April was a month full of surprises for me!
First up I had the opportunity to visit with my "Ships"
at the AQS Hartford Quilt Show!
What a thrill to see my quilt hanging in a "BIG" show!!
Hearing people's positive comments made
my little heart sing!
The Lunch and Learn program on the first day was
a Design class taught by Gina Perkes and it was Fabulous!
She is so talented and reviewed many aspects of
machine quilting from types of thread & bobbin tension
to using minky as a backing and creating balance in your quilting!
The biggest take away for me was-
the quilting should have a role.
Whether your quilting a donation quilt or a custom quilt
for someone special - know the theme of the quilt, how it will be used
and from that your designs will come.
There were so many incredible quilts on display at the show
but my all time favorite was the Cherrywood "Abyss" Challenge quilts.
Maybe because I love the ocean and the color Blue
these quilts just stole my heart!
I did have a few show favorites!
Usually I'm drawn to all the applique quilts,
but for some reason these two are quilts just hit me.
The incredible quilt by Laura Franci of Italy
(received a First place in Paducah!!)
was in the Small Wall Quilt Category...
Can't you just hear the wave crashing
and smell the ocean when you look at the quilt!!
close up
Ricky Tim's The Visitation quilt
just Outstanding!
(received a Best Stationary Machine Workmanship
ribbon in Paducah!)
close up
After a quick two days at the AQS Hartford show I zipped
over to Bolton MA to go on a retreat with my Quilting Besties!
Joan, Giuliana and Emma (G's daughter!)
(Missed you Diana - you better be there in September!!)
We have been quilting together forever and
its always so nice to sit, chat, laugh, eat and sew with friends!
The sunrises (yes I was up at the crack of dawn - literally!)
were stunning!
My focus for this retreat was handwork - specifically
the Trade Winds quilt (pattern by Sue Spargo)
These two blocks took the better part of three days to complete!!
Mind you the applique portion was already done!
The three days were spent doing all of the embellishment stitch!!!
The current project on my design wall
is progressing ... the 13 blocks are done and
I'm doing just a little embroidery stitching on the last one!
Next up - adding the setting triangles and borders.
Hubby and I went to Afternoon Tea at Blithewold in RI ~ just a lovely place!
We went last year and I was surprised how much he enjoyed it!!
The food was, as always - scrumptious!
After getting our fill of finger sandwiches, goodies and tea
we strolled around the beautiful grounds.
Later that same night while watching the
AQS Paducah Awards ceremony live on YouTube ...
This happened!!!!
OMG!!!!
of course I let out a little scream -
hubby came running to find out what was up and
took this photo of a VERY surprised Me!!
A few of my friends were at the show and sent photos
of the "Ships" wearing her beautiful
Dogwood Embellishment!!!
Still can't believe she won a pretty dogwood ribbon!!!
Talk about a Pinch Me Moment!!
Then a few days later this arrived!!!
Yes I did it!
Purchased a Bernina Q20 sit down long arm!!
My wonderfully generous sister Karen helped make this possible
so in her honor and since it's a Bernina I've named my new machine
KARINA!!!
Can't wait to learn what this new machine can do
and start quilting the MANY quilts that are
just waiting to be quilted!!
But there is More!!!
The other night while watching the AQS Paducah wrap up
on YouTube they mentioned the 2027 engagement calendar,
and what page did they just happen to open to???
YES!
My Garden Trellis Quilt!!!
Bright flowers in time for Spring!
And the week they happened to place my quilt on
coincidentally is my son's birthday week!!
It doesn't get much better than this month of April for surprises!!!
Today I'm finishing off the month with these two samples
for QuiltCorner Studio!
The larger bag is Odessa Weekender by Minki Kim
and there smaller is Ditty Bags 2.0 from byAnnie.com
both made with Tula Pink's new Floral Reef fabrics.
Both bags were fun to make
and the directions were pretty straight forward.
It's been a slow month for critter sightings in the backyard...
but then this handsome guy showed up!
April was definately Full of Many Surprises!!!!
Have a great Quilty Day and enjoy the process!
Janet
