ever :) And yes, he already has one quilt. I am sure there will be many more.

My schedule this month.

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I will be teaching at the following venues in April and May. If you are close to any of these be sure and drop in and say hello

April 25-30 - AQS show Paducah, KY

May 18 NSQG - Milwaukee WI

Don't forget to stock up on these notions:

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• Self Threading needles - these have just been added to the notions page. I use these all the time.
• Wonderunder
• Decorative blades
• Rayon Thread

Chicago School of Fusing Pattern Works - FrieStyle/Art Fabrik Booth

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I have been dying lots of new fabrics and threads. I have 4mm silk ribbon thread, velveteen, silk and cotton blends and lots and lots of silk fabric. Be sure and come by our booth this year at the AQS Show April 25-30, 2011 in Paducah, KY. See you there!

 

More from Paducah

Here are more quilts from the Paducah show that caught my eye. I hope you enjoy looking at them.

I’ve noticed that I am really drawn to all these album quilts. I think it is all the scrolling and curly ques in them that attract me.

 

Dinner is always better with friends

We all have to eat sometime and eating with friends seems so much more fun then eating alone.
Being at the quilt show is no different. It is what I love the most about coming to the AQS show in Paducah, my favorite quilt show.
Last night we had a real treat when several of us were invited to share a meal with our good friend and hostess Caryl Bryer Fallert.
Since Caryl moved to Paducah and opened her shop and home here, she has been having friends over for dinner one night during the quilt show. She actually started this tradition of having dinner with friends at the show long before she moved down here and just moved the party to her house once she moved in.
I hope you all get the chance someday, if you have not already, to come to this quilt show and while you are here be sure to visit Caryl at her shop. It is one of the highlights of the show. Next to winning an award of course.

Judy Levine and her sister Nancy from Minnesota

Laura Wasilowski and Wendy Butler Berns enjoying good conversation.

Our hostess Caryl and her friend and our divine chef Ron.

Barbara Hartman, John Anderson, Alex Anderson, Libby Lehman, Pat Holly and Sue Nichols ready to eat a good meal.
We had a fabulous dinner and lots of fun conversation.
When you see  Laura  be sure to ask her to sing the “On the Way to Old Kentucky” song we made up on the road trip down this year. She sang it for the crowd that was gathered together on this evening of frivolity.
Happy Quilting and Eating to all of us.

Spring is coming

We are getting ready for the spring shows that are coming up. First IQA in Rosemont outside Chicago at the Donald Stevenson Convention center. April 16-19, Laura and I will have our booth again. I hope you will all plan on attending and visit the booth.

And then of course AQS in Paducah. I love Paducah, probably because of all the flowers in bloom and spring really being in the air. This year our booth will be on the main exhibit floor. We have been moved up!!! I really hope you will make the effort to come and see us.

But for right now you can view us on the Quilting Arts Blog, check it out.

I will post some wedding pictures soon. I have to transfer them from my other computer. The wedding was great, it all went well, the bride and groom were happy and funny and lively and we danced till we dropped.