AQS Show, Paducah, Kentucky April 23.

What a week!  It had been 4 or 5 years since I was last in Paducah for the American Quilters Society, quilt show.  What a fun time I had. We started out Monday morning early. My friend Marcia did the driving, while Lyn, Barb and I came along for the ride.

After checking into the hotel in Paducah, we headed to Hancock's Fabric.  We all walked away from there for a "couple" of yards of fabric. Then we went around town to see any changes and get the lay of the land.  After Dixie and Jean arrived we went to "Flamingo Row" for dining. It was early to bed, as that traveling tends to wear you out, and Tuesday was going to be a full day.

First stop on Tuesday was the Rotary sponsored quilt show.  There is always a display of beautiful antique quilts, and of course vendors.

After lunch, we visited several of the "shops" and vendor malls around town.

We had a date to be at the auditorium at 5:00 for a reception an at 5:30 the presentation of awards.

This was the Best of Show,
Elated" by Ted Storm of the Netherlands
It is considered a purchase award.  The prize is $20,000, and The National Quilt Museum become the owner of the quilt.

Oriental Puzzle , by Hitomi Kanazawa, of Japan, won the award of $12,000. for Best Hand Workmanship. This too, is a purchased award.  The National Quilt Museum become the owner of this quilt, as well.

Best Home Machine Workmanship was won by Sue Nichels and Pat Holly. The prize was $12,000, and it too is a purchase award.
We did not get to see the actual quilts until Wednesday, after the show opened.
They are truly works of art.

Wednesday this was lunch.  A strawberry shortcake.  Oh, was it good.
That is Sandy, Lyn, and Marcia taking a breather and enjoying "Lunch".

This wall hanging I found interesting.  It was three dmentional. It is call "Jungle Pride".  

Here is the firsts place winner in the Miniature Quilts, "Mandala".  It is 17 x 17, that is inches!
I don't know how they can do this, but it is beautiful.

I love this little quilt, and bought the book of patterns.  They were just so sweet.

This was another cute pattern.  Love the yo yo's around the inside of the Dresden Plate.

There was a display of quilts honoring the American soldiers.

And of course the Dogwoods!
This year the flowers were in full bloom.  The dogwoods were absolutely gorgeous. There were iris, tulips, creeping phlox, wisteria, and red buds, every where. Our weather was beautiful. Warm, sunny, blue skies.
Did not need to work so much about how much we ate, we walked it all off!  Each day I averaged 4 miles.

I will post some more of the quilts this week.
I hope your week is sew wonderful.
Mary