Upcoming Quilt Show

I've been terrible posting things this year. My year has been hectic and I have done some sewing but not as much as I normally do. 

I do have an upcoming quilt show that I am planning to submit a quit into. Mom and I were browsing a random local magazine and found out about an Arts & Music Festival happening next weekend. It's called the Louie Bluie Festival, and they are going to have a quilt show there. Entries need to be submitted on 9/21 at the Quilt Patch in La Follette, TN. We are prepping out entries as we speak. The actual festival will be on 9/24. I am submitting the Fish Bowl quilt to the show, now if I can keep my cat off it. If you live in the area come by.

Tea Time!

I have several photos I've saved for my next tea entry. I am still picking just one. Last October I went to Ikea for the first time. It's about a 5-hour drive to the nearest Ikea so this was a special trip. I got one of their teas while I was there. I went through it so fast. I was terribly sad I only picked up one box. In my defense, I thought it was a cup at first, but wasn't mad. I have got back since and got this cute pot and more tea. The first tea I got was a rooibos. This time I got a green citrus tea. Both are really good and I do suggest picking some up. The last time I went they only had the green citrus tea and no other flavors. I also had to go to the food market area at the exit to find it.

I also bought a second basket while I was there because my cat took over the first one I got.

Smokey Mountain Quilters Ruby Jubilee Quilt Show for 2021

This year I decided to also participate in the Smokey Mountain Quilters Ruby Jubilee Quilt Show. This was actually my first time at this show. The show is a fundraiser for the quilt guild. Mom said she had been a member of the guild in the past but neither of us is currently a member. There is a fee to enter a quilt but we do get into the show for free for one of the two days it is held. It is a bit smaller show than the Mountainfest one held in Pigeon Forge but there were several quilts that had been in that show in this one. 

I did not win anything this time, but I do know the person who won in my category and also won viewers' choice! Hunter from Mountain Creek did a fabulous job with all the quilts he entered. I am so proud of him. It was good to see him and Sam since I can't get to that shop much. Overall I enjoyed the show a lot and am glad I got to visit. The show was held at the end of July and will probably be next year around the same time for anyone interested. I also have a photo gallery here of some of the quilts I took pictures of. 

Mountain Quiltfest 2021

 With covid impacting a lot of things several shows and conventions were canceled or delayed. One of them being Mountain Quiltfest in Pigeon Forge, TN. It's normally in March and was the last thing I did before lockdown last year. This year they moved it to May. This week in May to be exact.

I've always gone to shows but never entered anything. The most daring I've been, has been to enter the county fair. Because I didn't believe in myself enough to enter anything I considered a professional show. But the ladies who enter the fair are professional at what they do. Their quilts are fantastic, and until I saw my completion I just thought I'd have a better chance at the judging. 

This year I decided "Why Not!" I put my best quilt forward. I did Gravity by Jaybird Designs and paid to have it quilted. It was too large for me to tackle. I am thrilled with it. I love how it came out. I spent a week fussing over it and the little things before turning it in. 

The show started today and goes on until the 8th. Mom, being excited to see the winners called today to see when they would post them. They told her noon tomorrow but I decided to check out the website tonight. I wanted to figure out where to look tomorrow. To my surprise, they had already posted the winners.

I won second place in my category. I am so ecstatic to see this. I can't wait until I can go to the show this weekend and get a picture in front of the quilt. I have pictures of it but not in this setting. If you go to the show I'm L-16 in extra-large quilted by another!

Since there hasn't been much travel lately so my drink to spotlight is not tea. I went to a speakeasy in Knoxville and had some very fancy drinks. This one is called a paper airplane and I loved it. The bartender is a genius artist! It's in the alley next to the Oliver Hotel in the downtown area. There is a password and I don't know it right now. When we went we didn't have to give it since my friend was staying at the hotel.

Craft Shows!

 I have been a busy bee the last several months. Just not busy writing about it. In November I decided to take a chance and participate in a craft show. I made several small projects and took a few of the larger ones I had to sell in the Christmas Market in Oak Ridge. I can say I was successful. 

I have since looked into participating in more. This weekend I have one in Johnson City, TN. It's far enough away for a day trip, but still close to home. We are going to get a hotel for the weekend. I'm excited about the new venue and change of scenery.  I have been working the last three months hard to making new items for this show. I have several bowl koozies, table toppers, masks, and other quilted items. I'm excited to see how this show goes. 

If you are in the area it's Sat March 27th at the Appalachian Fairgrounds. 100 Lakeview St, Gray, TN

Tea Time!

Tea for today was one I enjoyed in December. I'm so far behind. I picked up a holiday tea sampler at World Market and loved every one of them. It's always nice to get variety packs so I can have something different. The cup is a present from my best friend I got several years ago. My cousin moved in with her two cats and I had to move the teacup collection to a safer place. I pulled the cup out to use it since it came with a strainer for loose tea. I've enjoyed using the cup a lot. 

Bonus photo of my new sewing companions.