The Last Quilt Show

Primitive Gatherings

Geranium Baskets

Table Mat

This weekend was the International Quilt Festival in Chicago. I promised myself that I would finish a project purchased at a prior show before attending this one and buying even more projects :) I finished this just in time!

And I had just the place to put it.

My sister-in-law and I always look forward to this show, but we were a little sad this year as it is the last one in Chicago. The show is moving to Cincinatti next year. Living just 10 minutes from the show has truly spoiled us and I don't see us making the trip to Ohio next spring. So we enjoyed every minute of the show this year...

The Quilt show was incredible. I'm partial to traditional quilts, but a few of the modern quilts stopped us in our tracks. The colors and stitchwork above really created an optical illusion.

What a busy home depicted in this quilt. So many details to take in...

Last year this quilter submitted a goat that was so sweet. This little piggy made everyone smile.

We spent most of our time admiring the antique quilt exhibit. These quilts were all created between 1830 and 1900 if I remember correctly.

Aren't they incredible?!

They've clearly been treasured over the years.

The fabrics in the antique quilts are just stunning.

It's interesting the combinations of fabric used.

I think that this one was my favorite. I couldn't get a photo of the full quilt as it was constantly being admired. You can't get the perspective here, but the quilt/applique pieces were tiny.

Don't the flowers on the right look like perfect pansies?

Of course knowing that this was the last show I did more than my share of shopping at my usual favorite booths:

At the Country Sampler, I bought the new Blackbird Designs book that I've been wanting. And a Stacy Nash kit that I had never seen before - I think it will be a great companion piece to the one that I am stitching now.

At Primitive Gatherings I did some damage to my pocketbook. I LOVE Lisa & Carole's new book and would love to stitch up every wool project in it. I highly recommend this book and couldn't resist buying a few of the kits right away.

The wools in the kits are so beautiful.

I had to buy another geranium table mat... I love the terra cotta pots and the flower petals are teeny tiny.

I bought a few vintage items - some neat metal buttons, a few old wooden spools for a project I have in mind inspired by something I saw, and a wonderful old fabric from a quilt backing.

Then I was so inspired by a new booth that really isn't my usual taste...

Handbehg Felts!

Photos in the vending area were discouraged, but these ladies encouraged it.

What sweet and helpful women, who were wonderful salespeople! After exploring their creative booth, I just wanted to go home and start creating!

It was a feast for the eyes and my creative soul :)

The possibilities are endless for these little felt balls. And I've always had a soft spot for wool!

These little acorns were the clincher - I just knew that I had to make some!

I felt that I did my best to contain myself and not overdo it. And can't wait to have some finshes to show you!

We had such a wonderful time!

I did promise myself that I won't start another project until I finish stitching this one and put it together...

Luckily I am pretty close to finishing the stitching.

Thanks so much for sitting through my blabbing on and on. When you enjoy something so very much you just want to share!

Wishing you a lovely week filled with creativity!

Blessings, Patti