Having just returned from the Lancaster AQS 2011 show I am newly inspired with quilting ideas. A good show should leave you motivated to try new techniques and to get back home to finish projects and start new ones. The new additions to my stash are inspiring.
Many of the the show quilts were thoroughly intriguing. Best of show seemed well deserving, but several other bed quilt had my votes for first, second and third rather than the ones that did receive ribbons.
This wouldn't be a compete review without pointing out there was a serious lack of large bed quilts displayed. There were alot of wall quilts. Many of which were very well done, some I am not sure how they passed the admission process. We could only image they photographed really well.
The special exhibit of Karen Kay Buckley was fantastic, but as it was a compilation of quilts across her life, it made sense to me and the viewers to include her ribbons and dates she completed them on the quilt info cards.
Another huge miss on behalf of the AQS was that the catalog, which they still charge $1.00 for, had left out the Category Title for the Wall quilts. I really do expect more from the editor of the AQS catalog. This is the sort of mistake the Quilters Heritage Celebration would make. ( I loved that show, really!)
We learned since last year to put our names on a special hidden hotel list so we can be offered a room for next year. We also learned to not eat at the hotel. So there is no disappointment for those areas this time.
Since the show is not that big, we had lots of time for a classes but, very unfortunately a lecture and one of my classes were cancelled. So I took my one class, which seemed quite familiar, I wonder if I already took this one years back? I enjoyed the class and always try to get something new out of them.
We gave Ricky Tims a try this year. After a very slow start with Danny Boy and some other really slow and sleepy piano music he woke me up as he regaled the audience with stories of carp, fishing and his granny. I was snickering and laughing before long. We were glad we stuck it out for the whole show. After we made our way to a favorite quilt shop, open until 11, and had a great time enjoying our fabric therapy session.
The next day, with the extra time on hand, we made it back to the old show grounds across from the Host, to the Spring Blossom vendors. We will probably head back there next year as well.
For next years AQS Lancaster show I will definately plan to arrive on Thursday instead of Friday, since the show closes Saturday eve. I'd like to take advantage of the classes offered on those days as well.
