Thimbleanna » A Virtual Quilt Festival

A Virtual Quilt Festival

April 17, 2009 on 8:27 pm | In Quilting | 60 Comments

Well, Hello There! By now you’ve probably heard that Amy is having a virtual quilt festival.

Since we can’t all go to the same quilt show, Amy has decided to bring the show to us and she’s asked us all to show our favorite quilt. You know, that’s kind of like asking a mother to choose which one of her children is her favorite. Oh, the pain! I’ve already shown you my very favorite quilt (several times), so I’ll give you my runner up.

There are so many beautiful, modern quilts being shown today, so, I’m feeling a little frumpy with this throwback-to-the-80′s quilt, but I love it anyway. This is the very first quilt that the quilty peeps and I made together. We formed our quilt group and I got to go first because no one had been in a “friendship” group before, so we used my quilt to learn how to do it. (And btw, I took pictures of the quilt on the really cool big ol’ dump truck in our driveway. We don’t have a dump truck — so you know what that means? It means the roofers are in on the house! WooHoo!!!)

We started out with 11 girls in our group and I gave each of them the background material and the pattern for the bear’s paw and requested that they make the bear’s paw out of their own red and blue scraps. I love how everyone chose different fabrics. Then I asked them to embroider their name, where they were from, the date, and something they loved. Of the 11 blocks that I got back, 1 was unusable, so I asked MeMum and MyDadLovesMeBestSister if they would each make a block to round the number out to 12. Here are blocks from my best buddy quilty peeps and MeMum. They love(d) houses, old jukeboxes, cats and fairy tales. I wonder what they would put now, 21 years later?

I love that everyone chose something different. (Other fun things were “my dog”, daffodils, chocolate, rainbows, wee babes, flowers, baskets, and crafts.) And I love that you can see everyone’s handwriting. And I really love that of our original group, four of us have stayed together and we’re best quilty peeps!

So…now, you’ve seen one of my favorite quilts. Git along lil’ doggies and run over to Amy’s — there are enough quilts being shown to make your fanny tired from sitting at the computer! (Oh, and Thanks Amy for hosting — what a fun idea.)

Have a great weekend!
XOXO,
Anna

P.S. If you want to see something funny, go check out the quilt that Carolyn just finished for the Quilts of Valor program!

60 Comments

I remember the Bear’s Paw Anna, what a special quilt and memories to go along with it, and watch out for falling (roof) debris. The quilt show looks like fun I may have to join in.

Comment by Shawn ; ) — April 17, 2009 #
I like the patriotic feeling in this quilt. Plus it’s always nice to have something that all of your quilty friends worked on. Great pictures too!

Comment by Lemon Tree Tami — April 17, 2009 #
Call me strange, but my favorite way to see a quilt is when it is folded up…there is something so comforting and home-like about a folded quilt.

Comment by raina — April 17, 2009 #
i love this!! such a fun pattern!! i LOVE the pictures of it with the truck!!

Comment by kerri — April 17, 2009 #
I love quilts with stories.

Comment by anina — April 17, 2009 #
what a beautiful and oh-so-meaningful quilt! i love it!

Comment by amandajean — April 17, 2009 #
these are great quilt stories..thanks for sharing.

Comment by Vickie E — April 17, 2009 #
Speaking of stories—doesn’t every quilt have a story?

I LOVE your favourite quilt! This one is also very nice, full of great memories…..I took one look at the list of participants and already felt exhausted….need to be quilting my own [deadlines upcoming!] not drooling over others!

Comment by molly — April 17, 2009 #
Nothing like having good friends! Nice quilt too!

Comment by Melody — April 17, 2009 #
Pretty quilt! Fun story behind it, and I love the dump truck as model.

Comment by Carol E. — April 17, 2009 #
I love that Bear’s Paw Quilt and really enjoyed Our Friendship Group, I am so glad we are all still Friends…..Have a wonderful Week end. xoxo jewels PS Need some ear plugs?????

Comment by Jewels — April 17, 2009 #
I love it, and great pictures with the truck :)

Comment by Zonnah — April 17, 2009 #
Awesome Quilt! Awesome Photos! ooxx`jod

Comment by Jodi — April 18, 2009 #
Your quilt is very nice! What a great quilt! I would love something like that…you know…that I or someone I loved made for me! :)

Comment by tattingchic — April 18, 2009 #
What a darling quilt and there’s nothing to feel frumpy about. It’s beautiful and I love that you did it with friends. Those are some of my favorite kind of quilts. The one’s with memories.

