Grand Rapids, Michigan

Last week my mother, my gramma, and I went to Grand Rapids, Michigan for the AQS Quilt Show. 

We went in celebration of my gramma's 70th birthday. As I've mentioned before, my gramma, my mom and I are all quilters. It was a whirlwind trip. We left for Michigan Thursday morning and headed back on Saturday morning. We spent most of our time at the quilt show, which was lovely, but we didn't get a chance to explore Grand Rapids (which seemed like a lovely city).

Thursday we spent time browsing the merchant mall, and then saw a lecture by Caryl Bryer Fallert. She is an amazing artist, and it was quite incredible to see her process. I definitely don't have that kind of artistic talent, or vision.

Friday was our day to explore the show. We got up bright and early (surprise, surprise), and hit the ground running. We began with the competition quilts (there were a number of other exhibits to look at as well). We walked up and down the aisle looking at the quilts. I took the role of taking pictures, mom informed us of any important information about the quilt found in the booklet, and gramma informed us based on experience. Unfortunately, I do not have permission to post any of the pictures from the show, so I will just have to encourage you to go to your own AQS show (or any other quilt show).

We had been picking out quilts that used two slightly different coloured background such as white and off white, because that was what gramma did on the quilt she made for me and my husband. At one point we came around the corner, and a quilt came into my view. I took in part of the quilt and noticed it had the same two-background style. I started to say to myself "That looks like my quilt", when I was able to take in the whole quilt and noticed that it was my quilt. Unbeknownst to me, my gramma had entered it in the quilt show and it was accepted. I stood there and said "That's my quilt, that's my quilt" while crying (my gramma managed to get a picture of that...I'm sure it's attractive). I was so shocked and so excited. For those that don't know, our quilt was made 2 years ago when we got married. It was hanging at our wedding, but since then has been in competition and we have not had it in our possession. I just wanted to stand there all day and point it out to everyone. I was given permission to post picture (since it is my (my husband would want me to say our) quilt). So here you go.

Yes. We did cross the barrier to get our picture taken.
Again, MY quilt.

Here's a detailed shot of the stipple quilting
and the trapunto.

It was also fun to point out to people that all of the quilting was done by hand. They were amazed (as they should be). I managed to drag myself away from it to look at everything else. But I did have to go back and see it before we left.

Friday night we went to a lecture by Alex Anderson. She was very entertaining and had lots of good stories.

It was a long day. Lots of walking. But also lots of extraordinary quilts. We were so busy we didn't even have a chance to look through everything. Overall, it was a great experience and I'm so glad we got to go. Next time we definitely need more time.

Thanks gramma, it was really special!