Monday, April 25, 2016

Post Paducah......

Greetings everybody!

Well, AQS Paducah came and went.........and boy did I have some fun with Cousin Phyllis!

This was one of the best years my cousin and I have had visiting Paducah!  We couldn't quite pin point why, but........

 ...this is what we looked like after our 
traditional farewell dinner at Chick-fil-A!
It went by too quickly, and it was over.....but, oh what fun we did have!


Here are a few highlights!
The quilt show pics will have to wait as I am flying this week 
and need to edit some photos down.

 I was able to meet LuAnn of Loose Threads!
While in Hancocks of Paducah, I heard someone yell my name....
low and behold it was LuAnn!  I love reading her blog!
She does such beautiful handwork!
It was a pleasure meeting and chatting for a while before she had to catch
her bus!  OK, really it was because the store was closing! LOL

 Although I wasn't able to meet QuiltdivaJulie in person,
I was able to check out her latest book!
I want a signed copy Julie! LOLOLOL
This book looks like too much fun!
Go check out her blog for more info!

 I was also able to meet up with my friend Cherie of  Quilted Jonquil.
She is always such a blast to be around!
Laughing is SURE to happen when we get to visit!

Cherie asked before I made my way to Paducah if I would
have 2 cubic feet of spare space in my vehicle?
"Hmmmm......I guess so?" was my reply?
You never know when you go to Paducah.......am I right folks???

This was the reason she was asking if I had any space????
HOLY CAMOLY!!!!!!!
LOOK AT ALL OF THOSE BEAUTIFUL, DELICIOUS 
SHIRTINGS!!!!!!
Cherie and I talked about my collection of recycled shirting
fabrics I was just beginning to collect, and she graciously
and generously offered me these to start off my collection!
Quilters are simply the best! Especially Cherie!!!!
These are calling to me, and speaking my name!

I simply can't thank you enough Cherie!
THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!


 Here is a shot of all of the shirtings after I petted each one!
Deboned and ready to use I might add!!!!
Eat your heart out Bonnie Hunter! LOLOLOL

I was unable to meet up with Libby of Life on the Hill
though we tried!  Maybe next year Libby!

It was wonderful meeting so many new faces though!
Thanks for introducing yourself to me while in Paducah!
I thoroughly enjoyed meeting EVERYONE!


 OK, OK, OK,
So, here is my loot!
I bought a few kits, lots of fabric, some
triangle paper and the great bag up front.
Don't judge! I got some really good deals on the fabric! LOL
And plus, you only live once, and I plan on using ALL of this stuff 
sooner or later!

In other news...........

Remember those tiny pieces from HERE?

Well, they went into making...........

these....
which went into making.....

this..........
which eventually became..........

THIS!
"Freedom Dreams"
19.5" x 19.5"
You guessed it!
I joined in Humble Quilts
Doll Quilt Swap again this year.
My partner was Merry in Washington state, and she has received
the quilt, and sent me .....

this photo!
"Freedom Dreams" looks made for her grandmother's chair!
I hadn't a clue it would color coordinate with her room!
I am so pleased she likes her little quilt!

And this is the doll quilt I received!
It is from Becky in Iowa, The Civil War Quilter.
Becky took inspiration from a child's doll quilt during that era, 
and almost perfectly replicated it with some infusions of her own.

I LOVE IT!

Thank you so much for your attention to detail Becky!
It looks perfect in my new sewing studio!

Coming up next week will be my photos of the show,
as well as other goodies I saw along the way!

Thanks to those of you who have acquired some of the vintage
quilts I had......I still have some left!



Thanks for all of the encouragement!
Keep on Quilting!
Kevin the Quilter




Sunday, April 17, 2016

Pre-Paducah Quilt Show..........

Greetings from the Quilt Cave!


 My friend Katie got this luggage tag for me!
Isn't it perfect for me???
I have it attached to one of the bags I fly with.
I LOVE IT!
Thanks so much Katie!

I flew this past week so I could visit my momma before my upcoming
 trip to Paducah with Cousin Phyllis.
Thanks again for all of your well wishes for my beautiful little momma!
She continues to recuperate, and is gaining more and more strength every day.

Again, I would LOVE to meet YOU in Paducah next week!
I have a few meetings already in the works!
I will be really hard to miss!
I will be the big guy with the beard that is actually looking interested in viewing 
the quilts!  LOL I suppose I shouldn't say that......I think several men there
take a vested interest in looking at the beautiful works.

So how about a little antique quilt show to prepare us for the things we will see in 
Paducah?  This quilt show is brought to you by the estate of a family member.
I have been asked to see if any of my readers may be interested in acquiring these antique
quilts?  If you ARE interested, please contact me for pertinent information such as type of piecing, type of quilting, binding technique, size, and overall condition regarding
each quilt.  Everything will be on a first come, first serve basis.
Again, if interested just contact me via the blog, or my e-mail in the upper right corner
of the blog.  Any quilts that are not spoken for are going to be taken with me to Paducah
on the chance that someone may be interested in them there.

I will be showing a full size version, and a close up of each quilt.

Pieced Quilts


Fan Quilt  


Baby 16 Patch Quilt


Double Wedding Ring Quilt


Hexagon Quilt


Star Quilt
(Not sure of the name of this star????)
SALE PENDING!!!!!!!


1000 Pyramids style of quilt
SALE PENDING!!!!!!!



X-Block Quilt



Applique Quilts



Pink Applique #1



Red Applique


Pink Applique #2


Pink Applique #3


Gold and Green Applique
SALE PENDING!!!!!!!!



And one last category,
 Double Knit Polyester
Double Knit Polyester Tied Quilt


Did anything speak to you?
Did anything whet your appetite????
If it did, let me know ASAP!
Please use the description I used for each quilt when contacting me.
Trust me, the prices are extremely reasonable and fair!

