Thursday, April 26, 2012

Road Trip -- and a Giveaway!

Finally, I'm home from my road trip to Ohio for the Cincinnati International Quilt Festival -- and my nephew's 17th birthday and prom!

First day of the trip -- Kansas.  Who knew, if you drive Highway 24 across Kansas, it's actually a beautiful state?  Plus, I got to visit:


All About Quilts in Manhattan, Kansas.  Definitely worth turning away from the Interstate -- a good selection of both traditional and modern fabrics.


And:  Sarah's Fabrics in Lawrence, Kansas.  Home to the University of Kansas, Lawrence is a town with a lively, diverse downtown.  Sarah's Fabrics is recommended by the Kansas City Modern Quilt Guild, and boy howdy -- they are right!  Best selection of modern fabrics on my trip, plus the friendliest staff anywhere.
The day after arriving in Ohio, my courtesy sister and I drove down to Cincinnati to attend the Cincinnati International Quilt Festival

Here is the view from our room, right across the river from Cincinnati:


We enjoyed the most delicious dinner at:


My friends know I hate to read menus.  I always say "just bring me something."  If I wanted to decide what to eat, I'd be cooking at home.  Our waiter, Micheal (see Michael, I remember your name!)  selected Chilean Sea Bass for my dinner -- yum yum yum!

The Quilt Festival was overwhelming -- SOOO many wonderful quilts, hundreds of vendors, too much perfume on fellow attendees -- oh, sorry.  Got carried away there.  Other bloggers have posted many photos of the quilts, but I haven't seen this one.  I took the photo to show one of my commenters, Susan.  Susan, this was my favorite quilt at the show, and not just because it came from Australia!


Made by Eileen R. Campbell of Kew, Victoria, Australia, "Outback - Beyond Broken Hill" was inspired by the Australian Outback.  And look, it won a ribbon!

I also got to take photos of my courtesy nephew and his beautiful date before their Junior Prom at Beavercreek High School:


Not only is she a pretty girl, she is nice!


Oh?  You say I mentioned a giveaway? 

Right you are -- and here it is.  To celebrate my 100th blog post, I promised something fabulous from the Cincinnati Quilt Festival.  So I brought you:

A bag:


A 6" ruler:


TWO charm packs:



and some other goodies:





It's easy to win -- just leave a comment.   Tell me what you're sewing, tell me if you've been to a quilt festival, tell me a joke!  Remember, if you're a "no reply blogger," go here for a link to a tutorial on how to change that.

I'll choose a winner on Wednesday, May 1st!

Tomorrow, I have a Finish it up Friday project and review of 15 Nebraska quilt shops!




From the desk of your
auntmartisignature

46 comments:

  1. I just machine stitched the binding on a bull's eye quilt that I did with a group of friends. Now I just need to hand-stitch it. Thanks for the great giveaway!

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  2. Oh Marti! you had such fun! Im very jealous. What am i working on? Those charity quilts the guild started last Saturday. Ive never been to a festival. And here is your joke: Why did the old lady put rollerscakes on her rocking chair? Because she wanted to rock and roll!

    HUGS!

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  3. Sounds as if you have had a great time - some retail therpay - and seeing family. Its good to see that Australian quilt makers can score big in the USA - and that quilt certainly does typify the great outback. What have I been doing?? - well in Australia we had a public holiday on Wednesday to remember our war heroes (Anzac day) and since I dont work Thursdays normally I took Friday off as well, so I have a great 5 day break and I am sewing and cutting. I have a quilt top ready to quilt to get it ready for Sew Its Finished, prepared some Birthday blocks for later in the year and had a bit of a "sort out and tidy up" - still 2 days to go! Loving it.
    Hope all is well with you - and thanks for the special mention!

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  4. Wow, sounds like a fun trip! I've been sewing three kids strip quilts for a mission to Haiti (I've committed to make 50 quilts - I think I'm crazy!!) But what I would like to be sewing is Fig Tree Quilts table topper in the latest issue of Quilts and More (Scrap Lab. That will be a reward for finishing the strip quilts!

