In Stitches (Still)

Sadly, Punk is still sick. So while I attempt to scrub off the dried snot on my chest, shoulders, and arms, here are more images of the stunning efforts of the Foothills Quilters Guild (FQG).

The show was much larger than it was in 2007, with quilts of all sizes, designs, and colors truly filling the entirety of the Cleveland County Arts Council. And while I wasn't the only one there with a camera, I was the only one there who used it---every five feet---much to the chagrin of all those I blocked, photographed, and elbowed. Eh, I was on a personal tour with Leah Day!

Speaking of which. I told you she was this year's ribbon stealer.

There were a lot of earthtones in this year's quilts. This one, in particular, caught my eye because unbeknownst to the artist, it captured my two favorite things in a quilt--earthtones and stars. Who wouldn't love to wrap up in this quilt with a cup of hot cocoa in hand?

And then there were show-offs, like the woman who pieced this teeny, tiny thing. The hexagonal pieces were smaller than a dime. I paused in front of this one for quite some time, trying desperately to figure out how piecing such a quilt was possible. While I still haven't figured it out, I've concluded that a lot of Valium was likely involved. And she probably has a new eyeglass prescription to go along with her first-place ribbon.

One of my favorite Shelby residents and professional quilters, Mary Henry, hand-appliqued this adorable wall-hanging. Not only were her colors perfectly selected, but they're eggs! I love eggs. They're so versatile. So healthy. So vital to a good meringue.


In addition to quilts submitted by FQG members, quilts from a traveling exhibit, "America the Beautiful," were also on display. Each quilt represented a unique interpretation of the theme. Some were extremely poignant. Some were just plain odd, such as the quilt featuring a chicken coddling a puppy. You can see it in the lower left. Yes, a chicken and a puppy.

When you stumble across such a piece, you can only wonder if perhaps the (gulp!) artist is genius on a level you can only hope to someday understand. Um, yeah.


Then there was this piece. Simple. Significant. Heart-wrenching.


The story below detailed the quilt's creation and several hundred recreations, inspired and sent to untold numbers of soldiers wounded in the Middle East.


But by far, the quilt that drew the most smiles was this depiction of "Shelby North Pole," featuring some familiar businesses.

Such as "The Beaded Flamingo," a cute little nook inside Alley Quilts, the "ooh"- and "aww"- inspiring studio of Mary Henry and Paula Barringer. Both are as cute as a button and incredibly talented.

It won Judge's Choice and my vote for Viewer's Choice. OK, I didn't take the time to vote. But if I had, this would have been it. (Sorry, Leah!)

But the quilt show would not be complete without vendors, whose goods delight the senses and hurt the wallet. My favorite is always Brenda Arrowood's School House Quilts. She has an overwhelming amount of books, mouth-watering fabrics, and every tool and notion ever invented. Ever.

Such talent. Such beauty. Such inspiration. Sigh.

In Stitches (Not Really)

When Monday saw me hiding behind a colleague’s large coif to avoid Shelby’s finest reporters instead of peacefully devouring a day-old sandwich while flipping through a well-worn Robin Maxwell novel in the darkened recess that is my office, I knew I had an hour coming to me.

I knew few better ways to spend it than at the Cleveland County Arts Council, viewing the Foothills Quilters Guild quilt show, “In Stitches,” Friday afternoon.



The hour was made even more perfect by spending it side-by-side with my dear friend, quilting guru, and this year’s ribbon stealer, Leah Day.


Leah is both brilliant and certifiably insane. She recently challenged herself to design a new quilting filler stitch every day for a year. A year. The blog she uses to chronicle her journey is attracting a lot of attention.

And as offers pour in for all-expenses-paid trips to teach workshops in Bermuda—in November!—I am reminded how jealous I am of Leah’s creative genius. And her cleaning lady. Yet, she is forgiving of my comparable idiocy, never bats an eye when I call her to troubleshoot a sewing machine ‘malfunction’ that is always user error, and generously flatters by giving me advanced copies of her myriad of quilting products.

She is a pioneer in her field not just because she is transforming the way quilters use their stitches but because she is young. So young in fact that at the North Carolina Symposium, where her stunning quilt, “The Duchess”, earned a first-place ribbon for machine quilting, she was told by an ignorant fellow quilter, “You must just be getting into quilting.”

Yes, Leah’s just getting into quilting like Ford is just getting into mass assembly.


Her show-stopping quilt (literally--it created quite a crowd at the entry), "Release Your Light," was inspired by a dream and speaks to the release of creativity.

As she is exceptionally humble and at times self-depricating, Leah will only casually reference the 300+ hours to handpaint this wholecloth masterpiece.

300. Hand paint. See, I told you. Leah is certifiably insane.

And there were times during the quilt's creation that Leah thought she was losing it as well. But, she still has both ears attached. Or at least she appears to. She is a remarkable handpiecer as well. Hmm.

The quilting, as always, is impeccable. The quilt a showcase of a myriad of intricate filler stitches. The back of the quilt just as breathtaking as the front.

Yet, Leah is just one of many exceptionally talented members of the Foothills Quilters Guild. And they all outdid themselves this year.

Later, I'll post some of my favorites from the show. But don't wait for me! The show continues this weekend and only happens every two years. Admission is only $3.00 at the door and a beautiful raffle quilt still awaits awarding.

Plus, I have it on good authority that Leah just might make another appearance today. Just look for the quiet, unassuming young woman who most pass by without knowing that a rising quilting star is in their midst...