Milroy Amish School Auction

Carol, Lillian and I decided to brave the potentially stormy weather to attend the semi-annual Milroy Amish School Auction.  No weather issues getting there and we were safely engaged in the quilt auction when the thunderstorm went through.

First things first - Lillian & Carol found that fruit pies hit the spot as we gathered energy for quilt viewing.

This was a new location and the first thing that caught my eye was a large mechanical thing that I found out was a metal shearing machine.  We were in an Amish tool shop powered by generators!  Quite interesting.

This was an enormous machine and had a pulley for a PTO on one end.  I had to ask one of the Amish men what it was used for.  He was there with his wife, who was looking at the quilts.

But the main draw for us was the quilt auction.  The quilts were piled on tables by the time we got there so we looked through them as they were finishing the furniture auction.

Piles of quilts.   They had been hung up prior to our arrival for easier viewing.   There were tables and tables of them.

Here's the wall hanging I bought.  I actually saw it from the back side first - the quilting caught my eye.  Traditional pattern and colors.  I love the rope quilting in the brown sashing.  But why is there no quilting in the dark blue sashing?

  The first quilt came up quickly and I happened to glance over and see it - a very traditional pattern that had beautiful quilting.  We were over on one side and I had trouble catching the auctioneer's eye.  The Amish couple I had talked to earlier hollered at the auctioneer for me and I won this quilt.  

Prices were similar to those of past auctions I've attended.  I also bought a quilt top - the challenge for me is to get it quilted.  I was absolutely astounded when an Irish Chain quilt top went for $525.  Amazing.

We stayed through the end of the quilt auction - bidding on some of the quilts and other items.  Both Lillian and Carol bid on and won the bids on woven throw rugs - they were gorgeous colors and nice and soft.  They did bid on some quilts and quilt tops but didn't win any of those items.  About half way through the auction, Lillian had the bright idea of putting her rug on the bench for us to sit on.  It was much softer than the wooden bench!

After the end of the auction, we slopped our way back to the car.  Then it was fun trying to drive through the mud and get out.  We did see them towing one truck out of the mud and I was fortunate enough to get out without getting stuck but it was close.  It's like driving on ice - no control of direction - but worse since the car was covered with mud.  Carol treated me to a car wash when we got home.  Got most of the mud but there were still some clumps I had to wash off.  Don't know what the use of this field will be but it certainly got torn up.

We had a good time, enjoyed the atmosphere and enjoyed being with each other.  What more can you ask for on a rainy Saturday?

Cheers!
Margaret

International Quilt Festival - Cincy Style!

Deb and I went to Cincinnati last weekend to take in the sights at the International Quilt Festival.  The weather was beautiful and Deb drove.  Amazing how many things I've missed while driving - houses built that I'd never seen, trees blossoming out (dogwoods were particularly beautiful), picturesque lakes - just wonderful to sit and be chauffeured.

After arriving, we spent the first few hours walking through the vendor mall, waiting for those items we had to have to jump into our arms.  I was looking for a few things but couldn't find them.  Did see some lovely vintage quilts but they were out of my price range.

On to the quilt displays.  Here's just a sampling of what we saw.

I really love the idea of small quilts that add up to provide a picture of what's special about an area, like "The Great Cincinnati Landmarks Quilt Project" pictured here.  How many of these landmarks do you know?  I had to refer to the key they had posted for several of them.  But you may recognize the old Union Station in the upper left corner that is now known as the Music Hall.  And of course it wouldn't be Cincinnati without reference to a riverboat.

My guild laughed at me when I suggested this type of quilt challenge.  Perhaps it was my unifying theme:  Indiana Route 46 - admittedly not the most exciting topic.  I ran into several friends from the guild while I was looking at this and they caught the bug!  So we'll give it another shot in the next year or so.  

I was intrigued by this quilt - relatively simple design but stunning result.  The star in the lower right hand is beautifully executed with thread.

On my list of quilts to make is a landscape quilt.  This has a wonderful calming feel to it - I loved it.

Another landscape quilt framed in this larger quilt.  Interesting setting, don't you think?

This quilt brought back memories of the Greek Isles and the Mediterranean sea.  While I love the idea of making a quilt with all of those houses on different levels, I don't see that as a part of my quilting future - too many tiny, tiny pieces!

Always on the lookout for possible quilting designs, I saw this on the Cincinnati Bell building while we were waiting for a light to change.  I love the idea of overlapping petals of flowers.  That's going to make it into a quilt in the near future.

We did finally buy a few things and then went to the next big stop...Graeter's, the best ice cream in Ohio!  Just what we both needed to fuel us up for the ride home.

What an enjoyable way to spend a day - with a wonderful friend at a quilt show.

Cheers!
Margaret

Designing Fabric

Our Quilt Guild was blessed by a visit from Moda fabric designer Deb Strain.  One of our members had suggested we invite her to speak and it was a real treat!  Deb has a delightful personality and that is evident from the moment she steps out of her car.

Deb showing the detailed work, including the color key, for one of her new designs.

I'd never really thought too much about what goes into developing those wonderful designs that end up on fabric.  Deb talked about the process - her sources of inspiration (nature and the many things she sees around her), the way she designs (paper, pen and paint, although she mentioned several designers now use computer graphics to design their fabric lines), the types of designs she loves to create (very detailed), the amount of time it takes her to develop the ideas for a possible line of fabric (lots and lots - 6-8 weeks or so).  It was also interesting to know that for some fabric manufacturers she can use up to 19 colors but some are only able to accept 13 colors.  Once she develops an idea into a drawing, she then reproduces that drawing with a variety of color palettes, painting each one using the colors for that particular palette.  While Moda likes 3 alternatives, Deb said she often submits 5 or 6 or 9 as the color possibilities just seem to flow.

What followed was a trunk show of quilts Deb owns that were made out of her fabric lines or that have inspired her.  As much fun as it was to look at the quilts, the stories behind the quilts brought them to life.  I should have given someone my camera as I was one of the quilt holders!  Oh, well...

Guild members enjoyed shopping among the various items Deb has designed.  Calendars, note pads, and books are just a few of the things with her artwork.

Alice brought a wonderful tote she made using fabrics that Deb designed. 

Deb also talked about what a wonderful company Moda is and mentioned that one of her daughters was able to snag an intern position with Moda last summer.  She had a wonderful learning experience.  And how fun it must be for Deb to be working with her daughters on designing a new fabric line for the coming year.

If your guild is looking for a superb program, I can highly recommend Deb Strain.  Entertaining and enriching!

Cheers!
Margaret