Is it Just me???

I write this blog as more of a information sharing about the exhibit and how much it is about culture and people getting together to enjoy the wonderful works of art so this one is different.

Most of the readers of this blog will belong to groups so here is what happened and please comment as I really want to know if I am off base here.

The week of the exhibit a local guild is having a year end dinner so I called to say that I had quilters coming from Africa during that week and that it might be nice if they could attend the dinner I was told it was for members only.

I was totally taken back by this as I do understand the members only this is truly a one off chance for everyone. What would your guild do?

Lanark Quilt Guild Trunk show Number 34!!

The last trunk show is now in the books. I had a lovely time form start to finish. Dinner with two lovely ladies, evening of sharing the quilts with a great group of people. We did get to see a couple of quilts that I hadn't looked at but wanted to see them for the first time with a group, that way we can all go WOW!  Then woke up to bacon and eggs, Life is good!! Couple I stayed with were very nice hosts.

Crazy times ahead, TV interview, newspaper interview, magazine interview, painting racks, making backdrops, getting everything in place for the exhibit. Not long now!

Taking Shape and Coming Soon

Lets have a little look at what the next two weeks will bring as we look to exhibit one of the most amazing exhibits so far. The over 125 plus quilts we have so far are wonderful works of art reflecting not only the culture and spirit of the people but the great talent. We received a email from the Nigerian quilters and the embassy is in the process of getting the visa's. The ten quilts from the Tentmakers arrived yesterday and we have posted a picture with this blog. The classes are starting to fill and what a chance to take classes with so skilled a group. Really a once in a lifetime chance. The lecture is going to be a real learning experience as the lecturer has so much knowledge.

Starting Saturday we will have a busy day at the local market showcasing a few of the quilts, last trunk show in Perth at the Lanark Quilt Guild, interview with local newspaper on Thursday, sort all the items coming for the vendors mall. This is a vendors mall for all.

This exhibit has been a long time in coming and yet seems to be rushing at us with lightning speed.

Will post at little story and picture from the market.

 Mohsen

Al Farouk Shop:  Crenelated centre, Romy and Islamic Multicolours on Navy

African Week May 21st to 25th 2013 Cotton-By-Post

We are going to have a selection of Quilts here in the shop  that will be on display at the exhibit June 12th to the 15th 2013. This is like a trailer for the movies which means everyone that gets to see some of the quilts will be sharing and coming to the exhibit for sure. We will have some items for sale all from Africa. The panels are just striking and great prices. I will post a picture and do a few over the next little while. If you were even thinking of attending this exhibit but not to sure. please give yourself a gift, plan on coming as you will thank yourself. We have the panels and beads used in this quilt for sale.

Bride to Be  by Charu Patel

Goderich and Bayfield Quilt Guilds Trunk Show Number 33

This is the closest trunk show I've done at a guild. I knew quite a few of the members and had a nice time sharing the quilts with the group. Lots of helpers to walk with the quilts so the people at the back get a chance to view the works up close. It is now down to just one guild trunk show before the exhibit!!

It is such a nerve racking time as so much to not only get done, but so many people have put forth so much work to make sure this exhibit is filled with great works need do all we can to have the venue packed everyday.

We will be having Africa week here at the shop next week with small display of quilts plus items for sale from Africa.

Lots of Quilts are here Now!!

We had the pleasure of unloading suitcases full of the works of art that are going to be on display in less then a month!!! Everyone that attends this exhibit is in for an incredible time. The quilts really do speak to you with each one telling a different story. The pieces reflect the love of the culture and spirit of the countries from which they come.

We will be doing a little tease later this week with showing a quilt with story every couple of days to give you just a taste of what we can expect in June.

Please go from the blog to the workshop page to view the amazing once in a lifetime classes we will be having. The classes not only offer the chance to learn different skills but with what these teachers bring a insight into their country. Off to one more trunk show later today then just one more!!

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

Poster Quilt AMAZING!!!!

I know that I should not be so surprized about how the social media works but it always does. I sent out a picture of the poster Suzanne did for the exhibit and so far over 4,000 people have seen it in just over two days. This quilt is just wonderful with the  hand painted fabric, amazing embellishments having spent the last 9 months together I feel it should be mine and it is for sale so it just might be. I saw a quilt in 2008 from Zimbabwe that I would have loved but waited to long to buy it which I regret to this day. I will post a picture of this quilt and tomorrow we will have 4 suitcases full of quilts here for the exhibit. Final steps underway for the Tentmakers Quilts also.

Please share this information about the exhibit with everyone you know because they will thank you for it.   Remember Friends don't let Friends miss this exhibit!!

Grand Quilt Guild Fergus Trunk Show Number 32

Down to the last two trunk shows coming up. They have a lovely venue for their guild meetings and the quilts were happy for the good lighting as they shine with their beauty. The white glove ladies were great so everyone got a good look at the quilts and I know we will see quite a few at the exhibit. Hard to imagine that in less then 5 weeks we will be ready to go. The picture shows the group ready for the quilts

Picture of Quilt and story

Each day just flies by now that we are into the final weeks not months before the exhibit. I just thought that I would share a picture and story of one of the quilts. We do pickup 4 suitcases of quilts at the Toronto airport this weekend.

When Elephants fight its the grass that suffers

An African saying because when the powerful people in  Africa start to fight the end result is poverty, disease, famine for the regular person.

I know that I keep repeating the words Amazing for this exhibit but it truly will be something special for everyone that attends.

 Dianne Bannister

Local Quilts on display in Arts Council Offices

We placed a display of quilts in the London Arts Council offices the other day. They offer this space for local art and we all know quilts are works of art. They will be there for a coup[le of months the off to the Mayor's office for two more months. We can switch them out when ever we want so hope to have a nice variety for the people to really get a better understanding of just how wonderful quilting as a art form is. We are going to be doing a story for the local arts magazine today about the African exhibit so will keep everyone posted. Enjoy the pictures

 Beve Jeffery

 Christine Earl

 Irene Wilson

 Suzanne Agnew

 

Quinte Quilt Guild Trunk Show Number 31

Here is how this day went up at 6, first thing get local quilts to do a display at the London Art Council offices, put up the quilts, then load up the car for the trip to Belleville to do the trunk show. Dinner with two lovely ladies from the guild then off to the meeting. I really enjoyed the meeting with lots of interest in the quilts and what this exhibit is about. It is of course coming to view the wonderful works of art but in so many ways  it is so much more. The classes are unique with a chance for quilters to learn new skills and something about another culture. The lecture is being given by a author of the subject of fabrics from Africa so people will be able to view the quilts with that in mind. Quilters from some of the countries, male quilters from Nigeria, art display from South Africa. Greeters from different areas of Africa that have settled in London dressed in traditional attire. Saturday evening Gala with dinner, music, awards and fashion and the bonus of spending a evening with quilters from different parts of the world. I did finish the day arriving home at 1 in the morning to be up at 6 to start again working on all the things that did doing to make sure most of the bases are covered.