Final Reflections on Houston Quilt Festival 2014

     Final reflections . . . one more look at just how large the George Brown Arena is. Across the street there is a little park with a small lake.

I can see either of these as a subject of an art quilt.

Here's the view from one of the arena's outdoor balconies. 

Another new hotel is going up.

I thought this interesting building had the look of a modern quilt.

On Thursday night we went with two ladies I had met on a quilt retreat in Tuscany in 2010 and their friends to have dinner at a restaurant at the Aquarium. It was truly beyond awesome. We had an early reservation, so we were lucky to be seated only a few feet from the giant central tank.

When I returned home, I told Valerie all about it. She appeared to be listening intently especially when I told her how big the enormous tank was.

We flew home on Saturday. Don't you just love having a window seat!

I urge any quilters reading this to definitely go to Houston some time  for the International Quilt Festival.

     Note to self for future reference: next time plan to arrive on Wednesday for the preview evening and leave on Sunday.  Also, consider taking one of the all-day trips.

Some Interesting Quilts from Houston

     All of the quilts at the Houston International Quilt Festival were outstanding. I took photos of many quilts that caught my eye, and here are just a few. The above button creation, "Red Sunflower," by Susan Bianchi was a delight to the eye!

     Not only am I drawn to buttons, but I've also been bitten by the crazy quilt bug. Look at these impressive pieces.

If you love crazy quilting, check out Geraldine's blog Older Rose. 

Betty Pillsbury has a website . . . Betty Pillsbury - Crazy Quilts & Embroidery

Here are three more wonderful pieces.

To see more of her work, visit her website Eileen Williams - Fiber Art from the Crystal Cove of North Carolina.

Virginia Greaves quilt was based on "Migrant Mother", an evocative black and white photo taken by Dorothea Lange from her work documenting the living conditions of farm workers and their families during the Great Depression for the U.S. Farm Security Administration.

Look at this lovely quilt by Nancy Ryan and see more of her work on her website Nancy Ryan Quilts.

Finally, what with going to the quilt festival and finishing the Halloween quilt for my now six year old cousin, I haven't spent much time practicing my flute. My next lesson is on Wednesday, so I'm trying to practice twice a day to make up for my laziness. Here's Emma casting a critical eye as I practiced this morning after church. I know I have posted a similar photo before, but it just cracks me up whenever I look down and see her. She is either enjoying the music or wondering just how much longer she will have to wait before we go for our walk. 

Houston . . . We Had a Blast!!!

What took place at the mammoth George Brown Arena in Houston, Texas, last week? It was the 40th Anniversary of the Houston International Quilt Festival. It is estimated that 58,000 visitors came to celebrate the art of quilting, and my friend Edith and I were lucky enough to be there.

This was the breathtaking sight which greeted attendees at the preview on Wednesday evening.

Over the course of the next few posts, I'll share photos and observations from this very special event.