Quilt Essentials - Oshkosh, WI

Had the opportunity to visit an LQS in Oshkosh, WI.

Quilt Essentials is "The Friendliest Quilt Shop in Fox Valley," 

and strives to have the most batiks in the region. 

This is Marilyn, doing a Vanna White imitation.  She graciously entertained our questions (even though we turned up just 15 minutes before closing time).

Above shows some of their beautiful batiks.  Below are fat eighths.  These would be ideal for stripping or scrappy quilts.

  

 Above is a log cabin themed quilt.  Below is a new technique, in which you cut and fold your fabric to make a three dimensional diamond pattern.  Quilt Essentials carries a special ruler to produce this effect.

 I'm intrigued by realistic images of landscapes, people and animals - such the owl quilt above.  Below are some seasonal projects, and the aforementioned "essentials."  

For more info about Quilt Essentials, see  http://www.quiltessentials.biz/

Wedesday Weigh In - Hula Hooping

First Lady Michelle Obama demonstrates hooping for fitness.

My first experience with hula hooping (as an adult) was to watch a friend's daughter on youtube at:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-bpUF3hLNzc   Kristi twirled that flaming hoop with grace and style.  It looked soooo fun (except for the flames)! 

So I bought a hula hoop at Walmart.  Couldn't make that thing go for love or money!  Learned you have to have the correct size for your height.  If the hula hoop is on its side at your feet it should be above your waist, and lower than your chest. 

Kristi was enthused about my efforts, and made a hula hoop in the correct dimensions for me.  I had a blast getting it to go, and keep going.  Was up to over a hundred revolutions at a time. The next step was to make it twirl in the opposite direction.  Let me tell you, THAT took some doing! 

But persistence paid off and I did learn to do it.  About that time, back trouble interfered with many activities.  Hooping was no exception.  Still, I have my very own hoop prominently displayed in my sewing room to remind me that I want to get back to doing ALL of the things I love.  :)

For more info on hooping see: http://www.latimes.com/health/fl-hk-hula-hoops-100310-20101002,0,2056618.story

Quilt Retreat Questions

So what does one take on a quilting retreat?  Any sage advise from experience?  I'm battling the urge to pack up everything I own!

Olbrich Garden

Welcome to beautiful Olbrich Gardens, in Madison, WI.  I visited the outdoor garden/park.  The air was cool and crisp, and the sun felt warm on my face.  I want to remember that warmth to sustain me through the winter! 

Took this picture of a sun dial while walking beneath lattice and vines.

This is the Thai Pavillion.  In Thailand, you would only see this type of structure on royal grounds.  It's covered in delicate gold leaf.

 Olbrich has a variety of indoor displays throughout the year.  Quilts in Bloom will last through October 17th.  At the holidays they set up elaborate model train tracks.  Will have to visit again to see what else they come up with.  :)

Olbrich Garden Fall Quilt Show 2010

Went to Olbrich Gardens in Madison, WI. Olbrich holds the "Quilts in Bloom" show every year.  It runs through October 17.  Not only are the quilts extraordinary, but the setting, back drops and accents are fantastic.  This is the first quilt you see as you enter the show.

Next come the challenge quilts.  Here's the fabric all 26 entrants were to use.

The variety of interpretations is fascinating!

Do you recognize Flora in the picture above?  The cow quilt was done by Karen Silvers of http://cre8tivekick.blogspot.com/ . It was fun to stand back watch other people's reactions.  Quite few of them were interested in Karen's quilt, Flora Checks In.

Then comes the rest of the show.  This French Braid suggest a mountain scene.  I think it was called French Alps.

 I've never been too interested in Chinese Coins.  But these accents really jazz it up!

 I love the Christmas-y colors.  Very traditional.  Doing it on point adds flair.

Would never have thought to make nine patches with these bold floral fabrics.  This quilt would brighten up any room!

 I especially like the denim blue background to these Mary Jane squares.

The picture below came out blurry.  I included it anyway because it was sooo pretty.  Such detail!

This quilt is called Wild Sumac.  You can see how people reacted to it.  The checker board quilt below it was interesting because the flowers spilled over the border into the next square.

This quilt was made by Nancy Zieman.  She calls it A Party At The Fence Post, and its not for sale.  I wonder what Nancy does with all of her projects?

After looking at all these quilts, I found it hard to select a favorite challenge quilt.  So I toured the outdoor gardens while I mulled it over.  I'll show you the gardens in the next post. :)

Mt. Horeb Heritage Festival 2010

Visited Mt. Horeb, WI - a town known for its Norwegian heritage.  If you've never been there, the first thing you'll notice is the trolls.  Most of them are large, carved from tree trunks, and right on main street.  But one troll was walking about today. He even posed for pictures. 

These friendly folks welcomed us to the Norwegian breakfast.  Lots of goodies, such as aged beef, pancakes with sour cream and applesauce, sandbakkels, rosettes, lingonberry butter, and of course - lefse.  I learned to eat lefse with cinnamon sugar, but they also served it with brown sugar. 

At the museum, there was a photo of two young men, Native Americans, dressed in their finest clothing.  I studied the picture for a long time.  Something didn't look right.   But what?  Then I read that following exposure to European cultures, the Native Americans began working European (in this case Norwegian) patterns into their beadwork.  Both men had short hair, in the European manner.  The Native American/Norwegian designs were intriguing!

The quilt show was very nice. It wasn't always possible to take a picture of the entire quilt.  I captured as much as I could.  Hope you enjoy them as much as we did!

This is the raffle quilt.  The winner will be drawn on Sunday.  I put my name in 6 times!

 I bet whoever made this tumbler quilt had an AccuQuilt Go!

 The quilt below was one of my favorites.  I like the striped sections adjoining the Log Cabin blocks.

  The blue and white quilt was in my top three for Viewer's Choice.

 These tesselating leaves were beautiful.  The picture doesn't do it justice.

My Sweetie had this red and black quilt on his top three for Viewer's Choice.

These 8 pointed stars are resting on a circular background.  Every point was perfect!

 My Sweetie also like the stack and whack above.  I was told its called a Lemoyne Star.

 I love the simplicity of the black and white chains in this quilt.

I love this radiant pattern. 

 Here are some of the challenge quilts with a barn yard theme.

 The dolphin quilt below was three dimensional. 

How nice to see that quilting is treasured and promoted at this event.  We also saw how to braid your own rope.  There were troll carving and rosemaling demonstrations, and hay rides for the kids.  :)

Quilts, Quilts and More Quilts

OMG - There are FOUR different quilt events going on in southern Wisconsin this weekend.  How can I possibly choose?

http://www.olbrich.org/events/quilts.cfm

http://www.thedailypage.com/theguide/details.php?event=250371

http://www.uplandhillshealth.org/articles/QuiltTour_0910.html

http://www.madisoncatholicherald.org/news/around-diocese/1743-quiltfest.html