2010 Oklahoma City Winter Quilt Show

I was so excited that I was able to attend the Oklahoma City Winter Quilt Show, today.  I have wanted to go, for years.   I had to pinch myself, this morning, when I was getting ready to head out the door. 

I thought it was an excellent exhibit with tons of vendors and beautiful quilts.  They have changed the format, as I understand it.  Apparently they used to allow guild quilts, in general, but have gone to a juried show and some challenge quilts.  I don't have anything to compare it to since this is my first time to go, but I thoroughly enjoyed myself.  The Norman guild is having a guild show, this summer, so I will get my quota of "real" quilts at that time. 

I met some ladies from the HGTV message board, Ranette from Ranette's Daily Stitch and a new friend whose husband has been trying to get us to meet since we both quilt.  I am so glad he did.  They were all lovely, creative people.

While I was there, I bought this basket. 

I fell in love with it.

Why do you ask?  I do not know but it called my name. 

I am using it as a purse.  A BIG purse.

I also bought some scented soaps.  I don't need anymore but I love them.  It is a $4.00 thrill.

Partially because it was a juried show and partially because I was just in the mood for creative/offbeat quilts, I was drawn to the art quilts.  I found myself looking at the quilting much closer than in the days before I got my longarm.  And that includes the hand quilting.

Here are a slew of pictures I took.  If you click on them, you can get a bigger picture and it is well worth it on most of them:.

The photo does not do justice to this quilt.  It uses fabric photos but the thing that caught my eye was that, in person, it was 3-D.  It was amazing.

Again, the photo does not show it, but I loved the quilting in this wallhanging.  Each section was different:

This one was cool:

I stood and looked at this one a long time but never really figured out how they did it.  It was creative and lovely.

Very Native American looking:

There was a group of quilts that had cati on them - I assume it was a challenge.  I liked the little blossums on this one:

Another challenge quilt.  This one made me laugh.  And reminded my of my evil mockingbird:

Here is another catus:

Close up of the hole - it looked 3-D, in person:

I am not exactly sure what this is but I liked it:

Closeup of the hand stitching - exquisite:

There was a group of patriotic quilts that are on tour and this one is just gorgeous.  They have a book accompanying it and this is on the cover:

I could not believe the work on this peacock tail:

I love this pattern and the colors:

This quilt is amazing:

These are freehand feathers.  I wish I'd taken more closeups.  It was a marvel:

Beautiful colors and workmanship:

Now, this quilt has so much going on with it you'd have to see it to appreciate it.  It is a masterpiece.  I don't think it looks all that complicated standing back, but when you draw in close, OMG!

See this quilting?  It is ALL OVER it!  Those little freehnd flowers completely cover all the blue part.  It looks like a lace overcovering:

More detail:

I got exhausted just looking at it.  And look at the piping alongside on the binding!  Those little bumps are about a quarter inch, apart.  I am certain this woman must have a maid and no children:

A lovely French Braid quilt:

This traditional looking quilt was just so peaceful:

And look at that perfect handstitching!:

Loved the colors and the movement in this one:

It would cause my husband (Mr. IF IT ISN'T SYMETRICAL IT ISN'T A QUILT) to have a seizure.

Another masterpiece.

Now THIS is the kind of quilt I would like to take a stab at:

It is a photograph inspired quilt and just amazing:

Yeah, I want to do something like this:

Just a little texture - nothing overwhelming.  Perfect:

In comparison, this one seemed simple.  But something about this quilt - either the homey pattern, the colors, or something, drew me back several times:

This red and black one is so gorgeous and I almost hate to post photos because you can't see what a treasure it is:

It is embroidered and heavy, more like a tapestry or a rug:

The quilting is incredible:

You can't see it in the photo, but she used red thread against the black.  It is stunning:

But this was my favorite:

It is done by the same person who did the forest scene.  She pieced and added some hand embroidery to embellish:

Those colors...Oh my.

Now to switch directions, this quilt is just precious because children made it!  They range in age from second to sixth grade.   They each chose a president, drew his face and embroidered the faces.  This is one that is part of the traveling patriotic quilt group.  I couldn't believe children did this.  You'd just have to see it:

So that was how I spent most of my day.  Sheer bliss. 

When I got home, I checked on the birdcam to see how it liked the new location.  I don't think the light is as good but it is hard to compare because it was overcast and drizzling.  I also need to straighten up the birdcam a little.  I can move it closer to the birdcam if I want to and I may.   I put dead branches out there to let birds light on and to hang the thistle sack.   I got a shot of a large squirrel and wonder if that is going to become so much of a problem that I have to move the feeder back to where the dogs can guard it.  Evil Mockingbird is still making his presence known.  He thinks he owns the thing. 

That brush pile and broken limb on the tree beyond the feeder are both going to the curb, soon.  That particular view is looking east out into the pasture.  The morning sun may end up being too much.  We'll see on a sunny morning.

Happy Quilting,

Penny, Evelyn and Pearl