2013 AQS show in Paducah

[Catherine S.]

Connie, thanks for all the pictures. It was so nice to see you at the flash mob. I wish I would have been able to stay another day. Maybe I will look into reservations for next year. The photo shoot in front of the museum was lots of fun.
Rosemary, I don't think anyone would have trouble finding a room an hour or two from Paducah. I only live about 2 hrs. 20 mins. from there, so my plan was to drive back and forth. Unfortunately I woke up not feeling well on Wednesday, so I stayed home :cry: Thursday was a beautiful day and I so enjoyed it.

[Constance G.]

Hi, everyone! Friday was yet another day of awesome fun in Paducah. Spent the morning at the show. Here are a few highlights.

Here's Betty Ekern Suiter with her ribbon-winning hand-quilted bed quilt, "Creation Springs Forth". The fabrics are beautifully subtle, hand dyed by Betty. This quilt has the TINIEST hand quilting stitches I've ever seen; she uses a size 12 between needle.

[Constance G.]

Linda Roy won first place in the bed quilts / hand quilted category with "Jacobean Dream". It is entirely hand appliqued, including borders. Linda does both her piecing and appliqué with a size 9 between needle. She uses a variety of threads for quilting, with matching color being her priority.

[Constance G.]

Here's Melinda Bula's lovely "Monet in Pasadena".

[Constance G.]

Pat Durbin's "Megan's Forest" and "Pet Store"

[Constance G.]

OK, I have a confession...I am obsessed with Janet Stone's "Charm School"! I have been back to look at it 5 or 6 times, and every time I see something different. Today's revelation was that her outer "borders" aren't borders at all, but rather areas of free motion stitching in variegated thread following the fabric design. (P.S. Janet...if you ever need a picture of your quilt just contact me. I'm sure I have WAY more of them than you do at this point! :shock: )

[Constance G.]

Now we are leaving the quilt show for some different Paducah experiences! I enjoyed the quilters' lunch at the lovely Grace Episcopal Church. Several downtown Paducah churches host fund-raising lunches during quilt week. Delicious food and great hospitality! (Just ask Quilt Man and Bobbin!)

[Constance G.]

I played hookey from quilting in the afternoon, and attended a needle felting workshop at Ephemera gallery by talented artist Sara Renzulli. We made sheep!

[Constance G.]

Tonight was Alex and Libby's performance at the Carson Center; very humorous! While there I met TQSers Robin Gausebeck (robinquilts) and Karen Watts (krwatts). Robin had a birthday this week, and she graciously invited me to share the birthday cake made by her husband, Steve. Happy birthday, Robin!

[Constance G.]

I've had some questions about air transportation to Paducah. I have spoken with some folks I met here, who said that its an easy 45 min flight from Chicago to Paducah, with twice a day service.

[Lotti D.]

And another great day's reporting... Think I would have met you agin and again next to Janet' s quilt. And I love those felted sheep, they are wonderful!

[Rita C.]

Fantastic report again Connie, thank you. What I want to know is who is behind your camera when you are not taking the photos? And I too love that sheep! Thanks for the close up of Janet's quilt - great definition in that close up. amazing quilting. You have really shown us the full experience, thanks so much.

[Norma H.]

Lovely photos once again. Thank you for taking your time to show us from far away how much fun you had.

[Renata L.]

Connie, this has been the best view of Paducah without going to Paducah! I've so enjoyed waking up to your photos and commentary on the show the past few days and appreciate that you thought of all of us who could not be there! This has been fantastic!

[Susan B.]

Connie, I'm going to be sad when your reporting stops! Awesome sheep. I think we all agree on Janet's quilt, keep looking and see something new, so glad she won.

I guess if one flies to Paduch, there are the airport hotels, probably they fill up. I'd still like to get a downtown room (dreaming) for the ideal stay. The hour commutes wouldn't be too bad with company to keep us awake after a long day.