Binbrook Quilt Guild Trunk Show Number 30

I arrived at the meeting place early as I always leave lots of time to make sure I get to the venue, all was quiet so I went to the front opened the door to the sound of the alarms going off throughout the building,. I did wait to see if the police would come to see what was happening but after about 10 minutes the first quilter arrived to me saying I am here top do the trunk show and the door was open I`m innocent. Everyone started to arrive so it was on with the show. It was very nice to see some of the ladies from other guilds that I had spoken at in the autumn, so they got to hear me again so I was glad to have a couple of different quilts as well as more information to pass on. They were a nice group to speak to with lots of interest in the quilts and coming to the exhibit. Off to Belleville Wednesday for number 31!!! 

Thousand Island Quilt Guild Trunk show Number 29

A lovely drive down the 401 to Brockville on a beautiful spring day. I could likely drive the 401 in my sleep. I arrived early and the president of the Legion directed me to the meeting room after a wonderful greeting with a ribbon for me to keep. Every guild has been very welcoming and this guild different. We shared a nice evening with the quilts and they asked for information about the bus trip Howard Travel is offering. I will be in Belleville on Wednesday so will let them know about the bus trip. I do have another trunk show on Monday.in Binbrook. I have heard from the people coming here and they are getting excited. Everyday from here on out is getting ready for this AMAZING exhibit. Remember friends don't let friends miss this exhibit

Guess the New Hot Bed of Quilting!!!

When did Nigeria become the hot bed of quilting? We received another request from Nigeria to attend and exhibit quilts. A totally different group from the other group. I never would of thought this would happen which is exciting we started this for people to get a chance to share their works of art with us that reflect the culture of their country. We get a chance to view quilts from places we might not ever visit. This is what makes getting the word out so important. Remember Friends don't let Friends miss this exhibit. Off to Brockville a few mins. another trunk show.

Rouge Valley Quilt Guild Trunk Show Number 28

Nice to travel in spring weather. It is always nice to be made to feel welcome and if I needed anything they were right there. I started doing the trunk show and about 5 mins in found out the microphone wasn't working but the people at the back were to polite to stop me. White glove ladies did a great job as it is so much better for the people at the back if the quilts make the rounds. The Quilters came up to me at the end to say how much they enjoyed the quilts. I am off to Brockville on Thursday for number 29.  I received a email from another group from Nigeria who want a letter of invitation to come and share their quilts. I would have never thought of Nigeria as a hot bed of quilters.

5,000 plus views and lots going on

Thank you everyone who has viewed the blog. Who would have thought that a 8 track guy would ever do a blog let alone get this many views. We have heard from the Kim Beamish the documentary film maker doing the Tentmakers of Cairo who is coming to Canada for a film festival in Toronto. He will be coming to London May 3rd to do a presentation for us on the Tentmakers life and works. I now need to get a venue plus the word out to everyone so they can plan to attend, I do hope that this works out as London is a bit difficult spread the word. Two trunk shows this week and need to meet with a few people to go over the details for the exhibit. Will post tomorrow as off to Whitby later today.Trunk show to their guild.

Kempenfelt Quilt Guild Trunk Show Number 27

Another great trunk show. I have posted a picture of my chair. I felt very special. They are a nice group and when I said I hoped everyone would be able to attend this exhibit, one lady spoke up and said it would be terrible if everyone didn't make a effort to come view their quilt,s after all how would we feel if we went there and people didn't attend. I couldn't agree more so am looking forward to the people coming to share their love of this wonderful art form.

Metro Detroit Quilt Guild Number 26

Once again the Quilt Gods are with me. Crossed the border and returned no problems. You would think that after 26 times of showing the quilts you might get a little tired. I find the response at each and every guild to be exciting so the feeling of excitement never leaves me. The ladies asked questions about the exhibit and what they can expect when they come. I think we will see quite a few coming to Canada to see another part of the world.  Off to Barrie today to show the quilts to another quilt guild.

Busy Week Coming Up. The Usual!!

