One down - One to Go

We just finished an AMAZING weekend at 

Best of the Valley Quilt Show in Lindsay.

This is a picture of the tireless volunteers from our San Joaquin Valley 

who make this terrific show possible.

They work very hard all year to pull it all together for the rest of us.

There were over 200 quilts, made by creative souls from age 8 to over 80.

Viewer's Choice, Quilts
"Fragrant Memories," by Margaret Taylor

Viewer's Choice, Dolls
"Ruby Begonia," by Valle Lee

Viewer's Choice, Challenge Quilts
"Mail Call," by DeAnn Farris

Viewer's Choice, Quilts by Quilters 80 and over
"Glorious Christmas Card," by Willadene Dodd

Viewer's Choice, Quilts by Quilters under 18
"Citrus Paisley," by Marin Bako

Carmen Friesen with her First Place Ribbon

Best Use of Color by Karen Erwin

First Place by 10 year old Payton, who shops at Calico Mermaid, by the way!

I'll add more photos as I can.

Or you can keep up with the news at 

http://www.botvquilts.com/

CeCe Westerfield was the featured artist. 
She showed an amazing variety of beautiful pieces.

 Here are some beautiful quilts by some of my quilty friends. 
 I did my best, but forgive my lousy photography skills.

BUT - no rest for the wicked...

and now we're ready to start preparing for the 

Heart of the Valley Shop Hop on May 1-3.

http://heartofthevalleyshophop.com/index.html 

What a busy week!

...so Friday night was a big night for us at Calico Mermaid.

Priscilla Girard was our featured artist for Porterville's Downtown Art Walk, & then on top of that, it was our Friday Night Fever sewing dinner party till midnight!

 

 Priscilla makes the most amazing wearables, heavy with lovely embellishing. Her work doesn't show up well in my quickly snapped pictures, but EVERYTHING sparkles.

 

 Her work is gorgeous, & so imaginative, inside & out!

Then the partiers had a great time, too.

 Linda happened to be having a birthday,

so she brought these beautiful cakes. 

They were delicious!

(ummm...not that I had a piece of

 BOTH or anything like that...)

 

It was a wonderful evening. I spent most of it preparing for our Birthday Party the next morning on Saturday, though, so I only have a few pics. 

I'll tell you all about the party next time.
Right now I have to go start packing for Best of the Valley Quilt Show this weekend!

It was a TON o' FUN!

No Friday Night Fever in May - we'll be swamped with the Shop Hop!

Come see us then!

 

http://heartofthevalleyshophop.com/