Just got back from a trip to Paducah, Kentuckly where I spent three days at the National Quilt Museum. The purpose of the trip was to catch the Tula Pink Exhibit before it ended on September 15th. I tired really hard to miss the hot and humid summer weather in Kentucky. Total fail! It was HOT 🥵 all five days with a 95% humidity and mid 90’s each day. It was like walking in a sauna each day. The weather was very sapping. But I was grateful it wasn’t raining too as originally predicted. Take the win when you get it!
I was so excited to get to the museum and get my first glimpse of the Tula Pink Exhibit. Once I got there, I was pleasantly surprised to find the museum was bigger than I was thinking (but not too big). I made a decision immediately to just focus on Tula the first visit. I ended up getting a membership (plus it supports the museum) and come back for the next 2 days to catch he other exhibits and view again any part of the Tula quilts I needed more time with.
While I would love to share every photo (and quilt), I am sharing the four Tula Pink quilts that were on exhibit that are WIPs for me. I definitely spent a lot more time with each of these. I loved how Tula shared her quilt drawings, color samples, and all the little notes that went into making the quilts. There were also pencil drawings of different fabrics. I follow her Tula Tuesday on Instagram where she shares everything from collection ideas, quilts, her process, etc. I loved all the insights up close and in person.
Day 2 I was checking out Paula Nadelstern Exhibit. While I found the kaleidoscope quilts interesting. I had not heard of this quilt and fabric designer. I only took a few pictures (since I wasn’t fangirling) of my favorite quilts. Of course snowflakes was one. I thought the quilt imitating a dinner table was unique. Each kaleidoscope block was a plate including silverware. The stories for each quilt was interesting.
I vaguely remember seeing something about Janet Stone the ABC Quilter. I found it interesting that she decided to make 26 quilts focused on ABC Samplers like the historic cross stitch samplers. It was interesting how she managed to tie sheep into the majority of her quilts. There were different themes for each of her quilts. It was obvious each was made specifically to be entered into quilt shows. They generally were made with tons of embellishments and speciality threads etc. it was a great exhibit and was the first time that all 26 quilts were on display.
I loved ever moment of my visit at the museum. I thought I would share a few more of my favorite quilts from the week. I just love rainbows and this was a trip that made me very happy.
One of the things I found interesting was how each quilter finished their quilts. Both Janet Stone and Tula Pink had a few quilts where the quilt top had the quilt label. Sure made me think a little more about quilt labels and what I might want to share about each quilt. How about you?
Monthly Guild Block Raffle
I was able to finish all the blocks I planned to make for the guild’s monthly meeting. It was an opportunity to use up some of the greens in my stash (my least favorite color). I normally choose anything but green. Can you imagine my surprise when I found myself liking the blocks I made. The pattern was a free Moda Blockheads 6 – Crossroads. I had originally only planned to make 2 blocks and pulled fabric for two. But the cutting of the center unit left me with leftover triangles so I went ahead and used up those leftovers. Viola! 4 blocks complete just in time for meeting night. I wish we had more than a week to make the blocks.
WIP Update
As you can imagine, there was not a great deal of sewing time available when I spent my time on the road or sewing the guild blocks. I thought I would have more stitching time while on the trip so I took two of my English Paper Piecing projects. Not as much time as I thought but a wee little bit of time happened.
Tula Pink Floral Reef Super Nova
I continue working on the center medallion block of the Super Nova quilt. There just doesn’t seem to be enough hours in the day to do all the stitching I want to do. This week I attached a few more stars. Seeing Tula’s notes on this quilt were very inspiring. It helped with understanding how it goes together.
Ruby’s Garden
This project makes a perfect airplane project. If you remember I am trying to recreate my Grandma Ruby’s wedding quilt she made me almost 40 years ago. This quilt has a lot of memories built into it already as well as the original quilt. This block is number 27 with Liberty of London fabrics. It is lawn fawn fabric which is a little lighter than quilting cottons but so beautiful.
Starbright Paisleys Strip Club pattern by Cozy Quilt Designs
I worked in a few leaders and enders making these four patches while making the guild blocks. They are coming along.
Weekly To Do List
I will be linking up with Carol at Quilt Schmilt for To Do Tuesday Linkup. Check it out.
What I got done this week was:
- Worked on Super Nova blk 1-1
- Continue workingon Starbright Paisely blocks
- Finished the Guild Challenge blocks for monthly meeting
- Started Ruby’s Garden Block #27
- Visited the National Quilt Museum
Next Week’s list is interesting but will probably not include everything:
- #1 thing: Pack for Quilt Retreat that begins on Sunday
- Pulling projects for the Tahoe Quilt retreat
- Start new project at quilt retreat
- Continue working on Freelancer Star project
- Work on Super Nova block 1-1
- Continue working on Starbright Paisely block
- Figure out where I am on my 365 block challenge
- Quilt Turkey Lurkey wallhanging
- Quilt Patriotic table runner
- Work on Ruby’s Garden block 27
- Load 2018 100 days quilt on long arm
- Sew the zipper in my project bag
- Sew sleeves on my quilt show entries
- make labels for quilt show entries
- order design wall
Musings
One of the things I did while on this trip is a little water coloring with an Emily’s Autumn workbook and my travel watercolor set. I spent an evening just playing with the paint. Upon reflection, it turned out pretty good. I wish I played more often.
I strolled along the Tennesse Riverfront here n Paducah here this week. When I was a little girl I lived just outside of Paducah. As is normal, rarely are we tourist in the towns that we live because we are too busy living. I spent a few afternoons strolling along the riverfront and checking out some of the historic sights. I learned things I never knew. I would have done more if it wasn’t so darn hot!
The only other thing I did was vist Paper Pieces store front and Hancock’s of Paducah. I only bought one thing at the quilt stores and a few things at the museum store. It was fun to connect with my childhood home. I think it might be fun to do this trip again (just when it is not so hot) and see a few more historic sights in Kentucky and maybe squeeze in a few sights in Nashville. I met a lot of great people while there – visitors and locals alike.
Peggy Stockwell visiting Paducah, Kentucky