Friday, September 26, 2008

County Fair Quilt



Hubby and I took off to the local county fair yesterday......specifically to see the quilts that had been entered. Above was our absolute favorite !!!! This quilt was phenomenal!! They were all displayed behind glass with a safety railing in front of each case...so I was having to do a balancing act to get this picture without much glare. The quilt was folded...so this is all we could see of it. Everything you see is hand appliqued......i counted 14 different fabrics on the one chicken...and then she hand embroidered the name of the chicken ( click to close up ). It won a blue ribbon....but should have been best in show. There was not another quilt there that compared, and as we stood there admiring it.....we heard lots of others who felt the same way we did. The best in show was a 4 block wall hanging in rusts and greens...each block had a blackeyed-susan type flower hand appliqued in it. The glare was so bad on that one or I would have shown it too so you could see for yourself. My husband counted only 76 quilts entered. They told us that fair entries just keep getting smaller and smaller every year. That's a shame. I managed to squint my eyes and make out the ladies name. She lives about 25 miles from me.....I tried calling her this morning. I really want to chat with her about THIS quilt.....and I REALLY would like to see the whole quilt!!

And here is ONE MORE mess I have made....this is just one of many I am looking at right now. This is part of my Christmas stash I was digging through. You know...sometimes you just have to dig and dig and dig to find what you are looking for....right?? Well.....I must say it's ALL Nanette's fault!!! SHE made me do it! You know......all that talk of hers about a Christmas swap and all!! (( You know.....I think she is one of those people who walks fast too......you know....the kind you can't keep up with.......you have to do this little skipping run just to keep up with her! )) You know I luv ya Nanette!!!

But....as you can see....I think the mess was worth it. Here is another little cottage I just HAD to make. I wish the picture would capture the sparkle of the white rick rack. It has that iridescent thread thru it and it looks like real snow sparkling. Nanette came up with just the cutest cottage design for the swap. I must say...I am not "legally" participating. I'm just going to participate from the "shadows".....so beware ladies.....I'll be watching you!!
Here is just a suggestion.......Tonya over at Lazy Gal Quilting has done a post about I.D. theft and blogging. I think it's a worthwhile read . She has another good post about you and I posting pictures and content without others permission.....Duh...me.....I had never even thought about it.
Oh....and Fran has a hilarious post about her unkept house!
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26 comments:

  1. OH my gosh Belinda. You and I may have to do a little side exchange. I seriously have to have a cottage with that picket fence. Where ever did you get that????? Its incredible. Your compliments are very much appreciated. It has been a while ride this week getting all of the stuff I've got going and seeing your block and some others I've seen today makes me so happy and I'm feeling very excited.

    That chicken quilt was amazing. Really really amazing. Its too bad they don't have a better way to display those quilts at fairs. They always leave them folded up and behind that glass. I know they have to but I wish they would open them up.

    Oh Belinda, you made my day.

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  2. Belinda if that was a sample of the quilts displayed it must have been awe inspiring.
    I've never done applique other than the fuse and zig-zag type, but that doesn't really count.
    One of these days I will give it a shot. Heaven knows there are so many books to inspire, even the most "all thumbs' like me kind of appliqe-er (?) not sure how to spell that. But if and when I do it it will have to be a chalenge and an EASY one at that. Your little houses are adorable. Your good girl! You pay so much attention to detail. Love the wreaths on the fence. Super-dooper great!!

    I saw Tonya's heads up about identy theft, so I made a few changes in my profile. I was going to describe myself as an ex-stripper turned quilter, instead of a 63 yr old granny, but I wouldn't want to give those lovely strippers a bad name. (*LOL*)

    ~~Fran...:c)

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  3. This is gorgeous, Belinda! I think I know who designed that quilt...the name is eluding me....off to do more googling. Back shortly...hopefully shortly. ;-)

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  4. FINALLY! Maggie Walker. The pattern is called Country Journal. Here is her address: http://www.maggiewalkerdesign.com/
    That would have driven me crazy all night.

