Saturday 18 August 2012

Festival of Quilts


                                                                     Story of the Earth

Yesterday Stitch&Bitch friend Lynne and I took the coach to the NEC to visit the Festival of Quilts. Lynne had a heck of an early start...she was running the dogs on Heacham beach about 5.30...and she is NOT a morning person! Jim drove us to the pick up point for 0700hours and we boarded a half empty coach; this was lovely for us all as we could spread out over two seats each, and have a good doze, but we wonder whether the company will be running the coach there next year, it can't have been worth their while financially.

We noticed fewer than usual cars and coaches - the recession is certainly biting. We decided to view the quilts together then split up to shop and meet up for lunch. Well, I don't know, unless we are both getting a bit jaded, or it is just that we've been around a long time looking at quilts, but we felt we had seen SO MANY of them before. Lots of lookey-likeys, and ....well, I'm not going to carp because I do think everyone should have an opportunity to exhibit and amateurs should be shown as well as the more prominent almost-pros and professionals. And correct me if I'm wrong, anyone who went also, but there didn't seem to be so many entries this year.


We thought this deserved more than Highly Commended. Lovely colour and design, and beautifully finished.

Now you know I like a bit of a basket, there were a few Baltimore-type quilts, but I wasn't terribly struck by most of them.


I must apologise here and now, as I have no idea who made each quilt. We decided against buying programmes at £6 just to be ale to put a name to each quilt. How mean are we?? Why can't they label the quilts? They put other information on them. I know the judges mustn't know the names but the labels could go up afterwards, or have a cover....or something. It's so annoying even when you DO have a programme, faffing about with your bag, your camera, your bags of stuff, your glasses...oh for goodness' sake!

                       Lovely wholecloth with stipple quilting.....only one of its kind.

             More hand stipple quilting.........oops, that's one of mine, how did that get there!!!


                                           Love the painterly effect of this one.


                                                              Juicy, juicy colours!




This was another Judges Choice, Vikings Beware, really lovely. Something to do with the sea holly thorns giving the Viking invaders sore feet. Or so I was told. They'd have thick foot-coverings on, surely? Anyway it was a great quilt.


                Masterful. Reminds me of C June Barnes  Dyeing to Quilt series.

                                                                     Impact! Precision!


                               
                      Simply.........


                            .............stunning.


                      I do find I am more and more drawn to the quite graphic designs these days.

                                                           Or outbursts of colour.






       I don't think this would have appealed to me 10 years ago. Ah well, you live and learn!


                                                           Just beautiful.

I stopped and spoke to a young lass called Sarah Stewart, who has just graduated from the University of Dundee, and was exhibiting in the Graduate Showcase....she was in fact the winner of the judges  Graduate Showcase Award. We liked her work best of all so were in full agreement! She has a blog:
intoaparalleluniverse.com  check it out. Wishing you all success in the future, Sarah. Here are some of her textiles.


           Beautiful colours, lovely linen; the embroidery reminded me of stitched collages.   

So, yes, I did take a few more photos but you have probably all dropped off to sleep and I'm getting mesmerised by the key board, so that will have to do! I stopped by to renew acquaintence with lovely Janet Bolton, she must have met a thousand people, all old students of hers, yet she always has time for a smile and a chat. I adore her work.

We found it quite pleasant being able to get to the stalls without fighting our way through several layers of other shoppers, but it doesn't bode well for the takings. We gave a nod and a wave to old friends, Magie at the African Fabric Shop, and Yvonne Brown and Annette Morgan, both members of Anglia Textile Works, old stitching pals, busy in their booths. 

We stopped for lunch at just after 1pm, and then sat and nattered til 3pm, quick look at Art VAn Go, which I had missed! first time round, then we went and got on the coach, we  were away by4pm and back in Kings Lynn by 6.30....very hot and tired out but having had a super day. And to make things even better, Jim had  bought an Indian takeaaway so no cooking!!!Yay!

Oh, and in case you wondered..........



This was what I bought! Yes, I know, how circumspect was I! Some hand-dyed felted wool from 21st Century Yarns, some variegated hand-dyed threads from Oliver Twists - lovely, lovely company, a few Kaffe Fasset fat quarters - just because - and some BEAUTIFUL journals. Can't wait to get into these. But they will have to wait as I am off tomorrow to Burwell in Cambridgeshire, to the annual Burwell Bash, a week of music, good food, late nights, music, laughter, more food, even later nights, more music and most of all more laughter. I'm meeting up with my 'other family'.  I will take LOADS od photos, and will see if I can blog while I'm there...though I seldom have time even to read a page of a book when I am there. I have to phone Jim before breakfast, because once the day starts ....it just goes and I never remember to ring after supper....no time....no time! I KNOW i am going to have just THE BEST time as usual.  Catch up with you soon.

30 comments:

  1. Thanks for the pics Lynne- looks like a god day out! I was due to go today on the train but I decided against it in the end. I have been for the last 2 years-I always spend may too much money. Have a great day tomorrow!
    Heather x

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    1. Well, you know, Heather, we did have a lovely day over-all, but we think we'll probably give it a miss next year. I hadn't been for a year or two, and ...well...the excitement has just gone out of it , for me.

      I have also forced myself NOT to come home with bags and bags of stuff I don't really need!

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  2. Hi,
    What is the Burwell Bash? I come from Burwell and I was visiting my Mum there last week. Am I missing something of note here? Hope you have a good time and thank you for the lovely post. One day I shall make it to the Festival of Quilts.
    xx

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    1. Andrea, `Burwell Bash is a week long 'workshop', originally celtic music but now covers Appalachian, Cajun, Breton oooh all sorts. There are tutors (extremely good ones!) for fiddle, guitar, flute and whistle, and piano accordian (sadly not meloedeon or I would be changing from fiddle!)