The week really started yesterday with setting up a display at the market in downtown London. It was a interesting day as one never knows what to expect. People were very interested in the quilts and their stories but mostly the beauty and workmanship were the highlights. I feel very lucky to have two wonderful people come with me to help. It is hard to express thanks to Beve and Irene for all that they have done from the very start of bringing quilts from around the world. Never a exhibit has come and gone where they weren't there every step of the way. So Thank you to you both because I know you get this blog. I am doing a trunk show in Detroit tomorrow then Barrie on Thursday. We are going to sending out all the information to guilds as our final mailing this week so they can update their members, plus remind them about the exhibit

Invitations going out this weekend!!

We just finished writing of invitation for the quilters in Nigeria. We also sent a invitation to the Nigerian Embassy in Ottawa to attend the Saturday Gala dinner. We have invited all the Embassies from the countries  involved . I have been looking at the different places that visit the blog and it is reaching quite a few countries around the world. I have never asked a question on this blog site but am surprized at a couple of things and wonder if this happens in other parts of the world. This exhibit is taking place in London Ontario with quilts and quilters from Africa to share their amazing works of art that reflect the culture of the countries from which they come. To say this is going to be something special doesn't really cover it but will have to do.

Why is it that the interest from the local arts council and guilds is not really there? This is a hard one for me to figure out as one would think that having a exhibit like this happening in your backyard is something to get very excited about. Everyone else is.

Kincardine Quilt Guild Number 25

What a great meeting. I must say they run a very interesting meeting with lots going on for the members. They had lots of comments about the quilts and almost ran out of time as there was another group coming in the hall. I would think that we will see quite a few of the guild in June.
I along with my two sidekicks will be doing a display on Sunday at the downtown market in London. I am also going to the embroideries guild later today day to show the class samples. Sending letter to Nigeria tomorrow to make sure the three quilters will be here in June. Lots to do to make sure people know about this exhibit coming here.

Everything Coming Along

Here comes the worries and stress as the exhibit draws closer. We heard from the men in Nigeria and are now working on the letters of invitation which need to go to them, Canadian embassy in Nigeria as well as the Nigerian Embassy in Canada. Three male quilters are planning on coming from Nigeria to bring their quilts and share them with us. I asked if you wanted a table but they want to stand by their quilts to meet everyone that attends the exhibit. I hope that everyone will share the exhibit with every one they know. This exhibit is going to be the most amazing cultural event that London has seen. It is our hope that every quilter and non quilter get a chance to come share in the wonderful works of art, join in making the quilters from Africa feel welcome. This weekend the Kenyan Quilters guild is hosting a exhibit in Kenya which would be great to attend however if you can't make it most of the works will be winging their way to Canada after their show. I am posting a picture from the men in Nigeria because the sent more along. Remember friends don't let friends miss this exhibit.

Sarnia Quilt Guild Number 24

This was my first day and evening trunk show so some of the people heard and saw the trunk show twice in one day. I think that would be interesting as you would see things in the quilts that you hadn't noticed the first time. Suzanne belongs to this guild so it was nice to see some people that I haven't seen in awhile. The evening group was worried that the classes would be full by the time they got home to sign up. Spaces are still available. Off to Kincardine tomorrow, first thing in the morning. Busy month making sure everyone knows about this amazing exhibit.

Pembroke Log Cabin Trunk Show Number 23

Sorry to take so long to get this trunk show up. The trip to this trunk show as very nice travelling along the lakes. The people who billeted me treated me to a lovely dinner and great company. The guild had a good turnout and fun was had by all. We enjoyed a nice night of viewing the wonderful works of art and talking about the culture of quilts. I was surprized to get a phone call will driving with a strange amount of numbers so pulled over to answer and it was Nigeria calling wanting to say three men will be coming with the quilts. Looking forward to this. Off to do a a afternoon and evening trunk show in Sarnia.

Always something Special happens!!!!

We received a email from African Faces Contemporary Art Studio based in Nigeria over the weekend asking to be part of the "Out of Africa" exhibit. As everyone can imagine what our answer was YES!!!

It was the idea from the very first exhibit to give  people a chance to share their works with people that would never get to see these wonderful works of art. It is exciting for us to be able to bring such works of art here for everyone to see.

Remember Friends don't let Friends miss this exhibit!!