Quilty Girls Go to the Quilt Festival ~ 2018 ~ Day 1

The 29th annual Mid-Atlantic Quilt Festival was held last week in Hampton, VA, at the Hampton Convention Center, so last Wednesday I made my way that direction as I have done for several years now. See links at the bottom of this post for previous years' quilty adventures. :)

On the way to and from I always try to fit in a visit with friends, and this year was no exception. I stopped in Richmond to visit my dear friend, Nancie, who was my apartment-mate the summer of 1980 when we both got married. I'm sure she would appreciate all your prayers as she's fighting a serious cancer situation. Please pray for my very courageous friend: While in Richmond I managed to stop by a quilt shop located only two miles from Nancie, Quilters Corner. This display inside was very inspiring--look at all that wonderful fabric! After picking up a few fat quarters, I continued on to my friend Chris's house in Newport News. When I arrived, she showed me the itinerary. I have to show you this, too, because it was so exciting to anticipate all our adventures for the week! (Click to enlarge the itineraries.)

We checked into the Quilt Festival that evening to pick up our registration packets and start browsing the vendors ahead of the crowd. As you can see from this quick preview, it was much easier to get around the empty aisles than it would be the next day when all the quilt lovers arrived:

We browsed this booth featuring displays from the Dragonfly Quilt Shop:

Here's my friend, Chris, checking out a quilt in that same booth. It was a great evening to preview what was in store when the Quilt Show opened on Thursday:

The next morning before we left for the Quilt Show Chris treated me to breakfast at Byrd's. Thank you sooo much, Chris! This was a first for both of us, and we would definitely recommend this restaurant if you're in the area.We loved all the bird motifs scattered throughout the restaurant.

The selections we picked were delicious--Eggs Benedict with Hollandaise Sauce and Apple Slaw for Chris and a Belgium waffle with cinnamon apples for me:
After breakfast, we met up with Chris's mom and took a picture together before we left for the Show. Do you notice those little pouches around our necks? Chris made those for each of us to carry our name tag, credit card and/or money to spend at the show, and each year's quilt pin collectibles are secured there, too. They were so colorful, useful, and fun!: The photo below is from a previous year but gives you an idea of the entrance hall inside as folks started arriving:

Lots of interesting booths to browse for future quilt ideas. I loved this quilt on the left with the bird, butterfly, and coneflower appliques: Okay, let's check out the quilts on display. This quilt below was one of the prize winners. It is quite lovely and intricately quilted:

Check out the backside:

Here are some traditional quilts entered in the competition:

And here's a non-traditional quilt which I was telling the ladies at church about on Sunday...different, interesting:

These two quilts are colorful and modern-style, and I like these even though my home's decor isn't modern:

This next quilt that I will show you was made up of cross-stitched scripture verses with a Love theme. It was unique and combined two hobbies...cross-stitching and quilting. Here I am with Chris's mom, Mrs. D., sorry for the blurriness of this photo: Here are a few sections up close of the quilt:

Another non-traditional quilt below....very colorful and would fit perfectly on a farmhouse kitchen wall:

This last photo shows some special quilts in the center aisle, meaning they're displayed front and center because they won ribbons in the show. Check out the leather and rhinestone cowgirl wall hanging:

We three quilty girls definitely enjoyed being together at the quilt show again this year--fun browsing and some fun purchases!

However, I made the remark after the weekend was over that I enjoyed Friday's quilt project and sewing day at home much more than the quilt show! And Chris made the surprise project so much fun! Check back to find out what we sewed!

Up next: Quilty Girls Sew a Quilt Project ~ Day 2

~ Deb

 

Links to Past Years' Quilt Shows:

Quilt Festival Excitement - Part 2 - 2013

Girlfriends' Quilty Weekend - 2016

Girlfriends' Quilty Weekend - 2017

Comments

[Barbara J.]

Oh, wow, Deb! I've never been a quilter but all that wonderful fabric and such beautiful quilts. So many fabric stores have closed here. It's really sad. I know you and your friend had a wonderful time. Look forward to hearing more.

[victoria]

What a fun weekend. Chris really went all out with that menu and schedule. Glad you had a great time again.
We continue to pray for Nancie.

[Tammy C]

I guess this fits into a day of Deb when you go an adventure. As always love the pictures of the quilts.

How nice you were able to visit with Nancie.She is on my prayer list along with a couple other people dealing with cancer.

Your friend's pouches are so cool.I need to come up with something like that when my friend and I do shows for her dog training business.

[Chris O'Dorisio]

Well Deb you did a great job photographing so many of the quilts and the FUN of the event!! Loved reading about our day..looking forward to reading about our crazy sew day! :)