This blog starts with a confession…

I never learned to sew…

despite the fact that I had a mom who could probably have stitched together a small car if given enough “away time” from 3 active young kids. I was, in fact, famous during my new teacher days for being able to staple or masking tape any hem before the tardy bell rang! 

In addition, I had one grandmother who knitted prolifically, & another who crocheted with equal zeal. I should have become a fully formed crafter as a grown-up, but stubbornness & I suspect a short attention span left me clueless. Imagine my surprise when I decided to try my hand at quilting a few years ago. It started with the gentle nudge of a great friend & an unknown passion for collecting fabric…& lead me to last week’s the AQS Show in Grand Rapids. (AQS stands for American Quilters Society for those uninitiated in the language of stitching see www.aqsquiltshows/AQS/Grandrapids/show.com)

If it’s true that a picture is worth 1000 words then maybe there’s a chance to share a part of it with you!

To all who love color or nature, beauty or art, music, adventure or fun…

Here’s the scoop…

• AQS sponsors shows all over the country during the year so if you’re traveling…
• The show in Grand Rapids had 300 quilts entered this year.
• There were also 350 vendors at the show including 2 that I recognized from our area…
• Renee’s House of Quilting in Williamsburg. www.reneeshouseofquilting.net &
• Cousins Quilt Shop in Bellaire. www.cousinsquiltshop.com
• In addition to the quilts submitted to the show there were 4 other major quilt exhibits. Check out the website to see work from Egypt, the Philippines, the National Quilt Museum & more…
• Next year’s show in GR is Aug. 14-17 so you may want to put it on your calendar.
• My friend is a wizard at long arm quilting & the following is a small sample of her work!

“Thank You” to the gifted quilters who chose to share their art & to all the people who created the venue to show off all the talent. I don’t know you, but I appreciate every minute you put into the project.

Me…I’m off to talk to my mom about some new clothes!!!