Two Shows In Two Days (Photo HEAVY)

Heat, ma'am! it was so dreadful here, that I found there was nothing left for it but to take off my flesh and sit in my bones. 
~Sydney Smith

We had a wonderful weekend - hot and humid - but still great.  It actually started Friday when DH took some time off of work and we were able to visit the local county fair on Senior Day.  Free admission AND free parking.  Certainly couldn't pass up that bargain.  We were able to enjoy the needlecraft, FFA & 4H, collections, photography, and flora displays.  We avoided the commercial buildings as they are always so overly packed with people and you get stuck in aisles where you don't really want to be.  We both had some great fair food and came home with 5 (yes, FIVE) bags of caramel  corn.  Friday evening Mother Nature blessed me with a small lightening and thunder storm and another small one later in the night.  This time only 20 fires were started throughout the county from dry strikes but they were able to contain them all quickly.  Saturday we took a drive up the valley to the small town of Reedley to check out their quilt show.  The show was at the local high school in the gym where there were evap coolers.  Those don't work too well when the humidity is high.  The second half of the show was in the old gym where there was no cooling except two large fans.  Talk about uncomfortable!  But we persevered and enjoyed looking at all of the quilts.  It wasn't a judged show, just an exhibit.  So after two days of melting, it was nice to be at home on Sunday.  I'm still recuperating!

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LITTLE FACT OF THE DAY

Johnny Appleseed

Johnny Appleseed Day honors one of America's great legends. Johnny Appleseed was a real person. John Chapman was among the American settlers who were captivated by the movement west across the continent. As Johnny Appleseed travelled west, he planted apple trees along the way, and sold trees to settlers. With every apple tree that was planted, the legend grew.
A Little About the Legend:
* John Chapman (aka Johnny Appleseed) was born on September 26, 1774.

* He was a nurseryman who started out planting trees in western New York and Pennsylvania.

* During the life of John Chapman, the "West" was places like Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, and Illinois. * John Chapman was a deeply religious person He was known to preach during his travels.

* According to legend, Johny Appleseed led a simple life and wanted little. He rarely accepted money and often donated any money he received.

* It is believed that he died on March 11, 1845, from what was referred to as the "winter plague". The actual date of his death has been disputed.

There is a lot of "legend" in stories written about Johny Appleseed. By it's definition, over the years, legends grow bigger than life. It also appears that there is some link between Johny Appleseed and very early Arbor Day celebrations.

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KERN COUNTY FAIR

As most of you know, I entered two of my quilts and a counted cross stitch picture in the local fair.  I was pleasantly surprised to find that my  Designer Mystery BOM quilt won an Honorable Mention and my counted cross stitch picture won a 3rd place ribbon.  Here are some of the quilts I fancied at the fair this year.......

Here's my quilt.  Yes, I know, I'm shameless.  I was quite surprised how washed out the turquoise was under the fluorescent lighting.

I really liked all of these patriotic quilts.  I would like to know the name of the bottom center quilt block if anyone knows.

This little quilt was made my one of my fellow guild members, James Rupp.  This was his first attempt at this kind of quilting and was based off of a picture of his grandfather.  I would say this was an excellent first attempt since he one a first place ribbon!

This darling quilt was made by another guild member, Janneal.  She had shared it at our previous guild meeting and received lots of ooohs and aaaahs there.  Another blue ribbon winner!

I thought this was a darling little applique quilt.  Just love all the Red Hat birds in their red high heeled shoes.

The red, black, and grey quilt is the Best In Show winner.  I was very, very disappointed at how it was displayed.  I couldn't believe they didn't have it opened up and hanging proudly for everyone to see.

This was just a sampling of all the wonderful quilts at the Kern County Fair this year.

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Kings River Quilt Festival

Saturday we drove north (and a little east) for 1 1/2 hours to the town of Reedley, CA.  We were not disappointed when we were able to view so many beautiful quilts.......

The color and organization of this quilt really appealed to me.  It is called Trail Mix and was made by Bonnie Pius of Shaver Lake, CA

Isn't this little quilt just full of fun?  It's called Ants At My Picnic and was created by Barbara Coddington, of Dinuba, CA.

