Lake Trail Studio Handwovens Tour

At the end of last month, we discovered the  Huffhines Art Trails Festival and met Richard and Gloria Gatti.  It was such a treat and they invited us to tour their studio today.  Ya'll know I am not one to turn an opportunity like that down so after a quick breakfast at home, we are on the road up to Double Oak.  They are part of the Artist's Studio Tour that is taking place in the Cross Timbers area and I have my fingers cross that if we get there right when it starts, we will have some time without crowds around.  It works and ours is the lone car in the driveway.  Let's go learn about weaving.

The entrance to the studio is at the back of the house where a wonderful garden and greenhouse occupy space on the property.  Oooooh, I wish.  As we walk up to the door, many of their products are displayed for sale.  It is those dish towels that I am really after.  I have wanted one every since Huffhines.

Houston!!! Year Two Day 3

And just like that, it is our last morning here.  Goodness but that time flew by.  We are already talking next year though and that makes my heart sing.  Debi has joined us for breakfast and we are literally chomping at the bit for the show to open.  Why is time standing so still?

Okay, that's it.  We can't take it anymore and it's time to walk over there.  A quick picture by the elevators and we miss not one, but two different ones and have to wait again.  Two more minutes killed.  Yeah, we are just that good.

Houston!!! Year Two Day 2

Although the clouds are hanging a bit low this morning, it's time to get up and get moving.  We have shopping to do and quilts to see.  It's gonna be a FULL day of fun and joy to our eyes.

Houston International Quilt Festival - Eye Candy #3

This is post 3 of 3 on this years Houston Quilt Festival.  If you missed the first two, please go check them out.

First up is Diamond Effervescence by Beth Nufer and Clem Buzick of Brookings, Oregon.  "The inspiration was the silk fabric.  The background fabric is a gradated cotton sateen.  I wanted to incorporate the two fabrics together."  I think they did a great job and as I stood looking at it closely, I love the way the neutrals play together going from light to darker and back to lighter.  The piecing is wonderful but the dots, oh the dots are just magnificent.

Houston International Quilt Festival - Eye Candy #2

This is post 2 of 3.  Please check the blog for the others if you wish to see all the quilts that I captured.

Let's start with the winner of the Founders' Award.  This is called Fantastic! and is by Junk Fujiwara of Narashino, Chiba, Japan.  Junko writes, "I began this work to celebrate the birth of my first granddaughter four years ago.  I was excited I made 16 blocks, especially with the flowers that I love.  I used a lot of cloth.  By combining small pieces, the leaves and flowers all look different."  It is outstanding to look at and four years just makes my mouth fall open.  I don't think I have enough years left to do something like this.

Houston International Quilt Festival - Eye Candy #1

I took way more pictures at festival this year than last so am posting the eye candy a bit differently.  They will use 3 posts and not be included in the daily journal other than through a link.  Please check on the regular post to see all the fun we had today.  Here's your LINK.

Now, onto the eye candy and please remember that I am not going to spotlight very many of the blue ribbon quilts unless I am absolutely in love with them.  I keep this blog to remember the things that really touched me in one way or another and am happy to share it with you.  These are my loves.

The big winner of $12.500 from Handi-Quilter is this lovely sampler by Janet Stone of Overland Park, Kansas entitled Garden Variety Sampler.  She says, "This quilt is a nod to my love of antique samplers.  The layout was loosely inspired by a page from an antique children's book by Walter Crane from 1878 entitled The Baby's Bouquet.  The color palette was inspired by the beautiful Japanese taupe quilts.  This is number 17 in my "Alphabet Quilt" series."  The techniques are machine piecing and applique, fused applique, hand embellishment and I absolutely am drawn to it.  The details are just tremendous.

Houston!!! Year Two Day 1

It's NOVEMBER!  That means the time for Houston's International Quilt Festival has arrived.  When tickets are purchased a year in advance, waiting for this seems to take forever and I'm thrilled that today is the day.  Lydia arrives at my house by 5:30 a.m. and within 10 minutes we are off and on our way.

It's nice to reconnect along the way and share what has been happening in our lives.  I so love this time together and for the chance to help one another out.  I am wondering if we will get a view of a beautiful sunrise but my hopes are dashed as the clouds are just too thick this morning.  A couple of hours into our trip, this is the best that happens for us.  I'll take it.