Let's Have Fun in Knoxville



Knoxville Convention Center

We are excited about our next show at the Knoxville Convention Center in Knoxville, Tennessee, July 13 - 16. Why would you want to register now?

• To get your choice of classes. Classes are filled on a first come basis.
• Save on your show admission. Advance admission is $8 daily/$15 multi-day for AQS members or $10 daily/$30 multi day for non-members.
• Name badges will be mailed for registrations received by June 1, 2011; registrations received between June 2 and July 5 will be held for pickup at the show. All international name badges are held for pickup at the Workshop Desk at the show. Advanced registration is recommended.
• Last day for advance registration is July 5, 2011, at 3 p.m. (Central Time) for individuals and tour groups. After that date, registration will be handled at the show on a first-come basis.

And don't miss these fun special events:

Cruise to the beginning of
the Tennessee River while
you enjoy a Southern dinner
and solve the mystery!

Wednesday: Elvis Murder Mystery Cruise on the Star of Knoxville; Quilter’s Fun Night with Laura Wasilowski and Bonnie Browning

Thursday: An Evening with Karen K. Stone – Interplay of Color and Pattern to Make Extraordinary Quilts

Friday: Art Quilts the Musical by Laura Wasilowski

Saturday: Brunch with the Mennonite Sisters: The Quilting Journey of Barbara Cline, Julia Graber, and Polly Yoder; and All-Star Review.

Click here to begin your online registration. If you want to review all of the classes and lectures offered, you can click on the pdf version of the registration guide at this link to check them out before you register online. You can also call the AQS office on Tuesday to register by telephone: 270-898-7903, ask for Knoxville Registration.

Don't forget to make your hotel reservations.

Use this link to book your room online.

Book your hotel rooms early and have a chance to win this package of fun in Knoxville:

• Free multi-day admission to the AQS Quilt Show, July 13 – 16, 2011.
• 3-night stay during the 2011 show at the Holiday Inn Downtown (closest hotel)
• Experience Knoxville Fun Pack with attraction passes and discounts, including 2 passes for a luncheon cruise aboard the Star of Knoxville, 2 regular adult admissions to the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame, 2 admissions to Voices of the Land: The People of East Tennessee at the Museum of East Tennessee history, and 2 free tours of the Blount Mansion.
• This package is non-transferable and has no cash value.

Deadline for booking your rooms to win this package is June 1, 2011.
Winner will be announced on the AQS Quilt News blog on June 3, 2011.

We have more than 600 quilts in our exhibits at Knoxville this year. They include the Alzheimer's Illustrated: From Heartbreak To Hope, curated by Ami Simms; Quilted Treasures: Prizewinning Quilts by Linda M. Roy; New Quilts from an Old Favorite: Orange Peel; 2012 Pilgrim/Roy Invitational Quilt Challenge; The River Runs Through It by the Rogue Art Quilters in Oregon; and all of the quilts in the AQS Quilt Contest - don't miss this show. Let's make this the best show ever in Knoxville!

Bring the whole family to Tennessee for vacation and attend the AQS Quilt Show while you are here. Knoxville is only 38 miles from Gatlinburg - enjoy the beautiful Smoky Mountains and the AQS Quilt Show - all in one trip!

Memories in the Closet

I know it's not polite to go through other people's closets. However, it's a practice you may want to adopt.

A few years ago, I visited a friend over Memorial Day weekend. We were invited to dinner by his golfing buddy and his wife, named Ann. Ann is a quilter, so we had lots to talk about. She gave me a tour of her fabric stash, machines, equipment, and books. Her quilting supplies were housed in the spare bedroom, 1/2 the sun porch and part of the living room. Ann's number one complaint-- not enough room for quilting. Doesn't that sound familiar?

We were just about done with the tour when her husband suggested that she show me the "postcards." Ann rummaged around in a closet for a while and came out with a bundle wrapped in an old tablecloth. When she unfolded the contents. I couldn't believe my eyes. Inside was what appeared to be a patchwork quilt -- but it was actually 144 picture postcards, crocheted together and bound with delicate silk tassels.

