BIG BEAR QUILTING BONANZA

     Big Bear was amazing. Every Labor Day weekend the local quilting shop in Big Bear, Patchworks, and the Big Bear Quilting Guild, hold a Quilt Show at Big Bear Middle School.  Jason happened to stumble upon this last week so this was definitely our main destination Sunday.  I support him in all of his hunting stuff so he figures he will support me in my stuff too.  (Thanks Hub!)  So on Sunday we got up early to go town.

Also on Sunday I turned 23 Weeks pregnant!  Jason took a picture of me outside his grandma’s cabin.  My Mom-in-law bought me the maternity dress I am wearing.  So simple and comf, but I can dress it up or down.  Love it!

We had heard from his Aunt that we might be able to see a juvenile bear roaming around 1 o’clock in the morning.  We fell asleep by nine all weekend.  But, on our way into town Jason spotted the trash at the marina like this. 

His hunch was right.  That, friends, is a JUVENILE BEAR TRACK!  So cool.

Back to quilting.  Which, let me digress for a moment.  I find myself talking about hunting and bears while trying to post a blog about quilts.  The irony is Jason and I first stopped at the Patchworks quilt shop to look and to ask a couple questions.  The only woman working was setting up her sewing machine and happened to be the owner, Karen.  This was perfect because I specifically bought my sewing machine based off their advice.  Seeing that she too had this machine, and one at home that she uses instead of her expensive quilting ones, I asked her about the quilting foot.  Low and behold, I do not need to buy one.  Praise God.  I got that and I think one other question in before Jason somehow got a 60 year old quilting woman to talk for the next 20 minutes about hunting.  I will admit, I was peeved.  I was there trying to network, and ask questions and he is talking about his hunting…. And yet I find myself blogging and talking about bear tracks and hunting.  Realization for the day?  He took me to a quilt shop and quilt show – let the man talk about hunting if he wants to. 

MOVING FORWARD.

The quilt show was awesome. 

We first checked out the boutique that was outside of the gymnasium where the actual show was held.

I  loved this framed saying.  I am sure it is popular, but I had never heard it before.  It cracked me up.

After the boutque we obviously went to the show in the gym where the perimeter was filled with booths.

There were a lot of vendors selling beautiful fabric quarters.  I was in a whole new world.

The Batty Lady is an online shop based in Orange County.  The woman at this booth has quilted for 30 years and was extrememly patient with me.  I am a rookie and loaded with questions.  She advised me to buy an 80/20 batting for Fiona's quilt.  Also, she advised me that if I wash the embroidered fabric then I needed to preshrink all the other fabrics as well so they shrink at the same rate.  She gave me her card and said I can call her anytime with any questions I have.  So thankful I met her!

I thought these Singer featherweight machines looked beautiful grouped together...I really like this picture. 

  

Halloween was on the prowl!

I loved the simplicity of this decorative embroidery hanging.   I want to do something similar with a more dramatic shiny black border.

Love.

There was a booth of Retro Clean which is a product that is a detergent specifically to use on your vintage fabric and linens.  This was the star of the booths.  All the women swooned over this product.  I took a brochure to purchase something online later.  Jason advised I try OxyClean first.  This could really be a life saver.  Has anyone used or heard reviews on this product?  IT would be a dream to buy linens that I know I could remove water stains from - I am thinking resale factor here!

Jason loved these.  Go figure.  I promised that when I am a 10 year quilting veteran I will make him these to decorate our house with.  These would actually match our things extremely well.  He loved the bear!

FINALLY THE ACTUAL QUILTS ON SHOW~

This was my FAVE.

I am a sucker for hand embroidered touches.  And, I dreamed of this being the quilt that lay on my cabin's king bed when I own it in 15 years...  

This was my second favorite.  I think I gravitated again to the simplicity in colors.  I love blue and white quilts.  

Those were some of the other quilts I thought were fantastic.  The detail amazes me.

      I had a great time at my first quilt show.  I can't wait to show at one in like 5 years.  

Jason was such a trooper.  We ended the day at 1 or 2 at our spot - Big Bear Brewery where Jason filled up our growler.  He filled it with their Cali English Ale that has a 8.6% ABV.  

Happy wife, happy life.  Happy Husband...happy life :)

Thanks for stopping by and reading yet another lengthy post!  I have a short post ready for tomorrow that has a very exciting announcement in it!  Hope you stop by!  CHEERS!!!!!