Get Ready: International Quilt Festival....here we come ~

It's the biggest party of the year for those of us who love quilts.  We just call it "Quilt Festival" and know that we are talking the same language..... The International Quilt Festival, Houston.  2017:   

What's new?  Registration for classes is open and you can do it online this year. 
The three of us who travel to Houston together from Monroe each year put our heads together yesterday and made those important class decisions.  I would love to participate in Katie Pasquini Masopust's  two-day class #101 Artful Log Cabins.  But lo, time won't let me.


If I were a longarm quilter, I would certainly covet being a participant in class #103 Mystical Illusions....Jamie Wallen describes his all day class as learning to breathe new life into your surface quilting. If his workshop schedule is any indication, Jamie is one talented teacher! 


Oh, and the cutest little Santa....a Laura Heine collage quilt "Nick Santa."    It's a pricey class but includes the pattern and all the materials needed to complete this work of art. 


So many talented teachers:  Frieda Anderson, Charlotte Angotti,  Karen Kay Buckley, Ana Buzzalino, Cindy Grisdela, Noriko Endo, Gyleen X. Fitzgerald, Philippa Naylor, Jane Sassaman.  The teacher list is almost endless. And classes by category starting with applique and ending with wearables.....now that's a lot of classes. Want it, find it, sign up for it. 


 Oh, yes, there are so many great ones this year but the three of us finally decided on an all-day class #318 with Ginny Eckley, "Paint, Print and Enhance" described as learning how to create using layers of paint with both brush techniques and printing.


I don't even have to mention to anyone that shopping starts November 1, a Wednesday night, and continues through Sunday, November 4.   Don't have time for a class:  In addition to the hundreds of juried quilts on display, I counted 40 special exhibits for our viewing pleasure starting with "Traditional Talent Extraordinaire, Sue Garman" and lastly listed "Windchimes",  featuring art by ten members of Fiber Artists @ Loose Ends. 
When your feet need a break and your tummy needs a fill, then there's the luncheon lectures from noon to 2 p.m. each day. 


Also on the show floor is the Meet the Teachers stage and Open Studios where four artists are working simultaneously in real time in four studio settings. 


Excitement is surely in the air as we anticipate Festival, 2017.  Hope to see you there.