The postcards had been written to Ann's mother by her father during WWI. Ann's parents both lived in Italy and her father sent the cards while he was in the army--until he was captured by the Austrians and put in a prisoner-of-war camp. The pictures were fascinating and in pristine condition. On the back of every card was a message to her mother from her father. After, we viewed the postcard "quilt",  Ann carefully wrapped it up and put it back into the closet, someday to go to her daughter.

When we returned to my friends house, I happened to glance at the top shelf of his closet. There, wrapped in an old sheet, was what appeared to be a crazy quilt. He brought it out for me and again, I was astounded. The old family quilt was dated 1874. It had suffered the fate of many old crazy quilts. The silk was shattered and it had obviously been well used over the years. However, the embroidery was still intact and the quiltmaker's story was still there to decipher. We carefully wrapped the quilt in its sheet and put it back into the closet.

The moral of this story? While some people may keep skeletons in their closets, I bet far more of us keep precious memories. 

Turn Tears Into Smiles

Quilts for Kids, Inc. is a 501 (c)3 non-profit, which in the past eleven years has donated tens of thousands of hand-made patchwork quilts to seriously ill children and children of abuse.

In our experience, quilters are the most generous people anywhere, always using their skills to help others, and we realize that you are all involved in charitable efforts, worthy causes, all. But if you would like to help Quilts for Kids by making a comfort quilt (just approximately 38" X 45"), you may visit our website www.quiltsforkids.org to order a free kit or you can make a quilt from your own stash, which is particularly welcome!

We like to say we turn tears into smiles because that is literally what happens when a child receives a hand-made patchwork quilt from one of our volunteers. Seriously ill children are comforted, and their families uplifted by the thought that someone cares enough to create a beautiful gift to help them through critical and difficult times.

Everyday, we receive notes from patients' families and from hospital personnel expressing their heartfelt thanks, and telling us how much the quilts mean to the kids. So, please, when you can find the time, join the QFK staff, quilters one and all, in making a difference in a child's life.

Click here to visit our website and learn more about what we do.

Thank you,
Linda, Nancy, Cindi, Kristin, Sally, and Pam

Winners at Spring Quilt Shows

Congratulations to Kim Brunner who was named 2011 Teacher of the Year at the Home Machine Quilting Show in Salt Lake City, UT.

Kim will be teaching at the AQS Quilt Show in Knoxville, TN in July. Click here to register for Kim's lecture/demo classes. If you want to study with a pro at Twirly Whirly Feathers and more, here is your chance!

AQS authors continue to win at the spring quilt shows across the country.

MQX East in Providence:

• Miniature: 1st – Renae Haddadin – Golden Snowflake

• Wholecloth Large: 1st – Judy Woodworth – Avatar Revisited

Machine Quilters Showcase in Overland Park, KS

• Machine Embroidery: 3rd - Fairy Dust - Judith Woodworth

• Whole Cloth Innovative: 2nd - Avatar Revisited - Judith Woodworth

• Miniature: 1st - Golden Snowflakes - Renae Haddadin

• Wearable Runway: 1st - Belle For A Day - Renae Haddadin

To learn from these prizewinning quilters, check out their books below:

Amazing Ways to Use Circles and Rays by Renae Haddadin

Freemotion Quilting by Judy Woodworth 
 

Paducah Webcasts Still Available

The Paducah show is over, but you can still enjoy some special events and learn from lectures through the AQS Webcasts, sponsored by Pfaff.

Just click here to view the list of events available, subscribe, and you can watch them on your computer at your leisure.

If you missed the evening with Ricky Tims, you missed one of his best programs ever. You'll enjoy some music, quilts, and stories, all in Ricky Tims fashion!  A special treat was the opening act - Joyce Stewart and Ann Seely. Don't miss it! This program is only available on the webcast until May 29.

Des Moines Quilt Contest Deadline is Approaching

There are just a few more days to enter the AQS Quilt Show and Contest in Des Moines, Iowa.

Entries must be postmarked or received by May 20, 2011 for this contest. Click here to view or print the rules and entry form.

Enter your quilts today - you could be the winner of the $10,000 Best of Show award!

You will also find the rules and entry form for the International Sunbonnet Sue Quilt Contest using the Des Moines Contest link. There is still time to make an entry for this contest - deadline is September 9, 2011 (quilt must be sent by that date). The International Sunbonnet Sue Contest quilts will be displayed at the Des Moines show.

