Quilt Show Hopping

There were two local quilt shows this weekend and, of course, I had to check out both.  I went with my cousin and fellow quilter, Cathy and friend & quilter, Joyce.

Friday, was the Lansing Area Piecemakers show at the Summit.  Several nice quilts - and a tote :)

 I didn't spend a lot on Friday... bought a 'pillbox' acrylic ruler for my longarm and a Dahlia panel, which is really the rage for a lot of long arm quilters.  I didn't think I'd get one because when I looked online, they were either unavailable or cost more than I was willing to pay for a length of fabric ( like $20 or more).  I found this one for something like $15.... no pic yet.

Yesterday's quilt show was another story ( shopping wise), though... and I didn't take a lot of pics, either.... there weren't a lot that really 'spoke' to me .  This show was in Marshall, Mi. and is always one that you don't want to miss.  It's a large guild with, I think, over 200 members ( too big for me) and they always seem to have lots of things going on. 

 I really liked this one... just the idea that you make blocks and sew them together into a top and then add the applique'... not a new idea, but definitely different than what I usually do and I'm kind of intrigued.

This one was just amazing to me.  And, as I'm standing there drooling, I got to talking to another woman about it and found out that she teaches a class on this technique'/quilt - and she happens to be friends with another woman who works in one of our town's quilt shops.  I'm hoping I can get people interested in taking a class from her.

 I just thought this cat quilt was 'fun' and a good idea for scraps.  I can see taking a pic from a coloring book and trying something like this.

 I took this pic simply because it's bright and colorful and a Hunter's Star which I really like but haven't done yet.  I have a grandson named Hunter and I've always wanted to make him one of these... he graduates high school next year - maybe this is what I'll do :).

 This one was interesting... too bad the photographer ( myself) couldn't get a CLEAR pic.

 

And, last but not least... there was this simple 9 patch set on point and sashed.  It just appealed to me.

The 'garage sale' that this guild has at their quilt show is not to be missed.  Joyce bought a kit consisting of 12 stamped blocks that you embroider and then sew together to make a quilt top.. I don't remember how much it was, but it was CHEAP!... one block was already done and embroidery thread was included.

I bought this...

It's two cheater panels... I haven't opened it up to see what they are, but I figured they would be good for me to put on Mo'e ( my longarm) and practice with.  For five bucks, you couldn't really say No, could you?

And I bought this for another $5... bought something else but can't remember what it was... it/they were another $5 .. so I spent a total of $15 at the garage sale... last year I spent about FIFTY but it was worth it.

ah!  this pattern is one of the other garage sale purchases... but I'm pretty sure I spent $15 so there must be a $2 item that I'm missing.  I was thinking that maybe with some of the charity quilt 'scraps', I might be able to get someone to join me in making some pincushions to donate to the church's bazaar this fall.

 Then it was time to hit the vendors and that's where I started to get into trouble lol

Due to some confusion, I ended up sitting in the vendors area while Cathy and Joyce went back and checked out the last row of quilts... well, as I sat there, I was checking out the vendor booth right across from me and noticed a pattern that I'd been interested in for awhile...

so over I went to check it out.. Of course it wasn't right in plain sight so I could just buy it and sit back down... nooooo.  While searching for the pattern, I came across this fabric... which will be great for hubby's t shirt quilts ... I bought two!  lol 

 Then, once Cathy and Joyce rejoined me, I found this is the bottom of a sale bin and, even though the color doesn't match, I think it's enough to use for backing on a quilt that I'm working on now ( but haven't shared with you other than to show you the fabrics in grayscale).

 In the same bin, I found this... it's  6 sample pieces which will be great for at least a couple of I SPY quilts... for $3 would YOU turn it down?

 After lunch at Schuler's... which was VERY good, we hit The Marshall House... one of the best quilt shops around - but it wasn't as great as it has been.  The clearance ( $6 yd) fabrics went from two rows along one wall to one 'bin' full of Halloween fabrics.  :( 
I still managed to drop a bundle ( big enough I had to write a check) there....
I found some fruit/veggies fabrics to finish the two placemats that I'm making to go with that fruit jar quilt of Annette's that I'm finishing .

 And I found a chenille brush for less than $4.
Two old car panels for hubby's t shirt quilts....

oh, yeah, and a bag pattern so I can make stepdaughter a smaller more manageable one than the last one I made her.  Once I got home and really got to looking at the pattern to see what I'd need to make it... YAY!  it takes 5" squares and I have LOTS of those.  Yardage for the lining and handles, but only about a yard and I can decide on that once I figure out what 5" squares I'm going to use. - anything but Green ( she doesn't like it).

and then I bought this bargello pattern... just for the fun of it, although I think it could be done with some of the charity quilt fabrics.

While there, I saw the most adorable chicken quilt ... but luckily, each block pattern comes separately and they didn't have the entire set - so I was able to pass them up.  But it was cute!!  

Ok, I think I've caught you up... My friend, Katie ( www.katiemaytoo.blogspot.com), is going to the show in Marshall with her mom today .. we'll see what, if anything, she finds.  :)

in the meantime   take care and I'll 

ttyl