Some Hightlights from the Kaleidoscope of Quilts 2013, Sylvania OH

Well, well....I've been busy putting my inventory away and didn't even follow up photos of the beautiful show....I'm sooooo bad!  Sorry for the delay and here ya go:

 "Kaleidoscope Memories" by Kathy Kanitz 

Quilted by Irene Rose

Binding by Londa Burkett

I really got a big kick out of this quilt.  From a distance it looks like a Kaliedoscope quilt....until you see the blocks up close and then you see they are faces.  Kathy used photos of the members of the Toledo Gathering of Quilters over a 30 year period and made a quilt.  What a wonderful inspiration....how fun would it be to do one of all your family members?

"Christmas Bouquet" made by

 Jean Overmeyer - Design, Thread Painting & Quilting

You probably recognize this piece.  I have posted about it before and have drooled every time I see it.  Jean taught a class at Kaleidoscope...more on that later :)

Oh....time for "Where's Waldo."

LOL....Here's Waldo!  People ask me all the time, "how is Rosemary."  I'm so glad to tell you that she is well and out and about.  Waldo's grand daughter, Claire, is affectionately referred to as our 4th daughter and she came and helped too :)

 

"Wildflowers" by Annie Tate

Quilted by Jodi Appel

Wildflowers is an machine embroidery and applique pattern from Smith Street Designs.  Annie said she was surprised to see that she had gotten a ribbon for her beautiful quilt.  My reply was something like, "Annie, we've been drooling over your quilt for awhile now...you think us girls don't know what we are talking about?....LOL"   Way to go Annie!  :)

 "Applique Playground" made and quilted by Jo A Coon

Pattern is "Applique Affair" by Edyta Sitar

 I really was enamored with this quilt and the way the applique was set, the borders, colors -everything was just beautiful.

 

Sandra's Sister's Choice made and quilted by Dale Burnett

Dale quilted "Momma's Quilt" too.  She has a heart bigger than Texas!  "Sandra's Sister's Choice-This quilt is for a very special lady whose life was torn upside down oChristmas Day 2012.  We had the opportunity to help her re-build her home and I'm hoping that the quilt will bring her comfort."

 "Year of the Never Ending Spring"

 made and quilted by Patsy Thompson.

 "Tropical Harlequin" made and quilted by Amy Reitzel

(Sorry for the fuzzy pix...the quilt is beautiful)

 "Honeycomb" made by Linda Blaesing

Quilted by Sheryl Guess

Talk about a knock your socks off quilt!  When I walked around the corner and saw this quilt it just grabbed me.   The colors and fabrics are perfect together....in my mind :)

"Iris Medallion" made and quilted by Sue Gruber

 The original photo I took really doesn't do justice to Sue's quilt but this close up does a better job of highlighting her beautiful work.

 "Seascape" made by Shari Wiesman

Quilted by Dick Wiseman - Quilt Wise

 You really have to see this quilt in order to grasp its grandeur.  Shari has added some netting and embellishments that skyrocket this quilt (again, in my opinion...giggles) to the top of any show.

I really liked that Shari added this piece to the side of her quilt....she is giving me ideas for my future projects :)

 "Sample This" made and quilted by Barb McLean

 You just can go wrong with these Westminster Fabrics!

 "Curve Carnival" made and quilted by Amy Reitzel

 Love this quilt using fabrics by Marcia Derse.  She was at the show vending her beautiful fabrics and I'm telling you....I just wanted to lay in the middle of her fabrics and roll up in them.  I don't think she would have appreciated that very much.

 If you like hand embroidery, and know about brazillian embroidery....prepare yourself for this next quilt....it is a special visual treat!  I was so taken with this quilt that I only took close up photos and forgot completely to take one of the whole quilt.  Luckily for me, she took a First Place Ribbon at Sauders Village for Best Hand Quilted.

Photo Credit Click Here

 I've done some Brazilian Embroidery in my time....nothing as breathtaking as this piece for sure.

