Thursday, May 05, 2011

Fast Paducah Report

I'm back home, but I really was at Paducah.  To prove it, here's Best of Show, Paisley Peacock, with its maker, Pat Holly.  I like the rich oriental colors of this quilt, and her machine applique of the tiny, tiny, pieces is fabulous, of course.  It was also fun to talk to her about the machine (Bernina) and thread (silk) she uses.

And here is Sharon Schamber's piece, Mystique, with a closeup.  The black and white is made by machine quilting in black thread on a white background.  Amazing.


The show was held under difficult circumstances.  Flood gates at Paducah had to be closed because of record high water on the Ohio River, making the Convention Center unavailable.  Show venues were shifted around, with a Baptist church and the defunct Circuit City building being used.  In addition, some hotels in nearby towns were flooded, causing problems for visiting quilters.  I don't know how this affected the economic success of the show for vendors and for the city; it couldn't have been good.  I saw all the quilts, but skipped the Circuit City vendors and exhibits,  partly because I was making a flying trip.  I bet I'm not the only one who did that.

 I'm so glad I went.  It was a thrill to see my quilt, my host family (arranged through the Paducah Visitor's Bureau) was wonderfully hospitable, and the quilts were beautiful.  The winners should be posted on the AQS web site by now.  I'll be back in a day or so with a few that I thought were particularly interesting.

Right now I'm trying to make the house presentable to host my book group tonight, and planning for my younger son's move into an apartment in Chicago.  He just started a new job--better news than any quilt show!

7 comments:

McIrish Annie said...

how exciting for you! too bad about the flooding, that must have taken a shot at the success of the show. but quilters are die hards and move forward no matter what, that's for sure.

congrats on your son's new job. with a son in his 20's, I know how hard it is to find a job these days. I really feel for these guys!

Debra Dixon said...

Yea for a job!!

Rian said...

I'm glad you got to go and that the show and quilts were unscathed by the floods. That Sharon Schamber piece....she is light years ahead of us mere mortals.

Libby Fife said...

Good for your son. In this economy that is an accomplishment.

I am with Rian on Sharon's piece. That is really amazing.

Suzanne Kistler said...

Bravo for your son, for his new job!!!

Like previous comments, I've got sons in their 20's and know how tight the job market is. I hope his new position is a good fit, and that he finds the work to be fulfilling.

I'm so glad you got to go to Paducah. Did you take a picture of yourself with your quilt? I hope so...and I hope you post it!!

Barbara C said...

Thanks for the great photos. It takes guts to quilt a white quilt with black thread, and the results are stunning.

Congratulations on you son's new job. It's one less motherly worry, I'm sure, to know that he's employed in this tough market.

Barbara Strobel Lardon said...

Unbelievable quilting with the black thread. That was a Wow moment to see.

Congrats to your son!!!