Display boards

Pearl buttons, apron patterns and Workbasket magazines.

No quilting again this week, but I've been super busy putting together all I need for my demonstration booth at Heritage Days tomorrow.  Costume done (check!) Trunk packed with quilts (check!)  Two display boards finished (check!)

Still have the large quilting frame to bring up from the basement, and then pack up the van.  If you are in the Twin Cities come on over!  I would love to see you at Bloomington Heritage Days.  The historical society tents will be open from noon to 6pm.

Notions, advertising and 1940's sewing books.

Park and Ride from Kennedy High School on 98th and Nicollet, or from Normandale College on 98th and France.

Fabric in the mail!

It was so exciting to get a package of gorgeous fabrics in today's mail!  One of the blogs I follow is Field Trips in Fiber written by Vicki Welsh, . Vicki is a wonderfully creative quilter and artist who hand dyes fabrics.  She has been encouraging her readers to get busy finishing up UFO's so we can get to work on our Dream Quilt project.  I've been commenting just to keep myself on task with my UFO's, and much to my surprise, she had a drawing to win a yard of her hand dyed fabric - and I was the winner!

We sent a couple e-mails back and forth, and she generously sent these luscious light blue pieces. Thank you, Vicki! I'm planning to use them to make my dream project...a Storm at Sea quilt.  (Which I constantly keep calling Ocean Waves for some reason.)  Now I have all the fabrics, and the pattern, so this fall/winter it's 'game on' for Storm at Sea.  No excuses.

Vicki has a great Etsy shop where you can get some of these, and many more, wonderful fabrics for your own special project.  The weight and quality of the fabric is very good, and her colors are so clear.

In addition to her fabrics, and her quilting, Vicki is an amazing artist in a number of other mediums.  She is creating a mosaic wall she in her home, and makes lovely bowls with slumped glass.  She also makes beautiful quilted postcards for her family and friends and shares how to make them on her blog.  Someday I'm going to give that a try!

More State Fair Quilts

Most of the quilts entered into the Minnesota State Fair can be found in the Creative Activities building.  And what an amazing display!  You will have to take my word that there are stunning applique and intricately pieced quilts all throughout the building.  I tend to photograph quilts that I actually have a fighting chance of making myself some day. So, let's take a look around and see what caught my eye....

Market Basket - traditional block

flannel Floating Friendship Star - traditional block
This just looked so cozy!

Some darling small quilts were also on display.

This grouping in the Ramberg Senior Center included
an award from a LQS: Rosebud's Cottage 

And though I don't think Dear Jane is a quilt that I will attempt, this lovely version was folded on a display shelf. I wish we could have seen the entire quilt to fully appreciate the artistry that goes into making it.

Dear Jane in batiks on black background

Surprisingly, there were not labels with the quilter's names on the quilt displays in this building so I can't give credit where due.  Congratulations to all the quilters whose work is displayed!  You have outdone yourselves again this year, and it was a delight to see your quilts.