NOT YOUR MAMA'S QUILT SHOW ~ ~ ~

 Last week, friend Heidi and I went to Cincinnati to the International Quilt Festival ~ it was held downtown in a big event center, whose name escapes me, connected to the hotel with a skywalk.  We dropped the car at valet parking (well worth the $) and didn't get back in it till we left the next day!  This booth, Country Threads, greeted us as we walked in the doors on Preview Night!  Many of the booths were beautifully decorated and just made such a great presentation!

The first two quilts here are by Susan Shie from Wooster!  The quilt show was large and for the most part were art quilts!  This one was heavily embellished ~ about 20" x 36" ~ for sale ~ I had to ask the price ~ I still haven't recovered ~ talk about sticker shock - $14,400 !!!!!!!!!!!!!

This next one is Susan's as well ~ her quilts were presented as a One Woman show type of display ~ air-brushed ~ teeny tiny writing on them ~ each one it's own work of art!

There was everything at this show ~ the creativity of these quilters had no bounds!  And the quilts were literally from all over the world!  There were very few quilts like we grew up with ~ like we see down in Amish country that are pretty and very functional.  These would hang  on a wall and claim their very own place as a work of art!

This one intrigued me because the people to the left of the quilt were like little fabric sculptures ~  created as though they were walking into the 'scene' ~ very creative!

This one had lots of embellishment and heavy wool applique ~ if you click on the pictures to enlarge them, you'll be able to see the scope of their work.  There were several wool booths there ~ beautifully presented.  I've done shows for years and these were the top of the top, in my opinion!

Loved this Andy Warhol style of quilting ~ it looks like a painting, doesn't it?

I loved this black and white cityscape-type of quilt ~ it had lots of sparkly on it ~ and you know how I love my sparkles!


We shopped all the vendors on Thursday night and Friday morning, we toured the quilt show.  I had to be back home in the afternoon because I had my class the next morning!  But, we found we were right on target in doing the Thursday night thing because the next morning, the show was crawling with thousands of people!  I didn't buy a lot ~ some Pro-Chem dye, which I've been wanting to try ~ some sari ribbon like we used in blog challenge # 2 (which I'll package into smaller bits to sell) and just some odds and ends of things.  I got some good ideas and saw some things that sparked some good ideas.  I'm going to be making some funky flower pins ~ wish I could get some done for Saturday's show!  Going to make a cute apron to wear for shows ~ it was such an inspiring place to be.  If you are a quilter, it would be like going to fabric heaven!!!!!!!!!!!!  It will be in Cinci again next year ~ I have it on the calendar already ~ April 12 - 15th!  Friend Donna met us down there, too ~ and we just all had a spectacular time!!
 
There are more pix for another posting ~ I'm washing wool that came in this week ~ packing for the Gathered Treasures show Saturday, here at the fairgrounds ~ and I'm on my way out the door to breakfast with friends!!  No wonder I don't get anything accomplished ~ but if you know me, you know I love my friends!!  Have a great day ~ Spring has sprung!!
Alice