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  5. Always worth passing news on when you find great service. I love your favorite show quilt too and a fabulous giveaway

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  6. Found your blog through crazy mom quilts and am having a look around. I used to live in Nebraska -- hope you got to stop in Lincoln at the International Quilt Museum! If not, it's definitely worth a trip. Looking forward to your Nebraska post.

    k

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  7. I'm on my way to a show tomorrow. I'm going to check out the HQ Sweet 16 while I'm there. I hope to come home with one but we'll see. I love looking at the new fabrics and patterns at these shows. I'm dragging my non-quilting sister along with me.
    Barb@Witsend

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  8. I'm quilting another jelly roll race quilt to use as raffle quilt for Mother's Day. The money goes to my son's local playgroup.

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  9. Looks like you are enjoying yourself! I have a few quilts in the making and working on some new patterns! :) Stopping by from The One Stop Giveaway Shop! :) Thanks for the giveaway! and congrats on 100 posts! :)

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  10. I once lived at Fort Riley, Kansas (very close to Manhattan) and twenty years ago tomorrow, my own sunflower was born in Manhattan (also known as "The Little Apple"). We loved living there - it is a wonderful part of America!

    Thanks for the chance to win!

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  11. I am working on so darn many projects. Right now a postage stamp quilt for a family reunion auction.

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  12. Thank you so much for the giveaway! I hope to get to go to a quilting show of some sort some day...I should probably look to see if there are any smaller shows in my area!
    Right now I am working on sewing a patchwork prism QAL, just taking a dinner break ;)

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  13. I'm working on a baby boy quilt this week (Peak Hour); thanks for chance to win! Rhonda (marshudson at comcast dot net)

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  14. What a great roadtrip! And I love that you chose an Aussie quilt as your favourite ;)

    My mother-in-law does beautiful fabric works of Austrian scenes too, see http://www.neilandlizscobie.com/textile_gallery/textiles/forrest.html and is also a fan of the triptych, http://www.neilandlizscobie.com/combined_gallery/combined/room-divider-2.html

    As for me, well I am working on finishing a baby quilt for a friend and getting my kids clothing range up and running!

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  15. Great giveaway!!! Thanks for the chance. And Congrats on 100 posts!!!

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  16. Hi Aunt Marti! I am so glad to find your blog. :) It's inspiring that you make so many quilts! Okay, so what am I working on...I have a ton of ideas, does that count? But seriously, I am working on a king size rag quilt for our new to us Amish bed. Next in line will be a special quilt for a friend of mine who needs some cheering up. And I have a long waiting list of baby gifts that need to be sewn. And I cannot forget my precious son! I bought a layer cake of Berenstain Bears fabric, and I am going to make him a quilt for his birthday!!! Thank you for the generous giveaway!
    Shannon, Texas

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  17. Just found our blog. Great Giveaway. I'm making 3 quilts at present and 2 cushions. One of the quilts is for the Siblings Together project, a very worthwhile cause. Everything else commissions for friends of my daughter, so I am busy!
    Linda on travjonuk@yahoo.com, NOT the Google email, thanks.

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  18. Hi I just found your blog. I have only been quilting for a year and love it! Just finishing up a pinwheel quilt in blues for my in-law's 50th wedding anniversary.

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    1. Hi Cathy -- want to let you know that your comment shows up as "no reply comment at blogger dot com" so if you win the giveaway I won't be able to contact you directly. I've linked to tutorials to fix this in other posts, but this is the one I like: http://www.52quilts.com/2012/04/feel-free-to-laugh-at-me.html

      Delete
  19. I'm working on a road to Tennessee quilt for my son :) His choice

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    1. Jen, same for you as for Cathy just above.
      Are you from TN or does your son just like the design?

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  20. I am a new follower and love your blog :) Right now I am working on a panel/pieced quilt. The panel is of a farm scene with cows, barns, tractors, etc. I am adding some pieced blocks to it and so far love it !!! Thanks for the wonderful giveaway.

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  21. Happy 100th! Right now I am making hexagons for a swap...wow are they addicting. I am also participating in the Zakka Style sew along. Having a great time sewing.

