Thursday, July 25, 2013

Firehouse Quilt Show In Castle Rock, CO




I attended the 8th Annual Firehouse Quilt Show on July 20, which was held at the events center in the Douglas County Fairgrounds in Castle Rock, Colorado. You can see the unique natural rock formation high on a hill, that helped to give this town its name in the photo above.




The fairgrounds event space was large, and there were quite a few vendors and exhibits to see, as well as award-winning quilts. The show had many fabrics, applique, quilt accessory, guest speakers, and other types of craft vendors and quilting classes.




The quilts were all carefully hung with a solid blue backdrop, and labeled and judged in separate categories according to style, such as computer long-armed quilted, sewing machine quilted, hand quilted, appliqued quilts, art quilts, children's quilts--12 years of age and younger, and age 13 - 18,  miniature quilts, plus a special exhibit of non-judged vintage and patriotic quilts.





I am not a quilter, but I could certainly appreciate all the effort that goes into making these fabric works of art! It was really enjoyable to walk around the hall and look at each and every one of the one hundred and fifty quilts on display. They were all so unique and a wonderful blend of traditional and modern quilting techniques.




The varieties of patriotic quilts were especially amazing!




The detail and amount of work in them were wonderful to see.




This quilt was made as a tribute to the quilter's father who served in the Air Force during World War II. Click on one to enlarge the photo (and all photos in this post), and then again when it opens to make it even larger, You can read the explanations about this quilt and the other quilts by enlarging the photos this way. 





This patriotic quilt incorporates all 50 official state flowers. I made sure to show the state flower of my new state of Colorado--the Columbine--in this photo.




This quilter's ancestor was one of the signers of the American Declaration of Independence, and she incorporated his information, as well as information about every relative who served in the armed forces throughout our nation's history, in this very detailed quilt!  Make sure to click on the photos to enlarge them to see how even the back of the quilt is designed with information.




A tribute quilt to the Civil War, with each battle and date embroidered on the quilt.





A very realistic quilt that honors the bravery of all firefighters.





The quilts were professionally judged by a panel of quilt experts, such as Christine Brown--the former editor of American Quilter Magazine, Ellen Palmer--a member of the Colorado Quilting Council who worked as a judge in training for five years, and Teresa Rives--a prolific quilter who trained for three years to be a judge for the Colorado Quilt Council. The unique quilt above was a "best of show" blue ribbon winner as an art quilt -click on a photo to read more about it.




 Another intricate "best in show" and blue ribbon winner computer long-armed quilt.




This Asian-inspired blue ribbon winner appliqued quilt had many 3-D elements to it.




A blue ribbon paper piercing design quilt.




This gorgeous quilt was being donated for a special cause. The detail and colors in it were stunning.





I can't possibly show all the quilts that were on display at the show in this post, but there were many in shades of blue....and many in shades of pink!




There were multicolored quilts...




...and quilts of every imaginable design! It was so interesting to read the story behind each one.




I really liked the vintage quilts and their stories. This quilt took 70 years to complete!




This vintage quilt was from the 1880s and was on sale for $750.




There were even examples of quilted clothes, bags, and minister scarves at the show.

The most special quilts of all were the "Snuggle Quilts," some of which I show in the collage below:



The Firehouse Quilts is a non-profit group of volunteers that makes and donates 45' square quilts to Colorado fire departments, Action Care Ambulance, Denver Health Medical Center, victim advocate offices, and twin/full-sized quilts to Douglas County Women's Crisis Center to be given to children and their mother's in time of crisis.  Each year they donate over 1,000 items! 90% are "snuggle quilts" for children that have been in an automobile accident, house fire, or even domestic violence in their home. The Quilt show volunteers were doing a "bed turning" display above where they held up example after example of the types of quilts that are lovingly made and donated as "snuggle quilts" by their members.

The Annual Quilt Show is their major fundraising event and all proceeds are used to help them purchase supplies and provide quilting education for their volunteers. It truly is a wonderful mission that they perform.

I was happy to attend and contribute what I could, to this truly wonderful event. I hope you enjoyed seeing a portion of the beautiful quilts that were on display and learning about this very talented and devoted quilting organization in Colorado!




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49 comments:

podso said...

Another interesting post! I had a cousin who used to live in that town so I've been there but nothing as exciting as what you did! The quilts are beautiful and the firefighter one is so interesting. My quilting friend is having me take a photo of them for just such a quilt. I can't imagine how you would make such a quilt.

Jake's a Girl said...