I have seen this quilt before but made with a brighter red.  I really liked the deep, dark red accents in this one.  Dee Patrick of Sanger, CA called this Black, White With A Little Bit of Red.

Moon Glow for Sheryl was made by Sue Nylander of Sanger, CA.  The colors in this quilt were so calming and I loved all the different star blocks that were used.

This was a fun quilt made by several different people with their own color schemes and variations.  It was their guild's theme quilt project for 2010.  This one was our favorite and was created by Juanita Adams of Orosi, CA.

Reedley, CA.  She had several quilts that I would consider as my favorites at this show.

You can never go wrong with a Double Wedding Ring quilt and this one was beautiful.  I usually am not fond of 30's type prints but they worked up perfectly in this quilt, To Have and To Hold by Bonnie Pius.

Stack The Stars Brightly was even more beautiful in person.  One of the things that really appealed to me was the use of the flowers in the border.  Another beauty by Pat Robertson.

Here is a black and white quilt that had just a small burst of color in each block - so effective.  Mod Quads is a pattern from Blue Underground Studios and was made by Helen Astiansuain of Reedley, CA.

I wasn't unable to get the full quilt into the picture.  French Braid was made by Denise Sisco of Visalia, CA.  After viewing this quilt, DH said to me "I really like batiks."  Me - "Really?  You never told me that before".  Who knew?  Learn something new everyday.

Thanks to the Kings River Quilt Guild for putting on such a wonderful show.

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TODAY'S GOAL

 Today I hope to mostly complete my little mini quilt for October.  After all, I need it for the end of the week.

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GIVEAWAYS

(Sorry if I missed some giveaways but I was away from the computer most of the weekend)

My Patchwork Life is having a giveaway.  You could win two beautiful half yard cuts of each of batiks that Erin  picked up in New Orleans at a store that sells fabric and goods produced by women in Ghana.  This giveaway ends Wednesday, September 28.

Sew BitterSweet Designs is having a giveaway.  You could win a fat quarter bundle of Robert Kaufman’s Pooches and Pickups by Laurie Wisbrun or a charm pack of Retro Thirties Prints..  But hurry because this giveaway ends tonight, Monday, September 25, at midnight.

Happy Cottage Quilter is having a giveaway.  You could win a copy of Sew Sunny Homestyle and some lovely lavender fabric.  This giveaway ends Saturday, October 1.

A Day in the Life of Raising Six Munchkins is having a giveaway.  You could win a $50 gift certificate to Fat Quarter Shop.  This giveaway ends Tuesday, September 26.

Cat Patches is having her Fun Friday Freebie giveaway.  You could win fat quarter.  The winner will be announced Friday, September 30.

Samelia's Mum is having a giveaway.  You could win a charm pack of Chrysalis by Sanae for Moda Fabrics.  This giveaway ends Tuesday, September 26, at midday AEST.

QuiltMaker blog is having a giveaway.  You could win an art print from Susan Kendrick of Sweetwater.  This giveaway ends Tuesday, October 11.

Lavender Quilts is having a giveaway.  You could win charm pack of moda's Collection for a Cause - Comfort.  This giveaway ends Saturday, October 1.

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FINAL THOUGHT

Here we are at Monday again.  I'm ready to get back to my sewing machine since it has been on a four day vacation.  After seeing all of those amazing quilts, I am ready to do some creating of my own.   Time to hear that humming again.  I hope to get a couple of things completed this week before my DD#1 and GS#2 arrive Thursday evening.  I do have to leave a little time for cleaning, well, at least in my sewing room.  That is where my grandson will be sleeping and I can't leave out little dangerous things like the rotary cutter, scissors, pins, needles, etc.  Luckily, the week doesn't have a bunch of other obligations stuck in there, just the biweekly grocery shopping trip.  I hope you all had a wonderful weekend and are now ready to start your week.  Welcome Monday!!

Give thanks for what you are now, and keep fighting for what you want to be tomorrow. 
~Fernanda Miramontes-Landeros