Wednesday, September 17, 2014

Chattanooga Choo Choo!


Last week I spent a few days visiting my talented and dear friend, Mary, 
and got to attend the American Quilter Society show in 
Chattanooga, Tennessee.



Mary won not one, but TWO blue ribbons! 



It was so exciting to share this moment with her.  



I also got to meet Julie, a long-time blogging friend, and see her wonderful barn quilt.



There was an Egyptian tent maker,



demonstrating his amazing appliqué.  
Notice his quickly moving hand!




Junko and Katsuhiko Sakiyama of Caohagan (pronounced cow-hah-gah) were also there, 
showing and selling the stunning and whimsical quilts made by island natives.  
Every single one was captivating!  Here are just a few.
















OK.  Back to work, refreshed and VERY inspired!
  





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20 comments:

  1. Sujata ShahSeptember 18, 2014 at 2:47 AM

    LeeAnn,

    Wow! Wow! Wow!
    I am now so sad I did not make it out there. But so happy for you to be part of this celebration with Mary. You know one of these days the stars are going to line up!
    The Caohagan way is a beautiful way of quilting. They are stunning! I am sure they were even more striking in person, if that's even possible! I am curious if they are showing any where else? Did you buy any? They look like all hand done.. The island life shows through so clearly in every quilt with colors, motifs and fabric use. Thank you for sharing the images.

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  2. Sujata ShahSeptember 18, 2014 at 2:49 AM

    I love the basket quilt! The coconut trees and the whales, houses, oh my! There is so much to see!

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  3. BrendaSeptember 18, 2014 at 5:43 AM

    looks like fun! I met up with Julie at the AQS show in Grand Rapids, MI a year ago. where am I going to meet up with you?

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  4. audreySeptember 18, 2014 at 9:33 AM

    LOVE those Island quilt especially! Very fun trip for you, especially getting to spend quilty (I mean quality) time with your friends.:)

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  5. barbara woodsSeptember 18, 2014 at 9:36 AM

    i went on Saturday and really enjoyed it

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  6. Mary KeaslerSeptember 18, 2014 at 10:56 AM

    Thanks for the plug on my ribbons. It was grand having you as my guest and friend. A wonderful time was had by all. Let's do it again, soon!
    Love love love those Caohagan quilts. I want to see them again. thanks for sharing your photos.

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  7. RachaeldaisySeptember 18, 2014 at 12:29 PM

    Mary's quilts are wonderful, congratulations to her for winning blue ribbons! Those island quilts are so fresh and full of joy, I love them!!

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  8. antique quilterSeptember 18, 2014 at 5:24 PM

    So nice that you were able to visit with Mary and share her joy of winning two ribbons so well deserved. Love the quilts you showed and in awe of the designs, just fun! creative and yes remind me of your work!
    off to visit Mary's blog
    Kathie

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  9. MarySeptember 18, 2014 at 7:51 PM

    How fun to share Mary's special day with her! The quilts are amazing!

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  10. janequiltsslowlySeptember 18, 2014 at 9:54 PM

    Oh so much beauty! Inspiring. Thanks for the blog post.

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  11. meli BSeptember 19, 2014 at 1:31 AM

    I've been away from blogs for a while. Your last few posts have been brilliant. Those quilts are wild. Truly inspiring vision! Thanks for the show.

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  12. MaritSeptember 19, 2014 at 5:42 AM

    Sounds like a wonderful visit with Mary. Her quilts are beautiful! And thank you for sharing all the other lovelies with us. Such pretty and happy quilts - love them all!

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  13. fiberchickSeptember 19, 2014 at 12:44 PM

    Congrats to Mary! Both quilts are beautiful. If I had known the Caohagan quilts were there would have gone for sure... Rats! Thanks for sharing the pics:)

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  14. MonicaSeptember 19, 2014 at 5:40 PM

    Thank you for all the photos, LeeAnn! Congratulations to your friends, and thanks for the photos of the Caohagan quilts too. I have an old book on Caohagan quilts, and it looks like they have evolved in a really wonderful way. Very inspiring!

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  15. BarbSeptember 21, 2014 at 11:28 AM

    SO FUN! I love the quilts you chose to feature from the show.
    Congrats to your friend on her 2 blue ribbons and Julie's barns are so awesome.
    I saw those men at an AQS show in PA - they work so fast and casually - it is amazing.

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  16. Cynthia@wabisabiquiltsSeptember 21, 2014 at 7:20 PM

    Wonderful quilts. I had never heard of Caohagan so it gave me something to Google. Wow, the reach of quilting. Their quilts are just wonderful - free and bold.

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  17. Quilteuse ForeverSeptember 26, 2014 at 10:30 AM

    I did not know these kinds of quilts either, they are inspiring by their freedom in piecing and their linear quilting!
    And congrats to Mary, she deserves these blue ribbons!

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  18. HelenSeptember 28, 2014 at 7:26 AM

    Great quilts all! Those Caohagan pieces are delightfully charming.

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  19. AnnemiekeSeptember 29, 2014 at 6:17 AM

    I enjoyed seeing Mary en Julie's quilts. The blue background of the barn quilt, really nice. I hope to see a tentmaker from Egypt too one day, I saw many pictures of their work but not in real life. ANd I know what you mean by all those quilts from Caohagan. I met them at Nanntes, France, two years ago. Those quilts are indeed very different and freely, colorful made. I loved seeing them.
    Groetjes
    Annemieke

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  20. KimSeptember 29, 2014 at 6:02 PM

    Congratulations on your interview in Quiltmania, I'm glad they recognize your many talents :0).
    Now where did I see Mary being interviewed? Somewhere online, hip hip hurrah for her beautiful work getting two ribbons!! You ladies are so talented, keep up the great work and sharing it to keep us motivated and a bit in awe too.

    Happy Sewing

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