Get Thee to the Quilt Show! Inspired by the National Parks

Yesterday I had the opportunity to visit The Great American Cover-Up Quilt Show, put on by the Bulloch Hall Quilt Guild, featuring the Inspired by the National Parks Quilt Exhibit.

You'll have to visit the website since photographing the quilts was not allowed. Let me just say that each grouping of quilts was amazing and inspiring. If you don't have the chance to see the exhibit, the next best thing is the book with photos and essays about each park and each quilt. 

I had the added benefit of visiting with a dear friend who is not a quilter, but whose family are national parks buffs. She has been to about half of the parks, and seeing these quilts with her was really special. I loved when she would recognize a park from across the room, and would share some memory from her childhood about visiting each one. 

"Hike" by Jan Antranikian

The guild did a great job of using props and family photos from guild members to set the scene. 

"Foxy" by Marie Monks Wood

They also hosted a challenge among their own members, inspired by nature. I love how these turned out, and am so proud to know many of these quilters.

"Watched Eggs Never Hatch" by Christie Fouts

The show runs through March 18, so there's still time if you are nearby. It's worth the trip!

"Swamp" by Wendy Blanton

Going to Guild - Charlotte Angotti Returns

Monday was guild night, the first one of the year for me. In January we got snowed out. In February I had planned to attend and then, Tuesday morning, realized I had completely forgotten. Where is my head? 

But this month our speaker was the quiltalicious Charlotte Angotti with her bajillion gorgeous quilts and at least one story for each one that will have you wiping away tears of laughter.  

Charlotte has a gift for using color with simple blocks to bring light and movement to quilt designs. 

She is great at breaking down complicated looking designs and making them achievable even for newer quilters. She encourages you to use fabric from your stash, and teaches you new ways to look at old fabric.

In addition to the loads of quilts she brings - she couldn't even show them all - Charlotte is so danged funny! She sprinkles stories about how she came up with a quilt design with anecdotes from her retreats, lectures, and classes. 

My iPhone-tography doesn't do these justice, but friend her on Facebook to get a dose of color inspiration that will get your creative juices flowing.