Absolutely Beautiful! I love quilts. Thanks for taking us along. :)

Jake's a Girl

Nellie said...

I am not a quilter, but I do know how to appreciate the work of those who are. These are amazing quilts!

Miss Jean said...

Thanks for the great post about the show! I had a quilt (wall hanging) in the show - the Patriotic Rooster. My friends had several as well.

Ivy, Phyllis and Me! said...

Good Evening Pat, What a beautiful array of quilts and the quality of the work is spectacular..... I quilt so I know the work that has gone into these pieces.
It was hard to choose any favourites, but I selected two. The first was Barbara McCrorie's Family Heroes, it was an amazing piece of history with so much detailed work. I loved the addition of the family photographs.... this will be such a wonderful memory quilt for future generations.
The second quilt I loved was the Dresden Plate quilt.... to have taken so many years to complete and with so many different people involved in the process. It is a beautiful quilt and it was such a joy to hear the story.
What a treat... I thoroughly enjoyed looking at all the quilts.
Best Wishes to you,
Daphne

Old Kitty said...

WOW! Now these are amazing works of art! Stunning - and oh "Gentle Beauty" is my favourite but Colour Dance is just lovely in all its abstract form!

How Ms Schneider got the pics of her dad into her quilt is fabulous - that's such skill!!!

I'm well and truly gobsmacked by how beautiful these quilts are - made with care and passion and love!! Yay! Thank you so much for sharing. I could just stare at these pics all night! Fabulous! take care
x

Cindy said...

Those are all gorgeous quilts, I especially like the one with the different state names on a banner. Isn't it wonderful to see quilts that are meant to commemorate special people.

Lynn said...

Every one is an amazing piece of art! I have a great respect for folks that create such intricate pieces, especially with my well documented lack of patience:@)

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

What a wonderful event and what beautiful quilts. It always make me feel humbled to see these works of art. It's as American as it gets and makes us all proud! Thanks for sharing your photos. I couldn't choose a favorite...I love them all!

Tracy said...

WOW! Being a fiber-fanatic, this was HUGELY inspiring to see! Now that would be a grand day out for me... Really LOVED seeing all the beautiful quilts, and seeing stories behind some of them. And what a wonderful quilting organization. :o) Happy Days, Pat ((HUGS))

Tanna said...

Isn't it amazing what people can create??? Wow!! Thanks for sharing these beauties, Pat!

Michelle said...

Such art and talent in those quilts!

Cathy said...

I LOVE your post, Pat. What an amazing quilt show. I have done a little quilting and know how much work and precision go into one. We have a big show every year in Sisters, Oregon. It's an old western town and the quilts are displayed outside all around town. It's like a color fantasy land.

Thoughts on Life and Millinery. said...

I agree with Daphne, although my list of favorites keeps going :-)
The more one looks the more one sees. I was able to attend the mother of all quilt show, the International Quilt show that is held each year in Houston. Each year my mind got blown away. I'd look and stare and photograph for hours.
One part of one show was a challenge to quilt one's life for a year; people quilted one 24 inch block each week which was to represent that week. Some were heartbreaking as the happy themes broke when death or misfortune overshadowed the quilters life.

I kept thinking I could remember the most outstanding quilts; it is rediculous that over the years the one that sticks clearest is the one breast cancer awareness quilt created using colorful bras that were donated by the quilter's friends. Oh how funny all those cup sizes looked side by side.

Ciao Chow Linda said...

I love quilt shows and this looks like a good one Pat. How lucky you got to see all this beautiful work. I'm actually in the midst of making a quilt (for a wall hanging) from my late husband's silk ties.

AdriBarr said...

Pat, those are positively glorious. I particularly enjoy the ones where the quilter has incorporated his o her own life story into the work. I bet it was inspiring to be surrounded by these beautiful quilts. I am not quilter, but I do sew (a little), and I too can appreciate the technique and artisanship that goes into the making of these. My niece has begun to quilt, and she has made beautiful things. Thanks for another cool view into your new home.

Betsy Banks Adams said...

WOW---I love quilts and these are fabulous... LOTS of work goes into making those quilts. My fav was the 50 states featuring the state flowers... Fabulous.

Hugs,
Betsy

Claudia said...

Isn't it amazing what people can do? I cannot create anything lovely with my hands. No fine motor skills (should have gone to preschool!). I love going to the MN State Fair for the quilts. So inspiring! The breadth and variety of the the quilts you showed took my breath away!

black eyed susans kitchen said...

Pat, I love a good quilt show...so much art and inspiration!

