Marion Iowa Quilt Walk

Last night as I was scrolling through Facebook pages, I saw one for a Quilt Walk in Marion, Iowa today.  I took a quilting class once (before discovering papercrafting), and I loved choosing and combining the patterns and colors ... but didn't really enjoy the sewing.  However, I still find my papercrafting inspired by things I learned in that quilting class.

So this morning, I headed out to see some quilts and explore the City of Marion, Iowa.

My first stop was the Wit's End Coffeehouse where I tried a Chocolate Chai (Chai Tea with Ghiradelli).

I also checked out this fun quilt made with Norman Rockwell Images and got the first punch on my Quilt Tour card (if you filled your card, you could be entered in door prize drawings).

Next stop was the Marion Heritage Center where they were giving away free sweet corn and had both vintage and modern quilts on display.  This modern one was my favorite.  I love how she used the farm-themed fabrics to create the farm rows ... and the simple shapes for the barn and silo.

Next I discovered a new-to-me artist co-op ... McGowan House Artisans.  I purchased a gorgious thread painting similar to this one by Joni Reed Cooley to add to our home art collection

The local quilting guild had a beautiful outdoor display.

Then it was on to the main street downtown merchants which included the Philip's Diamond Shop where they had these amzing quilts on display (and where I also learned they do their own jewelry repair and custom design work).  I just love this color combination.

And this monochromatic beauty.

I was also inspired by the rainbow of color at Village Needlework.

They also had this amazing work of art ... sort of like a tiny little needlework qulit.

I also picked-up lots of little gifts along the way, including a *gift for me* at the Cottage Rose Quilt Shop, where I found some beautiful Basic Grey Fabric.

The piece of fabric on the left is from this amazing line ... love that color combination ... and the corner-cropped square-inside-a-square design.

I also loved how they had some quilts hanging outside, like this gorgeous Peacock-themed design.

Upon close examination I realized that each tiny square was a different design created by cutting four squares from the border fabric and turning the squares into tiny kaleidoscope-like designs ... absolutely amazing handiwork.

This graphic design was hanging in Irwin's Clothing for Men & Boys ... I'd love to try that square pattern with papers.

This award winning batik design was hanging in JOY, Women's Clothing ... those colors are so pretty.

It was fun to stop into Dreaming Bear Designs, one of my favorite stores in Marion (where of course a few more gifts were purchased).

Another beautiful quilt blowing in the downtown breezes.

Loved this dramatic quilt display inside the Campbell Steele Gallery (not to mention the gorgeous Schwartzkopf piece to the left).

The sign said the quilter on this beautiful work was Esther Witmer, age 104 ... I sure hope I'm still creating art when I'm that age.

Since I hadn't quite had my fill of art, I decided to also check out the new scrapbooking store in Cedar Rapids ... ScrapMania, which recently relocated from Traer, Iowa.  Not lots of new things, but a wide selection of scrapbooking and stamping products.  I love how they had cardstock & accessories organized by color ... like a big rainbow around the room.

I did find some Studio Calico Badges & My Mind's Eye Indie Chic papers to go with Washi Tapes I already have in my collection.  I also can't wait to try out my new Prima Marketing Distressing tool.

All-in-all an absolutely beautiful day for an art walk.

Comments

[Brenda B.]

Oh my goodness,this is such a wonderful post. Thanks for sharing these masterpieces. I love quilts (have only made about 5) but just seeing them makes me want to head for my piles of fabric and the sewing machine. I would love to get my hands on the Basic Grey fabric you discovered. It would have been ideal for my most recent quilt.

[Gabby]

Sounds like you had a fun day! I have a quilt collection and at one time I had over 150, most near or more than 100 yrs old. I don't have near that many now but I adore each one that I do. The dark floral hanging in the back row in the Quilt Guild pic caught my eye, as well as, the monochromatic green. The pieced farm scene is cool and I also like the thread painting. Glad you found some treasures on your adventure. Wonder what you will make with your new BG fabric? :)