I especially love the picture taken with the quilt on the truck. How clever!

Comment by Kimberly — April 18, 2009 #
Yes it will be long computer sessions this weekend to see all the quilts and read the stories. At least we don’t have to walk all those miles!

Love to see your bear-paws quilt and the meaningful story that goes with it!! I especially love to see quilts from the past!!

Comment by nicolette — April 18, 2009 #
Hello Anna,
that Quilt- Festival sounds very interesting.
I love to see, what people are able to do with love, passion, fantasy and fabric.
I don´t no much more about quilting, than I saw in that lovely film “An american Quilt” with Anne Bancroft and Wynona Ryder, but maybe one day I will try myself.
Have a wonderful weekend and drop in when- and however you like :0)
Schönes Wochenende
Janine

Comment by Janine — April 18, 2009 #
What a wonderful quilt, with a wonderful story, and wonderful memories. Thank you Anna!

Comment by Carol — April 18, 2009 #
OMG, that’s too funny! I love your quilt!

Comment by Carolyn — April 18, 2009 #
oh anna.
what a great quilt!!!
me loves it.

Comment by rachel — April 18, 2009 #
Oh yes, I remember your favorite quilt…. Love it! But this one definitely deserves that honor too for many reasons. The best reason is the memories that you have of how it came to be and who was involved!! Fantastic picks on the dump truck and hooray for the roofers!

Comment by Jackie — April 18, 2009 #
I don’t blame you for making that number two on the hit list. It is a very pretty quilt, and the personalization just makes it that much more special. I love things that bring back a flood of memories just looking at them, don’t you?

Comment by Elaine/MuddlingThrough — April 18, 2009 #
I love how you’ve got that quilt posed on the truck! I can see why it’s a fav, it’s so pretty, not to mention all the memories.

Comment by rohanknitter — April 18, 2009 #
What a fabulous quilt full of wonderful friendships and memories! Great photos of it on the truck and even better news that you have the roofers in! Yay! Lucy x

Comment by Lucy Locket-Pocket — April 18, 2009 #
Super quilt. Love the photos with the truck. I love it!

Comment by Jocelyn — April 18, 2009 #
What a wonderful post and what a wonderful quilt with so many warm and fuzzy memories. Great photos!

Comment by Cheryl — April 19, 2009 #
Love the quilt and the story behind it! The photos with the truck are gorgeous.

Comment by Lisa — April 19, 2009 #
I love your quilt and your idea. Very cool indeed. Your peeps are just the nicest but so are you!!

Comment by Sharon — April 19, 2009 #
Ohh.. I love this quilt and the way you signed this one.. it will always be a treasure to you..:o) Thanks for showing..:o)

Comment by Stina — April 19, 2009 #
It’s wonderful Anna! I love that you made it with friends! Love the photos with the old truck!

Comment by Penny — April 19, 2009 #
Anna, did you give the roofers this quilt as the pattern for your new roof? You and your quilty peeps have such fun…I love this color combo.

Comment by Susan — April 19, 2009 #
I wish I could participate but as you know my computer is in the shop with cooties. Yes, that’s a technical computer-y term! I’ll have to just visit and drool from afar!

Comment by Miss Jean — April 19, 2009 #
I’ve always liked the bear paw quilts and yours is not exception.

Comment by Judy — April 19, 2009 #
Beautiful pictures…beautiful quilt.

Comment by Jane Weston — April 19, 2009 #
Its a great quilt with a wonderful story!

Comment by Teresa — April 19, 2009 #
What are you talking about?! Your quilt is gorgeous and very modern for one made in the 80s. And if you didn’t mention it, I would’ve assumed you finished this one very recently. I love the different shades of red and blue everyone used in the blocks, too.

Comment by Jade — April 20, 2009 #
Hi Anna,
what a wonderful & beautiful quilt! I wish I had a quilt older than two years ~ it’s so special to have such memories from years ago…
I love your quilt, and I have to remember that idea…
Hugs, Julia

Comment by Julia — April 20, 2009 #
That’s a cute idea! I should do a book festival…

Comment by Blond Duck — April 20, 2009 #
I like the quilt very much. I love red white and blue quilts anyway.

