Saturday, April 08, 2006





The Chicago Quilt Show...
As I was getting up at 4am, Friday morning, I was wondering, "Why?" I have never gone to a quilt show without Sarah. And who's idea do you think it was to go to those? Sarah's. So I guess I decided to go to this one just to prove that I could do it by myself. And I might actually enjoy it... you never know. So I got on the bus at 5:30am and rode the 4 hours to Chicago. I decided to do the vendors first, as it seemed everyone else was crowding into the exhibit hall. Found some goodies, I'll post them, later. Then I went into the quilt show and was enjoying the traditional quilts and finding the art quilts... interesting. They had the aisles set up so you walked through art quilts then traditional, then back to the art ones and then traditional again. It was kinda nice and kept things from blurring all together. About a 1/3rd of the way through the exhibit, I looked up and stopped dead in my tracks. My jaw dropped to the floor and I grabbed the lady's arm beside me and said, "I know this quilt!! This is my uncle's quilt!" She looked confused and said, "Your uncle made a quilt like this?" NONONO!!! This is his quilt!! I was so tickled to see it there. I found the posting that said, yes, the quilt was made by Gregory Leighton of Perrysburg, Ohio. My mom's twin sister's husband. He had sent me some pictures of the blocks as he was working on them, but I didn't know that he had finished it and it had been quilted- and such a beautiful quilting job! (Thought I'd remember the quilter's name, but after getting in at 2am, my brain is even mushier than usual.) I didn't tell him I was going to the show- I live a lot closer to Ohio than to Illinois. What a wonderful surprise it was. I took lots of pictures and kept telling everyone who stopped to look at it, "My uncle made this quilt!" Isn't it gorgeous? A beautiful, maverick quilt! Entirely hand-pieced. The far right corner isn't in shadow, it's just the way he placed the darks. The lady I was with said she was surprised that I had recognized it, but how could I not? It is very distinctive looking- it's just so Greg! The block is a very old pattern, but the fabrics are mostly hand-dyed. He loves the hand-dyed and uses grey as a neutral instead of the more traditional cream. l love it, love it, love it!! It was worth getting up at 4am just to get to see it hanging there among all the other beautiful quilts! When we returned to the bus that evening, I found my friend Martin and his wife Sharon and I started to tell them of my exciting news- then Martin says, "The one called "Fish Chowder?" Yes, yes!! He remembered it, and thought it was great also. He said to be sure to tell Greg how much they liked it and they even remembered the name. How cool is that? I bet Sarah would have recognized it, too. Well, I need a nap. I just wanted to share my thrilling news.

14 comments:

Sarah said...

When the picture popped up with you standing in the corner, two thoughts popped into my head. #1 - look at that bright sweater on Nina - gone is all the beiges! And #2 - that looks like an Uncle Greg quilt! Yes, I am very impressed that you went to a quilt show without me, especially since I know what a homebody you are! Thanks again for the phone call the other day!

Love, Sarah

Finn said...

Wow..it's a really beautiful quilt Nines, and so nice to see you standing by it.*VBS* And the story is great too!! Glad you went...must have been fate that you would be there.

Cher said...

what a great reward for getting up so early, sitting through such a long bus ride...and finding this quilt done by family. It is very unique.

Quilts And Pieces said...

I saw it too! And the quilting is so cool! Whoever did the quilting did a beautiful job! That quilt was hard to miss!

So I"m anxious to see what you bought! I spent way too much money. I"ll post pics tomorrow of my purchases.

dot said...

This is a wonderful quilt. What a pleasant surprise for you. Thanks for sharing. I do feel like I would like some fish chowder, send it on over.

Tonya Ricucci said...

Oh, it's so nice to see you, Nina. I love those colors on you. Your UNCLE made that quilt. That is sooo cool. He did an excellent job. Love the colors there too. So glad you made it to the show.

Hunter said...

Wow, I'm so impressed that you went to the show by yourself. Something I'm not sure I would have done so I admire your efforts so much. And then to spot your Uncle's quilt!

What an adventure. I can hardly wait to see what you bought.

I'm glad you're back.
Darilyn

Quiltgranny said...

Good colors on you, good colors on the quilt! Love it, love it, love it! And HE didn't tell you it was going to be in the show? Shame on Greg! Bad Greg! No biscuit!

Darcie said...

OHMYGOODNESS! HOW COOL IS THAT, NINA!!!

First off...NOW can we have a sidebar pic of you on your blog??? Please?!? You're so pretty!!! Pretty please!?!?!

Congrats to you for going solo, in a way. I know that you can do absolutely anything, that is not the point. Sometimes we think that it is just so much easier to keep things simple...but look what you took away from this!!! It was all just meant to be.

I know that I would have stood with my jaw open, ogling at your Uncle Greg's quilt, had I been there. That is some quilt...and the quilting! Oh, to die for! He is one man with terrific taste...the pattern, the fabric, the quilting...everything is perfect! You must have been so proud.

I'm glad you went to the Show, Nines...and glad you're home safe. Now let's see what you got you!!!

Had to share: My verification letters below here are *weeshz.* You know that saying...something about "if weeshz were feeshz...."

LOL

Frances said...

beautiful quilt Nina, congrats to your Uncle, glad you had such a great time,

Pamela (Peni) Teel said...

Yesterday's comment didn't stick so I'll try again today. Maybe my weeshz wasn't feesjzy enough.

Lovely pictures, all. I was so excited for you. I sent the photos and blog to Uncle Greg and I could tell he was tickled...as he should have been. He told me the quilter worked extra hard on the quilt because she knew he wanted to enter this show. Exquisite, huh!

So glad you went! Mom

Isobel said...

I usually check your site before going to bed at night. I saw you beside the quilt, then the full size, and wondered, now just when did she get time to make another quilt. Then I saw the close-up and my jaw dropped also as I thought "That is Greg's quilt." I also had seen the blocks in progress and had even seen the finished project. I am always amazed at his work. I knew his quilt had been chosen to travel, but never imagined that it would travel your way. You look pretty good standing there, also.
Aunt Isobel

Lucy said...

I see that Eva have the same face as you :c)

Joanne said...

That is so cool! Now I'm sorry I didn't go to the show this year!