Here's wishing you a wonderful week full of quilts and inspiration!
Thanks for all of the encouragement!
Kevin the Quilter


Tuesday, April 12, 2016

Little Things......

Holla from the Quilt Cave!

You all are amazing blogging friends!
I am honored to have met several of you in person.  Of course, I have several personal friends and family members that read here as well.  Little things like sending blog messages, emails, and texts about my mother's surgery mean SO much!  They really do!


I was able to share several of the messages with my mom and dad.  They were in awe of how thoughtful you all are!  Momma came through her surgery just fine.  She is walking very well, and getting around with precautions in mind.
This is the ONLY photo I am allowed to share with you all.
You see, my Momma's hair isn't fixed......ummmm.....she is VERY particular about her hair.
LOLOLOLOLOLOL
But, there is my Dad right behind her and the therapist.
He has been there every step of the way.  He wouldn't even leave her side at the hospital to
come home with me.  I guess 53 years together does that to you.

I am happy to report I was able to take Mom home after 2 days in the hospital, and she is recovering well.  Her home health nurse, and her physical therapist come to my parent's home.
Mom gave me the go ahead to come back home so I can work.........bigger house, bigger mortgage!
Thanks again and again for all of your thoughts and prayers!
It's the little things that mean so much!


Is anyone else going to Paducah this year??????
I met several people last year, and would love to meet YOU this year!
Little things like meeting like minded artists who are passionate about their medium
does my heart good!

SPEAKING OF LITTLE THINGS......

Little chicks, become big chickens and need a proper coop!
This little shed, in need of a good paint job, will be a wonderful place to house my brood.
Little things like digging a trench and filling it with concrete will help ward off
animals of prey from digging under the fence.
Trust me, I am going to make this as predator proof as possible!
Try saying that 5 times fast! LOL

Hmmmmmmm????????
Here are some little things found in my studio as of late......

Turning into even smaller things...........

Hmmmmmmmmm????????
I wonder what I am up to now???????




A little smile to brighten your day!


Thanking God for all of the little things!
Thanks for all of the encouragement!
Keep on quilting!
Kevin the Quilter

Sunday, April 3, 2016

Greetings from.........THE QUILT CAVE!!!!!

Greetings from.....................

The
Quilt Cave

Thanks to Sassi, who wrote:

"Quiltcave (like man cave lol), I'm sure the name will come to you when you stop thinking about it."

I LOVE IT!

Thanks to ALL who had suggestions!  So many of you had clever ideas, like Linda A who suggested Kevin's Quilting Coop....I would be the only rooster in the hen house! LOLOLOLOL  And, there were several who suggested "Kasa Kevin."  Although that has a definite ring to it, my home isn't hacienda style, or southwestern.  I am going to try the Quilt Cave thing out.....because my studio IS my man cave!  


I would also like to thank everyone for their thoughts and concern over my family.  To say the least,it has been a very trying time, especially for Dottie and the children.  



And, while you are thinking of my extended family, please remember this beautiful little lady!
My Momma is having hip replacement surgery this coming week.  She had her other hip replaced in 2010, and
at that time the surgeon asked her which hip she would like replaced, because, one was just as bad as the other.
She chose the one at that time which hurt the most and recovered beautifully.
  Well, the pain has become unbearable for her, and
we finally convinced her it was time.  My mother LOVES to be active, and take long walks for exercise.
She simply can't do that anymore.  But, she will be able to again after she recovers with therapy.
Thank you all again and again for your concern!
I appreciate each and every one of you!

Now, what has been happening in the 

THE QUILT CAVE

as of late??????

I finally completed the top for:
This is the mystery scrap quilt my friend Ann of 
Attic Threads & Quilts designed.  
I have loved seeing all of the versions different people have been making!
I made this one for my niece's high school graduation.
The colors are reversed, and they are in her school colors of black and gold.

Notice anything wrong with it?  Well I DID!
After I snapped this photo, I saw I had a block reversed at the bottom!

D'OH!!!!!!

It is now fixed, and my friend Kim will be quilting this one for me.

This is one of the memory quilts I made in honor of my Uncle for my cousin, Donna.
Uncle Lee was a Baptist minister for over 50 years, so there were several shirts and
ties to choose from.  The grey blends into the design wall,and I apologize for that, but, there is definitely
grey cornerstones there!  My friend Dar of Dar's Patchwork Garden
is going to work her magic on this one.
I have one more quilt to make from the remaining shirts and ties for 
my other cousin.

Several students from the mystery scrap class at the shop which I hosted have been completing
their quilt tops for "Going Home!"
The pattern is coming soon, I PROMISE!

Sharon decided to use yardage for her quilt.
Wonderful job!  I love it!
This is going to be an anniversary gift for her daughter and son-in-law.

Here is another version in beautiful gem toned batiks.
I can't wait to be able to see all of the quilt tops completed by the students.
We have a show and tell slated for May 19th at the shop
so we can see all of the different versions together!
You KNOW I will be taking MANY photos at that time!

In other news.....

As I was sorting scraps while watching Quilt Cam with 
My Gracie Lu decided to photo bomb!!!!! LOLOLOL
Gracie hopped up in my lap and 
it looks like Bonnie and she are posing together!

And, I am not sure if I ever introduced you all to "Dixie?"
Dixie is my white featherweight, named after the quilting friend I purchased her from.
She has such a pretty stitch, and now all I need to complete my dream team is a putty
colored featherweight.  I have never even seen one of those in person!
So, I may be looking around for a while?!?!? LOL

Thank you all so much for being the best friends a guy that quilts could have!
Thanks for all of the encouragement!
See you next week at the Quilt Cave!
Kevin the Quilter