The Grand Tour - Part 2

HOUSTON BABY!

Of course the ultimate destination was the International Quilt Festival in Houston, Texas.

We arrived a few days before the quilt festival started so that we could go to some luncheons and enjoy some classes.

The class I was most excited about was the 'Longarm Quilting - Maybes, Gonna be's and Wanna be's' with Linda Taylor.

The stars and loops was my first attempt with the pantograph pattern on the machine. I'd love to claim the border print but that was pre-done for us and we then quilted a ballerina. It was great fun to get the chance to use the Gammil Longarm but I didn't manage to fit one in my suitcase to bring home. 

Other than the massive market hall at the George R. Brown Convention Centre, there was the quilt displays.

We saw some amazing and awe inspiring quilts.

The following are a tiny example of all we saw...

 

Of course I managed to spend a bit over the four days at the show.

I extended my foxy fabric collection -  

It's not the greatest photo but that giant pile of stuff on the table is what I brought home.

Some were gifts but most was for little old me! 

Some cultural delights to take home to share. 

And not one, but two pairs of cowgirl boots

When I got home, I was greeted by Harvey holding this sign at the airport 

And then another tasty Mr CP cake creation. 

Lucky me!

I missed the boys and of course Mr CP and feel very, very lucky that I was able to take the time away and fulfill a dream with my aunt.

We had a wonderful trip together and we're still speaking after spending 24/7 with each other!

After such an inspiring and quilt-filled few weeks -There's so much to sew!!!

I have big sewing plans for 2015....

Abbe 

Another Finish for WIP 2012

I didn't realise that I hadn't blogged this one.

Lots of my favourite Amy Butler prints with some off white quilter's muslin. Obviously a very simple quilt but sometimes it's more about the fabric than anything else.

I quilted straight(ish) lines between the blocks and then practiced my stipple quilting in the blocks. It's the first time that I have free-motion quilted on a big quilt and I was surprised I didn't find it harder, which is great because it's encouraged me to do more.

But.... I don't seem to have a pic of the finished quilt and I took it up to The Retreat yesterday. It's the last day of June and therefore the last day to get another entry into the 12 WIP in 2012.

I hope they'll believe I've finished it, especially since I actually completed the binding on the 2nd of June. 

I should have blogged it then!!

It seems I'm dobbing myself in for the actual amount of WIP's I have.

I've already finished off a few that weren't even on my original list for the year.

This is another one of those....

It's a challenge one that I did with my aunts and supposed to represent the four seasons.

I did some stipple and some meandering for quilting as I needed it to be a quick finish. I machined the binding on this afternoon during Harvey's nap and it folded and ready to go to the retreat. 

Pretty floral backing

I got this back from Kerry, the long-arm quilter (Black Forest Quilting, Macedon) and she has done an amazing job. It's destined to be a wall hanging in the studio at The Retreat.

Only a sneak peek for now, you should come and see it.... 

Remember The Retreat OPEN HOUSE is on Saturday the 14th and Sunday the 15th of July.

Contact me for address details.

Abbe x