CailinMarie said...

oh my mother quilted when i was in school- I loved when her magazines would come in the mail. I have no such patience, I started a quilt with her scraps when I was 12 and it is still waiting to be finished! These are beautiful! Happy Pink Saturday!

Lutka And Co. said...

So many pretty quilts! Especially the pink ones :) Happy Pink Saturday!

Anonymous said...

Wow. . .those quilts were truly works of art!!! My mom was a quilter and I love the ones she made that I have. I use them because that's what she said she made them for!! One of them actually has fabric in it from some of our old clothes when we were growing up.

I think that's such a great mission of that quilt group. . to make and give out wonderful and needed quilts.

Thanks for the lovely and informative share and HPS!!

L, Dana

ellen b. said...

Quilts are so great. I always admire the people who have the patience to create these beauties! I also admire the bloggers who take the time to photograph them...

Pondside said...

I don't quilt, but I love to attend a quilt show. There was certainly a lot to see at this one - I don't think I've ever been to one that big! Do you quilt? If not, did this make you wish to start?

pinkkandy said...

Its a lovely Pink Saturday here on the open plains....praying that your day is blessed

Proud Italian Cook said...

I'm amazed at what some people can do with their hands, and more so the patience it takes to make these beautiful and meaningful quilts!

LV said...

One event I would dearly loved to attend. Enjoyed seeing all the great things through your lens,

Tami @ Creative girl Vintage said...

Hi Pat, the quilts are just amazing. What time and love went into those beautiful pieces of art!
Happy Pink Saturday..Tami xo

Judy said...

What great works of art! Beautiful.

The Gathering Place said...

I find quilts very charming and would enjoy seeing a collection of them, too! You always find fun paces to visit!

Valrie said...

These quilts are unbelievable! So many beautiful ones to admire!

Happy PS!

diane b said...

It sure is an old and varied art. So many different styles. It must have been wonderful to see and read about all those quilts. They are doing a super job at helping the community.

Penny from Enjoying The Simple Things said...

Those quilts are all beautiful! My mom was a wonderful quilter. I wouldn't even begin to know how to quilt.

Sue/the view from great island said...

My heart was skipping beats as I scrolled through this gorgeous post. I used to quilt, and I know what goes into these beautiful pieces of art. Love it!

Vee said...

Having just attended a quilt show myself, I was charmed by this post. Such a challenge to know how to present photos of such an event and you did it so well.

eileeninmd said...

Wow, these are all lovely quilts. So many different patterns and colors. I love the patriotic quilts. The quilter are very creative and talented. Lovely photos, thanks for sharing. Have a happy week!

Lulu said...

I would have loved this! Like you, I'm not a quilter, but that doesn't stop me from appreciating the work of talented hands. I find the art quilts amazing.

SmilingSally said...

I'm not a quilter, but I this post and I like your blues. (I especially like the Grandma plates story.)

Happy Blue Monday, Pat.

Welshcakes Limoncello said...

Amazing quilts.

Jenny said...

Hi!

I have a love/hate relationship with these shows.

Oh I want, want, want to make something like these masterpieces.

But I have no patience or vision to create one!

What a neat place for you to share!

Debra at HOMESPUN: http://www.thehomespun.com said...

I have made a few quilts ( beginner-style ) and am lucky to have points line up. The artistry and talent and many many hours of work in quilts such as these never cease to amaze me! :)

My name is Riet said...

WOW wow, how I wished I had been there to see all these beauties. There are a few that I Think are stunning

Unknown said...

When I was young, I watched my mom and the church ladies sit and quilt. I think the quilts are awesome! I would love to have a few of them. Thanks for sharing!

http://agutandabutt.blogspot.com/

Anonymous said...

Those quilts are just amazing! I can't imagine the time it takes to create such a wonderful work of art.

La Petite Gallery said...

I thought I had see a lot of quilts, these are such a wide variety
and so many different types.
Best show I have seen. You are really out and about, it's fun to explore.
Glad you are getting adjusted there.
yvonne

Huldra said...

So much work and sparkling colors. Beautiful! Thank you for sharing :)

Unknown said...

I am not a quilter but I sure enjoyed seeing these. What a wonderful gift -- especially for children in need. Thank you for sharing your pictures! Just stopping by from the GRAND Social Linky Party. Hope you get a chance to do the same!

annie said...

Pat you inspire me. You really do.
You get out and "do" and that is just so wonderful.
I am so happy you are enjoying your new home in Colorado.

Gardening in a Sandbox said...

My goodness what a gorgeous array of quilts, colours and patterns. Valerie