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  22. Right now I am supposed to be working on a mini quilt, but I am waiting for fabric to arrive. In the meantime, I have to make a little dress for my cousins daughter.

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  23. 100 posts - that's awesome!! Today I finished sewing on the binding on a mini quilt and have just done straight stitch quilting on a Christmas table topper (a very late Christmas project - I'm definitely not ahead of the game for next Christmas). Feels good to get things [nearly] off the WiP list! Thanks for the chance to win :) amysalbums2004@yahoo[dot]com

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  24. I am hand piecing a scrappy star quilt, machine piecing the "Oh my stars" quilt and going to attempt my first machine quilting on a baby quilt to donate to the NICU, via my quilt guild.

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  25. Congrats on 100 posts. I just got back from the AQS quilt show in Paducah, Ky. I found some wonderful fabrics. Going to take a break from quilting for a day or so, and make a dress for my little Yorkie. Got a wonderful FQ just for her! I am a new follower! Thanks for the chance to win!

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  26. I am working on a set of coordinating quilts for my boys, they are sharing a room now, and I wanted to make something special for them, it is my first quilt.

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  27. I am making Quilts of Valor - thirteen finished so far this year. I'll keep making the until my red/white/blue fabric bin is empty. ;oD

    Congratulations on your 100th post, and thanks for the giveaway.

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  28. I am making a Christmas quilt, and kitchen curtains, and a quilt for may daughter. Yes, I am queen of UFO's.

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  29. I am quilting a pinwhill quilt. Hqms is coming to utah next month and i am going

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  30. I'm sewing because I have 3 babies and mom's of babies need durable blankets....VERY durable blankets!

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  31. I making a quilt for my daughter to take to school with her.

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  32. I've resumed work on a fan quilt started two years ago - sewing rows together. I've never attended a real quilt festival yet our one-traffic light county has a Quilt and Craft day that we attend. Congratulations on your 100th post milestone too!

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  33. Your nephew and his date look fabulous together. I am currently refashioning a bunch of my husbands T-shirts into clothing for my 2 year old son, so far I have made him underwear using a free pattern I found online.
    cutekipepeo(at)gmail(dot)com

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  34. How cute do they look - he looks immensely pleased with him self at having such a gorgeous date!!

    I am in the process of making a t-shirt quilt at the moment. A friend asked me -- to be honest i am NOT enjoying it, so I can wait to finish this up and get onto something a little more lovely.

    thanks
    cleo
    cleo (AT) techgear .co.za

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  35. That outback quilt is STUNNING! I am currently focusing on a cot quilt for my colleague, and finishing off my New York Beauty throw (but sneakily working on a few other things at the same time!) Check them out on my blog if you like - http://missbeaujangles.blogspot.com Thanks for the chance to win :)

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  36. I'm working on baby quilts for my new grandson

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  37. Thanks for turning a great trip into a giveaway. :)

    I am currently working on a Canada Day quilt as part of a challenge I started on the quilting board. I'm cross stitching the centre so it is a slow go but will be using fabric for the rest.

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    Replies
    1. Thanks for your comment -- sadly, you are a "no reply" commenter. If you want to remain anonymous, just send me an email at AuntMarti at 52quilts dot com and include your email so if you win, I can find you. Good luck!

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  38. I just finished making a vintage outfit out of a set of vintage pillowcases. I also make I Spy Quilts and Tooth Fairy Pillows. My friend and I just signed up for American hanging Quilt at Linderalla's in Southern Pines, NC on May 19 and could use some great fabrics:) Thank you.

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  39. I am working on a double wedding ring quilt out of my scraps! I was at the quilt festival too!

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  40. Congratulations!
    I'm making a charity quilt for Siblings Together here in the UK

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  41. I am sewing the Prism QAL and 365 Scrap Houses in 365 Days. Thanks for the chance to win.

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  42. Hope I'm not too late to enter!
    I'm sewing two baby boy quilts. One is just a rail fence quilt, I believe it's called, and the other I just made up using a bunch of diamond shapes.

    I'm jealous of your Nebraska shop hop :)

    Chrystal
    cambroz at yahoo dot com

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