Paducah - Part Two-Best of Show

 Best of Show - Paisley Peacock by Pat Holly

Pat Holly graciously posed for photos and gave permission to post photos of her "Paisley Peacock" quilt.

I absolutely adore this quilt!

The current issue of Quilt Life magazine has a phenomenal double page photo of "Paisley Peacock."

This AQS video from YouTube has an informative interview with Pat Holly.

Visit the AQS site for photos of other winning quilts from Paducah

Paducah - Part One -The Flood Waters

 Where to begin? The American Quilt Society 2011 Quilt Show in Paducah was FANTASTIC! This was my very first time to the Paducah show. Folks from Paducah kept apologizing because of changes in the venues for the show, but I thought it was wonderful. Everyone in the town was kind and helpful. Every effort was made for the Quilt Show to be successful in spite of rising flood waters. To the folks at AQS and the town of Paducah, THANK YOU!

 This photo was taken last Thursday from downtown Paducah. The flood gates were installed around the Convention Center. All activities planned for the Convention Center were moved to the Pavilion (folks on the shuttle bus called it the Balloon or Marshmallow) or the First Baptist Church.

 Vendors and quilts first scheduled for the Pavilion were moved to two empty stores near the Mall of Kentucky. On the AQS website, a webcam is set up to view current water levels of the Ohio River.

 Our hotel was in Metropolis, Illinois. It was a "dump", but at least we had a room. The folks with room reservations at the Casino in Metropolis received a call on Sunday that the Casino was closed because of flooding. I think rooms were located for them. We tried to visit the Superman statue in Metropolis, but couldn't get there because of road closings.

This "lake" is actually a state park across the street from our hotel.

AQS Quilt Show

I'm almost afraid to type this post - afraid to tempt fate. Two weeks from today, fourteen days to be exact, Brenda and I are leaving to attend the annual AQS Quilt Show in Paducah, Kentucky. This will be my first time to travel to Kentucky. I've wanted to "experience" Paducah for years, but it was difficult to miss work at this time of year. Retirement definitely has some advantages:) Brenda is beginning her courses for certification as a quilt appraiser. I've been reading blogs and asking questions. I'd love it if those of you who have attended this quilt show would share with me. What did you love? Don't miss? Don't forget? Don't bother doing? That kind of thing. I know I want to experience Hancock's of Paducah, the Quilt Museum and THE QUILTS. Who else is going to Paducah?