Festival of Quilts 2013 - ever late to the Party...

 Time Flies - actually i am NEVER late to a party :) but a bit late bringing you the photos from the Festival.

Anyways - here is the delightfully foul-mouthed ubiquitous Quilt Queen, Luuuuuu Summers.

And we are hanging around by her beautiful quilt (entered in the "2 People" category) because we want to hear what people are saying about it!

 I think there is NO denying the talent of Lu's mum here. Her quilting is insane and she follows the theme of the patterns and colours right through all the intricate quilting ideas and patterns. The quilting continues a story that Lu starts in the patching and piecing. 

 It takes you on a wonderful walk and you have no idea what will happen next in the piece. I love its lack of structure and symmetry. Its such a confident piece even though Lu may not always feel 'confident' in her awesome talents, her work speaks that volume. Lu and her mum can QUILT, like proper. and that is raw talent people.

 This piece is just charming. If i only ever completed (!) one quilt in my life and / or owned a piece forever, i *might* choose this.... It has that all American feel, like it took years to make and was sewn from 4 generations of babies discarded clothing. ADORE.

 First you have the overall colour and beauty of the quilt. Then you get up close n personal and you get all this delightful delight. Like every tiny piece was an agonising choice. Sublime people. Joy and serenity combined.

 ^^ click on the picture or link to visit her blog

there is much MUCH happiness to be experienced there. You may even have a mini quilt-gasm. That's ok too, you won't be the first.

 Detail people LOOK at that detail. i mean.... blows.your.mind.

I stopped taking many details at this point of who / what / how. i just began to immerse my being in the joy of quilts!

 Above ^^ yahuh! an entire BLOG on a quilt. Each entry was what she did every day for about a year i think. Beautiful detail. Such dedication.

 This was Lu's second quilt that was invited into the privaliged 'Juried Section'

and it is quite different from many of her other quilts OR the work you and I might associate with Lu Summers. But distinctively, and being a Rural girl myself, i can instantly see the gates, fields and landscape fof her home. Of Suffolk, of her families farm. Its tranquil. All those darker strips are hand dyed metallic shades and its quite arresting in a soft and subtle way.

 Also in the Juried Section - who cannot love this. SO not a quilt.... yet what a quilt!

 i had to resist the urge to pick it up and unravel its goodness. To follow the footsteps all through its quirky longness. A very exciting piece.

 Then there is Laura Howard aka: Lupin.http://bugsandfishes.blogspot.co.uk/

Now, i am at risk of getting sentimental here. Laura and i have lead very different lives and our experiences are very different - until we reach our current business choices. Laura is so clever and driven. She has focus and determination. Laura is has clear ideas and, as ever, i loved bouncing ideas with her and drinking in her sage advice. So much wisdom here :) and its why i came to the Festival really - to be immersed in like minded ideas and people. To see friends.

 The shopping side at the Festival can be manic. Card Readers failing to get WiFi or taking forever to transact. Rude people with sharp elbows. Desperate people who are just so overwhelmed with excitement they have tunnel vision. Its all just part of the craziness we all pay to experience.

 I actually think i bought NOTHING! shock horror.

Well i wanted a few things but i had forgotten to get cash out and the Card thingy was painful to watch. People trying to buy with plastic.

 Only one or two new stalls.

 TOFT - fantastic hewge button :)

and all their Alpaca wooliness and tight colour palette was a welcome rest for the eyes.

I am ever a 'behind the scenes' fan of the people at TOFT. (go seeeee)

 

 YES i am so glad i went. YES its not cheap, especially when you add on the cost of travel and / or parking.

But, this is what i do for a living. I forget that, when i am sat selling buttons n felt.... i also do THIS for a living. I am part of the world of handmade. I am a Craft artist and I am part of supporting other Craft Artists and also other supply sellers. We are all part of the same team, the same scene. I really should go 'out and about' more often....

On that note:

Meet you at RENEGADE London in November ladies!?