Serendipity

Two things:

First, I live in the city where one of the biggest quilt shows in the world happens every year. Because of this, I have become very lazy about seeing quilts elsewhere. Plane tickets? Booking a room? Eating in restaurants? Nah. If it involves more than a 45 minute drive, spending the day then coming home, eating at my table, sleeping in my bed, then I can't be bothered.

Secondly, I have known since Autumn of last year that, early in 2016 I would be traveling to California for work. I had been discussing with my hosts about when would be the best time, for them, for me. We finally settled on a time agreeable to both of us & I began to make plans to go -- a PO for plane tickets, gathering materials I would need while there, etc.

About a week before I was to leave, lines started connecting dots:
I was going to Pasadena, California. I would be there during the third week of February.
The third QuiltCon was to be out west somewhere, California, wasn't it?
Sometime in the second half of February?

Yes, I was going to be in Pasadena, CA the same week as QuiltCon!

I was busy with work most of the week, but Friday was carved out for a quick visit to QuiltCon & a quick tour of Pasadena. I don't think I've been through a quilt show faster! But I had time for a once-over of the juried quilts & the special exhibits. They had a display of Gwen Marston's quilts. It was nice to see quilts from her books up close & personal.

The other display was of Molly Upton's work from back to the early 1970s.
They were moving, stirring & inspiring. I will let them speak for themselves to you.

Quilt Con-cked Out

Phew!

I'm back from the second QuiltCon. I had not planned on going, but the possibility of meeting quite a few of my favorite quilters tipped the balance in favor of going. My gracious, good friend, QuiltingCyclist, had a shareable room within rock-throwing distance of the Austin Convention Center -- so off to Austin I went.

 Firstly, I had lots of fun!

Secondly (& certainly the cause of Firstly), I made the effort to repress my wallflower nature & boldly approached people I did not know & introduced myself to them. I met Libs Elliot -- an amazing quilter! we chatted about her process & what is upcoming for her. I met Andres (aka Mad Tesla), from my virtual acquaintance with him I knew he is talented & funny, now I know he is also charming & smart. I met Lynn Harris (in fact followed her into the ladies' room like a creepy stalker), we talked about tiny patchwork stars & her soon-to-be-released book. I met Melissa Averinos, she made an amazing face quilt that won Judges' Choice & after we talked, she continued to recognize me & say "hi" when our paths crossed. I met Sherri Lynn Wood & had her sign a copy of her new book -- she gave me some good advice that I hope to apply to my quilt-making & to life in general. I met Tara Faughnan, I've loved her quilts for some time & was delighted to find a spirit similar to mine. I met entropy always wins -- crazy talented, crazy smart & crazy nice! she recently made fabric rose brooches & gave me one! I met bookybookish, an Instagram friend who is now a Real Friend. I did not get to meet armchair quilter, Claudia, it just didn't work out this time, but someday! I did not meet, but enjoyed seeing 2 of Leslie Schmidt's quilts. And I did not get to reconnect with completely cauchy, the poor dear got sick the week before QuiltCon & she finally decided not to come, but I got to see several of her quilts on display.

It was such a pleasure putting faces & voices together with quilters & bloggers that I admire.

Thirdly, I saw lots of fabulous quilts. There were 2 special exhibits, one was a group of Gee's Bend quilts -- a group of the women taught workshops & gave the keynote talk -- the other were quilts from the collection of Bill Volkening, quilts from the 50s, 60s & early 70s -- lots of joyful color & polyester! And the quilts entered to hang, well, here is just a few.

I got a temporary quilty tattoo. Hmmmmm, next time, maybe a real one........?

QuiltCon-sumed

 I've had a great weekend!

The inaugural QuiltCon in Austin, Texas!

Just up the road a piece from me, I arrived Thursday afternoon & spent 2 days seeing some great quilts, meeting some great people & eating some great food. I spent time with lots of my fellow HMQG members, bonding with & getting to know better Mona & Anna & Ila, Tammy & Sally & Katie & Gaby & Jacey & Jami, Liz & Pam & Deirdre & Chi, Rebecca & Becca & Becky. I met some bloggers who I admire: Chawne Kimber, Marianne Haak, Sherri Lynn Wood, Deb Rowden, Victoria Findlay Wolfe.

TMI?

QuiltCon is getting closer & closer & the host, The Modern Quilt Guild, is hosting a link party. 

So let's see 5 things you might not know about me .... Some random bits you've already learned: I collect wedding cake brides & grooms; Shug & I sail a 14 foot catamaran; my Mom has Alzheimer's; I love my social media. 

Five more things?!? 

Well, (1) fabric & sewing have always been in my life. The first thing I remember sewing was this little outfit for my Pepper doll. 



(2) My hair has gotten really long! I don't really like it & I'm sure it is not flattering but I just don't know what to do with it. All I need is a muu-muu, 3 cardigans, scuff slippers & a cackle to officially be a Crazy Old Lady! (3) I work at a natural science museum. Mostly it is just a job, just with more T-Rex, polar bears & mummies! (4) We don't have children & we don't refer to our cats as "fur babies". (5) I'm trying to get healthy & fit -- again! -- this year. It needs to be a way of life, not a program & it gets really hard the older you get. 

Are you going to QuiltCon? I hope so! I'd love to meet you in person!