AQS Paducah......part 1........

Part 1 you may ask?  Yes..........there are going to be 2 parts to this post because it will be impossible to put everything I experienced into one.  It would be sensory overload!  WARNING!!!!!!!  This is going to be a very photo heavy post with little narrative besides photo captions.  So fasten your seat belt!

Fortunately for me, I have family that lives about an hour give or take a few minutes outside of Paducah, KY.  I love being able to visit them anytime, but, especially during the Spring and the AQS Show in Paducah.  I picked my parents up on Thursday morning, April 25th, and we departed Southeast Missouri hoping to hit several antique malls along our route to Sturgis, KY.  (Yes, they have a mini biker rally there!)  Unfortunately, several of the malls and shops were closed for some reason or another?  However, we were able to visit two antique malls in Sturgis.  Sturgis Antique Mall, and Old Crow Antiques.

The following are some of the beauties I found in these malls.......

 Scrappy Feed Sack Quilt...YUM!

 Most all of the fabrics are feed sacks with a few exceptions.

 Close up of some of the fabrics used....

 and more fabrics.....

 some of these are suspect fabrics that may not have been feed sacks?  Your thoughts?

All in all, this was a great find, but, I couldn't afford it....I was going to Paducah! 

 Here is an innovative way to use up some scraps!  I love the various design elements that emerge in this quilt.  Do you see stars or hexagons?

 Close up detail.  Umm....yeah, I think I will be making this one!  It reads modern to me in a way?

 This here was one BUSY quilt top!  I LOVE IT!  Not a lot matched on this quilt top with the exception of the idea of the block.  Many of the blocks had a "make do" attitude!  And, do you see how the rows don't match?

 I can just hear this quilt maker saying..."Eh.....these fabrics are close enough......guess I will use them!"

 Can we say BUSY DIZZY!  LOVE IT!  LOL!

Isn't this an interesting way to put some fabric together?  Anyone have any clues on this setting?

 This was one of my favorite quilts from the antique malls.  I feel as though this could be classified as a "modern" quilt?  Look how the black is dispersed throughout?  Isn't it interesting how some quilts are timeless?  I am sure this quilt maker was simply creating something to keep someone warm with, and never thought someone like me years down the road would find contemporary beauty in it?  Fascinating!

Feed sacks cover the back.

Friday came, and two of my cousins took me and my parents on a tour of the Amish of Crittenden County Kentucky.  I had always wanted to visit the Amish, and I certainly wasn't disappointed.  However, if you know anything about anything Amish, you know photographs are mostly prohibited.  You will have to take my word that I saw several beautiful quilts, stunning gardens, and beautiful countryside.  And, we all partook of some delicious Amish food.  I was somewhat surprised by the community not being as primitive as I had thought?  I saw several Amish carrying cell phones and check books?  Who knew?   

Mrs. Wheelers Log Cabin was next......

This was a beautiful, rustic log cabin where a lovely woman by the name of Mrs. Wheeler collects primitive antiques, and does a lot of gardening of flowers, and herbs.  She then dries them and makes beautiful arrangements.  I don't want to give everything away in case you decide to visit, but, plan on sitting down for a while by the hearth and visiting with Mrs. Wheeler for a while! 

Make sure to walk upstairs and see this beautiful quilt!  Just walk very lightly.....those steps and  floors are OLD!  

By chance, we happened to drive by this church.........

1st Christian Church of Marion, Kentucky. 

Guess what was inside?

 A QUILT SHOW!  Hosted by the ladies of the church, this quilt show displayed several older quilts that were in the families of the congregation and the admission was simply your choice of a donation.  This sassy and classy lady was so nice, and allowed me to take her photo in front of her family heirloom.  (Note the "this is my best side" pose?  I think she may have competed in a pageant or two?!?!  TOO CUTE!)

 Beautiful quilts hung in the windows of the church.  (Enlarge to see the quilting!)  

 There are some great fabrics in this log cabin! 

 Hand pieced and quilted.

 I would LOVE to know the story of this quilt?!?!  Donkeys and sailboats?!?!  What a combo!!!!

 SCRAPPY!  YEAH!

Another quilt that could be considered modern these days?  Don't you think?

 LOOK MOM!  MORE QUILTS!

 I HAVE to share the story of this quilt that was pieced at the turn of the century according to the owner.  This lovely woman's grandmother pieced this quilt top around 1900 give or take a few years.  The quilt top was then tucked away for years until the quilt maker's death.  The quilt maker's son wanted to have the top quilted for his wife (the owner's mother) for their bed spread.  This was in the late 50's early 60's.  The quilt was machine quilted in straight lines.  After the owner's parent's passed away, the quilt top became hers.  She has offered it to her children, and can you believe, NONE OF THEM WANT IT????  This quilt has a history, and is absolutely stunning!!!!!!  I asked her if she would like to adopt me, she reluctantly declined, but, did tell me she would sell the top to me for $250.  I had to pass because I hadn't made it to Paducah yet! LOL!

We were able to have a nice meal on Friday evening with several family members.

Notice the Mardis Gras theme?  Cajun cookin' in Kentucky!  Yeehaw!

Part 2 of my post will include all of the quilts I saw at the actual AQS Show in Paducah.  I have some projects I am almost finished with that I can't wait to share with you!  EXCITING!

Until next time!
Thanks for all of the encouragement!
Kevin the Quilter