Learn from the Best in Knoxville!

We have assembled some of the best instructors for the 2011 AQS Quilt Show - Knoxville (July 13 - 16) who will teach a variety of techniques. Where else can you learn the Screwdriver Caper method for applique but from instructor Martha A. Nordstrand? What is Zentangle - MaryAnn Scheblein-Dawson will solve that mystery for you. Recently-named HMQS Teacher of the Year Kimmy Brunner covers everything from Feathers to Lions and Tigers and Templates, Oh My. And that is just a sneak peak at some of the great classes being taught by this year's instructors!
Check out all of the workshops and lectures here. You can view and print the Registration Guide or go directly to "register online" from this link.

2011 Knoxville Instructors:
Karla Alexander, OR
Cindy Blackberg, TN
Kim Brunner, MN
Louis Carney, NJ
Barbara Cline, VA
Lenore Crawford, MI
Valora Hammond, NJ
Klaudeen Hansen, WI
Jan Krueger, WI
Billie Lauder, NM
Teri Lucas, NY
Martha Nordstrand, AZ
Paula Reid, CA
Andi Reynolds, KY
Kristin Rodriguez, GA
Mary Ann Scheblein-Dawson, NY
Karen K. Stone, TX
Laura Wasilowski, IL

Be sure to check out the special events too:
Wed.: Awards Presentation, The Quilter's Link, AQS Authors' Roundtable, and Quilter's Fun Night
Thurs.: Elvis Murder Mystery Cruise on the Knoxville Star, and An Evening with Karen K. Stone
Fri.: Laura Wasilowski - Art Quilts: The Musical
Sat.: Brunch with the Mennonite Sisters: The Quilting Journey of Barbara Cline, Julia Graber and Polly Yoder, and All-Star Review.


Don't forget to make your hotel reservations.  
Use this link to book your room online.
Book your hotel rooms early and have a chance to win this package of fun in Knoxville:

• Free multi-day admission to the AQS Quilt Show, July 13 – 16, 2011.

• 3-night stay during the 2011 show at the Holiday Inn Downtown (closest hotel)

• Experience Knoxville Fun Pack with attraction passes and discounts, including 2 passes for a luncheon cruise aboard the Star of Knoxville, 2 regular adult admissions to the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame, 2 admissions to Voices of the Land: The People of East Tennessee at the Museum of East Tennessee history, and 2 free tours of the Blount Mansion. 

This package is non-transferable and has no cash value. Deadline for booking your rooms to win this package is June 1, 2011. Winner will be announced on the AQS Quilt News blog on June 3, 2011.

Location of the AQS Quilt Show, July 13 - 16:
Knoxville Convention Center, 701 Henley St., Knoxville, TN 37902

A Prepared Quilter

We know that quilters come to the Paducah Quilt Show and they are prepared for their classes, and they have good walking shoes for walking through the show and around the city.

But this year one quilter came prepared for any and all flood waters he might encounter: Wallace Murray, quilter from Prior Lake, MN, had his snorkle and flippers at the ready in case he needed them.

Wallace, we are certainly glad that you didn't need to use your underwater equipment, and that you enjoyed the show!

Winners of Janome Sewing Machines

There were three lucky winners of a #3160QDC Janome sewing machine at the Paducah Quilt Show.

The winners are:
   Elizabeth Zwicke, Waukegan, IL
   Mary Ann Abell, Paducah, KY
   Judy Perleberg, Janesville, WI

Congratulations... and happy quilting with your new Janome!

City of Paducah Floodwall Cameras

The City of Paducah has installed cameras on the river side of the floodwall.

Click here to see the current status of the Ohio River. Be patient because it takes a short time for the images to upload; they are refreshed every minute.

You can see that the water has gone over the Executive Inn berm. Another berm was built closer to the convention center buildings - the river crest will determine whether that kept the water out of the buildings.

Scenes from the Show - Paducah 2011

This is a review of the Week that WAS!

