Went to Quilts, Inc. show in Long Beach 08-29-22

The Quilt Festival was in Long Beach on August 4, 5, 6, for the first time since before the pandemic.   I wanted to go, but I just can't stand for very long (sciatica) and I don't have a lot of energy.  However, one of the special exhibits was Zena Thorpe and some of her quilts.  I have admired her work for many years at many different top notch shows and here was the chance to see her in person!  So, on Saturday (the last day) I drove to Long Beach in the afternoon thinking I could handle a couple hours.  No casual seating, but several staging areas for demos and talks with empty seats toward the back of the seating area - thank the goddess.  The exhibits were less than in the past and there were quite a few more antique quilts from various permanent collections, including that of Quilts, Inc.  There were other invitational exhibits but I only photographed a few.  Mostly I was up close and personal with Zena's wonderful hand appliqued and hand quilted works.  Amazing!  She was there and I followed as she spoke to a group of attendees about each quilt.  I said hello and told her I had admired her work for so many years.  She was gracious, but seemed a little tired.  I wasn't surprised after four days of being "ON" and talking to hundreds of people.  I was only there for a few hours and I wasn't on at all and I was exhausted by the time I arrived home again!  

I particularly wanted to see this quilt by Diane Hire that had been used on much of the advertising for the show, but even asking a number of workers I had a hard time finding it.  It was in the far corner facing a wall!  And was intended for attendees to take their pictures with it to show their friends that they had attended the show.  The professional pictures show it beautifully, but mine are not so successful.  A little washed out and I can't correct the color any more than this.

The surface of the quilt is not flat, but has "flanges" as some of the stripes.  They go the length of the quilt. 

On this picture I have marked two of the "flanges" between fuchsia lines, but can't figure out a way to make them show better.  Take my word for it!

Here is a close up.

My crazy computer won't let me post anymore pictures.  I'll try again tomorrow. 

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