This weekend is the Quilt Festival in Long Beach, California. If you happen to be there, please see the special exhibit “Tactile Architecture 2009” and say hello to my quilt, “Aquifer.” (I am also happy to report that I’ll have two quilts in the next Tactile Architecture  – which will debut in Houston in the Fall.)

And while you are enjoying the Long Beach show, be sure to also see “Beneath The Surface” featuring quilts by my Twelve by Twelve friends Gerrie, Deborah, Karen and sorry, I was remiss and forgot to add her — Terry.

It’s been a big week or so. Twelve by Twelve has an exhibit at the Australasian Quilt Convention in Melbourne right now. All I had to do was mail my quilts to the appropriate place and Brenda took care of the rest, but it’s been great fun to hear her and Kirsty’s reports from the scene!

Closer to home, I have been working on the Hawai’i Quilt Guild’s annual show. I’m the show chairperson this year, though the real work has been done by all my great committee volunteers. The show is from April 30th until May 9th, so if you’re on Oahu, please take the time to go see it. The show has been getting rave reviews from guild members and others alike. Last Thursday was the opening reception which is always nice since one of our members always makes sure there’s a good spread of food and wine and entertainment. The challenge quilts are judged and ribbons placed, and everyone gets a first look at all the quilts.

This is not a juried show — it is a celebration of all levels and all types of quilts made by guild members. This year we had more quilts entered than ever, which we take to mean that members appreciate the venue and the opportunity, which is a good thing. Besides, we’ve got plenty of quilts to be proud of.

Me in front of the Art Center’s Linekona gallery.

A peek at the yummy food on the lanai from the first photo.

This year’s Featured Artist, Patricia Lei Murray, and I welcoming everyone.

The info table and the opportunity quilt (someone will win this at the end of the show).

Hawaiian style entertainment from the Murray ohana.

Local students played their music for the second hour.

Signing teh guest book and reading our quilter bio book.

Lots of quilts to look at.

And even more to see.

The quilt/craft blogs have been a-flutter for the last few days with all the Quilt Market excitement. Maybe some day I will be able to attend  as an exhibitor or retailer and join in all the fun (and hard work!). I’m not holding my breath though. On Thursday, the Market turns into the Festival, which IS open to the public. This I would also like to attend someday — which actually could happen. For now though, I am content that at least one of my quilts is there.

If you are at the Festival, please stop by the Tactile Architecture exhibit and say hi to my quilt!

UPDATE: Vicky is in Houston and sent me a photo of my quilt with it’s neighbors:

Thank you so much Vicky.

Hawaii Quilt Guild 25th Anniversary Show, originally uploaded by Umzavi.

I returned to the Linekona on Friday morning to be a quilt sitter (or docent, as I prefer) at the Quilt Guild show — and this time I remembered my camera!

None of my quilts are visible in these shots as they were on the fringe, but the photos do give a very good feeling for the space and the look of the show as a whole.

I’ve been remiss. I’ve forgotten to mention that the Hawai’i Quilt Guild (of which I am a member) is having their 25th Anniversary quilt show this week! I helped to hang the show last Monday and completely forgot to bring my camera. There’s a small write-up in the Honolulu Star bulletin here. Be sure to click on “view more photos” below the picture as there are eight more quilts.

The opening was last Thursday. The space (the Linekona building at the Honolulu Art Academy) is lovely — nice high ceilings, movable walls and lots of light. The building also has an expansive entrance porch (or lanai) which was decked out with scrumptious food by several Guild members. This was definitely a well attended event and for good reason. Great food outside, and lots of colorful quilts inside.

When hanging the show, I had my “gallery” head on and kept trying to give things space and interesting vignettes. Stacy, the organizer, kept telling me, “no, hang it higher so we can fit more in, add this, do that, don’t forget that one over there…” I was doubtful early on, but she knew what we had to deal with and had the vision, and once it was all done, it really did come together wonderfully. It is a non-juried show and highlights well the variety of talents and interests of the guild members. In toto, the high walls covered with quilts plus more hanging from the ceiling, and many flowers, made for a sensory riot of color and pattern. You have to smile when you walk in.

So, if you happen to be in Honolulu this week, please make time to stop by the Linekona on Victoria Street (mauka of the Blaisedell Center).

Since I forgot my camera, the photo above is of the blossoms my daughter’s hula teacher showed me how to put together for the girls to wear in their hair for their end-of-session performance. We have a great park next to the kids’ school that offers VERY affordable programs. I support it as much as possible.