Fun, Fun, Fun

Sometimes a girl just wants to have some fun right?  Well, that is what I've been doing.  I've now had 3 "good days" so I'm thrilled.  Perhaps the supplements the compounding pharmacist is helping and perhaps it is because Lois Grabowski came to visit for a few days.  I'm sure it is a combination of both....but who cares right?  A good day is a good day and I'll take them any way I can get them these days (these perimenopause days).

Lois's husband was out of town working so I suggested she head North and come for a visit....I was nice enough to let her sit in the IHAN CEO's chair :)  Many of you know Lois Creates Blog...we have become friends through blogging and I stayed with her while in Cincinnati recently. 

Some people come to visit and are "normal"....not Lois....this is what she does at the kitchen table in the morning.....

And this is the response she got from my co-workers......

You probably guessed Lois is making shadow animals that wag and talk to one another....the boys loved it and laughed continuously...and you know I LOVED that.

Later in the day, Waldo came for a visit.  Waldo's husband, "Mr. Charlie" (as we refer to him) taught Geology at BGSU for many years and that is where Lois went to college.  It was discovered that Lois had Mr. Charlie as a teacher so we had to go over and visit.  Mr. Charlie really came alive during the visit with Lois....you could see how happy he was to have her stop by and visit.  Lois said she has thought of him as the Johnny Carson Professor because to her he looked like Johnny Carson. 

I snapped a pix of  Mr. Johnny Carson and Waldo (this is the portrait that hangs in their family room...Charlie and Rosemary Kahle). 

What a beautiful couple....even after 6 kids!!!

After visiting with Mr. Charlie and Waldo you know we had to go over to the LQS for a little visit....and eat....bloggers gotta eat ya know.  There is a restaurant that Ranger Marianne (Misadventures with Rangers Blog) had introduced me to...Georgettes....and I'm telling you they have excellent food.  We got our lunch and it was so packed they asked us if we wanted to sit at a table in the back gift shop.  What?  A gift shop?  I never knew there was a gift shop back there....oh please....another place to spend money...great!!  lol

If you want to be inspired just click on the Georgettes  and read all about the place, I felt like I was on a mini vacation in the next town...discovering something new and visiting with a friend over a wonderful lunch. 

Georgettes is all about Fair Trade and they are Fair Trade Certified.  You know I love that..and so much more about Georgettes.  I saw a wall hanging I thought might look good over the IHAN place of nightly rest so naturally I picked it up.  It is neither one of these below, but, I thought I would show everyone the hangers they have for wall hangings.  These hangers would be perfect for so many quilts and wall hangings....I was thinking especially of the Indian, Africian and Abrigional fabrics that I have....what do ya think?  (They even have free shipping and free hand written note card service....how nice is that?)

Back at the ranch, Lois and I did some (a little) sewing and this is the progress I've made on my Hugs and Kisses Quilt that I'm making.

I used a Bali Pop from Hoffman Fabrics....I really like it...still want to shift some blocks around....but overall I really like the batiks...what'cha think?

That's what is up in my end of the world....how about you?

More Highlights and Purchases from Cincinnati International Quilt Festival 2011

Quilt Tapestry Studio

Wendy Richardson, Artist/Owner

Wendy's booth really slowed me down.  I had not seen such interesting dyed fabrics and I wanted to see this piece below close up.  This photo does nothing for the actual piece....I promise you that.

Isn't it absolutely beautiful?  I loved studying it and was so greatful that Wendy said I could take a few photos to share with all of you....THANK YOU Wendy!!

Here is Wendy holding up my purchase.....

 

I don't have a project in mind yet but I know they were so unique that I could not pass them up....nor could I pass up the opportunity to support a fine artist.

 See the texture...you can see it but you can't really feel it....interesting ay?

Now on to the next booth that I could not resist:

Colouricious 

Jamie Malden, Owner

Check out these wood carved stamps....yes...I said they are carved into wood.  Look what she does with them....

Stamps on fabric and the funny part is that she would cover up fabrics that she thought were ugly with some paint and then stamped on them.....makes you want to save all that not so pretty fabric doesn't it?

This was the banner behind Jamie's booth.  Hmmm...wonder what country she is from....NOT! : )  Below are some other samples she was stamping during the show.  The paint dried very fast so she was able to keep stamping over the images.  I was told you can use any fabric paint (fabric ink can be turned into paint by mixing it with 100% Pure Aloe Vera)....you do need to heat set it as well.

I purchased this starter kit and two additional larger stamps (bottom left of photo).  Can you blame me?

 

I didn't get photos of the Fern Hill Booth....but here is my purchase.

I could not resist this panel from Fern Hill .  The panel is Daydreams  by Stephanie Brandenburg.  It came with all 4 flowers and I bought three coordinating pieces too.   I have not seen any fabric this bold and beautiful on this scale before...so I was very excited :)

 

 Artistic Artifacts

Judy Gula

This "oh so tempting booth" was done by Judy Gula and her friend Liz Kettle.    This is a great photo of Lois Grabowski with Liz Kettle....Liz is one of her idols. 

Liz has co-authored two books, Threads, The basics & beyond, and Fabric Embellishing, The basics & Beyond.  I have blogged about Liz before and I have told folks how talented she is and how great excellent both books are.  So you know I cracked up when I saw Lois' blog post about  Threads. She was so excited and went on and on about how good it is.  I must say I did take the pleasure of e-mailing her and saying...."I told ya so!"  I could not help it....besides...we are friends so she could take the ribbing.

 

These were my purchases from Artistic Artifacts....some Aboriginal fabric and some fun silk wisps or what ever you call them for embellishing and textile arts.  

 

I have some splanin' to do about this here little packet.  Remember when I said I'll never do another challenge again?  Well all I have to say is "Never Say Never" as long as you live....cuz I'm doing an Art Quilt Challenge sponsored by Artistic Artifacts and Moonlighting Quilts.  I told Lois if she would do it then I would do it.  We signed the little agreement and took our packets.  "What does Power Suit Mean to you?" is the theme.  

Now all of this would be managable....EXCEPT for one small detail......the next day we go back to Judy's booth and who is standing there accepting a challenge packet?  Take one guess?  It was none other than Pokey Bolton the editor of Quilting Arts Magazine (the only magazine I subscribe to...by the way).  Tell me I'm not feeling sick. I hope their are categories of the challenge....like idiot....that one would be for me :)

I really had a great time with Lois and I got the opportunity to meet so many other quilters and bloggers....more on that soon.

Smiles,

Kelly