The 27th AQS Quilt Show started off as usual with the AQS staff moving the quilts and all of our equipment to the convention center on Friday. Saturday and Sunday were judging days. The judging crew had just enjoyed a hot luncheon with our spouses when about 1 p.m., we had a visit from the Mayor, City Engineer, and other city officials telling us that we had to vacate the Expo and Convention Centers by Monday because they had to install the flood gates. (For those of you not familiar with Paducah, we have 12 miles of flood wall with 47 gates to protect the city from the waters of the Ohio and Tennessee Rivers that converge at Paducah.)

 (Click on any photo to view it larger.)

The judging still had to be completed so some of us continued on with that while other members of the AQS staff proceeded to go look at empty buildings that could possibly be used for the show. Soon we even had a tornado siren go off and we moved the judges into an interior lower level room of the convention center. Always safety first when you hear those sirens. That didn't stop us from judging though, we just moved the miniature category with us and the judging continued. Soon the all clear was sounded and we moved back across the hall to finish the judging.

By 8 p.m., we all had returned from looking at churches and other buildings to determine what we could do. The decision was to hold the classes at the First Baptist Church where they had 10 classrooms on one floor and the Chapel would be used for the lectures, plus the Great Room there would hold the small wall quilt categories in the AQS Quilt Contest. The former Office Max and former Circuit City buildings in the Kentucky Oaks Mall area would hold vendors and the special quilt exhibits. So the challenge began - how could be accommodate all of our vendors - many of them were already in town? We found that we could make room for all of the vendors but most of them would only get one booth.

Monday and Tuesday were exhausting days for the Freeman crew, who now had to reset all of the pipe and drape for the vendors and quilt exhibits in these new locations. Everyone worked long hours on those days - we are blessed to have an experienced AQS staff who know what needs to be done, and the Freeman crew that has worked with us for many years.


Ann Denton greets the quilters at the
entrance of the Pavilion.


The Pavilion would hold the Admissions and Workshops desks, the sponsors and vendors from the Expo Center, the Janome Best of Show and the other top awards, the bed quilts and large wall quilt categories, plus the miniatures.

Viewing the contest quilts in the Pavilion.



Crowded aisle in Office Max building

The Office Max building would house the vendors from the Pavilion, plus the 2011 winners from the AQS Quilt Show in Lancaster, PA, and the 2012 Pilgrim/Roy Challenge.

Winning quilts from the 2011AQS
Quilt Show in Lancaster



Shopping at vendors at Circuit City


Circuit City would hold the vendors from the 1st and 2nd floors of the Convention Center, plus the Alliance for American Quilts contest quilts, and the AQS Authors' Quilt Exhibit.


Alliance for American Quilts Contest

 

The winners of the AQS Quilt Contest were announced at the Awards Presentation at the Carson Four Rivers Center at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday. Congratulations to Pat Holly who won the Janome Best of Show Award with her quilt Paisley Peacock!

Click here to view the complete list of winners.






The doors opened right on schedule at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, April 27. Anchor Trailways made changes in the shuttle routes to handle the changes in the schedule and the increased numbers of riders because of the lack of parking near the Pavilion - the headquarters for this year's show.

Vendors were busy with quilters trying out their machines. When you are looking to purchase a new sewing machine, attend a show and try them out.





And you could register to win one of three Janome sewing machines that were given away (I'll post the winners' names in my next blog).

We did have some rain throughout the week but most of it occurred overnight. We were all pleased to see the sun shining brightly on Thursday, Friday, and most of Saturday.


This was definitely a week to remember -- but you all proved that neither rain from the heavens nor increased water levels in the river will keep quilters from being at the AQS Quilt Show in Paducah. We did everything we could to make this year's event as seamless as possible even though we had to move quilts and vendors to other locations.



The Ricky Gaga look  -
enlarge the photo to
view the background

 If you did stay home or didn't get a chance to attend all of the events, you can still enjoy the lectures and special events through the AQS Webcasts, sponsored by Pfaff.

Just click here to subscribe to the webcasts (including Ricky Tims' concert).










If you missed the dogwoods this year, here are a couple of photos I took just before the show started.


Dogwoods in Paducah - 2011




Put the dates for next year's AQS Quilt Show in Paducah on your calendar: April 25 - 28, 2012.

Tell us your Paducah stories - just go to MyQuiltPlace.com to set up your own web page and let us know what was memorable about your trip to Paducah this year.

See you next year!
Bonnie Browning
Executive Show Director