Comment by colleen — April 20, 2009 #
Oh they are both pretty! I’ve always wanted to make a Dear Jane quilt. Maybe someday!

Comment by deirdre — April 20, 2009 #
Awesome quilt! I love the colors and the personalization is the perfect touch.

Comment by Junie Moon — April 20, 2009 #
I love all the memories associated with your quilt! The colors and pattern are so familiar and comfy cozy :) Thanks for sharing Anna!

Comment by Amy @ parkcitygirl — April 20, 2009 #
The bear’s paw quilt is great.
But I popped over to see your favourite quilt and just love it. So much detail.
Well done.
Andi :-)

Comment by Andi — April 20, 2009 #
What a great quilt! Red and blue always make me think of summer and time with family. So I love this quilt.

What great memories with the names of the creators on each block. A very special quilt!

Comment by Dee Light — April 21, 2009 #
My first thought was HOW COULD YOU NOT SHOW OUR FAVORITE QUILT!?! But then I saw this quilt and understood. It’s so pretty, and I love it hanging on your roofer’s dump truck. Great shots!

I do think the block is called “Best Friend”. Four bear paws and a center stone I think make it a Best Friend. Which of course, is so fitting!

I <3 you sw1!

Comment by happy zombie — April 21, 2009 #
Great quilt Anna! I’m sure you’ve got a bunch of them though! Isn’t it amazing how many quilters are participating in this online festival? Keepin’ me busy drooling over so many pretty things!

Comment by Janet — April 21, 2009 #
Is it too late to join the Siggy Swap? It sounds like such fun! I LOVE your blog; the way you’ve organized it with so much wonderful information. Gotta make those bunnies!

Comment by MaryLou Rupp — April 21, 2009 #
I like this quilt and the simplicity of it. I especially like the old truck that’s modeling it for you. Hooray for the roofers! Please take a pic of that new roof of yours.

Jody

Comment by Jody — April 21, 2009 #
I am glad I decided to join in the fun. I love reading about how quilts came to be. Yours is lovely!

Comment by meggie — April 22, 2009 #
What a lovely story and a beautiful quilt!
It holds lots memories, I guess!

Comment by May Kristin — April 22, 2009 #
There was mention of the pattern name-so I checked in Brackmann’s encyclopedia and it has 10 names mostly referring to a body part: Bear’s foot and paw, cat’s paw, hand of friendship, small hand, duck’s foot in the mud. And yes, also ‘the best friend’.
Come see my favorites
#210 Sandra Starley -funky petroglyph quilt
#215 Utah Quilt Appraiser-civil war era red & green quilts

Comment by Sandra — April 22, 2009 #
It’s beautiful. Bear’s Paw is one of my favorite quilt patterns.

Comment by Susan Ramey Cleveland — April 22, 2009 #
I’d have taken them to a long armer. Tshirt quilts – no thanks! I’ve seen some beauties out there but I do not like the idea of putting them together. You are some kind of friend to do this.

Comment by Nanette — April 22, 2009 #
Can you believe this quilt show Amy started!? Holy cow it has taken on a life of its own. I saw the hundreds of participants and decided I would watch from the sidelines. This is wonderful. The memories make it special too.

Comment by Nanette — April 22, 2009 #
Hang in there with the t-shirt quilt – at least you haven’t been doing it for 8 years as I have with the cross-stitch sampler I finished today! I’ve never been so glad to see the back of anything – I was beginning to wonder if I’d ever finish it! Soldier on – you’re nearly there.

Comment by Rowan — April 23, 2009 #
i love the story behind this quilt…great idea taking pictures of the quilt on the truck…perfect!

Comment by jacquie — April 23, 2009 #
What a treasure of a quilt, and so good to be able to remember the people you have stitched with over time.

Comment by Philippa — April 25, 2009 #
i’ve quite enjoyed looking at all of the quilts in the virtual show!
how you coming along on those quilts?
how was sb’s bday party?
:waves madly

Comment by brigita — April 27, 2009 #
I’m sorry that I am such a crap bloggy friend .. but I do love you … I really do … oh and I love the quilt too by the way!

Comment by Kellie — April 28, 2009 #
Beautiful pictures!!! I love the one with it folded, it’s a great shot.

Comment by Gina — May 1, 2009 #