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Thursday, March 27, 2014

It's Not Houston or Paducah, but I'm Still Thrilled

Hi Everyone,

Today I'm sharing a big announcement.  It sort of starts with this book.  Have you ever read it?
It is the first in a series of 3-4 books taking place in the Shenandoah Valley and they all have a bit of a quilting "thread" running through the stories.  This first one is about a family of women:  grandmother, mother, and daughter and how they overcome the issues going on in their lives and become closer.  The grandmother is a quilter and at the end of the book, the daughter and granddaughter decided to display her quilts in a show.  The big finale for the grandmother is that a woman from the Virginia Quilt Museum attended and asked her is she could exhibit her quilts there at the museum.

I mention this as it is the first time I ever heard of the Virginia Quilt Museum.  After our guild's show last fall, I got a phone call that a representative of the Virginia Quilt Museum was interested in one of my quilts--Omigosh--that I had hung in the show.  She was in the process of assembling a collection of quilts from the Virgina Tidewater area, where I live, and was interested in including my quilt!  I was thrilled to say the least! She explained that the show was focusing on the diversity and cultural richness of the area since it is home to a large military community, etc.  I wrote back that I was an Army wife and that I was sort of "known" for my patriotic quilts and shared a few pictures of some of my best.  She really liked my Star Vines Quilt and decided to include it, as well.

This is a picture of Omigosh--I've blogged about it, you can read more here and here.  The pattern is by Sue Garman, it was quilted by Linda Hrcka at The Quilted Pineapple, and I hand-dyed the colored fabric and border.

This is Star Vines:
I blogged about it here and here.  The pattern for it is called Seeing Double by Julie Hale and Connee Morris and was published in the Spring/Summer issue of Quilt Sampler (it is also on the cover of that magazine.)  It was custom quilted by Sandi Zuker.

The exhibit will be on display at the Virginia Quilt Museum all summer, from May 6 through August 23.  The museum is in Harrisonburg, VA.  (Just in case you haven't firmed up those summer vacation plans yet, ha ha!)

As if all that wasn't exciting enough, I got another call earlier this week.  A photo of Star Vines was included in the press package for the exhibit AND it will be published in Quilter's Newsletter Magazine.  One other quilt photo was included and so I'm not sure how much of my quilt will be there (and remember, it will be in an advertisement) but I'm still really excited!!  I'm not sure of the issue yet, but when I find out, I will share.

I've come to terms with the fact that I'm never going to be a competition quilter (I don't want to spend so much time on one quilt) and I'm sure I'll never come up with an idea to get something published, so this is very exciting.  I know I'll be at the museum for the artist's reception on May 19th and perhaps one or two other times, so I will blog about the exhibit.  I'm excited to see all the quilts from our area.

Have a great day!
JoAnne

31 comments:

  1. That's so exciting, JoAnne! Congratulations!

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  2. suebennett1975@gmail.com

    Congrats, that is exciting. I live in Midlothian so I will have to make it up there to see your quilts. I love that area.

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  3. JoAnne, that is so exciting! Congratulations!

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  4. Congratulations, JoAnne! Your quilts are beautiful!

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  5. Oh JoAnne, I have tears of joy in my eyes for you! How fabulous and what an honor!!! Your patriotism and your family's service to our country is wonderful and I'm thrilled that you can share that with others! Probably not coming to Virginia - but if I do - I'll be there for sure!!

    Blessings and hugs!

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  6. P.S. LOVED the book by the way!!!

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  7. That is SO exciting, you must be over the moon. Congratulations~!!!

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  8. Well deserved recognition, in my humble opinion. Congratulations!!!

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  9. Congrats to you - that is all very exciting! And funny...I'm reading that series of books right now!

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  10. Wow, that is exciting! Congratulations on being "found."

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  11. Congratulations JoAnne....what a nice honor!
    You're quilts are gorgeous and others should see them!!!
    Peggy

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  12. That is fantastic news JoAnne, congratulations. Since I do not believe I'll be in the area, I look forward to your posts about the exhibit.

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  13. Congratulations Joanne. I have recently moved back to Augusta County, from Midlothian, VA, and just did not have the time to get to the Museum's last exhibit. I will definitely see this one!!! and can say I "know" one of the quilters!! Love your patriotic quilts and your blog.

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  14. A well deserved honor, JoAnne! My heartiest congratulations to you!!

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  15. How exciting for you and my friend Sandi too!

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  16. What a great honor for you! Your work really shines with your great abilities, Joanne. I wish I were gonna head that way, but oh, I'm so tickled for you. Congratulations ~
    :-}pokey

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  17. Congratulations, JoAnne!!!! What a great acknowledgment. I'm so happy for you. Please take lots of pictures so that those of us who can't be there can enjoy it with you. Lane

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  18. Congratulations and WELL DONE, JoAnne!! So very happy for you. Wish I was going to be in that area because I would definitely be making a stop. Kudos to you, girlfriend!! Linda

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  19. Congratulations ! I am SO happy for you !

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  20. Congrats! That's pretty exciting stuff!

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  21. Yay and Congratulatilons!!! Very much deserved!!!

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  22. How wonderfully exciting for you... and all your faithful followers! Wooo hoo! Both quilts are stunning and deserved to be shown in a museum! Congratulations!!!

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  23. Congratulations, JoAnne. It is a well-deserved honor to have your quilts in the show. Both are beautiful!

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  24. Very exciting - good for you! It's nice to know that others will be able to see and appreciate all of the work you put into your quilts.

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  25. Woohoo!!!! Congratulations! I'm so happy for you! And I think this is BETTER than Paducah and Houston! Woot!

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  26. I read that book a long time ago and had forgotten about the story. How wonderful that you got an invitation for quilt display.

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  27. Congratulations! You've been having a very exciting quilt year haven't you. I hope you're enjoying every moment of it!

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  28. How excited you must be! Congratulations! I'm really impressed with your omigosh quilt - such tiny pieces and the hand dyed fabric - wow!

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  29. Congratulations. JoAnne!!! That is sooooo awesome!!! I'm so happy and thrilled for you!!! Truly they are lucky to have your wonderful quilts!!!! Make sure to take lots of photos of them there!

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  30. Congratulations. Enjoyed that book too. We met today at the Bonnie Hunter workshop. I was
    looking for your blog before I forgot. Beautiful work.

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