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  5. I love the cottage with the Christmas prints - that's so adorable. When I browse for Christmas ideas I see the same stuff over and over, this is really different and cute.

    Beth

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  6. What an adorable block!!! Not sure what I like best about it, the picket fence, the "snow" rick rack or the gorgeous b/w roof. I'll have to check her blog for the other blocks too.

    The rooster quilt is amazing! Don't suppose it was in the Ector or Scurry county fair was it? I'd love to know (that is if you don't mind sharing :) Our fair had only a handful of quilts this year. Sad....

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  7. That is the cutest little house block I've ever seen!!! That picket fence is to die for!

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  8. Morning belinda, I love the picket fence! It is utter darling! I really really want to make one of these and a wonky house or so! There is just so much scope it's wonderful! If you did a Summer one it could have flowers, a thatched roof, leaded windows and everything! Oh where did I leave my spare pair of hands?

    Don't worry the project I'm doing with Messy Karen is all in hand.

    Wow that hen quilt is stunning. I wonder if the lady who made it blogs? I've seen some fabrics that I've thought -ooo that would make a lovely feather effect, but how she's done it is marvellous! Utter craftswomanship!

    Hope you're having a great weekend.

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  9. Wow!! Belinda.. I wish you were in my group! :-D I wonder how many others that didn't sign up for the swap will be makig these.. I bet a bunch! I'm using that same ric rac with the glittery thread.. it does look just like snow with icicles, doesn't it? Your house blocks is adorable.
    yes.. that chicken quilt is amazing. I hope you get to see the whole quilt too.. then you can show us maybe?

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  10. That is a great quilt! Yes I was pickling beets. They are one of my favorites. I think I'll post a recipe that I use them in. Although my favorite way is straight from the jar. Thanks for stopping by.

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  11. I love your cottage blocks!!! I love everything you've been working on...I don't know how I got so behind on your blog, but I'm catching up now :)

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  12. That is one absolutely terrific cottage. Sure wish you were in the swap, Belinda!

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  13. Hi Belinda! I love your cottages! I'm in the cottage swap and have my pieces cut out, but haven't found time to put them together yet! I know I've got an hour around here somewhere, maybe under my fabrics!

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  14. Your cottage block look so lovely! I especially love the fabric you've used for the roof - very French! And the rick-rack looks like the perfect snowy edge. Can't wait to get started on mine!

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  15. I'm not a rooster fan, but I love that quilt! I have to see the rest of it. call that lady!
    your xmas cottage square is so cute. I've been seeing so many adorable ones! nice job!

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  16. ooh i wish i could see more of that quilt too! your cottage is spectacular! what great choice of fabrics.

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  17. Your cottage block is sweet! I love the wreaths on the picket fence!

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  18. Your cottage is absolutaly adorable. So festive.
    The chicken quilt was fabulous. WOW!!!

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  19. Wow, that picket fence is fabulous! What a great block!

    I look at applique like that and think I should give up on applique all together. Or maybe just wait until the kids move out to get serious about it. So time consuming!

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  20. A D O R A B L E Cottage!!! Love the roof, love the rick rack snow, LOVE the picket fence!

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  21. OMG, your cottage block is amazing. I love the way you used the Daisy Kingdom (I think) fabric. I used to have some of that. And the white rick rack. But I think my very favorite part is the roof. Wow, Wow, wow.
    Teresa

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  22. I got your comment about my pickled beets. I was going to type it out here in comments but I'll post it over at my spot since it's so long for comments!

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  23. so creative....I can't wait to see more.

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  24. I LOVE the cottage with the fence. Where did you get that fabric? Or did you put the fence on somehow that I just can't tell from the picture? I love it!

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  25. I do am making a cottage or two on the side. Yours is lovely.

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  26. What fun cottages you have...love them!!! I also love the fair quilt!!!

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