Greater Chicago Quilt Exposition II

Well we survived it again this year!! Thankfully this years event was "targon free"
which just added to the enjoyment.
I would like to start with the above quilts "Digital Shibori" ; by Tricia McKellar.
These were by far my favorite of the contemporary entries. Her shibori images are transferred digitally and manipulated to create a collage on silk.
Upon close examination, the image is made up of several "pieced " pieces of the image that has been transferred to silk. Very interesting,some sort of abstract, minimal and serene. Elegant in only the way a tractor tire image on silk would be .
The next day , a synopsis has to be discussed ( as any mumsy and daughter would do) and mumsy concluded she didn't like the show and that there weren't more than a handful she wouldn't care to wipe her #@&! on!! ( no need for alarm, she is taking a much needed vacation very soon!)
That being said, it was no wonder she ended up in the bar later that afternoon.
My friend and I had decided to call it quilts for the show.
The concrete floor had taken its toll on us!
I had brought the 7 Lb lunch to drag around for most of the day, and she was positively exhausted from the 30's fabric shopping session I orchestrated for her next project. ( LOVED!! spending her $ for her!!)
She insisted we search out beers at the mystery "bar" we had been hearing about throughout the day. Heard they had "hot food!!.....
Lo and behold what did our weary eyes spy but a very lovely and posh bar complete with lime green patent leather lounge chairs and quite the industrial beaded curtain!!
( for you quilt show newbies......THIS IS NOT STANDARD AT ALL QUILT SHOWS!!)
WELL!! this was just what the quilt Dr. ordered!! We proceded forward with a lovely pilsner each of Sam Adams SUMMER!! ale on draught and it was heaven!!( not a sam adams fan normally but this was a surprise and now a new favorite) too bad I have to wait only 6 months for another one!
A few other quilt cronies wandered in for a late bite of lunch and I proceeded to chat them up about my favorite subjects and ones they are knowledegable in :the appraisal,restoration and historical studies genre'.
I was interrupted by a phone call from my farm hand regarding the possibility of burning the pile( he had spent the day with our friend "the pyro") and inviting some friends out to do so. I agreed but only if he clean a couple specified areas of the house.Well I dodged that bullet cause he called back later and said the party had been moved to my friend and her husband "the Pyro)s house.Good for me , not so thrilled was she.
Meanwhile, my friend had orderd us another round and was treating us to some calamari!..and
next thing you know, Mumsy and her (*our) cousin, show up looking for a bit of refreshment themselves.We proceded to harass the bartender( like only a gang of old lady quilters can do) and generally make a nuiscense of ourselves until the cops showed up and hauled us off to the pokie where we taught our fellow cell mates the art of bad vest making!

Ha! Just kidding about that last part...making sure you were paying attention.

I cannot stress enough the difference this bar made in my quilt show experience.
Usually towards the end when the old ladies are pooped , we have to settle for a folding chair if we're lucky, most of the time it is a piece of carpeted concrete floor, while waiting on friends or the bus. Had I just heard about it and not experienced it for myself I know I would have been skeptical.
This show wasn't on par with the major players like Paducah or Houston/Chicago ,but was worth the trip if one was in the general vicinity. Not to mention, Shaumburg is a shopping mecca complete with IKEA and any other possible retail experience one may hope to find.
Next up;: more photo worthy quilts from around the world..........