  "Aunt Millie's Garden for Lydia" made and quilted by Diana Trost

 "Spring Bouquet" made by Kathryn Bartley

Quilted by Rosanna Williams

"Painterly Flower" made and quilted by Jean Overmeyer

 "Pretty Petite Squares" made and quilted by Rita Trumbull

This is a miniature quilt....mind blowing to me!

"Mandala & Noel", both made and quilted by Diane Giveins

 "Winter Beauty" made and quilted by Mary Clark

"Sherbert Glacier" made by Lisa Spaulding

Quilted by Crystal Smythe

 "Glacier Star" made by Lynn Michel

Quilted by Anita Shackelford

 Youth Quilts

"Purple Country Music" by Sarah Higbie (age 11)

Quilted by Lisa Spaulding

"To Infinity and Beyond" made and quilted by Caytlin Schultz (age 13)

Impresssive young ladies, wouldn't you agree?

More quilts from the show:

 These are quilts that are being donated to the Alzheimer's Art Quilt Initiative

I don't know who made this quilt, but it blew my mind.  Having lost my mother so recently I could easily see a photo of my mother there...it depicts grief and joy so very well.  Absolutely amazing!  If you know who made this quilt and would like to leave a comment or e-mail me...I'd love that.

There were so many more quilts that I didn't get time to photograph.  I hope you enjoyed the ones I did grab during one of my breaks.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Smiles,

Kelly

Setting The Record Straight

First, I did survive vending at the Kaleidoscope of Quilts in Sylvania this past Friday and Saturday. There were times I wasn't sure I'd be able to walk on my own accord....but I made it! Setting up a booth entails hauling tons of stuff and I was short a few tanks and military personnel. 

There were two huge highlights for me.  The first was being able to see lots of friends and receiving so many loving hugs. 

The second....this is the part where I'm setting the record straight....and a wee bit of the background story.

When my Mother was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and was told she had 4-6 months to live in February,  I was beside myself....naturally.  My girlfriend, Diane, asked if there was anything she could do to help.  The very first thing that came to mind was "Momma's Quilt."  She had selected the fabric (from my stash) and the pattern and I was going to make her a quilt for her birthday, May 25.  I asked Diane if she could ask some of our mutual friends if they would be willing to help with the quilt for my mother.  Within an hour of sending the e-mail....she had lots of help.  In 3....yes THREE days...."Momma's Quilt" was made.  I asked Diane to leave off the binding so I could do the stitching thus having a part in making the quilt. 

Diane wanted to enter the quilt in the Kaleidoscope of Quilts as a group quilt but somehow the label does not indicate who the real winners of the First Place ribbon belongs to.

 The TRUE WINNERS of the First Place Ribbon belong to the following amazing ladies:

Diane Giveins (she made the beautiful label too)

Sandy Dallas

Marty Deer

Carol Eiben

 Linda Hill 

Joan Jaffray 

Nancy Lee White

Peggy Mlynek

Ellen Snyder 

Lynda Torres

and Dale Burnett who did a beautiful job long arm quilting "Momma's Quilt."

"Momma's Quilt" hung in the back left corner at the show, a perfect place because I felt as though it was somehow sacred space....like Momma was there with me.  She was able to enjoy her quilt for almost 8 weeks before she passed.  I don't think I could express my gratitude enough for the gift these ladies gave to me....the ability to give my Mother her birthday present. 

In my mind, these ladies are truely the:

With huge smiles of gratitutde,
Kelly

Flamingo Update & More : )

 Yes, the Flamingos are alive and well.  They are there every day but I have not been in a mental space to stop and take any photos....until yesterday!

Apparently momma flamingo is taking care to watch over her baby flamingos as they swim :)

 photo credit click here

I'm up to my ears!!!   I'm preparing to vend at the Kaleidoscope of Quilts this weekend (see this blog post) and typically the IHAN® store does not put prices on everything so I'm writing as fast as I can.  If you are local...I sure hope you will come to visit : ) 

Please forgive me if you have seen this already.  This is the very first time I've ever copied a e-mail and posted it to my blog....but I just could not help myself!

 When the power of love overcomes the love of power, the world will know peace.

I loved this and I hope you enjoyed it too.

Smiles,
Kelly