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I've been in a bunch of classes. Start at 7AM and end around 8:30 at nite. A very long day. Unfortunately, I don't have permission to publish my pics. But, we've seen some very interesting quilts. Electric Quilt class was well worth the price of admission. I learned so much. Now I can get designs in the computer instead of drawing everything.

Here are some pics I can show...
Here I am ready for another day of fun & games..
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The obligatory Quilt Show Mural pic...
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The Sneak Preview Opening...Nothing short of a mob scene...
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And dinner...THIS is Barbeque. In Cenral PA, Barbeque is similar to Manwich. This is the real McCoy from a local BBQ shack. Don't be jealous.
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Started my day with a short jaunt to the River (the Ohio). Just plain big.
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Bordering the River is a painted wall, detailing Paducah's history. I'm guessing that the wall is intended to keep back a rising river, however, I wouldn't want to count on it. Nuthin's gonna stop that river if it decides to overflow!
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I spent most of the day at the Museum, retaking my Insurance Appraisal class. The museum is a wonderful place, and the quilts on display there are breathtaking. Right now, in addition to modern quilts, they have a display of Anita Shackleford's Red & Green antique quilts. A very nice representation. You can't take pics inside the museum...so here is the outside.
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Here is a pic of the quilt I brought for my friend Sue. We did an appraisal on it and it did kind of stump many of us on how to place value on it because it is an antique top that has been newly quilted. Two things going on at once, which makes it tricky.
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Last, here is the Trolley preparing to take quilters through the various stops in Paducah. This town really knows how to treat the quilters. Every business has quilts in the windows and are overly helpful. Had dinner at a place called Max's in town with some of my quilter cronies. Excellent wood-fired chiken pizza!

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Tuesday brings Day 2 of the Insurance Appraisal Class, a quick trip to the Rotary Club show after class (currated by my Appraisal teachers from their collections), and a Preview of the show at the Executive Inn after that.

Paducah is not an easy place to get to. From Harrisburg, you fly to Detroit, then to Memphis, then to Paducah. After spending all day on the plane, I got to the Barkley Regional Airport (think TV show "Wings" and you have the idea). Since I'm about 5 miles away from the heart of the action in downtown Paducah, I have rented a trusty "steed". I present the Daewoo.
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Here is a lesson in economics... Small town is deluged once a year with 35,000 quilters. They come from all over. The only car rental place in town is Hertz at the Barkley Regional Airport. They have a small fleet of Daewoos. During Quilt Week, these little beauties rent for $329 per week for this fine example of automotive excellence.

Next, we have the Baymont. Today, the parking lot is nearly empty. In 2 days, you will have trouble finding a spot.

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I've been with the Baymont for 2 years. You have to make reservations this year, in hopes of getting a room next year. I am not a happy camper this year, however. I got bumped into a smoking room. It absolutely stinks. I have emptied a half bottle of Febreze heavy duty, plus the Febreze Air Spray. It smells better now. Like flowers, citrus, & cigarette smoke. Ugh.

Anyway, here are tomorrow's festivities. 9AM-4:30 PM Quilt Appraisal Class at MAQS with Gerald Roy and Bobbie Aug (they are wonderful). 6PM MAQS Friends Event at the Museum. 7PM Dinner with some of my appraisal class friends from last year. Time to get my gear ready for tomorrow and get some zzzzzz's.

I've just spent the last 4 days in Mystic, CT. What a lovely place. Because we're small biz owners, getting away is a major undertaking...usually, involving laptops, cell phones, and client files. But we did manage to pack in some terrific sights...

First, we went to Sagamore Hill...Home of Teddy Roosevelt. Nice digs...
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Then, Mystic Seaport.
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Spent 1 1/2 days touring Mystic. Went to Mystic Pizza of the movie fame. Also went to the Native American Museum near the Foxwoods Casino where they "just happened" to have a quilt exhibit!

Took a ferry from Point Judith, RI to Block Island. Here are the cliffs and the lighthouse. I could definitely live here...
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One part of the process I wish I could do differently: Pin basting for quilting.
I just haven't found a better way than to do it on our deck.

First, you masking-tape the backing "wrong side up" to the deck. Then lay the batting on top. Then lay the quilt top "right side up" on top. Starting in the center, you start safety pinning every few inches. The basting process for this quilt took 2 1/2 hours and hundreds of safety pins...every pin I had!

Well it's back to the show in Lancaster for today and tomorrow, and then to begin quilting. Might even get some in tonight though.

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Finally got a chance to sit and work on the Rockin' quilt today. Shortly after this pic was taken, I finished the other border, pre-washed the batt (Hobbs Heirloom 80/20, my batt of choice), and got everything ready to pin baste on Friday afternoon on the deck (weather permitting).

The next four days are Quilters Heritage Celebration at the Lancaster Host. I'll be doing Sit-n-Sew classes at the Brubaker's Sewing booth at the Expo Center. I'm really looking forward to it. Owner Amy and her crew are a great bunch and I'm thrilled to be able to spend the show with them! If you're "in the hood", stop by and say hi!