      We have classes, evening jam-sessions, 'open-mic' spots, 'throw a band together and rehearse 3 numbers in two hours' competition, lots of food and heaps of fun. It culminates with a public concert late Friday afternoon. It's held at Burwell House which is on Silver Street. there is a website which tell you loads more. Can you tell I love it??

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  3. Thank you so much for sharing your photos Lynne! What stunning, stunning quilts! There really are some amazingly talented folks out there!! Loving the one in the first picture, beautiful colours.
    Victoria xx

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    1. Hi Victoria, I could have taken loads more, and I should really have put some more on the blog, but it was taking so long I was beginning to bore myself!

      There certainly is a lot of talent out there, which was why I was so pleased to be able to give a 'heads up ' to young Sarah Stewart. I'm making it a point to highlight any young talent I come across - they need all the suport we can give them.

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  4. Lovely photos Lynne! I'm a novice patchworker (still haven't actually quilted anything properly yet!) and I've never been to the Festival Of Quilts, it's great to hear your take on it. Like you I prefer the bolder & brighter quilts - I can appreciate the beauty and artistry of the more subtle pieces but they're not my style so much. Have a great week away, it sounds like a fantastic 'do' for a lover & player of traditional music - enjoy! Rachel x

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    1. Hi RAchel, thanks for posting. Yes, I find my taste has changed somewhat - but then I have been exposed to a myriad styles of quilting over the years. Alos what I like to LOOK at might not be what I enjoy MAKING so there is a lot of 'wiggle room' in my likes and dislikes! If you are having difficulty getting started, do check out whether there is a local quilting group, or google the QUilters Guild of the British Isles and find your nearest Regional rep, lots of advice and friendship available!

      Getting quite exciting....I set off later today, just got the last minute ironing and packing to do. Clothes...minimum! Instruments....lots Burwell here I come!

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  5. Oh wow Lynne, amazing quilts and then to read about your music bash.
    Have a great time.
    I have attended a Celtic music school here in Aus. And I know exactly how much fun you will have!
    I really enjoy your blog
    Chris

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    1. Hi Chris...yes, I know you and your husband organise a local folk festival, don't you....now I am envious of that! I will try my hardest to have a good time.... ;)!

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  6. I am almost speechless with wonder at those quilts. Filled with admiration and awe! How do people do that? Where do they get the fountains of patience from? Incredible.

    I had a hard time deciding on my favourite amongst your photos but I think it has to be photo no.21....it reminds me of a Klimt painting. Just brilliant.

    Hope you have a stonkingly good week away.

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  7. Stonkingly good just about describes it, Wendy!

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  8. Like you, feel the Story of the Earth deserved better. A lot of the quilts just not to my taste, but admire the workmanship very much. Enjoy your week - by the way, did you ever visit the hospice in your working life?

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    1. will do, Maggie. Which hospice? Be in touch when I return.Lx

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  9. Well it would be rude not to buy SOMETHING! The talent in them quilts, amazing, looks like you had a fantastic day! Ada :)

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    1. Oh yes, there were some really good moments, Ada. Still, really proud at my restraint!

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  10. So many lovely quilts. I really like the Black and white abstract one.

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    1. Hi Val, yes, strange how your taste changes, isn't it?

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  11. Hy Lynne, thanks for sharing pics of the festival. I didn't go this year due to financial constraints. I will however be going to the Great Northern Quilt and Needlework Show at Harrogate, 31st Aug - 2nd Sept.
    Anne x

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    1. Hi Anne, I LOVE this festival, especially as it's normally held in the showground OUTSIDE Harrogate. Now I've nothing against that lovely town but trying to find, and then park at the International Halls is a nightmare and I won't do it any more. Sadly can't make the GNQ&N Show this year...enjoy, and take plenty of pics for your blog, won't you?

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  12. Gee whizz Lynne what a feast for the eyes,such beautiful quilts from such talented people. Thanksso much for sharing your special, busy day with us I feel very inspired...why oh why are there not enough hours in the day!? xox Penelope

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    1. I've always thought a bit of elastic on each end of the day would be a vast improvement!

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  13. Quilts sure have changed since my grandmothers days. I love these gorgeous colors!!

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    1. Yes, things move forward whther you want them to or not. But I'm pleased to see that 'traditional' quilts have come back out of the closet into which the Art QUilts seemed to usher them. Now it's cool to be able to say you enjoy all sorts!

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  14. If you spotted a man there, it was my hub who actually DROVE ME ALL THE WAY THERE - we made a weekend of it. Will post my pics soon - none are the same as yours! I loved it, but have nothing to compare it with as it was my first time. And guess what I bought .... wait and see! xCathy

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    1. How good is it that your man was happy to drive you! Jim took me and a daughter-in-law a couple of years ago, he just sat in the car and wrote coaching assessments! Glad you enjoyed it, shame it was too late for you to arrange to come on the coach with us. Lx

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  15. I get the same feeling now at some of the knit shows ... I just assume I'm becoming a bit jaded after years of seeing similar things. There is very little out there that is truly innovative. Looks like you had a good day though :D

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    1. Annie I still enjoy the Knitting &Stitching show for the shocking reason there is loads to purchase! Sometimes even stuff I have NO INTENTION of using! I have hanks of beautiful wool just.....hanging around....because it is so beautiful!

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