Festive Binding

I'm ensconced in Lowell for the 3-day Lowell Quilt Festival.  At the New England Quilt Museum it is a requirement that all staff is on hand for the duration.  I'm good with that - even though I am missing an EPIC McGill family reunion - but 2 nights in a hotel room by myself (woot!) is a real treat, and it is saving me 200 miles in commuting back and forth after very long, hard days.

Even more of a treat is the fact that miracle Cheryl (my new co-worker) was able to longarm my quilt in world record time.  I found out the couple for whom it is intended took out a marriage license and told us to stand by for an August wedding.  ACK!  AUGUST? I was planning on having the marvelous Mazon's Quilting do the job because Gayle has been holding my hand for over a year while I sorted this quilt out and survived 2 breakdowns of my Bernina.  Gayle answered about 10,000 of my questions and taught me so much about prepping my quilt, etc. that it broke my heart to let her know I had to get a "rush job" done here.  Gayle and Steve are very talented, successful longarm quilters and they have a long waiting list - as they well should.  Take a look at their site and give them some love for me.

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So back to the quilt.  Beach Glass - Brace Cove is finally finished. I put the binding on it before I left for the festival and I got two sides of it hand stitched down last night.  I hope to do the other two tonight and take home a finished quilt.  The picture here shows it spread out on my hotel bed - the hotel room light has a yellowish tinge in it, the fabrics are actually MUCH brighter and more vivid. I included a closeup of one of Cheryl's nautical embellishments. She made it look very ocean-y with waves, whirlpools, a seashell here and there - it is so much fun to look at all the wonderful things she did.  She has been a co-worker for only a few weeks when she overheard me shrieking that the wedding was coming up at any moment. Her offer to take it home and finish it for me was SO incredibly kind.  I have only had contact with 2 longarmers - Gayle and Cheryl - in my life, but I have learned they are the very kindest and best of people.  Time to mix up a vodka tonic (I know how to travel) and get the last two sides stitched. I shall sleep very well tonight knowing I'm ready for a pop-up wedding with a gift that will send the lovebirds over the moon.

Lowell Quilt Festival

Strap on your party livers, it's time for the 2011 Lowell Quilt Festival!  This year's show is scheduled for August 11th through the 13th at the Lowell Memorial Auditorium. The judging is done, the quilts are in the process of being transferred to the auditorium for show prep and presentation, and the winners......have not been announced yet!  It is a closely guarded secret, although I will confess to sneaking in to the museum's classroom (hey - I work there, I can) while they were photographing the winners.  (WOWZA.)  It is nice to get up close and personal with award-winning quilts. The "do not touch" rule strictly applies, but under the photographer's lights you can see every amazing detail.  I am always inspired to see what creative quilters can do given the time, fabric and sheer love of their art. I wanted to go home and shut myself up in my sewing room, crank up my Bernina and let the threads fly.

I'll do my best to post pictures from the show - we have some firm photography guidelines that apply to everyone (even staff, that's me) and they are RESPECTED. I can tell you we have a series of RED AND WHITE quilts from the New England Quilt Museum collection that will be on display, along with a number of "Lunch and Learn"  and "Tea at Three" programs that let you rest your feet and learn/see great presentations.   Admission to the festival is $12 for a bracelet that also gives you admission to the New England Quilt Museum.  One admission for 3 days - such a deal! There is a free shuttle bus that loops all around so you can visit partner sites and galleries that all have special exhibits and quilt-related shows.

This is the museum's annual and biggest fundraiser - be sure to check out the pile of antique and vintage quilts donated to the museum for this fundraiser - they will be tagged and on sale at the auditorium. (Note: do NOT get in front of me when these go on sale.)  I'll be at the New England Quilt Museum working the LQF Admissions desk most of the week - say hello when you come in!

Red White and WOW!

I wasn't lucky enough to go to NY and see the Infinite Variety show at the American Folk Art Museum, but I did download the free iPad app and enjoy playing around with all of the spectacular red and white quilts.  Since I also work for the New England Quilt Museum it was a natural next step for us to show some major love for the red and white quilts in our own collection.

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Just a few short weeks away is the Lowell Quilt Festival.  In addition to a city-wide celebration of quilts, IMAGES - a juried quilt show - the NEQM is going to feature a special exhibit of our own red and white beauties:  Inspired by the recent exhibit of Red and White quilts in New York City, New England Quilt Museum Acting Curator Laura Lane has put together a group of red and white quilts from the Museum’s Permanent Collection.  This group of Red and White quilts will hang at the Lowell Memorial Auditorium throughout IMAGES 2011.  The exhibit will feature the stunning  "Feathered Star with Wild Goose Chase" quilt pictured on the dust jacket of America's Quilts and Coverlets by Carleton Safford and Robert Bishop.

IT GETS BETTER.  We decided to feature this quilt on a woven, Jacquard blanket made by ChappyWrap of Martha's Vineyard.  Our exclusive design features the Feathered Star quilt from our collection, woven in Germany, and beautifully done with a red & white (cream) design that reverses on the back side. They just arrived in the shop and they are GORGEOUS.  They are also selling right away - a good sign we hit the target with this design.  We'd like to do one quilt from our collection every year, making it easier for all of us to have something beautifully made that supports the quilting arts, makes a wonderful gift and makes an even more wonderful treat for yourself.  Bonus - you can throw in the washer if you spill your wine on it. Okay, maybe that's just me.....

The blankets can be purchased at the Museum's gift shop and at the Lowell Quilt Festival.  These are NOT, I emphasize NOT a fleece throw.  They are thick, woven, Jacquard blankets that are beautifully made.  Our first production is limited so be sure to check them out. More info coming soon on the New England Quilt Museum website -  or you can email Quita (Shop Manager) at    shop at nequiltmuseum dot org   (Spam bot avoidance right there.)   See you at the Festival!

Strap on Your Quilting Liver - It's Festival Time!

We've been very busy at work getting ready for this year's Lowell Quilt Festival.  The FedEx and UPS trucks have been making two stops a day to deliver the juried quilts, and believe me - there are some spectacular quilts to be seen.  It is a tremendous project,  undertaken by a core group of volunteers from the New England Quilt Museum Auxiliary, museum staff, and supportive spouses!  I include them because they won't see much of us for the next several days - events all day and in to the evening will occupy a lot of time and energy.  The auction on Friday night is my favorite part (click on this link) because of the wonderful variety of quilts and quilt tops available.  Bonus -  we have the opportunity to bid on quilt blocks (some very old) to create something of your own.  I have my eye on a couple of quilts - but there is one lot of antique quilt blocks that I might just have to tackle a few people to outbid and get them for myself!  There is no discount or special treatment of museum staff - we bid like the rest of the folks - so I will square my shoulders and go easy on the pre-auction champagne and chocolates so I keep my wits about me and bid responsibly.  The  auction proceeds benefit the New England Quilt Museum, so it is a win-win evening.   Wish me luck!