Favorites from St. Mary's

The previous two posts have been about the second annual St. Mary's Quilt Show held in Plantersville, Texas.  This post will include some of my favorite quilts from the many on display.  In fact, this post includes quilts that are also on my quilt-bucket list (which is a list of quilts that I hope to make myself one day ......)

This lovely kitty quilt received my vote for "Viewer's Choice" award (sadly, I do not know which quilt won Viewer's Choice).  I love the cat and the garden of flowers surrounding her.  This quilt inspires me make it, specifically to make this quilt using the fusible applique technique, possibly with some surface embellishments (paint, beading, embroidery, etc).

I've seen this pattern (possibly this quilt too?) previously.  It looks like a straight forward pattern, possibly made using one or more layer cake sets (10" squares of fabric often sold as charms from one entire pattern line).  I think I may try making this using all the floral fabrics that I've collected.  I have always purchased floral fabrics, then when the "fad" of watercolor quilts became popular in the 1990's, I actively collected even more floral fabrics with the idea of slicing them into 2" squares that would reappear in a watercolor quilt.

 

While I am slicing into my collection of floral fabrics, perhaps I will also consider making this quilt.  I am not certain of the name of this block but it reminds me of both the Goose in the Pond block and a combo nine-patch center of a churn dash block.  I can picture making these 9" blocks, 3" half square triangles with 1" squares and rectangles to make the nine-patch center and the middle side pieces.  I wonder how many blocks I can make, when each will feature different floral prints?

This quilt, "Special Flowers of Red and White" is made by fellow member of the Block Builders Bee Barb Paliatsos.  She sews prolifically: quilts, pillows, tea towels and much more.  She sells her creations in craft shows and at local quilt shows.  Special Flowers of Red and White makes me smile!

This lovely quilt is made using vintage handkerchiefs, many of which were gifts from the quilter's grandmother!  The Artist Statement (which I've included below) tells the story of this Granny's Hankies" quilt made by Marsha H Dolhonde.

I have table linens and a few hankies that my grandmother and her sisters embroidered.  I've been wanting to make something special with these "family heirlooms" of mine, but have been stumped on what to do, how to do it.  This is my reminder to keep planning this quilt of my quilt-bucket list!

This lovely quilt is my reminder to stitch MORE APPLIQUE!  I have made many applique blocks, but really want to focus on finishing a queen-size quilt made entirely with my applique work!

This is a lovely Jinny Beyer quilt that was sold in kits in the late 1990's and early 2000's.  In fact, I've purchased this very kit in this colorway .... but have been too chicken to get started on it!

 I love this view of the pews covered in colorful quilts.  The Angel quilt in front reminds me of one designed by Robin Pandolph years ago (perhaps this is it?).  I'd love to make an Angel quilt .... one of these days.

Can you guess how long my quilt-bucket list might be?  I fear it is only growing and getting even longer!  I'm tickled that I won this too.

More from St. Mary's

Below are some of my favorite views of the quilts on display at the second annual quilt show held in St. Mary's Church in Plantersville, Texas in April of 2016.  

I have included historical information about the church (with links).

The land that the church stands on was purchased 

for $30.00 on 

February 2, 1894.

According to Diocesan records, St. Mary’s official name is 

Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary under the title of Immaculate Conception, 

Plantersville, Texas.  

Click here to read more about this church's history.

Once a year, every pew in this small church is covered in quilts, all on loan from quilters in Houston, The Woodlands, Katy and many other towns and cities nearby.  

The beauty and diversity of the numerous quilts truly enhances 

the loveliness of this historic painted church.

St. Mary's interior had been painted over many years ago.  A restoration project began in 2003 to painstakingly return the church to its original hand-painted glory.  Two years later, the church re-opened in stunningly colorful splendor.  Ten years after that, the quilt shows began. 

Click here to see more photos taken during the restoration.

 

The Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary (St. Mary's original name) 

was struck by lightning 

and burned to the ground in 1917.  

Within in the year, the current building was built to replace the  original church.

 

St. Mary's Church building became a registered Texas Historic Landmark in 2001. 

I hope you've enjoyed wandering through this lovely free quilt show held at 

St. Mary's Church in Plantersville.  

(located at FM 1774 & St. Mary's Drive)

8227 County Road 205, Plantersville, TX 77363

 

The church website is http://smsj.org/  

The website for the quilt show held here is http://www.stmarysquiltshow.com/ .  

There are links to professional photos from the first and second quilt shows on the show's website.  

Head's up: The Third Annual Quilt Show is scheduled for Friday, April 28th and Saturday, April 29th, 2017.  Just like the previous two shows, this one is open and free to the public.  Donations are graciously accepted with the proceeds being donated to the St. Vincent DePaul Society of St. Mary/St. Joseph.  For further information, look at the quiltshow website listed in the paragraph above.

St. Mary's Quilt Show

In one month I was fortunate to visit two quilt shows displayed in two lovely (and very different) churches.  The first was the 26th Annual Quilt Show and Sale at the United Church of Hyde Park in Chicago, Illinois held on April 15th and 16th, 2016.  The second was the St. Mary's Quilt Show held in the beautiful historic painted church in Plantersville, Texas on April 29th and April 30th, 2016.

Below are photos from the St. Mary's Quilt Show:

 St. Mary's Church in Plantersville, Texas

 After parking your car and before entering the show, you enter this open covered-patio area where an entire red-n-white quilt exhibit is waving from above, hanging in the rafters.

Surprisingly, this is NOT the quilt show!  It is only one small extra for the day! 

I am inspired all over again to make and build my own collection of red-n-white quilts.

There are tables and chairs set up.  

Many people are enjoying picnic lunches in this uniquely special setting.

 One enters the quilt show from this side of the church.

Once you enter, you are swept away!

Quilts from all time periods are draped over every single pew in this teeny, tiny lovely church.

 Viewers walk up the far left side of the church,
then down the center aisle ...

 and back up the center aisle again
to then walk down the far right side of the church,
admiring quilts everywhere and
the wonderful details embellishing the interior of this sweet church.

 It is peaceful and quiet as everyone is respectful and in awe of the beauty of the quilts on display as well as the beauty of this historic painted church.

There are so many quilts, that some are draped over the choir's balcony!

This is the Second Annual "St. Mary's Quilt Show".  

The Third Annual St. Mary's Quilt Show is scheduled to be held April 28th and April 29th, 2016.

Check out their website: http://www.stmarysquiltshow.com/

Stay tuned for more photos to be shared soon.