July (yes, I'm a bit behind!) Show and Tell

Where does the time go?  The summer has been a busy one, and I guess I am a bit behind of the posting of our Show & Tell photos.

 

Toni shows a very pretty Pin Wheels in the Garden.

 

A second Mystery Quilt for Kris.

 

Carole has completed "At the Lake".

 

A very summery "Florida Gulf Wave" for Barb.

 

Shirley shows a patriotic banner.

 

Another patriotic wall hanging, this one made by Toni.

 

Toni shows two Eye Spy quilts, above and below.

 

Again, some very wonderful quilts made by some very wonderful ladies!

Laurie

AQS Grand Rapids Show

This past week was the first ever American Quilter's Society quilt show in Grand Rapids, Michigan.  Several guild members went down to the show, and I think all are in agreement that the show was a great success!
You can check out the prize winning quilts here if you like.
As if all of the wonderful competition quilts weren't enough, there were of course a lot a vendors and I thought some exceptional exhibits.
The Grand Rapids show was the premiere showing of the "Quilt Like an Egyptian" exhibit which featured a couple tent makers from Cairo, who did a lot of intricate hand applique work...all I can say is that their needles sure could fly!   I  found a neat video from Bonnie McCaffery on the Tent makers of Cairo on Youtube.  I think you will enjoy seeing their beautiful work, and find it quite informative as well.
Also featured were quilts from Japan, as well as a very moving exhibit of The Alzheimer Initiative quilts.  So many wonderful quilts and moving stories about loved ones faced with Alzheimer's.
A very nice show, in a very lovley location.
Laurie

Barn Quilts and the American Quilt Trail

Who doesn't love quilts?  Who doesn't love barns? Combine the two, and it is wonderful!  I am sure most of you have seen the lovely quilt blocks that are painted on plywood, and then put up on a barn.  In the Shawano area, you may take a little tour to see all of the quilt block adorned barns. More information, and a printable map to the Shawano County barn quilts can be found here.
Check out this blog, Barn Quilts and the American Quilt Trail, which will take you on a virtual tour of many barn quilts across the country.  You can spend a lot of time looking!  Be sure to check back in all of the archives as well.
Also, if you would like to learn about the history of this project you can go to The American Quilt Trail.  This site even has an interactive map, where if you click on the state, and then county, it will show you the barn quilts there!
So, if you have a little time you can go on a barn quilt tour without ever leaving the farm!  (or house)
Laurie

Mountain Historical Society Talk

July 17 we gathered with the Mountain Historical Society for a talk on “The History of Quilts”. I was the moderator and began with old worn out quilts one of which was the Swastika design which you all will remember. It was originally called ‘Fly Foot’ and was an ancient symbol of good luck which Hitler took as his sign and will be in the annals of negativism for our lifetimes. It is rarely seen since WW II but I have one my Grandma Bartz made many years ago – 20’s or early 30’s I would say.

I was going to explain how a quilt is made but so many people in the audience were our quilt guild members so that would have been redundant. I talked about HOBO quilts and Underground Railroad quilts but no hard evidence to date that Underground RR quilts truly existed.

Then I showed Grandmother Suemnicht’s ‘Grandmother’s Flower Garden’ quilt which she started in the 30’s ( she passed in 1935) and I finished and it is longarm quilted so combines the Old and the New.

Two signature quilts – one from Grandmother Adra Ebersole made in 1930 with her Ladies Aid names on it and one I made in Mason City in the 1980’s

Following that were some more of Adra’s quilts and my quilts including some new techniques with batik fabrics and photos printed on fabric.

Quilt guild members brought quilts we admired - Joann, Peg, Donna, Leah, Carol, Marge, Mary, Lois's daughter, and others in the audience including Dolly who brought a framed piece from a very old quilt that I would say was a Civil War era quilt. It was awe inspiring to admire and appreciate all the work put into these items.

Highlight for the event was the quilts Joan and Sheila Hixon brought of their mother Velma's,  which she made from age 30 to age 96. She passed last year and July 17 would have been her 97^th birthday.

A big “Thank you” to everyone that contributed to the event.

Finally Marge has a quilt frame available from a friend if you would like one.

The friend also donated quilts that will be the middles for the Tabor quilts for Lutheran World Relief.

I am moderating another session with the Suring Historical Society on August 21 at the meeting room in the Library on Main Street.  All are welcome to attend.

Submitted by Rhoda